DiningBuzz! - Philly Cheesesteak

I figure I'll probably be flying more to and through Philadelphia in the near future so would like to ask the following question of those that work in/travel to Philly who are carnivores:

Who has the best cheesesteak in Philly. I'm familiar with Gino's, Pat's and Jim's, but figure I'm probably missing some that are better and perhaps less touristy. Between the three I mentioned I lean toward Pat's (mainly because of the roasted chili peppers they have on the counter).

I hope this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324217
will be of some help to you. Enjoy Philly!

I grew up in Philadelphia and as much as I love a good cheesesteak, go and have a hoagie, too. My favorites were at Lee's Hoagie shop which I hope is still in existence. I think there are a few of them around the city. I've still never enjoyed any sandwich just quite as much as I did one of those and I've been around. :-)

I had Jim's two weeks ago and I really liked it. Not sure of other local spots that are better. I was taken by locals and well they were right, I was ready for more after I already had two of them.

I hope this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324217
will be of some help to you. Enjoy Philly!
Thanks! I also received this link form some U folks in Philly:
http://www.bestcheesesteaks.com/cheesesteaks/pa.htm

Makes me hungry just thinking about them... My dad grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and we always enjoyed them on family visits from Alaska! I've had Jim's - and they are good, but if you make it out to Rosemont/Garret Hill - try a Garret Hill Cheesesteak or hoagie! They are both excellent. I just had one in July and can't wait for the next one ^

From that website:

The other joints: Jims: can you take any steak place seriously when it's full with tourists who smother the steak in Cheese Whiz? Steve's Prince: WAY EXPENSIVE for what you get. Dellsandros: garden-variety good steak, but not at that top realm. Geno's & Pat's: I just love when people claim this to be the best. It's emphatically the WORST. (I say "it" because to me the both are indistinguishable.) Its only saving grace is that it is open all night and anything tastes great when you're stoned. Tony Lukes: steaks are very good, but you've GOT to order the pork sandwich when you're there. It is reason enough to convert from Orthodox Judaism.

Actually, this is pretty accurate, imo. Tony Lukes' roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe is the best...unfortunately it's also a heart attack on a bun.


Several years ago, a few high school students did a piece for I think the Philly Inquirer where they tried and evaluated many different steak places throughout their summer vacation. I have found that I agree with most if not all of their choices and recommendations. I will try to dig up the article online.

Edited to add the web page. The PI printed a more cohesive list of their picks and notes but it doesn't appear to have made it online.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/special_packages/inquirer_magazine/3831957.htm

Thanks Darren! Enjoyed the article. Can't wait to get back to Philly to write my own!! Damn I'm hungry!

A vote for Dalessandro's, although it's probably not near anywhere you'd be going (except perhaps Wissahickon park, Chestnut Hill, or Grace Kelly's house). I know it's blasphemy, but I prefer Jim's over Pat's or Geno's. I've had variable sandwiches at the last two. My order is "Whiz, with!" (steak with Cheese Whiz and onions). American or provolone are acceptable if you prefer. Abner's on the Penn campus is also a good bet, especially with criss-cut cheese fries (or was I just drunk). A pork sandwich is not a cheesesteak.

After the cheesesteak, the next sandwich is the hoagie (Philly sub variant). I have the greatest experience with Lee's. Several locations. The "Cheltenham" is the sandwich (6 meats, 2 cheeses, various veggies and seasonings). An order of a "1/2" is a full meal.

My arteries are happy I don't live there any more.

I used to live near D'Alessandro's, and would justify the steak but doing a 2 mile run prior to lunch.

Lee's is still around - there is one in center city on 17th Street. They will deliver as well. An EXCELLENT place for a hoagie is Sarcone's on 10/Fitzwater. Get there by ~ 11:30 AM.

Is South Philly touristy? :confused: Pat's is the best. There are no bathrooms, you have to eat outside, and the lwrapped around line could last over an hour. I never thought it was touristy. :D

Is South Philly touristy? :confused: Pat's is the best. There are no bathrooms, you have to eat outside, and the lwrapped around line could last over an hour. I never thought it was touristy. :D
South Philly - No
Pat's and Geno's on 9th - Well, that's open for debate I suppose.
Either way, I'm making a cheesesteak run this weekend from ORF and plan to try some of the other places mentioned (although I know I will not be able to pass up the peppers at Pat's!).

Pats and Genos are absolutely hideous.

Lorenzo's also makes a good cheesesteak. http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1240

This page will make your mouth drool:

http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurants/SearchResults.aspx?st=photos&ps=1&s=&c=&kw=&pkw=cheese%20steak&ob=restaurantname

Pat's is the best thing going. ^

Pudgee's in Blue wins Best of the Suburbs almost every year. For those that are only visiting the city it is kind of far out of the way. It is about a 35 minute drive from the airport located on 202 South.