If you’ve ever stood in a Philly cheesesteak line at midnight, you already know the feeling I get every time I pull up to a really good steak truck, and 5th & Steaks in Glen Burnie gives me exactly that. This is a Philly-rooted cheesesteak spot slinging ribeye on Aversa’s seeded rolls out of a truck on Ritchie Highway, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of their steaks.
My personal go-to is The 5th, their signature ribeye with Cooper Sharp, but I’ll walk you through the whole lineup below. If you’re a cheesesteak person (or you’re trying to become one, no judgment), this Glen Burnie truck’s an easy yes, and it’s become one of the more talked-about steak spots in the area for good reason. Let’s dig in, Nomsters!
What Makes 5th & Steaks A Must Try
So what’s the deal here? 5th & Steaks started building a serious local following at their original Catonsville truck, and the Glen Burnie location on Ritchie Highway (right next to the Citgo) was their second Maryland spot when it rolled in back in January. They’ve since added a third truck down in College Park, which tells you how fast word’s gotten around.
What sets them apart is that they don’t cut corners on the fundamentals. It’s ribeye, not the mystery chopped stuff, piled onto an Aversa’s seeded roll, which is the same style of chewy, sturdy Philly roll the legendary spots up in Philadelphia swear by. Add in real cheese choices (Cooper Sharp and Whiz) and a menu that goes past the basics, and you’ve got a truck worth planning your afternoon around.
What to Order at 5th & Steaks
Here’s how I’d order, because the steaks here are all-around yum and the lineup goes deeper than you’d expect from a truck. Everything’s built on that ribeye-and-Aversa’s-roll base, so it really comes down to your cheese and how much heat you want.
The 5th ($17)
This is the one I reach for every time, their signature classic: ribeye with Cooper Sharp and optional fried onions on that Aversa’s seeded roll. If you’re new to the truck and don’t know where to start, start here. The ribeye’s the star, the Cooper Sharp brings a sharper, nuttier bite (more on that cheese in a sec), and the roll actually holds up instead of turning to mush under all the steak and cheese. Like I said, any steak on the board’s a solid call, but The 5th’s my personal favorite.
The 9th ($17)
Whiz people, this one’s for you. The 9th swaps in Cheez Whiz for that classic drippy, saucy Philly experience (ordering it “wit whiz” is about as old-school Philly as it gets). Same quality ribeye, same Aversa’s roll, just the gooier cheese lane if that’s your thing. If you grew up on Whiz, this is your order, no notes.
The Pepper Jawn ($18)
If you like a little heat, the Pepper Jawn’s the move. It’s their spicy build, so consider yourself warned if peppers aren’t your thing. I’d steer the spice-averse toward The 5th and let the heat-seekers have this one all to themselves. That’s the beauty of ordering here, there’s a lane for everybody at the table.
Halal Chicken Cheesesteaks
Not a red-meat person, or just want a halal option? They do halal chicken cheesesteaks, available as a steak or a hoagie, so the whole table’s covered! That’s genuinely a nice touch you don’t see at every steak truck, and it means nobody in your crew has to sit out the run.
A couple of other things worth grabbing while you’re there:
- The cheesesteak egg rolls, their fun handheld twist on the classic (that’s them pictured above).
- The SUPER loaded fries, which come piled with ribeye, Whiz, and long hot peppers if you’re going all in.
What’s the Difference Between Cooper Sharp and Whiz?
Since 5th & Steaks lets you pick your cheese, here’s the quick rundown so you can order like you know. Whiz is Cheez Whiz, the jarred cheese sauce that’s been the classic Philly move since the 1950s, warm and runny and unapologetically nostalgic. Cooper Sharp is a firmer American cheese with a sharper, nuttier edge and a serious cheese pull, and it’s what a lot of the newer-school steak spots reach for. Neither’s wrong, they’re just different vibes. I lean Cooper Sharp on The 5th, but if Whiz is what you grew up on, The 9th will make you happy.
The Grand Opening, and Why I’m in Their Corner
I’ll be upfront about this one, same as I said up top: 5th & Steaks is a NOM Digital client, so I’m rooting for them a little harder than usual. When they opened this Glen Burnie truck back in January, they did it big, giving away 100 free cheesesteaks to the first 100 people in line, and the turnout said everything about the following they’d already built out in Catonsville.
Watching a Philly-rooted spot grow into a second, and now a third, Maryland truck in under a year is exactly the kind of small-business win I’m always hyped to see. And I’m not just saying that because the steaks are good (though, for the record, they are).
The Vibe and Experience
Set your expectations right: this is a food truck, not a sit-down spot, so it’s a walk-up window with parking-lot vibes. You order, you wait for them to griddle it fresh, and you either post up nearby or take it to go. Regulars will tell you to bring a chair if you actually want to hang and eat there. It’s casual, it’s quick, and it makes for an easy weekday lunch or a weekend steak run. Just don’t roll up right before close, because when they sell out, they sell out, and there’s no talking your way into one more.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 7237 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, right next to the Citgo. (There’s the original truck in Catonsville too, plus a newer one in College Park.)
- Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11AM until they sell out. The truck lists an 8PM close, but busy days can sell out earlier, so go earlier rather than later. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Style: It’s a food truck and walk-up window, not a dine-in restaurant.
- Order ahead: You can order online for pickup through their website, and they’re on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub for delivery.
- The cheese: Whiz for the classic drippy style, Cooper Sharp for the sharper, meltier bite.
- Dietary: Halal chicken cheesesteaks are on the menu (steak or hoagie). It’s a meat-forward lineup, so vegetarians won’t find much here.
- Catering: They cater parties and events, so keep them in mind for the next cookout or office thing.
Is 5th & Steaks Worth the Trip to Glen Burnie?
YES. If you want a legit Philly-style cheesesteak on the right roll without driving all the way to Philadelphia, this Glen Burnie truck delivers, and The 5th is the one I’d put in a first-timer’s hands. It’s casual, it’s affordable, and the ribeye-plus-Aversa’s-roll combo is the part that actually matters. Come hungry, come before they sell out, and if you’re chasing Maryland’s other great sandwiches afterward, my pick for pit turkey is over in nearby Pasadena. Worth it, easily.
Have you guys been to 5th & Steaks yet?! Let me know what you order in the comments, Nomsters, and tell me your cheese order while you’re at it (I’m Team Cooper Sharp, clearly). SUPER proud of this NOM Digital client, and if you’re rounding out a Glen Burnie food run, Capri Pizza & Sub is another neighborhood spot I’ve got love for. For even more yum eats around Glen Burnie, head this way.