Blue Collar photo
Audio By Carbonatix
Miami is no stranger to receiving national praise for its restaurants, but even the most die-hard locals didn’t have this on their 2025 bingo card: Blue Collar, the beloved MiMo mainstay known for comfort food, soul, and ridiculously good sides, has just been named one of the best Philly cheesesteaks in the U.S. — outside of Philadelphia.
Before the purists sharpen their pitchforks, take a breath. The Takeout’s list ranks the top ten cheesesteaks beyond the city of brotherly love, and Miami’s own neighborhood diner-that-could earned a spot among giants from across the country. And honestly, once you’ve had the sandwich, it’s not hard to see why.
Blue Collar photo
Why Blue Collar’s Philly? It’s Juicy Perfection
As the Takeout writes in its feature, “All the way down in South Florida, where they’re known for their inventive culinary practices, lies a hidden gem of a sandwich that is just waiting to be discovered by cheesesteak aficionados. Blue Collar is a small but mighty restaurant located in the MiMo district of Miami. It’s best known for comfort food staples, weekend brunch service, and most importantly, a succulent Philly Cheesesteak that stands tall as the most irresistible option on its marvelous menu.”
They continue: “Blue Collar’s cheesesteak is perfectly greasy and melty, with perfectly-cut ribeye, onions, and Cooper Sharp cheese on a seeded roll. The restaurant keeps it simple by not offering any bold or brave variations on the pitch-perfect menu item, as one might expect it to given its location. Order Blue Collar’s Philly Cheesesteak with its signature side of hand-cut fries (which have been called some of the best in Miami), and you’re off to the races with a meal that rivals the iconic cheesesteak joints from the city of brotherly love.”
Blue Collar photo
The Beloved Spot Deserves the Praise
It’s a big national nod for a restaurant that started as a scrappy diner on NE 79th Street and now operates in classed-up digs across Biscayne Boulevard. Yet even with its expanded footprint, Blue Collar remains true to its roots: gutsy daily specials, shrimp and grits with punch, year-round latkes, and that iconic veggie plate that Miami vegetarians worship.
Add in its New Times wins — Best Burger 2016, Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurant 2024 — and now, one of America’s greatest cheesesteaks outside Philly. Miami, meet your newest unlikely culinary legend.
Blue Collar. 6789 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-756-0366; bluecollarmiami.com.
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