Delaware places to dig in & vegan options

National Cheesesteak Day is Friday, March 24, and there is still time to plan for the moment when your cravings kick in.

Here are 19 Delaware restaurants across the state that will be calling your name, once the hunger pangs begin.

Capriotti’s, various locations

This giant sandwich chain started in Delaware and has filled many bellies, including Joe Biden’s. Their selection of cheesesteaks ranges from the classic version, all the way to chipotle chicken crunch and grilled chicken parmesan renditions.

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Folks who don’t eat meat can munch on the plant-based Impossible Meat Cheesesteak that includes melted American cheese, mushrooms and onions.

There are 17 Capriotti’s shops in Delaware, with at least one in each county, according to Capriotti’s website.

Visit capriottis.com.

Casapulla’s Subs, various locations

There are six locations across the state, but many people on the internet claim Elsmere has an extra special place in their hearts.

Regardless of which location is your favorite, Casapulla has been going strong for over 50 years and four generations. The longtime restaurant certainly has a knack for keeping customers coming back.

You can choose among an original ribeye steak, ribeye cheesesteak, pizza steak and more.

Visit casapullassubs.com.

Charcoal Pit, Talleyville

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This is another restaurant Joe Biden has graced. These Philly-style steak sandwiches are offered with beef or chicken, prepared with onions, hot peppers and an industrial-sized jar full of love.

2600 Concord Pike, Talleyville; charcoalpit.net or (302) 478-2165.

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Claymont Steak Shop, Newark, Talleyville, Claymont

This place opened its doors over 50 years ago when cousins Sam Demetratos and Bob Hionis founded their restaurant chain in Claymont, after moving from Greece.

The shop’s award-winning cheesesteaks are dished up with fresh meat sliced and diced on the spot.

Their sandwiches include a mushroom cheesesteak, chicken cheesesteak, pizza cheesesteak, Buffalo chicken cheesesteak, pepper steak and more.

57 S. Main St., Newark; (302) 453-9500

2720 Concord Pike, Talleyville; (302) 478-1500

3526 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont; Visit claymontsteakshop.com or (302) 798-0013; or (302) 798-5319.

Drop Squad Kitchen, Wilmington

Veganism is on their entire menu.

Drop Squad Kitchen’s classic cheesesteak features a version of “ribeye steak” that’s made from wheat protein and served on a soft, toasted roll. Surprisingly, it takes so much like real beef it’s scary.

The homemade cheese also tastes similar to a traditional cheesesteak. Both vegan and meat fans will have a ball with this sandwich.

928 Justison St., Wilmington; dropsquadkitchen.com or (302) 984-2773

First State Brewing, Middletown

Arguably, the most creative cheesesteak in Delaware might be in Middletown. This whimsical sandwich is made with scrapple, the cherished loaf of pork scraps many Delawareans can’t get enough of.

Since it’s a cheesesteak, it only makes sense that it’s doused in five-cheese fondue, onions and bell peppers.

Not a scrapple fan? You can also choose the Delaware Cheesesteak, with shaved ribeye, Cascading Reactions (Witbier) beer, braised onions, sautéed mushrooms and provolone on a hoagie roll.

109 Patriot Drive, Middletown; visit firststatebrewing.com or (302) 285-9535

Goodfella’s Steaks Subs, Prices Corner

At Prices Corner you’ll find Goodfella’s Steaks, which has a habit of assassinating appetites with its juicy classic cheesesteak.

The restaurant offers other options including chicken and pizza cheesesteaks. These sammies will leave you feeling more stuffed than a Build-A-Bear Workshop.

3206 Kirkwood Highway, Prices Corner; Visit goodfellas-steaksandsubs.com (302) 998-4446

Ioannoni’s Specialty Sandwiches, New Castle

For nearly 20 years, this restaurant has been satisfying cravings.

For almost half that time, Ioannoni’s has used fresh meat instead of frozen for its cheesesteaks, which spotlights their desire to provide customers with a memorable sandwich.

Ioannoni’s largest cheesesteak measures up at 21 inches, which is about as long as three 16.9-ounce water bottles stacked on top of each other.

624 E. Basin Road, New Castle; ioannonis.com; (302) 322-5000

Go Vegan Philly, Wilmington

This restaurant dishes up sammies that give you the best of both worlds: a sandwich that tastes just as good as a meaty cheesesteak, except it’s noticeably less greasy.

