Very's Great Philly Food: Where to Find the Real Thing in South Carolina

What Very's Great Philly Food serves and where to find it

Very's Great Philly Food is a sandwich shop in Columbia, South Carolina, that specializes in Philadelphia-style sandwiches—primarily cheesesteaks and roast beef sandwiches made with thinly sliced meat, melted cheese, and grilled onions on a long roll. The restaurant is located on Main Street in downtown Columbia and operates as a casual counter-service spot where you order at the window and eat at a handful of tables or take your food to go.

The shop focuses on the Philly tradition of meat-heavy sandwiches with minimal fuss. You won't find an elaborate menu here—the core offerings are cheesesteaks (with your choice of cheese), roast beef sandwiches, and a few sides like fries. The appeal lies in execution: the meat is sliced thin, the cheese melts into the meat rather than sitting on top, and the roll is toasted enough to hold everything without falling apart.

Very's operates during lunch and early dinner hours most days, though hours can shift seasonally. It's the kind of place where regulars know the staff by name and the line moves quickly during the noon rush. If you're coming from elsewhere in Columbia, parking is street parking along Main Street or in nearby lots—downtown can get busy during business hours, so arriving just before or after peak lunch time (around 1 p.m.) usually means shorter waits.

Key Takeaways

• Very's Great Philly Food serves authentic Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks and roast beef sandwiches made with thin-sliced meat and melted cheese on a long roll.
• The menu is intentionally small and focused—expect cheesesteaks, roast beef sandwiches, and basic sides rather than a wide variety of options.
• The shop is located on Main Street in downtown Columbia and operates as a counter-service restaurant with limited seating.
• Arriving just before or after the noon lunch rush typically means shorter waits and easier parking on Main Street.

How Very's cheesesteaks compare to other sandwich shops in Columbia

Very's approach differs from most sandwich chains in Columbia because it commits to a single regional style rather than offering a broad menu. Places like Firehouse Subs or Jimmy John's serve sandwiches quickly, but they're built on different traditions—Firehouse leans into rescue-themed branding and hot sandwiches, while Jimmy John's emphasizes speed and customization. Very's doesn't customize much; you get the sandwich the way it's meant to be made, which is how Philadelphia shops operate.

The quality difference shows in the meat. Very's sources thin-sliced beef that cooks fast on the griddle, allowing the edges to crisp slightly while the inside stays tender. Many sandwich shops use pre-cooked or thicker-cut meat, which changes the texture and how the cheese integrates. The roll matters too—a proper Philly cheesesteak needs a roll sturdy enough to contain hot, juicy meat and cheese without becoming soggy, and Very's sources rolls that hold up to that job.

If you're comparing price, Very's sits in the middle range for Columbia sandwiches. A cheesesteak costs more than a basic sub from a chain but less than a specialty sandwich from a sit-down restaurant. You're paying for the specificity of the preparation, not for table service or a full bar.

The history and culture behind Philadelphia cheesesteaks

The cheesesteak emerged in Philadelphia in the 1930s when a hot dog vendor named Pat Olivieri grilled some beef on a griddle and served it on a roll. Customers loved it, and the sandwich stuck around. In the 1950s, cheese was added—originally Cheez Whiz, the bright orange processed cheese that still defines the most traditional versions. The sandwich became so tied to Philadelphia's identity that it's now the city's unofficial symbol, and debates over the "right" way to make one are serious business there.

The key to a proper Philly cheesesteak is speed and heat. The meat cooks on a flat-top griddle, the cheese melts directly into the meat rather than being added after, and the whole thing comes together in under five minutes. Onions are grilled with the meat (though you can order without), and the sandwich is typically served with nothing else—no lettuce, no tomato, no mayo. This simplicity is intentional; it lets the quality of the meat and cheese shine.

Very's Great Philly Food brings that Philadelphia approach to Columbia. The name itself signals authenticity—it's not trying to rebrand the sandwich or make it trendy. It's a straightforward claim: this is great Philly food, made the way it's supposed to be made.

