Where to Find The Best Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia (2024)

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Top Picks for Philadelphia Cheesesteaks Cheesesteaks in Philly: Your 2024 Guide Philadelphia’s Sandwich Hall Of FamePhiladelphia’s Sandwich Hall Of FamePhiladelphia’s Sandwich Hall Of Fame John’s Roast PorkJohn’s Roast PorkJohn’s Roast Pork Tony Luke’sTony Luke’sTony Luke’s Pat’s King of Steaks Geno’s Steaks Jim’s SteaksJim’s SteaksJim’s Steaks Sonny’s Famous SteaksSonny’s Famous SteaksSonny’s Famous Steaks Campo’s Philly CheesesteaksCampo’s Philly CheesesteaksCampo’s Philly Cheesesteaks Reading Terminal Market Iconic Philadelphia Foods and Must-Have Philly Eats Top Places To Eat Near The South Philadelphia Sports ComplexTop Places To Eat Near The South Philadelphia...Top Places To Eat Near The South Philadelphia Sports Complex See All About Philadelphia Cheesesteaks Cheesesteaks in Philly: Your 2024 GuideCheesesteaks in Philly: Your 2024 GuideCheesesteaks in Philly: Your 2024 Guide Iconic Philadelphia Foods and Must-Have Philly EatsIconic Philadelphia Foods and Must-Have Philly EatsIconic Philadelphia Foods and Must-Have Philly Eats Sonny’s Famous SteaksSonny’s Famous SteaksSonny’s Famous Steaks Reading Terminal MarketReading Terminal MarketReading Terminal Market Pat’s King of SteaksPat’s King of SteaksPat’s King of Steaks Geno’s SteaksGeno’s SteaksGeno’s Steaks John’s Roast PorkJohn’s Roast PorkJohn’s Roast Pork The Most Instagrammable Places in PhiladelphiaThe Most Instagrammable Places in PhiladelphiaThe Most Instagrammable Places in Philadelphia Campo’s Philly CheesesteaksCampo’s Philly CheesesteaksCampo’s Philly Cheesesteaks Philadelphia’s Sandwich Hall Of FamePhiladelphia’s Sandwich Hall Of FamePhiladelphia’s Sandwich Hall Of Fame Where to Eat at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)Where to Eat at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)Where to Eat at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) Top Places To Eat Near The South Philadelphia Sports ComplexTop Places To Eat Near The South Philadelphia Sports ComplexTop Places To Eat Near The South Philadelphia Sports Complex The Italian MarketThe Italian MarketThe Italian Market Jim’s SteaksJim’s SteaksJim’s Steaks Tony Luke’sTony Luke’sTony Luke’s The Perfect Hotel Package for an Easy Philly Escape Stay in Touch FAQs

Where to Find The Best Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia (1)

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—Photo by B. Krist for Visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s most iconic food is a sandwich: hot beef and melty cheese on a long flaky roll. Often imitated, the cheesesteak endures, whether served slathered with Cheez Whiz at a corner deli or dressed up with Kobe beef at an elegant restaurant.

In 1930, the cheesesteak was invented when Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor and namesake to Pat’s King of Steaks, threw beef on his grill to make a sandwich. A passing cab driver asked for one, too, and soon Olivieri had a following.

However a cheesesteak is consumed (with provolone, Whiz, or American cheese; “wit” fried onions or not) or wherever one is eaten (scarfed down before a ballgame or munched on several hours into a night out), each bite is always worth savoring.

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Where to Find The Best Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia (2024)

FAQs

What are the two best cheesesteaks in Philly? ›

Here are Pappas's favourite cheesesteaks in his hometown of Philadelphia. It might seem like a cliché, but Pappas isn't above sending visitors to either Pat's King Of Steaks or Geno's Steaks. Located directly opposite each other, their proximity and rivalry has only increased their popularity.

What are two famous cheesesteaks in Philadelphia? ›

Sitting diagonally across the corner from each other at the southern tip of Philly's Italian Market are the city's famous rival cheesesteak joints: Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks. Pat's shop is still owned and operated by the legendary Olivieri family, whose patriarch invented the first steak sandwich in 1930.

