Anthony “Big Tony” Blaylock
The Friendly Face Behind the Beloved Restaurant Chain
Anthony “Big Tony” Blaylock was born and raised In Western Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, affectionately known as “West Philly.” A graduate of Temple University, Anthony partnered in a successful catering business for five years before launching his own business.
Anthony made his first “Philly” back in 1970. and is considered a cheesesteak connoisseur. Moving to Texas in 1995, his goal was to open an authentic cheesesteak restaurant.
To hone his craft, and refine his business acumen, Anthony opened a Fred’s Downtown Philly Cheesesteaks in Allen, TX in June of 2009, gaining valuable experience that paved the way for his own business.
Wishing to expand the Philly Cheesesteak experience, Anthony initiated his own enterprise, founding Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteak in 2013. The company’s first location was in Allen, Texas, and several others soon followed.
Today, Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteak is recognized as the best cheesesteak restaurant in Texas, bringing together a family friendly atmosphere with food that is unlike anything else in the great State of Texas: rich, flavorful, and wholly unique.
Big Tony’s in the News
“Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteaks serves Philadelphia flavors in Allen”
Community Impact
“Anthony Blaylock said when he was a child growing up in west Philadelphia, he either wanted to become a corporate lawyer or own a Philly cheesesteak business. “College didn't work out for me, so I ended up doing this,” Blaylock said. “Very few people get a chance to live their dream. I thank the Lord, God Jehovah, I was able to live my dream. If I die tomorrow, I had a great life.” Blaylock opened Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteaks in Allen in 2009, followed by locations in Dallas and DeSoto in 2015 and Plano in 2017.
On the menu
Blaylock said his top three selling menu items are their mushroom cheesesteak, Philly cheesesteak and the Philly cheesesteak with bell peppers. “In restaurants in Philadelphia, we don't put bell peppers on cheesesteaks—we use sweet peppers, cherry peppers and jalapeno peppers,” Blaylock said. “Customers come in looking for bell peppers on a cheesesteak on our menu. We don’t have that, but we'll add bell peppers to it.”
The menu features 29 types of cheesesteaks including beef, steak, chicken, shrimp, hot pastrami, veggie and black bean cheesesteaks. The menu also boasts burgers, wings, seafood, salads and more. “In Philadelphia, we don't have all this stuff on the menu,” Blaylock said. “I decided to put everything in one store.”
What to expect
In addition to the ambiance being infused with Philadelphia-themed decor including sports memorabilia and framed pictures of the city’s landmarks and celebrities, Big Tony’s has bread delivered twice a week from Philadelphia-based Amoroso’s. The restaurant also serves TastyKake products, an iconic Philadelphia pre-packaged dessert.
Making an impact
Blaylock takes his responsibilities seriously as it pertains to his teenage employees.
“I hire kids who are 16 and 17 years old. I contact their parents, and I keep up with their grades. If their grades are bad, I cut their hours,” Blaylock said. “I try to motivate them and try to be a role model.”
740 S. Greenville Ave., Ste. 400, Allen
Big Tony’s in the News
“Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteaks puts customers first in Plano”
Impact Newspaper
“Anthony ‘Big Tony’ Blaylock grew up in west Philadelphia and moved to Texas in 1995 to start his own cheesesteak business. After learning the ropes, he founded Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteaks in 2013 in Allen. Blaylock added stores in DeSoto and Dallas in 2015 and in Plano in 2018. More than two years later, the Plano location has amassed a legion of loyal regulars whom Blaylock and his staff treat like family.
Blaylock said his mantra is simple: customers first. It is a philosophy that comes from his working 17 years at a public utility and earning a degree from Temple University in business relations.
Big Tony’s offers a full array of cheesesteaks, burgers, hoagies, seafood, salads and side items. Big Tony’s also offers monthly specials. May’s special is a Mexican Cheesesteak that includes chopped nacho-breaded shrimp in honor of Cinco de Mayo. “If you walk in that door, you expect to get whatever’s on that menu, and you expect it to be top-shelf,” Blaylock said. “I eat everything on that menu. If it’s not right, it’s not in here. Everything that I deal with is quality.” That commitment to quality includes buying rolls from Amoroso’s bakery in Philadelphia, which is considered the mark of a real Philly cheesesteak. “Amoroso’s is the staple,” Blaylock said. “When we had the bread shortage last year due to corona[virus], we got bread from different places, and people could tell the difference.”
Even if a customer wants a dish not on his menu, Blaylock or his staff will make it. “One guy came in and said,’ I want bacon jalapeno cheese fries, but you don’t have it up there,’” Blaylock said. “[I said] I’ve got bacon, jalapenos and fries, so I made it for him.” At the Plano location, top sellers are the No. 15 Broadstreet Cheesesteak (steak, mushrooms, banana peppers, sauteed onions, jalapenos and cheese) and the No. 24 Rocky Cheesesteak (steak, Italian sausage, bacon, sauteed onions, Cheez Whiz, American and Swiss cheeses). “I don’t know what it is—the saltiness—when it comes to the bacon and sausage coming together,” said Patrick Green, who manages the Plano location. “People keep coming back for the 24. We probably get 15 or 16 orders of both of those each day.”
Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteaks
(214) 484-3915