Philly Cheese King: Allergens at a Glance
The honest verdict
Philly Cheese King · Burger King
The Philly Cheese King is a grilled cheesesteak-style sandwich from Burger King, featuring seasoned steak strips, melted American cheese, and a hoagie-style bun. The allergen profile is anchored by wheat from the bun, milk from the cheese, and soy from the mayonnaise and bun. Egg is not a listed ingredient in the steak or cheese, but mayonnaise contains egg — confirm if the sandwich is served with mayo. Peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, and sesame are not typical ingredients. This sandwich is distinct from the flame-grilled Whopper (see whopper) which has a seeded bun and different toppings, and from the breaded chicken sandwich (see crispy-chicken-sandwich) which adds wheat breading. Always confirm with your specific Burger King location before ordering.
Allergen details change and vary by location. This is a general guide — always confirm with the restaurant before ordering. Not official or medical advice.
Key facts
The Philly Cheese King uses a hoagie-style bun, which is sesame-free — unlike the Whopper's seeded bun.
Melted American cheese is the primary milk source in the Philly Cheese King; the steak strips are dairy-free.
Mayonnaise, if served, adds egg and soy as additional allergens to the sandwich.
FDA — Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)
Every major allergen, one clear grid
Each of the nine major allergens marked for Philly Cheese King at Burger King — Contains, May contain (cross-contact or varies), or Free. Anything we couldn't confirm defaults to "may contain," because a shared kitchen can't be ruled out without the restaurant's official menu.
- MilkContains
The melted American cheese on the Philly Cheese King is a direct source of milk. The hoagie bun may also contain milk or butter. Confirm with the restaurant whether the bun is dairy-free.
- EggMay contain
Egg is not a standard ingredient in the steak strips or cheese. However, mayonnaise (which contains egg) may be added to the sandwich. Ask the restaurant whether the Philly Cheese King is served with mayo and whether it can be omitted.
- Wheat / GlutenContains
The hoagie-style bun is wheat-based. This is the primary source of wheat/gluten in the sandwich. There is no standard gluten-free bun option at Burger King.
- SoyMay contain
Soy is present in the bun (soy flour or lecithin) and in the mayonnaise if served. Refined soybean oil may also be used in preparation. Highly refined soy oil is FDA-exempt from allergen labeling and tolerated by most with soy allergy. Those with severe soy sensitivity should confirm the oil type and bun ingredients.
- PeanutFree
Peanut is not an ingredient in the Philly Cheese King. Cross-contact is very unlikely in Burger King kitchens.
- Tree NutFree
Tree nuts are not an ingredient in the steak, cheese, bun, or toppings.
- FishFree
Fish is not an ingredient in the Philly Cheese King. Burger King does not typically fry fish in the same area as grilled items.
- ShellfishFree
Shellfish is not an ingredient in the Philly Cheese King.
- SesameFree
Sesame is not a standard ingredient in the hoagie bun or the sandwich toppings. Unlike the Whopper (which has a seeded bun), the Philly Cheese King bun is typically sesame-free.
“May contain” means cross-contact is possible or the answer varies by location — not that the allergen is a listed ingredient. For a severe allergy, treat “may contain” the same as “contains” until the restaurant confirms otherwise.
Small changes that remove an allergen
Simple modifications that can take an allergen off your philly cheese king. Always name your allergy when you order and ask staff to confirm — a modification only helps if the kitchen prepares it separately.
Order without cheese
Request no mayonnaise
Ask for the sandwich without the bun (lettuce wrap or bowl)
Confirm the bun does not contain milk or butter
A modification lowers exposure but doesn't erase cross-contact from shared fryers, grills, or prep surfaces. For a severe allergy, confirm the prep with a manager before you eat.
Read this before you order
Cross-contact & severe allergies
A “free of” mark on the grid above means the allergen isn't an ingredient — it doesn't mean the item was made in an allergen-free kitchen. Two things matter most:
Shared fryers & equipment
Grilled items at Burger King share flat-top surfaces and utensils. The Philly Cheese King is grilled on the same surface as other sandwiches, which may have wheat, milk, or soy residues. Cross-contact is possible but lower than with fried items. Ask staff about grill cleaning practices at your specific location.
If your allergy is severe
For anaphylactic allergy to wheat, milk, or soy, confirm bun ingredients, cheese sourcing, and grill preparation before ordering. The Philly Cheese King is not guaranteed safe for any of these allergens without restaurant-level confirmation. Carry your epinephrine auto-injector. If you cannot confirm preparation details, consider a grilled chicken sandwich without bun as an alternative.
This guidance is general and can't account for how any single location prepares your food. The restaurant's staff and official allergen menu are the final word — when in doubt, ask, or choose something else.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
The Philly Cheese King uses a hoagie bun (sesame-free) and grilled steak strips with melted cheese. The Whopper uses a seeded sesame bun, a flame-grilled beef patty, and toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, and mayo. The Whopper adds sesame from the bun and may have egg from mayo. The Philly Cheese King has milk from the cheese as a primary allergen, while the Whopper's cheese is optional. Both contain wheat and soy.
Yes, the melted American cheese is a direct source of milk. The hoagie bun may also contain milk or butter. If you are dairy-free, order without cheese and confirm the bun is dairy-free. The steak strips themselves are typically dairy-free.
No. The hoagie bun is wheat-based, making the sandwich a direct source of gluten. There is no standard gluten-free bun option at Burger King. A gluten-free option would require ordering without the bun (lettuce wrap or bowl) and confirming the steak strips are not marinated with soy sauce or other wheat-containing ingredients.
Soy is present in the bun (soy flour or lecithin) and in the mayonnaise if served. Refined soybean oil may also be used in preparation. For most with soy allergy, highly refined soy oil is tolerated, but the bun and mayo are direct sources. Request no mayo and ask about the bun ingredients to reduce soy exposure.
Yes, the Philly Cheese King is typically sesame-free. Unlike the Whopper which uses a seeded sesame bun, the Philly Cheese King uses a hoagie bun that does not contain sesame seeds or sesame flour. Confirm with the restaurant that the bun is sesame-free, as recipes can vary by location.
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Please verify before ordering
Allergen info changes and varies by location
Recipes, suppliers, and preparation methods change often and differ between locations, so the details here can go out of date or not match your specific Burger King restaurant. Always confirm directly with the restaurant and check its official allergen menu before ordering. This page is a general research summary — it is not official information from Burger King, and it is not medical advice. If you have a food allergy, decisions about what is safe to eat should be made with the restaurant and, where relevant, your healthcare provider.