There are a lot of cheesesteak places in the East Valley, but few offer what I consider a really good Philly.

So when Get Out nightlife writer Kelly Wilson, a Philly native, heard from her mom about a new place, Forefather’s Gourmet Cheesesteaks & Fries, we wasted little time in heading to south Tempe.

The mood: The strip mall space is clean and utilitarian. About the only things on the red walls are a giant menu board and small portraits of George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

We order at the stainless-steel counter, fill our sodas and take a seat at one of a dozen wood-lattice tables inside. There also are a half-dozen tables available on a small sidewalk patio.

The food: Kelly chooses the Philly Original combo meal ($7.95). The shaved steak is well-seasoned and topped with grilled onions and Cheez Whiz. For an extra 50 cents, she adds mushrooms. The fresh-baked Italian roll is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside.

I go with the Chicken Cheesesteak, made with large cubes of white meat, grilled onions and American cheese. My combo meal ($7.95), like Kelly’s, comes with a large side of tasty fries (regular, cheese or sweet potato).

The chicken sandwich is good, but the Philly is even better. Kelly and I agree Forefather’s offers one of the better cheesesteaks in the Valley.

The drinks: Our sodas are included in the combo meal.

The damage: $17.73. Kelly’s already been back to try the sweet potato fries (she liked them). My next order: the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Cheesesteak with a green apple cilantro salsa.

>> Forefather’s Gourmet Cheesesteaks & Fries, 8707 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. (480) 763-1776.