Cheesesteaks by Matū | Pasadena Photos
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CHEESESTEAKS BY MATŪ | PASADENA ATMOSPHERE
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I had to pick my brother up at Burbank airport, and decided this was close enough to finally try it out. We got 2 cheesesteaks and an order of chips. It WAS $60.00, but it was also delicious and worth it IMO. The cheesesteak was so fucking good! Incredible sesame seed roll, decent amount of Waygu beef and a ton of cheese. It also came with a long hot pepper (spicy!). The combination of flavors with the bread was a winner! Definitely the best cheesesteak I have had in CA, and top 3 I have ever had, anywhere, Philadelphia included. The chips were just ok. Could have been more crispy. Would probably skip them next time. The dude at the counter was super friendly too! Very welcoming, asked us questions, asked how we liked it etc. My Brother mentioned that the long hot was spicy and he let us know they just switched providers of the pepper to someone from New Jersey. Wherever they get them from, keep getting them. Spicy, but delicious! I would drive back to Pasadena specifically for this sandwich. It was great!
When I first heard about the long lines when this spot opened, I worried that my eventual visit would lead to disappointment due to the cheesesteaks being overhyped. I decided to check the restaurant out once they expanded their operating hours, and I can remember some consternation due to logistical flubs during my first visit (there was a moderate line and a significant delay in allowing people to order that was not well explained by one of the employees). However, my subsequent visits have gone smoothly, and I have not experienced any significant queues. Their cheesesteak is a pricy sandwich, and as someone familiar with Philly cheesesteaks paying almost $30 for one seems like blasphemy. However, the sandwich is very tasty with an excellent Cooper Sharp cheese and the light spiciness and vegetal flavor of the long pepper balancing well with the meat. Given the price, I would not visit very frequently but would reserve getting a sandwich for when I would want to treat myself.
I stopped by and ordered the philly cheesesteak and wagyu potato chips ($33), which I thought was pretty pricey. The portion was large and filling, but overall, I didn't feel like it was anything particularly memorable for the price. The service was quick and easy. You order at the window and pick up your food when it's ready. The meat was tasty, and I liked the toasted sesame on the bread, which added a nice flavor. The chips were actually my favorite part of the meal, though I do wish they gave a bigger serving considering the cost. There was plenty of seating, and I was able to find metered street parking. Overall, it was a solid meal, but nothing that really stood out or made me want to come back. It was good to try once, but I don't think it's worth the price.
Wow! This spot has been on my bucket list for a while and it hit on the hype on social media. Matu does it very well and gives CA a great cheesesteak. The sesame bun give a great crunch and texture that turns on your senses, the meat and sharp cheese blended together is heavenly. The long hot is perfectly spicy and gives every bite a kick. What I didn't like: - Can't add more onions(even if you pay) - Can't add more meat -$4 talo chips, bag has 10 chips, not particularly good
I understand the hype. The cheese steak is amazing very juicy. Loved the bread. The pepper gives it a nice kick of spice making the sandwich feel less greasy. The chips are good but the amount you get is ridiculous. Would definitely be back when I crave an upscale cheese steak.
Is it worth $28 for a cheesesteak. Prob not. It's good not great. I'm also biased because I lived in the east coast... bread choice was interesting. It starts to grow on you as it cools. The $4 potato chips were legit!
So on a recent 36 hour foodie trip to SoCal-Cheesesteaks by Matu was our final destination.It was quite a trek considering our day started off in Manhattan Beach and we had to travel all the way to Pasadena on a Monday to try out this viral sensation of a cheesesteak. In a lot of ways we got pretty lucky-We found street parking directly across the street from the sandwich spot,as it's mostly street parking out there and it's very busy street. Another way we got lucky was that there was absolutely zero people in line-I've heard stories about this place just having the longest of lines and so yes felt very lucky to have no line. Now let me tell you how I was not lucky-These sandwiches are $24 each-so with ordering three of them plus a $4 bag of Wagyu cooked potato chips-it set me back $89.00 for this meal-pretty pricey. A little background on this spot-This Pasadena sandwich spot was born due to the popularity of serving these Philly cheesesteaks at the famous Matu restaurant in Beverly Hills.They only served these sandwiches at the bar and they became so popular that they decided to open up a sandwich-only spot in Pasadena to help quell the overwhelming popularity of these sandwiches. Hence the price-this dish has its roots at a fancy restaurant in Beverly Hills. We got our sandwiches without any modifications-Grass-fed Wagyu Ribeye and sirloin beef cooked with onions and cheese with a long hot pepper for added spice. Funny thing I noticed about SoCal dining that I think definitely applies here and a few other places I've eaten out here.They can take a common dish,be it a breakfast burrito,pasta dish,donuts or in this case a Philly cheesesteak and elevate it from a common dish to an extraordinary dish just by elevating the ingredients to the highest available. They use the best possibly meat-cheese-bread & veggies and turn this sandwich from a regular dining experience to something very special. It was extremely tasty and you could taste the high quality ingredients. That being said it didn't feel like any Philly cheesesteak experience I've had and loved before-I've traveled all over Philadelphia and had sandwiches from all the best spots and this was not those experiences. I don't know that the Philly cheese needed to be upgraded so much that it lost what eating a Philly cheesesteak is supposed to feel like. Too Fancy in my book. I was very glad I went but this is for sure a one and done experience for me-some foods just are better served using common ingredients and kept in a price range everyone could enjoy.
