The Guy Behind
the Grill

Calozzi's started in 2008 on a wooden table on 1st Avenue in Belltown — a propane grill, a beach umbrella to keep the Seattle rain off the steaks, set up right next to Amber Nightclub. Al Calozzi served real Philadelphia cheesesteaks to the late-night crowd, one sandwich at a time.

Chopped ribeye griddled hot and fresh to order, on a real roll with the cheese melted in — Whiz, American, or provolone, wit or witout. No shortcuts, no steam trays. That umbrella on 1st Ave grew into the Georgetown flagship near Boeing Field, and now a Capitol Hill location too. Regulars call Al the Michael Jordan of Cheesesteaks.