Philly CheeseSteak lovers unite!
IT’Z A PHILLY THING is the home of Nashville’s first and original Philly Cheesesteak. Our soul mission is to excite your taste buds and your love for Philly Cheesesteaks, by bringing you food and a Philly experience like no other. We’re committed to providing our customers with authentic, high-quality Philly Cheesesteaks made with the freshest ingredients.
We first opened our doors in 2018 as Nashville’s First & Original Philly Cheesesteak Food Truck, and in 2020, we expanded our presence by opening our first brick and mortar location in the Bellevue neighborhood of Nashville. We’ve been proud to serve the community by being everywhere, from street corners, corporate offices, local parks, festivals, events, and much more. We’ve also been proud to cater for both private & corporate events, weddings & much more, We will continue to expand our presence in Nashville and beyond and we’re excited to share our passion for Philly Cheesesteaks with you. Come be a part of the ever-growing ITZ A PHILLY THING family.
Our menu by the numbers
Meet Zyhir Baker-Elam
Zyhir Baker-Elam is the founder and owner of IT’Z A PHILLY THING, home of Nashville’s first and original Philly Cheesesteak. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Zyhir has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and a love for his hometown’s food. Growing up, he saw firsthand the hard work and dedication it takes to build a successful business, and he was inspired to follow in his family’s footsteps.
A Philly native brings his love for Cheesesteaks to Nashville
When Zyhir moved away from Philadelphia for college, he began to miss the taste of his hometown’s food. Determined to bring a piece of Philly to Nashville, he started selling Water Ice and pretzels out of his college apartment. As the popularity of his snacks grew, he decided to purchase a food truck, and eventually, a brick and mortar restaurant. Today, IT’Z A PHILLY THING is known for its authentic, high-quality Philly Cheese Steaks and its commitment to providing a unique Philly experience to customers.
Meet our team
Zyhir Baker-Elam
DesmonD Tanner
Anterrian Cheatham
Inspired by a Legacy of Entrepreneurship
IT’Z A PHILLY THING is a family-owned and operated business inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the owner’s grandfather, William Baker. William owned and operated the successful Baker Pickler Company, who was once the only black-owned and -operated kosher-style pickle maker in the country. We carry on William’s legacy by bringing the true taste of Philly to Nashville and beyond through our delicious cheesesteaks and other dishes. We’re proud to be a part of William’s story and to keep his legacy alive.
