Delicious Philly-style steak burger from Philadelphia – the beef is sweet and tender, and the bun is incredibly hearty and chewy

Text & Photos /DaKou

This time, we’re taking you on another food adventure in Taipei to try some tasty eats at “Cheese David” located on Kunming Street in Ximending, Taipei. Situated at the prime corner spot of a triangle-shaped building, the place is easily spotted thanks to its eye-catching blue and pink striped exterior. Cheese David specializes in creative American cuisine, using fresh ingredients delivered daily and preparing dishes to order. The portions are generous and satisfying – must-tries include their signature Cheese Steak Burger, Philly Cheeseburger, Golden American Chicken Strips, and Cheese Fries, all of which are quite popular among customers. It’s said that in the afternoon, the store manager, “Cheese Big Bull,” makes an appearance to interact with visitors, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet him this time – what a pity. Now, let’s take a look at the delicious Philly-style steak burger from Philadelphia right away.

[Store Info]
Cheese David
Address: No. 102, Kunming Street, Taipei City (Opposite Emei Parking Lot in Ximending)
Phone: (02)2311-1800
Business Hours: Sun–Thu 11:30–21:30, Fri–Sat 11:30–22:00
FB Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/cheesedavidtw

The bright pink and blue building right across from Emei Parking Lot in Ximending is Cheese David.

The building faces a main road, so you can spot it from afar as you approach. There's also convenient parking nearby. The entire building, covered in pink and blue hues, is Cheese David.

The place is surrounded by large floor-to-ceiling glass windows, allowing plenty of natural light in.

Inside, there’s a small counter where you can place orders. In front of the counter is the area for utensils and sauces. The restaurant adopts a semi-self-service dining style, so you pick up your own items. The interior has a touch of American rustic charm, and there’s even a big red phone booth – wonder if Superman will pop in to change outfits (just imagining)?

All the tables are located along the windows, offering great views.

The seats are mainly booths, ideal for couples or groups. There are also regular tables and chairs. The booths are quite spacious and comfortable.

Here comes the food – it’s served up super quickly and fills up the whole table. Each plate comes with a pretty big portion.

The signature Cheese Steak Burger (NT$185) comes with a side salad and fries. It’s somewhat similar to a sub-style sandwich, though the ingredients are different. Their Cheese Steak Burger is inspired by Philly steak sandwiches, primarily using ribeye steak. The beef is cut into chunks, stir-fried with onions on an iron plate, then topped with rich cheese sauce before being stuffed into soft, elastic French bread. It looks quite unique. They’ve also thoughtfully cut the burger into two pieces so it can be shared.

When you first open it, the aroma hits you right away. The beef patty is juicy and tender. It comes with grilled onions and a layer of melted cheese between the patties and the bread. The combination of flavors is wonderful.

You can also find some fun videos about Cheese David on YouTube.

The Mango Pineapple Smoothie (NT$120) and the American Strawberry Soda (NT$45), both served in takeaway cups, are very convenient if you can’t finish them in one go. The mango pineapple smoothie is freshly blended, offering a refreshing mix of sweet and tangy flavors with strong notes of mango and pineapple.

The signature Cheese Steak Burger (NT$185) is another popular item. It’s built like a little mountain, stacked high with beef patties, cheese, and various kinds of fresh veggies.

There’s also the American Beef Burger (NT$185), which is a favorite among many. The beef patties are thick and juicy, so they don’t get dry when bitten into.

Once you pile on the top bun, it actually becomes a fairly large burger. The beef patty is full of juices and has a nice thickness, making it flavorful and not dry at all.

When you take a bite, the juices burst out, giving you a super satisfying feeling.

The Cheese Fries (NT$85) are served in a cute little pushcart-style container. The crispy fries are super tasty. The cheese sauce placed next to them instantly catches your eye. Dip the hot fries into the cheese sauce, and you’ll find the fries are rich, crispy, and addictive. You might just forget about the calories for a moment.

The Seafood Pasta (NT$195) comes with mussels and shrimp. As soon as it’s served, you can smell the rich aroma of tomatoes. Although there are only three shrimp, they’re fairly large and quite fresh.

Visually, the seafood pasta looks quite appealing. The portion is generous, and the noodles are coated in a rich tomato sauce. The shrimp and mussels add a nice seafood touch.

The pasta is flavorful and pairs well with the seafood. The overall taste is rich and satisfying.

% For just 155 NT (about 155 yuan), you get chicken nuggets that also come with salad and fries too. Their chicken nuggets are actually pretty big—kind of like chicken drumsticks. The portion is quite generous, so when you're in a group, you can totally order some to share!

% Their fried items aren’t overly greasy at all, and your hands won’t feel too oily afterward, so you can just dig in with your hands and enjoy!

% Their cheesecake (85 NT) has a rich, creamy cheese flavor mixed with a hint of peanut aroma—it’s really unique!

% They also have a super popular dessert that’s really fragrant and absolutely delicious. I really love this sweet treat—it’s bursting with aroma and super tasty!

“Cheese David” has a spacious interior with a simple and comfortable setting, featuring a touch of American country-style charm. It uses a semi-self-service dining style, so apart from when your food is served, you won’t be disturbed much during your meal—which is pretty nice. The portions are generous. Their signature Cheese Iron Plate Steak Burger is super chewy, sweet, and delicious; the Philly Cheesesteak is juicy and tender with thick, springy meat; the chicken nuggets are crispy and super satisfying; and the cheese fries are rich, crunchy, and absolutely yummy. Don’t miss their cheesecake strips for dessert—the blend of creamy cheese and peanut flavors in your mouth is just perfect. This place is perfect for hanging out with friends. If you’re interested, definitely give it a try—this is new American creative cuisine inspired by Philadelphia!

【Shop Info】
Cheese David
Address: No. 102, Kunming St., Taipei City (across from Emei Parking Lot in Ximending)
Phone: (02)2311-1800
Business Hours: Sun–Thu 11:30–21:30, Fri–Sat 11:30–22:00
FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/cheesedavidtw