Dimitri and Electra Poulimenos have been bringing a modern twist to the famous Philadelphia cheesesteak in their Rittenhouse Square shop, Cleavers. The menu has consistently been voted among the top cheesesteaks in the city and lines routinely run out the door.
After 10 years, the Poulimenos siblings are bringing those sandwiches, and more, to Delaware County as the first Cleavers outside of the city is open in Newtown Square.
“We have done a really good job and have a lot of loyal people that we have served (in Philadelphia),” Electra said. “We both live in Newtown Square. So, we thought it would be cool to take our concept that has been successful in the city to a place where we live and we know the community and all of those things. It took us a while, but we finally made the decision. We got excited and we just went for it.”
Living in the area, the Poulimenoses felt the time was right to expand.
“We’ve lived here for 20-plus years,” Dimitri said. “Literally it just takes us six minutes to go home now.”
Rooted in a 40-year family legacy in the steak industry, the Poulimenos family has built a reputation for quality and craftsmanship. The proprietary cut of 100% Domestic Ribeye steak, quality ingredients and fresh seeded rolls have allowed Cleavers to stand out in what has become a crowded cheesesteak scene.
“We just have focused on the quality of products that we use and making sure that we stay consistent,” said Electra. “We’re not changing things just to accommodate everything else that everybody else is doing. We’ve stayed very focused. We make most of our things in-house. We’ve made partnerships with good bread companies and we still use our proprietary meat that we have always used from the beginning. Cheesesteaks have become a little bit more popular than they were when we started 10 years ago.
“I think we were just excited and we were like, ‘If we just keep consistent and we keep selling a really good product like we do in the city, hopefully Newtown Square is just as receptive to it as the city has been.’ ”
Cleavers is trying to make the famous Philly cheesesteak with a twist. Their full menu is available in Newtown Square. (Photo courtesy of Cleavers)
Besides the cheesesteak everybody knows, Cleavers is offering different takes. Including the popular — and a favorite of Dimitri — Effin’ Hot Steak, which is piled high with ribeye steak, Cooper American cheese, hot cherry pepper relish, fried onions and sriracha aioli.
“No. 1, I like saying it,” Dimitri said. “It gives you a kick. It’s not overwhelming, but if you want to make it even spicier, you can add long hots to it. It’s been a staple sandwich that we’ve had since we started. A second favorite would be The Block. We sauté our own portobello mushrooms, fried onions, sauté our own green peppers, sharp provolone cheese with ribeye. It’s a phenomenal sandwich, very hearty.”
Cleavers also offers a full range of chicken and vegetable cheesesteaks, as well as cheesesteak egg rolls and fries.
“Cheesesteaks are plain and simple and yes you can build a case for who has got the best sandwich, of just meat, cheese and onions,” Dimitri said. “However, our goal at Cleavers is to prove that cheesesteaks can be more than just the traditional sandwich, a cheesesteak can be unique and fun. If you want a traditional cheesesteak, we’ve got you. But don’t be boring, think outside the box.”
If you go
• Cleavers Newtown Square, 103 Squire Drive
• Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Check out www.cleaversphilly.com for menus and more information.