The Happy Cheesesteak

Where Smiles Are Made

 

If the cheerful mustard yellow and ketchup red color scheme of The Happy Cheesesteak at 150 South Main Street, or the logo of a grinning steak and cheese grinder giving the “thumbs up” does not put a smile on the customer’s face, then owner Adam Watt is certain that something on the menu at the light and bright 24-seat eatery will make that person happy.

Sure to make customers happy, are the new hours, tailored to meet the demand. The Happy Cheesesteak now serves full breakfast, and an array of breakfast sandwiches. The featured breakfast sandwich, The Happy Newtowner, is for the hungriest of morning diners — a Portuguese roll loaded with egg, ham, bacon, sausage, cheese, hash browns, and ketchup.

The less ravenous might indulge in a simpler sandwich to start the day, like bacon, ham, or sausage with egg and cheese. All breakfast sandwiches are served on a Portuguese roll.

Full breakfast is served at The Happy Cheesesteak. Eggs any style or omelets come with hash browns and toast; or choose pancakes or French toast with butter and syrup.

A builder by trade, Mr Watt decided to return to the restaurant business (previously, he owned and operated the Roadrunner Kitchen, near the Monroe line) when the economy turned the building trade upside down. His vision to meld hard economic times with a place that served exceptional food at great prices, and give Newtown something different, came together when he opened The Happy Cheesesteak in September 2010, serving up a classic Philadelphia-style cheesesteak, as well as variations on that theme. A cheesesteak is a stack of thinly sliced steak on an 8-inch grinder, topped with melted cheese, traditionally Cheese Whiz. It is served “with” or “without” grilled onions.

Also catering to the economy, The Happy Cheesesteak offers several promotions. Earn one Happy Dollar with the purchase of every grinder. Ten Happy Dollars can be cashed in for a free grinder from the regular menu.

In addition to the regular menu of grinders and cheesesteaks, Signature Cheesesteaks have become popular with customers. Buffalo chicken, sweet and sour chicken, or especially the Italian and chicken Marsala Signature Cheesesteaks have a dedicated following already, Mr Watt said. One of the ten Signature Cheesesteaks is featured each day, at a special price.

Football fans can take advantage of the NFL Sunday football or the Saturday college football game deals, four Happy Cheesesteaks, two dozen wings, and four 12-ounce sodas for $40, a savings of more than $13. The deals are available for eat-in or takeout.

The Happy Cheesesteak is teaming up with Carriage Limousines out of Oxford to create a promotion that customers, 21 years of age and older, will want to get in on. With every combo purchased, customers are entered into a January 2, 2012, drawing to win an eight-hour limousine trip to a destination of his or her choice. Start the day with breakfast for four at The Happy Cheesesteak. Then receive a bottle of champagne and eight-hour access to the limousine. The winner will be returned to The Happy Cheesesteak at the end of the ride. Details are available on site.

The Happy Cheesesteak uses only USDA rib eye/sirloin on the original sandwich, and less conventional cheesesteak lovers who are not fans of Cheese Whiz can opt for American, mozzarella, Swiss, or Provolone cheese on the classic Philly sandwich. “The cheesesteak is flying out the door,” reported Mr Watt. He is especially proud of the compliments he has received from Philadelphia-based customers: The Happy Cheesesteak is better than Gino’s in Philadelphia.

USDA beef, pork, and poultry only are used on the other “happy” menu items. Those include the Happy Pastrami, with grilled pastrami, onions, and Swiss cheese; the Happy Porketta, a sandwich of seasoned roast pork, onions, hot cherry peppers, and “happy” gravy; the Happy eggplant with breaded eggplant, roasted peppers, mozzarella, and balsamic vinaigrette; sausage and peppers; and several other sandwiches overflowing with flavors and ingredients inspired by Mr Watt’s Italian heritage.

Other menu items that are well received include the Happy Cajun Chicken Cheesesteak, the Happy Chicken Cordon Bleu, and the Happy Italian Cheesesteak, consisting of rib eye steak, broccoli rabe, hot cherry peppers, grilled onions, and Provolone cheese. “Customers say the Happy Italian is a grand slam,” said Mr Watt.

New to the menu is the open-faced rib eye steak sandwich, with lettuce and tomato, on toast. This sandwich is served with onion rings and a side of coleslaw.

For those who like a challenge, the “Adam Bomb” is a Man vs Food television show-style, five-pound cheesesteak that Mr Watt dares the public to eat. “If you eat the whole sandwich, you do not pay, and your picture goes on the wall,” said Mr Watt. A $40 deposit, one day in advance of taking the challenge, is required.

