Grub Guide

PEPPINO'S ITALIAN FAMILY RESTAURANT
Joseph Moscatiello owns this restaurant, but it's his father Carlo who is the true patriarch. He's the type of dad who'll give you free sandwiches and make small talk with you. Even if he didn't exhibit such fatherly concern, the sandwiches—bulging with fresh meats, cheeses, peppers and onions—would have you coming back for more. 23600 Rockfield Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 951-2611; also at 651 E. First St., Tustin, (714) 573-9904; 27782 Vista del Lago, #26, Mission Viejo, (949) 859-9556; 26612 Towne Center Dr., Foothill Ranch, (949) 951-1210; 31371 Niguel Rd., Ste. A, Laguna Niguel, (949) 661-1250. $$

PHILLY'S BEST
All Philly cheesesteak houses boast they're true to Philadelphia down to the Richie Ashburn baseball card, but Philly's Best is almost puritanical in its obsession with using East Coast products to faithfully replicate the manic Philly bustle. All these factors congeal to produce the best little chain since Knollwood's. The cheesesteaks are moist and sticky—not soggy—with Cheez Whiz. The Amoroso roll expands depending on how many ingredients you request: grilled onions, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, provolone or American cheese. 18691 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, (714) 968-2448; find other locations at www.eatphillysbest.com. $