You've heard the buzz and you're probably standing in line because of that buzz. Luckily we showed up on a Thursday afternoon and there was no line. Honestly my review would probably be lower if I had to stand around waiting for this thing. The space is shared with HiHo Cheeseburger, and at the time we were there more people actually seemed to be ordering burgers than cheesesteaks, which honestly made me curious enough that I'll probably have to try HiHo next time. First thing I didn't like: you can't get extra cheese. My assumption is they want you tasting the wagyu and appreciating that you're eating wagyu because that's what you're paying for. But for me? That's not really what I want from a cheesesteak. You also can't really hear the grill. One of my favorite things at a proper Philly spot is hearing the metal spatulas hitting the flat top. The chopping, the scraping, the clink clink clink of meat getting worked over. I love that part almost as much as eating it. Wagyu in a cheesesteak also just feels like overkill to me. Maybe that's the point of the place, but I don't need luxury steak in my cheesesteak. I want it absolutely buried in cheese wiz and bad decisions. I also throw pickles on mine. But noooooo. Not here. There are tables outside which is nice because it's a pretty part of Pasadena to sit outside and eat in, but if there had been a huge line I would've felt weird sitting there eating while people stood around staring at me waiting for their turn. The guy taking our order also looked bored out of his mind, which honestly kinda matched the whole experience. Overall it wasn't bad, it just wasn't worth the hype for me. If you're an influencer, maybe the views are worth it.
We went on a Monday hoping the weekend traffic would have subsided but nope still a line. Come to find out the line was not because they were so busy but because of system failures. How annoying. During a work lunch when time is of the essence. We got there 5 minutes after opening time and others had the same idea. The lines are controlled by the door man. Only a few are allowed inside to even order. The others have to wait in the blazin heat. Bring an umbrella. You will surely need it. Once we got to order, they were nice enough to throw in some chips on the house for the system issue. That was good service. The food was spot on. I will definitely be back but when the craze has died down some more.
For 30 dollars and a wait, I think it's pretty mediocre. The best part of this cheesesteak is the bread and the pepper. The meat itself though just tastes like regular sliced beef. Glad I tried it though but likely wouldn't come back.
For the price, it just didn't live up to the hype. The cheesesteak was decent the bread was nicely toasted, the meat was tender, and there was a good amount of filling but nothing about it really stood out. For around $30 for a cheesesteak, I was expecting something memorable, and this tasted more like an okay sandwich at a premium price. Service was fine and the casual setup works for a quick bite, but the value just isn't there for me. Glad I tried it, but at this price point, I probably wouldn't come back.
Second trip confirms consistency in tastes, but felt shorted on the amount of chips :). Still good and learned there is validated parking around the corner, which is good to know so we can actually try the food there for a change. Ordering on Postmates is pretty convenient though and prices seem like the same as store, so also a great option if you need to run in a grab your food to go.
After waiting so long to finally try Matu, my husband and I left feeling underwhelmed. The sandwich was very rich and, although it had a peppery kick, it lacked the acidity needed to balance everything out. It just didn't wow us the way we expected. The wait was also a bit much, about 20 minutes just to order, followed by another 15-20 minutes for the food. That said, they were thoughtful enough to provide umbrellas while we waited in the sun, which we appreciated. Would I come back? Probably not..but I'm still glad we gave it a try.