Two of The Happy Cheesesteak’s best sellers are named for Mr Watt’s niece and nephew, Jesse and Nicky. The Happy Jesse is grilled chicken breast, roasted peppers, sautéed broccoli rabe, bacon, and mozzarella, honoring not only his niece, but his late brother, as well. The Happy Nicky D features sweet Italian sausage with broccoli rabe. A children’s menu includes Happy Burger sliders, Happy Cheesesteak sliders, pepperoni pizza logs, mac & cheese wedges, grilled cheese, mozzarella sticks, or chicken tenders, with fries, soda, and a toy.

The Happy Veggie makes nonmeat eaters as happy as any other customer. Light eaters appreciate the steak or Caesar salads.

Hungry diners may want to add a side dish of deep-fried ravioli, mac & cheese wedges, or an order of BBQ, pizza, or cheesesteak fries. Unique to the South Main Street eatery is the fried pickle wheel, a treat that is one of the top selling sides.

There is a secret to making customers “happy,” beyond great food and great service, though. The “happy” gravy and barbeque found on some of the cheesesteaks and sandwiches contain Mr Watt’s special seasonings. “Not even the kitchen staff knows what goes into it,” he said. The “happy” seasoning makes his wings the “best in the area,” according to customers who have tried them.

Seventeen different grinders are also on the menu, plus lobster rolls made with lobster sautéed in butter, clam rolls, whole belly clams, fantail shrimp, fish grinder, and fish and chips with beer-battered cod filet — all served with fries and coleslaw. Seafood and fish is always seasonal.

All of the cheesesteaks and sandwiches served at The Happy Cheesesteak are made on 8-inch grinder rolls from the Purdy Hill Bakery in Monroe. “It’s fantastic bread,” declared Mr Watt. Sandwiches are also available on a wrap for $1 extra.

An even bigger smile is put on the faces of those who opt for one or more of the 60-cent add-ons to a sandwich: sweet or hot cherry peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, lettuce, “happy” cheese sauce, or provolone, American, Swiss, mozzarella, or bleu cheese. For 95 cents, bacon can be added to any sandwich.

Happiness is a two-way street, though, Mr Watt believes. The Happy Cheesesteak is proud to be the first of area restaurants to get on board the Drink Water To Give Water Campaign. A $1 donation for the water served at The Happy Cheesesteak helps build a deep water well for a small village in Africa that currently has no access to clean water. Each well costs approximately $6,500 to build, and 100 percent of the donation goes toward building the well. Fro more information, visit www.mycharitywater.org/drinkwatertogivewater.

Diners can grab a soda or water from the well-stocked Coke cooler and a bag of chips from the rack near the large pickup window that looks into the kitchen. Nearby, wall-mounted dispensers provide an ultrasanitary method of providing utensils, whether dining in at The Happy Cheesesteak or taking the generous sandwiches to go. Condiments and napkins are handily located on a table beneath the dispensers.

Customers will not mind a short wait for their orders: a flat screen television mounted in the corner of the dining room airs sports each week. When children are in the majority, cartoons rule the day.

As the weather warms up, diners can take their meals and find a seat at one of four picnic tables or tables for two on the patio, located at the side of the building.

A former band member and guitarist, music remains a big part of Mr Watt’s life. Putting a smile on yet more faces are the many autographed prints and photographs of stars like LeAnn Rimes, George Harrison, Faith Hill, Charlie Daniels, the Stray Cats, Eric Clapton, Master Chef Rocco Dispirito, and female body builder Sandy Riddell that decorate the walls. Comedian John Valby of Buffalo, N.Y., who heard about The Happy Cheesesteak and stopped in to try one, is now part of the wall of fame.

Listen for Mr Watt’s original jingle for The Happy Cheesesteak, co-written with Billy Rose, record producer for acts like Harry Chapin, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, Steam, James Cotton, Dan Fogelberg, and the founder of REO Speedwagon, aired on radio station KC 101 and WRKI i95. The Happy Cheesesteak was highlighted on NBC Connecticut News this past year, as well.

The Happy Cheesesteak, at 150 South Main Street, across from the Citgo gas station, is open Monday through Friday, from 6:30 am to 7 pm; Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm; and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Delivery is available through Vroom Service, 203-270-3663. Gift certificates in any denomination are available. Become a fan of The Happy Cheesesteak on Facebook, where a full menu can be found. For takeout orders, call 203-270-3301.