There’s a new business in the town of Marlboro to help fix the cravings for an authentic Philly cheesesteak.
Run by Philadelphia native Chaz Goodman, Philly Cheesesteaks and Locks opened up June 18. Goodman’s background is in fitness, he studied exercise physiology in school and has been a trainer since he got out of school. Though Goodman loves fitness he always had a dream of opening up a food truck.

“It was just something that never came about because I was always busy doing other things,” Goodman said.

About seven years ago Goodman was tired of training and wanted to change careers, but didn’t have the guts to open that food truck he’d always dreamed about. Instead he started working for an automobile dealership in Poughkeepsie. But eventually Goodman grew tired of that as well, he didn’t like sitting at a desk all day long.

“One day my 14 year old son, Jordan, said ‘Hey dad, do you still think about doing the food truck?’ And I hadn’t thought about it for quite some time. The woman I’d been with for five years didn’t even know I wanted to open a food truck,” Goodman said.

Goodman thought about it and didn’t think it was feasible, but realized he was getting older and needed a new project. He didn’t want to grow up to be 71 one day and regret it.

Goodman left the dealership to open up his food truck but soon realized how difficult that would be. One of Goodman’s friends was a building fire inspector and told Goodman that if he found a storefront and did everything to code then the community would welcome him with open arms.

“Lo and behold, I find this spot, which is the perfect spot, and talked to the owners of the building and they welcomed me in and here we are,” Goodman said.

Goodman lived in Philadelphia until he was 19 years old, and says that it’s almost impossible to find a good Philly cheesesteak in the Hudson Valley.
“[A good cheesesteak] is very simple,” Goodman said. “It’s caring about the food and the product that I’m putting out, and cheese sauce. Other people will tell you it should come with peppers and mushrooms, but that’s not really it. It’s always onion and it’s always the cheese sauce.”

The shop offers complimentary coffee to all active servicemen and veterans. Though the shop has only been open two weeks at the time of this article, the community support has been nothing short of spectacular.

“The response has been far more than anything I would have ever imagined. I mean, people are already coming back and we’ve only been open ten days,” Goodman said.

Goodman is proud that his store uses everything fresh, everything is freshly cut up and the onion rings are cut by hand with a homemade batter. The French fries are cut by hand as well.
“I believe in what I do. I care about this store, I love this store. I’ve never been in the restaurant business in my life as far as managing, I don’t know what I’m doing,” Goodman said. “But it’s doing well, I’m humbled by the response and support.”

Philly Cheesesteaks and Locks is located at 1300 Rte 9W, Marlboro. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. , and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. -6 p.m. Call 236-9600 for more information.