Lee’s Hoagie House

A CERTAIN SMELL OR SOUND can transport you directly back to a time in your childhood, flooding you with nostalgia and happy memories. Feeling like a kid again is a welcome experience, especially as we get older. That’s why Robert Russo opened Lee’s Hoagie House, a franchise of the popular cheesesteak restaurant from his native Philadelphia. In his words, “It was an opportunity to have my past meet my present.”

After growing up in Philly, Robert graduated from the University of Tennessee and moved to California to “find himself.” Instead, as he likes to joke, he found his wife. They met at a bar in Huntington Beach; she had just graduated from UCLA. After they married, they traveled around the country to decide where they wanted to settle. Charlotte was ultimately the winner; they moved in 2006. Robert didn’t intend to be in the restaurant business; he’s a finance guy – the Founder and CEO of Independent Advisor Alliance. Opening Lee’s Hoagie House was a passion project. “I grew up playing little league and afterwards, we always went to Lee’s. It was a reasonably priced place where everyone could go,” he explains. Lee’s Hoagie House has multiple locations in and around the Philadelphia area. They have only one in NC – Robert’s location in Ballantyne – and it’s one of only a few franchises not operated by the original owner. (There’s also a Lee’s in Lake Wylie.)

Located on Lancaster Highway, Lee’s Hoagie House in Ballantyne recreates everything the franchises up north do. “All of our meats and cheeses come from Philly. The bread dough comes from a bakery in Philly, and we bake it in a specific oven that replicates the Philly humidity,” Robert describes. The menu closely follows the one from Robert’s childhood – awardwinning, mouth-watering cheesesteaks; hoagies with cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, tomato, oil and vinegar, spices and other fixings; wings; salads; wraps and a variety of other hot sandwiches.

Lee’s Hoagie House in Ballantyne offers a few things their northern counterparts do not. “Lee’s locations in Pennsylvania are small, usually narrow storefronts where you order, pick up and leave. Maybe there’s an outdoor area for kids to run around in. We took that concept and turned it into a family-style restaurant,” Robert says. Because Lee’s in Ballantyne is a sit-down restaurant, they can serve beer and wine as well as desserts. “We’re the only Lee’s Hoagie House with alcohol,” Robert shares. “We also have unique specials.

Thursday night is dollar wings and dollar beers (both select cans and those on draft). On Tuesdays, dine-in customers receive one kids’ combo meal free with every purchase of an entrée combo meal.” General manager Megan Hogya oversees the restaurant’s 17 employees as well as the day-to-day running of the store.

“She manages everything inside the walls, and I manage everything outside the walls,” Robert clarifies. Robert’s sister Dana assists him in a PR and marketing capacity. One of Robert’s two sons even helps out occasionally – he can walk from their house to Lee’s in mere minutes by sidewalk without having to cross a single street.

Open since 2022, the passion project of Lee’s Hoagie House has been a rewarding success. Robert has learned, however, that the concept of “hoagie” differs from state to state. “It’s not used around here,” he says. “Up north, Lee’s Hoagie House is known for cheesesteaks. We’re a cheesesteak place that also has great sandwiches.” More aptly put, Lee’s Hoagie House in Ballantyne is a relaxed and fun place that has something for everyone and won’t break the bank. “Ultimately, it’s about providing our customers a great experience and giving them a place to come where they won’t get charged an arm and a leg. We want you to be able to bring your whole family.”

Lee’s Hoagie House is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm. For more information or to order online, visit leesclt.com.