1 day ago
I was always curious about the cheesesteak since it was known for the best in LA. There are two locations one in Beverly Hills and Pasadena. The Pasadena One is shared with a burger joint instead of a restaurant. I ordered the Matu Philly Cheesesteak and the sandwich was hot. The flavor was good but it was not the best cheesesteak I ever had. The cheesesteak was $24 because it had waygu but pricey. Luckily when I went, there was no line and the wait wasn't bad. read more
1 month ago
yea i should've listened to the reviews lol i love philly cheesesteaks and this was not it for $28 read more
I had to pick my brother up at Burbank airport, and decided this was close enough to finally try it out. We got 2 cheesesteaks and an order of chips. It WAS $60.00, but it was also delicious and worth it IMO. The cheesesteak was so fucking good! Incredible sesame seed roll, decent amount of Waygu beef and a ton of cheese. It also came with a long hot pepper (spicy!). The combination of flavors with the bread was a winner! Definitely the best cheesesteak I have had in CA, and top 3 I have ever had, anywhere, Philadelphia included. The chips were just ok. Could have been more crispy. Would probably skip them next time. The dude at the counter was super friendly too! Very welcoming, asked us questions, asked how we liked it etc. My Brother mentioned that the long hot was spicy and he let us know they just switched providers of the pepper to someone from New Jersey. Wherever they get them from, keep getting them. Spicy, but delicious! I would drive back to Pasadena specifically for this sandwich. It was great! read more
When I first heard about the long lines when this spot opened, I worried that my eventual visit would lead to disappointment due to the cheesesteaks being overhyped. I decided to check the restaurant out once they expanded their operating hours, and I can remember some consternation due to logistical flubs during my first visit (there was a moderate line and a significant delay in allowing people to order that was not well explained by one of the employees). However, my subsequent visits have gone smoothly, and I have not experienced any significant queues. Their cheesesteak is a pricy sandwich, and as someone familiar with Philly cheesesteaks paying almost $30 for one seems like blasphemy. However, the sandwich is very tasty with an excellent Cooper Sharp cheese and the light spiciness and vegetal flavor of the long pepper balancing well with the meat. Given the price, I would not visit very frequently but would reserve getting a sandwich for when I would want to treat myself. read more
I stopped by and ordered the philly cheesesteak and wagyu potato chips ($33), which I thought was pretty pricey. The portion was large and filling, but overall, I didn't feel like it was anything particularly memorable for the price. The service was quick and easy. You order at the window and pick up your food when it's ready. The meat was tasty, and I liked the toasted sesame on the bread, which added a nice flavor. The chips were actually my favorite part of the meal, though I do wish they gave a bigger serving considering the cost. There was plenty of seating, and I was able to find metered street parking. Overall, it was a solid meal, but nothing that really stood out or made me want to come back. It was good to try once, but I don't think it's worth the price. read more
Wow! This spot has been on my bucket list for a while and it hit on the hype on social media. Matu does it very well and gives CA a great cheesesteak. The sesame bun give a great crunch and texture that turns on your senses, the meat and sharp cheese blended together is heavenly. The long hot is perfectly spicy and gives every bite a kick. What I didn't like: - Can't add more onions(even if you pay) - Can't add more meat -$4 talo chips, bag has 10 chips, not particularly good read more
I understand the hype. The cheese steak is amazing very juicy. Loved the bread. The pepper gives it a nice kick of spice making the sandwich feel less greasy. The chips are good but the amount you get is ridiculous. Would definitely be back when I crave an upscale cheese steak. read more
So on a recent 36 hour foodie trip to SoCal-Cheesesteaks by Matu was our final destination.It was quite a trek considering our day started off in Manhattan Beach and we had to travel all the way to Pasadena on a Monday to try out this viral sensation of a cheesesteak. In a lot of ways we got pretty lucky-We found street parking directly across the street from the sandwich spot,as it's mostly street parking out there and it's very busy street. Another way we got lucky was that there was absolutely zero people in line-I've heard stories about this place just having the longest of lines and so yes felt very lucky to have no line. Now let me tell you how I was not lucky-These sandwiches are $24 each-so with ordering three of them plus a $4 bag of Wagyu cooked potato chips-it set me back $89.00 for this meal-pretty pricey. A little background on this spot-This Pasadena sandwich spot was born due to the popularity of serving these Philly cheesesteaks at the famous Matu restaurant in Beverly Hills.They only served these sandwiches at the bar and they became so popular that they decided to open up a sandwich-only spot in Pasadena to help quell the overwhelming popularity of these sandwiches. Hence the price-this dish has its roots at a fancy restaurant in Beverly Hills. We got our sandwiches without any modifications-Grass-fed Wagyu Ribeye and sirloin beef cooked with onions and cheese with a long hot pepper for added spice. Funny thing I noticed about SoCal dining that I think definitely