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Philly's Best opening ghost kitchen

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December 2, 2021

Philly's Best is launching its first ghost kitchen in Oakland, California, at the Oakland Food Hall under the direction of husband-and-wife team Bruce and Latrina Hopson. The Oakland-area residents also own a physical location near Oakland International Airport in the Hegenberger Gateway Retail Center.

"When we opened the first Philly's Best sandwich shop in Northern California after the brand had experienced nearly three decades of success as Southern California's most authentic Philly cheesesteak, we proudly assumed the responsibility of introducing the iconic taste of Philadelphia to our own community in Oakland," Latrina Hopson said in a company press release. "The amazing response we received from guests around the opening of our first location made it clear that we had to expand."

The Philly's Best story began when Philadelphia native Bob Levey was stationed in San Diego, California, while serving in the Navy. Far from home and finding no place to satisfy his cheesesteak cravings, the dream of bringing his favorite Philly food to California was born. Along with his Philadelphian wife, Andrea, the couple opened the first Philly's Best Cheesesteak and Hoagie Shop in Fountain Valley in 1992. Since then, the brand has expanded throughout California.

"Bruce and Latrina continue to exceed our expectations with their successful opening of the very first Philly's Best in Northern California, and we are extremely confident in their abilities to grow the brand and make Philly's Best Cheesesteaks a household name in Oakland," Levey said. "With our first ghost kitchen, we're able to introduce the signature Philly's Best experience to a ton of new guests so they can taste for themselves why our cheesesteaks have been the 'worth the drive' sandwich shop in California for almost 30 years."