What to order and how to customize

Start with a classic cheesesteak with Provolone or American cheese. Provolone is sharper and more traditional in Philadelphia; American cheese is milder and melts more smoothly. Both are legitimate choices, and regulars have strong opinions about which is better. If you want to taste the difference, order one of each on separate visits.

The roast beef sandwich is worth trying if you want something slightly different. It uses the same griddle-cooking method and cheese integration as the cheesesteak, but roast beef has a different flavor profile—slightly more savory and less fatty than beef for a cheesesteak. Some people find it easier to eat because it's a bit less juicy.

Customization at Very's is minimal by design. You can order without onions, choose your cheese, and add or remove toppings if the menu allows, but the shop doesn't build sandwiches from a long list of options. This isn't a limitation—it's part of the philosophy. The fewer choices, the faster the line moves and the more consistent the food stays.

Pair your sandwich with fries or another side if you're eating there. The sandwich itself is substantial enough to be a full meal, but sides are common in Philadelphia sandwich culture and help round out the experience.

When to visit and what to expect

Lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) is the busiest time, especially on weekdays when downtown Columbia workers come in. The line can stretch out the door, but it moves fast because the menu is small and the staff knows the routine. If you're in a hurry, go earlier (around 11 a.m.) or later (after 2 p.m.).

Very's is a casual, no-frills spot. There's no table service, no waiter, no fancy presentation. You order at the counter, pay, wait for your number to be called, and pick up your food. Seating is limited to a few tables, so many people take their sandwich to go or eat standing up. This is normal for Philadelphia sandwich shops, and it's part of the charm—you're not paying for ambiance, you're paying for the sandwich.

The staff is friendly and efficient. They're used to people asking questions about the menu and don't mind explaining the difference between cheeses or how the sandwich is made. If you're new to Philly cheesesteaks, they can point you toward a good starting order.

Why Very's matters in Columbia's food scene

Columbia has a growing food culture, but most of it centers on Southern food, barbecue, and contemporary American cuisine. Very's Great Philly Food fills a specific gap—it brings an authentic regional American sandwich tradition to a city where that tradition isn't common. It's not trying to be trendy or reinvent the cheesesteak; it's just doing one thing well and doing it the way it's supposed to be done.

For people from Philadelphia or the Northeast who moved to South Carolina, Very's is a taste of home. For people who've never had a real Philly cheesesteak, it's a chance to understand why the sandwich has such a devoted following. Either way, it represents the kind of focused, unpretentious food business that makes a city's food scene more interesting—not every restaurant needs to be fine dining or farm-to-table to matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a Philly cheesesteak and a regular sandwich?

A Philly cheesesteak uses thin-sliced beef cooked on a flat-top griddle, with cheese that melts directly into the meat rather than being added on top. The meat and cheese combine into one cohesive layer, and the sandwich is typically served with just onions and the roll—no lettuce, tomato, or condiments. This simplicity and the specific cooking method are what define the style.

Do I have to order with onions?

No. You can order without onions if you prefer. Tell the person taking your order, and they'll make it without. Onions are traditional and add flavor, but plenty of people skip them.

Is Very's expensive compared to other sandwich places?

Very's is moderately priced for a specialty sandwich shop. It costs more than a basic chain sub but less than a sit-down restaurant sandwich. You're paying for the specific preparation and quality of ingredients, not for table service or a full menu.

Can I eat there or do I have to take it to go?

Very's has a few tables for eating in, but seating is limited. Many customers take their food to go or eat standing up. It's a casual, counter-service spot, not a sit-down restaurant.

What hours is Very's open?

Very's operates during lunch and early dinner hours, typically opening around 11 a.m. Hours can vary by day and season, so it's worth checking ahead if you're planning a specific visit. Calling ahead or checking their posted hours ensures you don't make a trip when they're closed.