The restaurant is owned and operated by Nabil Assal, owner of Le Miel Inc.  Assal’s wife, Huduette, and daughter, Misha, serve as co-managers.  The Assals have 13 employees with plans to hire a few more in the near future.  A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Assal came to the United States more than 35 years ago and settled in Orlando.  Both he and his daughter have restaurant experience and describe their decision to open their own restaurant an easy one.

“I always dreamed of owning my own restaurant as I approached retirement and, since we are all big cheesesteak fans, Philly Connection was the answer,” Assal said.  “From day one working with the Philly Connection team, we felt right at home and now feel like we’re a part of an even bigger family.”

The Philly Connection was created in 1984 when Philadelphia-native John Pollock developed a restaurant concept that specialized in original cheesesteak sandwiches to be introduced to areas that did not offer an authentic version of the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. The South was the first development region.  Today, the company has 90 locations in nine states, with plans to have 300 restaurants operating in the next 10 years.  Originally founded in Philadelphia, the company is now headquartered in Atlanta.

Pollock says that part of what sets Philly Connection apart is the quality of the meat.  The company uses an exclusive, whole-muscle steak product with special seasonings and marinade to enhance the flavor.  The special preparation techniques used in the restaurants ensure a consistent, high-quality, juicy, tender sliced product.

This year, Philly Connection is rolling out a new branding campaign.  As part of the initiative, the company has introduced “My Cheesesteak,” a new menu that gives customers the option of customizing their sandwiches with such toppings as four different kinds of cheeses, grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, salsa, pizza sauce and pepperoni.  Chicken can also be substituted for steak on the customized sandwiches.

According to Pollock, “We want customers to know that all cheesesteak sandwiches are NOT the same.  We think a cheesesteak sandwich from Philly Connection is a cut above the rest.  Our sandwiches are made with the very best ingredients and we make them the old fashioned way – grilled to order, one sandwich at a time.”The new Philly Connection in Waterford Lakes can be reached at (407) 207-9505.  The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.  Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.  Sandwich prices start around $5.55 and the menu also features a variety of sides, drinks and dessert items.  Assal says that so far the most popular sandwich in his restaurant is The Original Cheesesteak Sandwich, with sizzling slices of lean, marinated steak, sweet onions and melted white American cheese.