applies here and a few other places I've eaten out here.They can take a common dish,be it a breakfast burrito,pasta dish,donuts or in this case a Philly cheesesteak and elevate it from a common dish to an extraordinary dish just by elevating the ingredients to the highest available. They use the best possibly meat-cheese-bread & veggies and turn this sandwich from a regular dining experience to something very special. It was extremely tasty and you could taste the high quality ingredients. That being said it didn't feel like any Philly cheesesteak experience I've had and loved before-I've traveled all over Philadelphia and had sandwiches from all the best spots and this was not those experiences. I don't know that the Philly cheese needed to be upgraded so much that it lost what eating a Philly cheesesteak is supposed to feel like. Too Fancy in my book. I was very glad I went but this is for sure a one and done experience for me-some foods just are better served using common ingredients and kept in a price range everyone could enjoy. read more
You've heard the buzz and you're probably standing in line because of that buzz. Luckily we showed up on a Thursday afternoon and there was no line. Honestly my review would probably be lower if I had to stand around waiting for this thing. The space is shared with HiHo Cheeseburger, and at the time we were there more people actually seemed to be ordering burgers than cheesesteaks, which honestly made me curious enough that I'll probably have to try HiHo next time. First thing I didn't like: you can't get extra cheese. My assumption is they want you tasting the wagyu and appreciating that you're eating wagyu because that's what you're paying for. But for me? That's not really what I want from a cheesesteak. You also can't really hear the grill. One of my favorite things at a proper Philly spot is hearing the metal spatulas hitting the flat top. The chopping, the scraping, the clink clink clink of meat getting worked over. I love that part almost as much as eating it. Wagyu in a cheesesteak also just feels like overkill to me. Maybe that's the point of the place, but I don't need luxury steak in my cheesesteak. I want it absolutely buried in cheese wiz and bad decisions. I also throw pickles on mine. But noooooo. Not here. There are tables outside which is nice because it's a pretty part of Pasadena to sit outside and eat in, but if there had been a huge line I would've felt weird sitting there eating while people stood around staring at me waiting for their turn. The guy taking our order also looked bored out of his mind, which honestly kinda matched the whole experience. Overall it wasn't bad, it just wasn't worth the hype for me. If you're an influencer, maybe the views are worth it. read more
We went on a Monday hoping the weekend traffic would have subsided but nope still a line. Come to find out the line was not because they were so busy but because of system failures. How annoying. During a work lunch when time is of the essence. We got there 5 minutes after opening time and others had the same idea. The lines are controlled by the door man. Only a few are allowed inside to even order. The others have to wait in the blazin heat. Bring an umbrella. You will surely need it. Once we got to order, they were nice enough to throw in some chips on the house for the system issue. That was good service. The food was spot on. I will definitely be back but when the craze has died down some more. read more
For 30 dollars and a wait, I think it's pretty mediocre. The best part of this cheesesteak is the bread and the pepper. The meat itself though just tastes like regular sliced beef. Glad I tried it though but likely wouldn't come back. read more
4 months ago
2 months ago
For the price, it just didn't live up to the hype. The cheesesteak was decent the bread was nicely toasted, the meat was tender, and there was a good amount of filling but nothing about it really stood out. For around $30 for a cheesesteak, I was expecting something memorable, and this tasted more like an okay sandwich at a premium price. Service was fine and the casual setup works for a quick bite, but the value just isn't there for me. Glad I tried it, but at this price point, I probably wouldn't come back. read more
Second trip confirms consistency in tastes, but felt shorted on the amount of chips :). Still good and learned there is validated parking around the corner, which is good to know so we can actually try the food there for a change. Ordering on Postmates is pretty convenient though and prices seem like the same as store, so also a great option if you need to run in a grab your food to go. read more
After waiting so long to finally try Matu, my husband and I left feeling underwhelmed. The sandwich was very rich and, although it had a peppery kick, it lacked the acidity needed to balance everything out. It just didn't wow us the way we expected. The wait was also a bit much, about 20 minutes just to order, followed by another 15-20 minutes for the food. That said, they were thoughtful enough to provide umbrellas while we waited in the sun, which we appreciated. Would I come back? Probably not..but I'm still glad we gave it a try. read more
Woh! 3 stars?! That's not fair. This place is minimum 4 stars based on flavor alone. The cheese steak on the sesame Seminole role is sooo good. Tender beef, rich melted sharp cheddar, and just enough onions. Really good flavor combo. The chips were also very good but I wouldn't go here just for those (obviously) Is the Diet Coke expensive? Yes. Can the wait be long? At times - yes. Is it self serve only with dine in prices? Absolutely. Is there parking? No. Here is the thing.... None of that affects the flavor of the sandwich! Y'all need to not be petty and just judge food for being food. Seriously. The ambiance is loud and crowded but that's life. It's a cheese steak cafeteria. What more do u want? read more
