Philly's Best Cheesesteaks: Our Top Picks

After decades of dedicated cheesesteak eating, we're now ready to share out picks for the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. You can eat Philly cheesesteaks in many cities but there's nothing better than eating a great cheesesteak in Philadelphia!

Philly CheesesteakPhoto by2foodtrippers

Many non-Philadelphians have eaten pale imitations of cheesesteaks at diners, chain restaurants or (eek!) school lunches and even at home. (Steak-umm is still alive and well in the frozen foods section of local American grocery stores.) So it only makes sense that eating a cheesesteak in Philadelphia is a bucket list item for most tourists who visit the city.

Most of those tourists follow tourbooks and head to popular spots like Pat's, Geno's and Jim's to eat the iconic Philadelphia food. Those spots are institutions and have their virtues. But, if you're looking for true cheesesteak greatness, you need to dig deeper.

But first, to truly understand cheesesteak culture, it's important to know that cheesesteaks are on menus all over the Delaware Valley. They're sold at pizzerias, diners, restaurants and ball parks as well as at Wawa, the city's ubiquitous convenience store chain. Most food obsessed Philadelphians have their favorite spots. Some religiously stand by Pat's, Geno's and Jim's but others have different criteria on what makes a cheesesteak great.

What Is a Philly Cheesesteak?

With Philadelphia roots dating back to the 1930s, a cheesesteak is a long Italian 'hoagie-style' baguette that's stuffed with thinly sliced (or chopped) rib-eye steak and topped with melted cheese - but not just any cheese. Presidential candidates, like John Kerry who embarrassingly attempted to order Swiss cheese on his cheesesteak, have learned the hard way that proper cheesesteak cheese options are limited to mild or 'sharp' provolone, cooper sharp (a recent entry classified as American cheese), American cheese and Cheez Whiz. Cheez Whiz can be controversial but many Philadelphians have grown to love and, in some cases, even prefer the liquid cheese topping.

While requesting Swiss cheese on a cheesesteak is a big no-no in Philly, there's nothing wrong with ordering a cheesesteak hoagie with lettuce, tomato and raw onion or a pizza steak topped with cheese and smothered with tomato sauce. When Daryl was younger, he liked to order a "mushroom pizza widout" - a Pat's cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz, tomato sauce, mushrooms and no onions. (It sounds strange but the combo of beef fat, sauce and Cheese Whiz worked.)

Some people replace the steak with chicken while others prefer vegan cheesesteaks. However, when it comes to toppings, purists stick to fried onions, mushrooms and occasionally chili peppers like 'long hots' or Italian style cherry peppers.

Our Favorite Philly Cheesesteaks

We know about authentic cheesesteaks from deep personal experience - Daryl is a Philly native and Mindi moved to the city in 2003. Over our combined decades as Philadelphia locals, we ate our fair share at ball parks, late at night, when we experienced cheesesteak cravings and even for special occasions. When the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, walking down to Pat's for a cheesesteak was a special experience that we remember fondly.

Today, we eat cheesesteaks every time we return to Philly, both at famous cheesesteak stands and at newer spots. And, now that we're no longer living in the city, we've learned to appreciate this world class sandwich more then ever. Read on to discover our picks for the best cheesesteak spots in Philly.

1. Angelo's Pizzeria (Bella Vista)

For over a decade, we lived just two blocks away from Sarcone’s Deli which is where Danny DiGiampietro opened Angelo's Pizzeria in 2019. Since the shop now sells some of the best pizza in the city, it's a good and bad thing that we moved - good for our health and bad that we can't enjoy pies every week. Angelo's also sells excellent hoagies and, most important, wonderful cheesesteaks.

The rolls at Angelo’s are great which is no surprise considering the shop's close family ties to Sarcone’s Bakery which is located just a few doors south; however, Angelo’s rolls are baked darker and crispier to good effect. But it's not just the seeded rolls that that are top notch here. This seemingly humble pizza shop fills its cheesesteaks with thinly sliced rib-eye steak and loads them with cheeses that include cooper sharp, American, provolone, Cheez Whiz and long hot whiz. Fried onions are optional but recommended.

Pro Tip: Be aware that Angelo's Pizzeria doesn't have seating, doesn't take credit cards and often has a long queue. In other words, bring cash and be prepared to wait for you cheesesteak. Sure, you can try to call to place an order but we don't recommend doing that unless you're ordering food for a party.

2. John's Roast Pork (Pennsport)

Recognized by James Beard and loved by locals, John's Roast Pork serves some of the city's best roast pork sandwiches. The Bucci family opened the shop on the industrial corner of Weccacoe and Snyder Avenue near the city's South Philly docks in 1930 where it catered to a then thriving shipping trade. It was only in recent decades that Philadelphians started trekking to the South Philly shack for the family's fantastic sandwiches. However, savvy locals don't just make that trek for John's roast pork sandwiches. Many order cheesesteaks too.

John's 'ultimate' cheesesteak is arguably one of the best cheesesteaks in the city. It's essentially a seeded roll sourced from Carangi Baking Company that's filled with 12 ounces of quality meat, toppings and, of course, cheese. Controversially, Cheez Whiz is not on John's menu. No worries - sharp provalone adds a funky edge of flavor that makes this cheesesteak special. The same applies to spinach which they call greens.

You'll understand the hype once you sit at an outdoor table and take your first bite.

Pro Tip: John's Roast Pork is a doable stop on the way to the airport if you're traveling by car or cab. However, be aware that the shop closes at 5 and is also closed on Sunday and Monday.

3. Jim's West (West Philly)

You may wonder if it's worth schlepping to Jim's West. The standing-room-only shop is located in a West Philly neighborhood that's far from the tourist track. Based on our cheesesteak, an Amoroso's roll jam packed with perfectly cooked chopped rib-eye, plenty of cooper sharp cheese and flavorful sautéed onions, we definitively say yes. However, there's more to the Jim's West story than great cheesesteaks.

Only open since September, 2023, Jim's West isn't owned by a Jim and has a history that's as long as the queues that spill on to the sidewalk every day of the week. It's a bit confusing until you realize that Cortez Johnson purchased the Jim's West building from the Protetto family who bought the Jim's Steaks business from original owner Jim Perligni back in 1976. Muddying the matter, there's a pending lawsuit regarding the name but, once again, the cheesesteak is great and worth a special visit.

Pro Tip: Order banana pudding for dessert. It's a specialty of the house.

4. Café Carmela (Northeast Philly)

Formerly a food wasteland filled with fast food chains and mediocre local restaurants, Northeast Philly has emerged as a culinary melting pot over the past couple decades. Anna Marie and Joe Maglio contributed to that pot in 2020 when they opened Café Carmela inside a generic strip mall. Originally a pizzeria, it quickly became a popular cheesesteak destination with a reputation that transcends its location.

While we're partial to the restaurant's pizza, we're big fans of the Don Cheech cheesesteak - a seeded Carangi roll filled with 12 ounces of thickly sliced rib-eye steak, cooper sharp cheese and sautéed onion chunks. While that sandwich is named after Joe's father, the restaurant is named after his mother. