Two Calgarians — one originally from India, and the other from Mexico — are hoping their new restaurant, Phillys, is the right mix, as they get ready to officially open in the city’s northeast.
“We offer Philly Cheesesteaks, in a Philadelphia style type. We do a little chicken, but we try to be as loyal to the original recipes like how it is in Philadelphia,” said Julian Carreto. “We are trying to do hotdogs and everyone loves hot dogs. Especially when you’re a kid, right?”
Carreto is the operations lead at Phillys and moved to Calgary in 2022, where he says he’s bringing over two decades of experience to the job, even creating his own sauce recipes for the restaurant.
“I like that people enjoy different flavours and from different types of cuisines. That’s what we’re trying to do at Phillys — combine different flavours and have an option for everyone, right?” he said.
Harpreet Dhaliwal is the owner of Phillys and moved to Canada in the 1990s. He tells CityNews he’s excited to help serve Calgary foodies, adding it’s been tough getting a franchise started in the current economic climate.
But, he says it’s worth it.
“The economy was a little bit down, but it is improving, and everybody is coming back together to make it work,” he said.
For now, Carreto says he’s hopeful people will come down to the restaurant to get a taste of the flavours the pair is dishing out.
“Just by looking at them and seeing them enjoying it, that’s what makes me more happy I would say,” he said.
The franchise has already secured a second location in Airdrie.
The northeast Calgary spot hosting is its official grand opening on Saturday, offering free hot dogs to the first 100 guests.