6 months ago
After hearing about this place, I had to check it out for myself. After reading the reviews, especially the negative ones, I have to say that I did not experience any lines, found plenty of seating (I went around 5/5:30pm) and even though the cheesesteak sandwich was a tad dry, it was still VERY flavorful! If you like cheesesteak sandwiches, I guarantee you'll love these! Here are some tips/advice if you're thinking of going: - Depending on what time you go, you'll find plenty of seating or it'll be crowded. Even though I did not go at lunch time, I can only assume that's when it's most crowded. - While a normal cheesesteak sandwich has mayonnaise in it, this one does not so I would suggest bringing some mayonnaise packets just in case you find it too dry (I got a little to-go container of mayo from Urth Cafe across the street) - While the price may seem high, remember these sandwiches are made with Wagu beef which is a very expensive type of beef - The chips are SOOOOOO worth ordering but they're just enough for one person so get a bag per person - The sandwiches are quite large so come hungry! Lol On a side note, they share their space with HIHO Burgers so if you think you're entering the burger place, you'll also be entering for Matu Cheesteakes as well read more
The hype is real on this one and it died down. I think the bread and the quality of meat is great. I think my cheesesteak could have used more cheese but that's just my preference. Would I have it again, yes! Would I go out of my way to have it, no! The service is good and your sandwich is made to order so you're likely waiting 10-15 mins maybe, not bad. I went on a Monday around 2PM and there wasn't a line at all. It's a small charming place that would fit maybe 30 ppl but it shares a space with a burger joint. I wouldn't recommend for large parties. Max 4 ppl forsure! The restrooms are clean, I would go #2 if I had to. read more
Their Philly Cheesesteak is good in terms of the beef but for a cheesesteak there was barely any cheese! There were barely any onions as well. There are no options to make adjustments either. I also didn't love how the entire bun was covered in sesame seeds so I felt like it overpowered the sandwich a bit. The Wagyu Potato Chips are salty and very crispy but it came with less than 10 chips so portion is tiny. For the price point and lack of adjustments, I'd pass on this. Stopped by on a Tuesday around 2pm and there was still a slight wait for our food around 15 min. read more
I've actually tried to dine here a few times since they opened up but waved the white flag as the line never seemed to move. As we were heading to CAR to pickup some croissants for a friend, we decided to just wait in line. Now I have had their cheesesteak in BH and wasn't a huge fan given the steep service/health fee for their workers but thought it was an ok sandwich. Not sure what it was but actually really enjoyed the sandwich more at the Pasadena location than I had expected. It's still a pricey sandwich and we had to wait 35 mins in the sun and another 20 for our sandwiches to come out. I would come back again if the line was fairly short but they need to hand out umbrellas to patrons waiting in the sun as it's brutally hot here in the SGV. They also need to expand their hours into the evening. read more
7 months ago
I came here to see for myself what all the fuss was about. I had not heard of Matu or their cheesesteaks before. They have 2 fancy sit-down restaurants on the Westside, where apparently the lunch and bar menu cheesesteaks became famous. The Pasadena location offers only cheesesteaks and beef tallow-fried potato chips, plus wine, beer and sodas. The cheesesteaks are a grass-fed Wagyu ribeye and sirloin blend. The tallow is also Wagyu. The newish Pasadena location has gotten a lot of publicity; they will soon open a similar concept in Calabasas. The Pasadena location is tiny, the size of one small storefront that it shares with its sister eatery, HiHo Cheeseburger, which has Wagyu beef burgers and chicken sandwiches. There's a small dining patio in front that fills quickly. There are restrooms and an ice and water machine. I knew beforehand there's usually a line in the sun, so I brought my own umbrella, sunglasses and water, although just before opening they passed out cups of ice water and umbrellas. They open at 11:30. I arrived at around 11:05 and there were 5 people ahead of me. They were letting people in to order 2 groups at a time. You get a buzzer after placing your order. There's a window on the side of the tiny kitchen where you can see them in action. The cheesesteaks run $22-$24 and the chips are $4. There is no line to add a tip when you pay, but there is a 6% fee added for some reason. There cheesesteak comes with cheese of course, and you can add grilled onions and/or a long hot pepper. I heard the pepper was pretty spicy, so I only got the onions. The bread is a sesame roll. I also ordered the chips. It took about 20 minutes to get my order, during which time I also placed an order at KazuNori Sushi next door, a Japanese handroll place very popular in its own right. The cheesesteak was fine, but really not worth the fuss or wait. I guess my palate is not refined enough to discern the quality of the beef. The cheese was not very pronounced, and I would have preferred another type of bun because the sesame was a bit potent. The chips were good, although not freshly fried (they weren't warm). They are only open 2.5 hours per day 11:30-2:00. Initially they were open longer but would have to close early because they would run out of meat. HiHo has longer hours and less crowds. I'll visit again if/when the crowds die down. And frankly I'd choose KazuNori over Matu if I had to choose. read more
