You know what tastes really good together? Beef and onions. Throw in a little Cooper Sharp cheese, a crusty-yet-chewy sesame seed hoagie, and just enough salt and pepper to let you know that they’re there, and you’ve got yourself a damn fine sandwich. Thankfully, someone figured that out in the 1930s, about 100 miles south of here.

That recipe has been perfected at Danny & Coop’s, an East Village counter that's serving the best cheesesteak in NYC. A collab between Angelo’s, which holds the crown for Philly’s top cheesesteak, and Bradley Cooper, actor and professional haver of blue eyes, Danny & Coop's is currently open Friday-Sunday. Cooper’s frequent presence behind the counter can draw serious lines, but they do a good job cranking quickly through orders. Any wait will be worth it. 

photo credit: Kate Previte

photo credit: Kate Previte

photo credit: Kate Previte

Every element works in harmony here: the steak is sliced nice and thin, and it gets cooked hard on a flat-top while still retaining moisture. There’s just enough cheese to hold everything together without overpowering the beef and jammy onions. Even when Cooper happens to be behind the grill, it’s the gorgeous, pretzel-like color of the bread that draws our undivided attention.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Kate Previte

Cheesesteak

The $18 cheesesteak is the only thing on the menu, and it’s a gooey, oniony masterpiece. They’ll ask if you want sweet or hot peppers on the side when you order—get both.