There's no question: Nicky's Undefeated in Tucker serves a legit South Jersey cheesesteak and Italian hoagie. Their second location opens this weekend in Kennesaw. I finally made it back for a second visit — my first trip was only a day or two after they opened, so this gave them time to get their feet under them.
I keep telling you Liscio's is... More
There's no question: Nicky's Undefeated in Tucker serves a legit South Jersey cheesesteak and Italian hoagie. Their second location opens this weekend in Kennesaw. I finally made it back for a second visit — my first trip was only a day or two after they opened, so this gave them time to get their feet under them.
I keep telling you Liscio's is a better roll than Amoroso, and Nicky's Undefeated uses Liscio's. The bigger surprise is the meat portion — a true Philly/South Jersey amount. They also carry Cooper Sharp, which has become the top cheese choice for cheesesteaks this century.
Most Atlanta spots think an Italian hoagie means ham, pepperoni, and salami with a choice of cheese (for an Italian, that should be provolone). Nicky's does the real version — all of that, plus prosciutto and hot capicola. There are a few upscale Italian markets around town using imported meats, but nobody's loading up a hoagie with imported cold cuts and still charging a reasonable price.
The top hoagie shops in Philly mostly run Dietz & Watson. Head north into Jersey and Thumann's and Boar's Head start sneaking in too, especially once you hit the towns that call them "subs" instead of "hoagies." Nicky's uses D&W.
For legit cheesesteaks and hoagies together in metro Atlanta, only Fred's and pre-franchise Big Dave's are in the same league as @nickysundefeated. How would they stack up against my favorite NJ spots? Not top 5 — but they'd hold their own in any Jersey zip code.
For reference, NJ.com runs legit best-of lists, and their critic is a real foodie, not just a good writer. Of their ranked Garden State cheesesteaks, I've personally been to the spots ranked 1, 6, 7, 13, 16, 28, 35, 37, 39, and 45 — most of them more than once. Next visit I'm getting the roast pork; I've had some great versions in the Delaware Valley and I'm curious how this one compares.
Bottom line: Nicky's Undefeated is legit, and it's the best Philly phood in metro Atlanta right now.
Have you made it to the Tucker location yet, or are you waiting on the Kennesaw opening this weekend? And which are you ordering first — the cheesesteak or the hoagie? Drop your take below.
#NickysUndefeated #TuckerGA #Kenn Less