It's solid. Bestie wanted to take me after going w her husband and knowing I'm a Waygu gal. It was after 1 and she remembered their 2 pm close, so instead of walking, we drove over. It was around 1:30 and still busy. The patio was full and it was totally jumpin for a Wednesday. The options are minimal. We did the cheesesteak w the tallow chips. Almost $33! I asked for it to be halved, but that's standard practice. The guy that took our order was nice, we got a buzzer and went outside. I was expecting a call I subsequently got, so I lost track of the wait time. It wasn't more that 12 or so minutes. It was tasty, but I had to remove the pepper. Entirely TOO hot. I liked the toasted bread and sesame seeds. The chips were cool too. I don't have anything bad to say, it just wasn't the fun, exciting pop the line and price would suggest. The meat was tender, it just wouldn't rank high on my cravings list. Juries out for me. Try it and decide for yourself. read more
At the little alcove/patio, Matu shares the space with its sibling, HiHo Burger and its wagyu burgers. Their parent restaurant in Beverly Hills, Matu, is a steakhouse with wagyu cuts of steak. This counter specializes in Matu's high end wagyu cheesesteaks. Noticing a pattern here? Place your order, grab a buzzer, and find a table. Matu Philly Cheesesteak: The sandwich is sizzling hot, with temperatures that can burn the roof of your mouth. And that's just the way I like it. The freshly baked roll is perfectly toasted. Completely covered with crunchy sesame seeds, the bread is aromatic and firm enough to stand up to the ingredients. The steakhouse quality, grass-fed beef is from a farm in New Zealand. The chopped up slices of ribeye and sirloin wagyu steak definitely pack a bold punch of beefy flavor. The Cooper Sharp cheese binds the meat with its smooth and creamy texture like American cheese, except with a great tangy flavor. Grilled onions add bursts of sweetness. The grilled long pepper actually has some heat. The juices must be sopped up, which makes the bread even more irresistible. Each of the premium ingredients are excellent, and I could easily eat them on their own. Together in this sandwich, they are unstoppable. Parking: There's a parking machine for the spots in the surrounding streets. If you walk a few blocks, you can find free parking. read more
Finally got a chance to visit Cheesesteaks by Matu in Pasadena to try their NZ Wagyu beef cheesesteak and chips and it was definitely a delight. The sandwich was incredibly juicy. Once you lift it, you'll notice a little oily goodness, but surprisingly it wasn't as greasy as I expected. The toasted sesame-seed bun paired perfectly with the tender beef, along with a long chili, onions, and a light layer of cheese. I actually expected it to be overloaded with cheese, so the lighter touch was a bit surprising but worked well. The food is worth trying, though it's on the pricier side and the wait was about 30 minutes. Luckily, it was still enjoyable once I got it. The only odd part was that they wouldn't wrap one sandwich to go while I dined in, so I ended up having to wrap my husband's sandwich myself which is one of the reasons why I knocked off a star. That and the pricing. The staff was extremely friendly when I was there. The person managing the line to the person who took my order and gave me my cheesesteak. On the bright side, there's three hours of free parking behind the building, so no need to stress about finding a spot. I would recommend trying it out if you have never had it. I was surprised by the low ratings as I thjnk this spot is pretty decent for what it is! read more
6 months ago
Finally tried this spot after all the hype died down a little. I went once when they had their soft opening, in which I was turned away after they had sold out. This was disappointing as there was no indication, but I understand. Today, initially when I was ordering I didn't really understand the difference between the Matu cheesesteak and the build your own, since the difference was basically if you want onions or not. Didn't understand the need for 2 of the same item on a menu with 3 total food items lol. I noticed they slapped on a small fee on the bill since I said I was dining in. Overall, the sandwich is good but $32 for some chips and a cheesesteak is a little insane, even for Pasadena standards. Cheesesteak, 8/10: Really liked the sesame bun I gave a little bit of a toasted flavor that held its shape nicely. Came piping hot. They make their sandwiches to oder, which I appreciated. The cheese is properly melted and isn't too overpowering. The pepper it comes with has a nice little kick. Wish they gave a bigger one on the side. Needed something to cut the greasiness of the sandwich. However, the meat is good quality and has a rich smoky flavor. Wish there were more onions. Wagyu tallow chips, 6/10: I had opened the bag and saw that they only gave 8 chips. I went to go clarify with the cashier in which she said this is the normal amount they give. The chips were too greasy. Somehow under salted. Definitely felt ripped off by this. read more
