Brother vs. Brother: The story of Seaside’s dueling cheesesteak stands

Anyone who has passed by the corner of Dupont and Ocean avenues in Seaside Heights may have noticed two suspiciously similar-looking cheesesteak stands – Steaks Unlimited and The Original Steaks.

News 12 Staff

Aug 21, 2019, 11:47 PM

Updated 1,716 days ago

Share:

Anyone who has passed by the corner of Dupont and Ocean avenues in Seaside Heights may have noticed two suspiciously similar-looking cheesesteak stands – Steaks Unlimited and The Original Steaks.
Both are painted bright yellow, sell nearly identical bread pocket-style cheesesteaks, and both claim to be the original creator of the cheeseball.
It turns out that the story behind the competing cheesesteak stands started out as a family squabble between two brothers – Sal and Clem Faruolo.
What happened? It's kind of a family thing,” says Mike Carbone, cousin to the brothers. “One brother moved away. Went to California for a couple of years and then when the other brother came back they decided to each run their own thing.”
Carbone says that both brothers were running Steaks Unlimited together when Sal decided to move to California. When Sal returned to New Jersey, there was a fight over the ownership of the business – a fight that ended up in court.
Clem got the name Steaks Unlimited and in 2012 moved across the street, painted the new place yellow and reopened Steaks Unlimited. Sal, who owned the original building, reopened as The Original Steaks.
The brothers did not speak for four years. But Clem tells News 12 New Jersey that the feud is now over. He says that his own divorce and the passage of time made him reconcile with his brother.
“We’re friends. We bike ride every day. We talk - he comes over here, I go over there. That's everything,” says Clem.
The brothers now say that they have a friendly competition over the two businesses.


More from News 12
1:48
Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

1:02
Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

0:20
Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:56
JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant

JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant

2:39
Deer Park man heads to Washington DC to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease

Deer Park man heads to Washington DC to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease

0:20
Police: 13-year-old robbed at knifepoint on soccer field of Turtle Hook Middle School

Police: 13-year-old robbed at knifepoint on soccer field of Turtle Hook Middle School

0:25
Garbage truck driver indicted for 2023 fatal crash in Hauppauge

Garbage truck driver indicted for 2023 fatal crash in Hauppauge

2:19
Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

0:19
Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

0:59
New York to raise minimum award for tuition assistance program, expand eligibility

New York to raise minimum award for tuition assistance program, expand eligibility

1:44
The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts