Mark Jandou, back left, and his wife, Rita, foreground, prepare food on a recent weekday at their Philly’s Famous Steaks & Hoagies at Alma School and Ray roads in north Chandler.
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Mark Jandou, back left, and his wife, Rita, foreground, prepare food on a recent weekday at their Philly’s Famous Steaks & Hoagies at Alma School and Ray roads in north Chandler.
When the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl 59 a few weeks ago, some Arizonans and transplanted East Coast types were in a Chandler restaurant together to see it.
“We don’t normally stay open on Sundays, but for the Super Bowl, we made an exception,” Philly’s Famous Steaks & Hoagies owner Mark Jandou said about two weeks after the big game. “We have a connection to the neighborhood, but we get people from far away, too. Some for the good food — some, because it’s good Philly food.”
While Jandou and his wife, Rita, aren’t natives of the Philadelphia area, the owner and founder of the shop, Mark Blaing, has South Philadelphia roots. Jandou says he lost a business in the early 2000s and approached Blaing, who didn’t want to sell it, but eventually agreed to take on Jandou as a partner.
Jandou said the idea of owning and running the shop grew om him.
“When I first saw it, it was not even a 5% chance, in my mind, that I would buy it,” he said.
Now the sole owners of the shop, tucked into the Chandler Marketplace that’s anchored by VASA Fitness on the northwest corner of Alma School and Ray roads, Philly’s Famous has endured and witness many ups and downs —both in terms of business challenges and success by Philadelphia sports teams.
Construction in the area and the COVID-19 pandemic were two of the challenges. Jandou says its to-go-based business model made the COVID adjustments conquerable, but roadwork is always tough for any brick-and-mortar, fixed-location business.
The seating area for eating on-site is adorned with photos of nearly every Philadelphia celebrated athlete and championship moment of the past 50 years, ranging from the Phillies’ first World Series title in 1980 to the NFL Eagles’ Super Bowl appearances in 2005 and their first title run in 2017-18. Other pro sports are also represented.
“I’ve got to order a 2025 banner,” Jandou said, noticing the 2018 banner lacks a pairing with the Eagles’ recent Super Bowl triumph.
While the sports and Philly connections are important, Jandou says, it’s the quality and consistency of the ingredients that really earn repeat business. He said meat and bread seem to matter most.
“Those are the main keys,” Jandou said. “And it isn’t always the steaks, either. One lady came in from far away because she heard we had good albacore tuna. So everything we do, we try to have top quality.”
The “Bellyfiller” is a large signature Philly cheesesteak, though there are many menu items that claim to be authentically Philadelphian. Cheez Whiz is available for a small extra charge.
Jandou said he regularly scouts the competition and wants to be the best in the area at what he does. That’s one reason why the Jandous haven’t branched off much into beverages or other types of non-sandwich foods.
“Whomever takes over for me, if it’s someone who’s knowledgeable in a certain area and about the whole business, they could try new things,” he said.
Jandou said personal attention to regular customers is important. He gives the example of reminding a regular known as “Billy from Philly” that he forgot to ask for ranch dressing.
As for who will take over the shop once Jandou retires, that’s unclear. His daughter Sarah — with whom Rita was pregnant with, when the couple first took over the shop — is a junior at Chandler High School, and at least one of her siblings has worked at Philly’s Famous.
“If I find a really good employee, I might consider a change,” he said.
Philly’s Famous is at 1250 North Alma School Road, No. 31, in north Chandler. Reach the shop at 480-899-0756 or at phillysfamouscheesesteaksandhoagies.com.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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