Came for the very hyped cheesesteak sandwich. Waited in line about 20 minutes to order. The menu is simple - just cheesesteak, with or without onion and pepper, and chips fried in beef fat. The sandwich was good - with high quality beef that's almost free of fat and sinew. However, the bread is a bit dry and hard. The sesame crust is too overpowering. When I took a bit, it's mostly the sesame flavor and very little beef flavor. The high quality cheesesteak comes with a high price tag at $22 without onion and pepper. Beware there's a 6% fee on the bill. I asked them about it, they say it's because they have a no tipping policy so the 6% is to help running the operation. The space is really small and share with another burger joint. Limited tables available. read more
6 months ago
Loved the cheesesteaks. The chips were good but the fries from the burger spot (in the same space) were betttttter. Seating is a mess. The line can get crazy. But my husband and I will still return. Oh everyone was still so friendly in the crowded space. Sharing chairs and letting people know when they're leaving so they can take a table. I know that's not about the service per se, but it added to having a good experience. read more
7 months ago
Finally tried the famous cheesesteak sandwich by Matu! I hate to say I can live without it. It's really good, don't get me wrong. But I do feel like I can satisfy my cheesesteak quicker and at a more affordable price elsewhere at a local butcher/sandwich shop. Our two sandwiches came close to $50. We also waited over 50 minutes for it. Their meat is very high quality and you can clearly taste it. I was starving towards the end. I also have to admit I'm not crazy about their sesame bun and I also don't think the hot pepper belongs on that sandwich. I'll probably be back but not for a while! read more
Hubby has been seeing this spot all over social media and has been wanting to try them out. So Super Bowl Sunday we decided to go since we finally had time and can make it to their odd opening hours (11:30-2pm). We got there and waited about 30 minutes in the hot sun. Ordered and then waited another 35 mins for the food to done. Ordered: *Matu Cheesesteak $24 *BYO Cheesesteak $22 Flavor wise, it felt a bit on the let down side. It lacked a lot of flavor if you ask me. Their cheesesteak is made with 100% Grass Fed Wagyu Ribeye and Sirloin but you honestly can't really taste why it is so special. You would think that they would make the cheesesteak flavor shine through but nope I do not understand the hype of this spot. The cheesesteak is served in an freshly baked sesame roll and I can honestly say I was not a fan of the roll. Staff is nice. And seems like they are shared between Matu and HiHo. I will not be back because the price tag is way too high for something that is not that big or justifiable for the cost, the line is way too long, and flavor wise was meh. Tips: *Street parking or parking lot around the corner. *Indoor/patio seating but limited and shared with HiHo Burgers *Credit card accepted *Restroom available *Casual environment. read more
Delicious cheesesteaks! We parked in the parking garage down below. It has 3 hours validation at the restaurant. So yummy but downside is it is pricey for just a cheesesteak. And there's a wait to order and to get your food. They have limited seating so we wound up eating in our car. It was busy in there. They do charge a service fee but no tipping. It was good though so we're probably just going to continue to get it togo if we're craving it and in the area. Would recommend trying!! At least once even if you aren't happy with the price. read more
I'm not exactly sure why Cheesesteaks by Matu has a lower rating on Yelp, but whoever's giving this place a bad review might need to reset their palates or they were bothered by waiting in line. Y'all saw the videos on social media, expect the line to be there and don't judge them for it. Not going to beat around the bush--there's no denying it. This is easily the best cheesesteak I've had outside of Philadelphia. I've been chasing this exact flavor for years here in California, and this place finally nailed it. It's clean, simple, and straight to the point. Melted cheese, juicy beef, onions, and long pepper all packed into a perfectly toasted sesame bun. That's it. No gimmicks. No unnecessary extras. Just a perfectly executed cheesesteak. There's nothing pretentious about it. It's not trying to be fancy--it's just doing one thing really well. And honestly, that's all you need. I also added them potato chips and it was meh. But I didn't go there for that, so it's irrelevant. One piece of advice: order it and eat it there. Don't take it home thinking you'll enjoy it later. That's almost disrespectful to the sandwich. Eat it right away while it's hot and fresh--the way it's meant to be. Definitely worth my one-hour drive, and I'd do it again without hesitation. read more
Recently saw Joshua Weissman video on Matu and had to try it. The bread is really good, not too thick and topped with sesame seeds (for fiber of course), crunchy on the outside. The meat was very tender and well seasoned, very beefy and very well seasoned. The cheese was nice and sharp and the shishito pepper added just a touch of heat and vegetal flavor to offset the richness (and fiber). Overall this is a top tier cheesesteak, no need to go to Philly or NYC. read more
8 months ago