Who won best cheesesteak in Philly? ›

Chick's Deli in Cherry Hill wins. “It may be sacrilege, but the best cheesesteaks are now coming from an unassuming little deli in South Jersey,” we wrote. “If Steve's Prince of Steaks had a South Philly location, there would no longer be a Pat's-vs.

Is pats or genos better? ›

The only distinct difference is the meat, but not how it tastes. Pat's cooks and serves its beef in thin slices, while Geno's chops the slices into small cubes. And that's about the extent of that. No mysterious, specially imported cheese or flavor-enhanced onions.

What is a true Philly cheesesteak? ›

Authentic Philly Cheesesteak is made with ribeye steak that's sliced into thin slices, and topped with melted provolone cheese, white American cheese, or Cheez Whiz, as well as fried onions, all on a toasted hoagie roll. It's pure sandwich perfection!

How to order a Philly cheesesteak in Philly? ›

How to order a cheesesteak
  1. “A cheesesteak wit,” is what you say if you want onions.
  2. “A cheesesteak witout,” is what you say if you don't want onions. ...
  3. At some places, you may be asked to specify whether you want American cheese, provolone, or Whiz. ...
  4. Don't ask for rare, medium rare, or medium.
Jun 9, 2021

Is Genos cash only? ›

CASH Only - Review of Geno's Steaks, Philadelphia, PA - Tripadvisor.

Does Pat's use cheese whiz? ›

Kraft Cheez Whiz, white American cheese and provolone (which Pat's owners claim was the first cheese to be placed on one of their steak sandwiches) are the most popular cheese options, though we shouldn't forget about the time John Kerry provoked the ire of Philadelphians by ordering a cheesesteak with Swiss cheese.

What is the famous rivalry of Philly cheesesteak? ›

Geno's Steaks is located directly across the street from Pat's, fueling the rivalry between these two famous cheesesteak shops. Many Philadelphia natives consider Geno's and rival Pat's to be tourist trap cheesesteaks due to their mass tourist appeal.

What is the secret to a Philly cheesesteak? ›

What is the secret to a good Philly cheesesteak? High-quality beef: Using thinly sliced, tender beef, such as ribeye. Properly cooked onions: Sautéing the onions until they are caramelized and golden brown adds a sweet, aromatic savoriness.

What is the best meat for Philly cheesesteak? ›

Which Cut of Beef Should I Use? Ribeye is the steak of choice for Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. It is well-marbled and tender when cooked. Another cut that we have used with great results is flank steak which is lean but very tender when cut against the grain.

Is Dalessandro's cash only? ›

Helpful? No, it's cash only.

What kind of meat does Geno's Steaks use? ›

We use only the best, thinly sliced rib-eye steak so it grills up nice and juicy (never greasy). Our onions are always fresh, our bread always comes straight from the oven, and our cheese…well it's cheese.

Who is Genos competitor? ›

Geno's: Cheese steak war still simmers in Philadelphia. The movies' Rocky Balboa may be Philadelphia's most celebrated fighter, but this city's greatest rivalry is between two South Philly cheese-steak joints that may rival the Liberty Bell for iconic status: Pat's and Geno's.

What are the two types of Philly cheesesteaks? ›

A mushroom cheesesteak is a cheesesteak with mushrooms. A pepper cheesesteak is a cheesesteak with green bell peppers, hot cherry peppers, long hot peppers, or sweet peppers.

What was the first cheesesteak place in Philly? ›

In 1930, the cheesesteak was invented when Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor and namesake to Pat's King of Steaks, threw beef on his grill to make a sandwich. A passing cab driver asked for one, too, and soon Olivieri had a following.

What are the names of Philly cheesesteaks? ›

What Variations of the Philly Cheesesteak Are There?
  • Mushroom Cheesesteak. While not one of the traditional toppings for a cheesesteak, mushrooms have become quite popular because of what they can add to the sandwich. ...
  • Pepper Cheesesteak. ...
  • Steak Milano. ...
  • Cheesesteak Hoagie.
Oct 12, 2020

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