If you’ve had a 5th & Steaks cheesesteak anywhere in Maryland lately, this is where it all started. Before the Glen Burnie food truck and the College Park spot near UMD, there was this Philly-rooted operation in Catonsville’s Rolling Road Plaza, quietly turning out some of the most serious cheesesteaks in Baltimore County. And full disclosure, the NOM Digital team manages their social media, but I promise I’m not biased!
Anywho, the menu’s short and focused (a handful of cheesesteaks, a few loaded fries, and wings), which is usually the sign of a kitchen that knows its lane. The portions are no joke, so I left very, very full. If you take your cheesesteaks seriously, or you’re just Philly-homesick out in the Baltimore burbs, here’s exactly what to get.
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What to Know About 5th & Steaks in Catonsville
What makes this place stand out is how Philly it is, right down to the details. The rolls are Aversa seeded rolls (a real Philly bakery name), the ribeye’s chopped and piled high, and they make their own cherry pepper whiz in house instead of squeezing it out of a jar.
The menu keeps it tight: cheesesteaks like The 5th (Cooper Sharp), The 9th (whiz), the spicy Pepper Jawn, and even a Taylor pork roll number called The Trenton, plus three kinds of fries and sides like long hots and cherry peppers. This Catonsville shop is the original, and they’ve since expanded with a College Park spot near UMD and a Glen Burnie food truck, so clearly the formula’s working. Come hungry, because the portions are no joke.
What to Order at 5th & Steaks
The Pepper Jawn ($18)
This was my pick, and I’d get it again in a heartbeat. It’s ribeye steak with that house-made cherry pepper whiz and fried onions on an Aversa seeded roll, and the flavors were really great with a genuine kick if you like heat. My sub was FAT, and I mean that as the highest compliment, they give you tons of meat, so go in hungry! If you want your cheesesteak with a little attitude, this is the one.
The 5th Fries ($12)
LOVED these, so yum! They pile the same ribeye and whiz on a bed of fries, so it’s basically a cheesesteak you eat with a fork. I got mine with onions because I love them, but you can leave them off. It’s a lot of food on its own, so maybe split it if you’re also getting a sub. Keeping it simple? They’ve got regular fries for $5 and cheese fries for $7 too.
The Rest of the Menu
I couldn’t try everything in one sitting, but the lineup’s worth knowing. There’s The 5th ($17) with Cooper Sharp cheese, The 9th ($17) with whiz, The Trenton ($19) with Taylor pork roll, and the loaded Skoo-kil ($20) with a cream cheese smear and thick-cut bacon. There’s a chicken cheesesteak too if red meat’s not your thing. Add long hots or long hot aioli for pocket change if you want even more heat.
What Is Cherry Pepper Whiz?
It’s the reason The Pepper Jawn slaps. Cherry pepper whiz is exactly what it sounds like, a cheese-whiz-style sauce blended with cherry peppers, those small, round, tangy-spicy peppers you see on Italian sub bars. 5th & Steaks makes theirs in house, so it’s got real flavor and a real kick. If you love a classic whiz cheesesteak but wish it had a little more going on, this is your upgrade. Not a spice person? Order a plain whiz or a Cooper Sharp steak instead and you’re golden.
The Vibe and Experience
Set your expectations right: this is a walk-up, grab-your-food-and-go operation in Rolling Road Plaza. You order, they build it fresh, and you’re out. Parking’s plentiful, and it’s a perfect stop for a quick lunch, a post-errand refuel, or a takeout dinner you eat on the couch (no judgment, that’s exactly what I’d do). One heads-up, they run until sell-out, so if you’re rolling in later in the day, call ahead so you’re not staring at an empty case.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 1140 N Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD, in Rolling Road Plaza.
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 8pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. They serve until sell-out, so later in the day can run out.
- Format: walk-up and takeout, no dine-in seating. Validated parking in the plaza.
- Prices: budget-friendly. Cheesesteaks run about $17 to $20, the 5th Fries are $12, and plain fries start at $5.
- Ordering: order at the window, online through their website, or delivery via Grubhub and Uber Eats.
- Payment: Apple Pay and contactless confirmed. Bring a backup card just in case.
- Other locations: a College Park spot near UMD and a Glen Burnie food truck.
Would I Go Back to 5th & Steaks?
Yes, I’m def a fan. This is a seriously good cheesesteak, the Pepper Jawn and those loaded 5th Fries alone are worth the drive to Catonsville, and knowing this is the original spot makes it even more fun to visit. It’s a great pick for a fast, no-fuss, seriously good lunch. If you’re chasing the county’s best cheesesteaks, Cheesesteak & Co. in Owings Mills belongs on your list too.
Have you guys hit 5th & Steaks yet? If you go, get the Pepper Jawn and let me know how FAT your sub is in the comments, Nomsters. Save this for your next cheesesteak craving, and send it to the Philly friend who swears nothing outside the city measures up.