Having been to Matu recently for a dinner that included the cheesesteak as part of a large set course meal, I was pretty hyped to find out that Cheesesteaks by Matu was opening in Pasadena. I really enjoyed the cheesesteak at Matu, but it came at the end of that set course menu so we were already super stuffed. So of course, I absolutely had to come here as soon as possible! Based on the reviews, it became pretty obvious to me that I had to get here ahead way ahead of opening to ensure that I didn't have to wait very long to put in my order. Ended up being the right move as there were only eight people ahead of me when I got in line on a Saturday morning. By 11:30 am opening, there had to have been 50 people behind me in line. I can see why they moved the operating hours to 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. So does this hold up to the cheeesteak at the actual Matu restaurant? It sure does, and it might be even better (although part of it might also be the fact I could actually enjoy this without being stuffed). The wagyu beef is so flavorful and the Cooper Sharp cheese is blended perfectly into the meat. The grilled onions were good. The pepper is low-key pretty spicy and once again kicked my ass. I always thought the bread needed to be an Amoroso roll like all authentic Philly cheesesteaks, but honestly this is better. The sesame bun bread is a bit hard on the inside, but really soft on the inside and adds a ton to the cheesesteak. The bread really adds to the overall product. I do wish that we got more beef tallow chips as we did at Matu itself. There were maybe 15-20 chips in the bag. For $4, it's kinda meh. The hack is just to go over to the HiHo Cheeseburger booth and order their fries, which are WAY better. Staff here are super friendly. Everyone was very welcoming! Scott was walking around and making sure that everyone was enjoying their food. Enjoyed chatting with him as well! At $24 + mandatory 6% service charge, this cheesesteak is certainly not cheap, but it's definitely worth it. The quality is apparent here and I don't mind paying a little more for a cheesesteak that is quite obviously better than the rest. Here's hoping to their continued success! read more
Cheesesteaks by Matu opened in Pasadena on January 14 and they announced limited hours of 11:30am-2:30pm. They share the space with their wagyu burger spot, HiHo burgers. Matu is a steakhouse in Beverly Hills, known for their grass-fed Wagyu sourced from their own farm in New Zealand. Their cheesesteak was a very popular/viral lunch item at their restaurants, and this newest spot focuses solely on these sandwiches with Wagyu Beef. Given that they're using Wagyu Ribeye and Sirloin cuts, their $24 price tag isn't a surprise. The sandwiches are served simply on a sesame seed bun with grilled onions, a long pepper, and cheese. I also wanted to get their house made chips, fried in beef tallow. We came at 11:00 (ahead of their 11:30 opening) on a Saturday morning and the line was already down the street. I can understand the three star reviews, given the over-the-top hype train at the moment. Wait times are crazy, seating is limited, and the food isn't cheap. Quality is high and price does seem fair, given they give a half pound of wagyu sirloin and ribeye. It's juicy and beefy. The sesame seed covered baguette holds up to the juicy beef. The cheese and onions are understated, and the pepper is actually quite spicy, which can dominate the flavor. Meat quality is good; however, I prefer the wagyu in their burgers in HiHo (located next door) to their cheesesteaks at Matu. The potato chips are pretty basic - I also prefer the fries at HiHo to the chips here. I'd consider coming back after the hype dies down a little; however, I'm more likely to come back to this spot for their wagyu burgers at HiHo. Right now, the long waits and the very limited seating make for a suboptimal experience. read more
We arrived around noon on a Sunday and there was already a long line. We waited about 30 minutes in total. Cheesesteaks by Matū was born out of overwhelming demand for the cheesesteaks served at Matū and Matū Kai in Beverly Hills. You order at the counter and receive a pager to pick up your food when it's ready. The space is shared with HiHo Burger, which makes it a great spot if your group is craving different things. The cheesesteaks are made with 100% grass-fed Wagyu ribeye and sirloin, topped with Cooper Sharp cheese on a toasted sesame roll. You can customize your sandwich with grilled onions and long hot peppers. We were told they only make about 600 sandwiches a day, and once they're gone, they're gone. They also prepare the sandwiches in "rounds." My friend, who ordered just ahead of me, received her sandwich fairly quickly. Unfortunately, I must have missed a round because my order didn't come out until about 35 minutes after we ordered. I mentioned the long wait to one of the workers, and I really appreciated that he offered me a complimentary Coke. At $22-$24, these are definitely on the pricey side for a sandwich, but they're incredibly delicious. While they're not an authentic Philly cheesesteak, the quality of the beef and the perfectly toasted bread honestly made me like this version more. Don't skip the fries or the Willie Mae chicken tenders next door at HiHo. They also validate underground parking for two hours, with the entrance on Madison. read more
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More info about Cheesesteaks by Matū | Pasadena
625B E Colorado Blvd
Ste 100
Pasadena, CA 91101
Downtown
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https://www.matusteak.com
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Ask the Community - Cheesesteaks by Matū | Pasadena
Is the beef 100% halal?
Thanks for reaching out to us. All the beef we serve is certified Halal. It is 100% grass-fed Wagyu from First Light Farms of New Zealand. While we are not a strictly Halal restaurant, our servers will be happy to help you navigate the menu.
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5 reviews that are not currently recommended
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