It’s March Madness and Go Vegan Philly vegan puts its game face on every time they serve up these vegan treats, which are named the Broad Street Bully.

The vegan cheesesteak is served with your plant-based choice of oyster mushrooms or ground Impossible meat, along with your favorite toppings of peppers, mayo, ketchup and onions on a long roll with fries.

607 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington; goveganphilly.org; (302) 543-4431

Little Creek Grill, Dover

Off the beaten path, Little Creek Grill dishes up a traditional cheesesteak, plus a barbeque chicken cheesesteak and buffalo varieties.

It also switches things up with The Scrappy. It’s an eggroll made with cheesesteak and Hughes Delaware Made Scrapple.

111 Main St., Little Creek, Dover; visit littlecreekgrillde.com or 302) 734-0480.

Little Italy Pizzeria, Townsend & Middletown

Despite its name, this shop offers more than just pizza pies. They can whip up a mean cheesesteak, too. A favorite in Middletown, the location makes it easier for people not looking to travel further north for scrumptious nibbles.

325 Main St., Townsend; (302) 378-9494

2392 Dupont Parkway, Middletown; visit littleitalypizzashop-lips.com or call (302) 378-7070

Little Vinnie’s Pizza & Pasta, Prices Corner

You’ll want to bring a big appetite to Little Vinnie’s Pizza & Pasta.

They’re so obsessed with cheesesteaks that their menu includes a pizza pie version of the sandwich and a cheesesteak salad. But the restaurant is best known for its classic cheesesteak, which can be ordered on garlic bread.

1706 Faulkland Road, Prices Corner; Visit littlevinniespizza.com or (302) 633-6801

Long Neck Deli, Millsboro

From buffalo to pizza cheesesteak sandwiches, Long Neck Deli has it all.

Of course, there’s also the traditional cheesesteak that folks rave about.

Restaurants upstate get a lot of shine for their cheesesteaks, but Long Neck is representing like a boss in slower lower Delaware.

32362 Long Neck Road, Millsboro; Facebook.com/longneckdeli1 or (302) 945-7575.

Main Street Market, Smyrna

This mainstay has built a reputation for filling up bellies with its home-style cooking. The shop is also known for its deep roots because the business has been around for more than four generations. Their cheesesteaks are a hit at this restaurant, which is a secret to some outsiders.

40 S. Main St., Smyrna; mainstreetmarketsmyrna.com or (302) 653-8837

Mike’s Famous Steaks and Subs, Newark

There’s a sandwich named “Mike’s Famous Cheesesteak,” and Delawareans love to boast about it.

This beefy guy is served with fierceness, along with chopped rib eye steak, American cheese, fried onions, mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet peppers, red crushed peppers and pickles.

754 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Newark; mikesfamoussteaks.com or (302) 453-0331

Nothing Better, Seaford

In SoDel, this business takes a lot of pride in using fresh bread from Liscio’s bakery. A meaty sammy is one thing, but it hits a little different when those rolls are extra zesty.

Additionally, Nothing Better owner Nick Bohenko said he suspects his shop might be a little more liberal with its use of cheese than most places.

14882 Hardscrabble Road, Seaford; nothingbetterllc.com or (302) 875-2400

Simaron Pizza & Steak Shop, Dover

If you don’t like cheesesteaks with large proportions, don’t shop at Simaron Pizza & Steak Shop. They’ll gladly serve you a mountain of meat disguised as a sandwich at this hidden gem restaurant.

415 W. Loockerman St., Dover; simaronsteakshop.com or (302) 736-1073

TenderBones Rib Shack, near Bear

This popular restaurant carries a lot of weight in the cheesesteak community. It’s not hard to understand why because it sells a cheesesteak that weighs over 2 pounds.

That sandwich isn’t on the menu and it’s by special request only. Take note.

2504 Red Lion Road, near Bear; www.tenderbones.com or (302) 832-7427

Williamsville Country Store, Houston

This hidden gem has been glistening in Sussex for years, and their downstate sammies are topped off with Southern comfort.

3544 Williamsville Road, Houston; Williamsville Country Store on Facebook or (302) 422-4455

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.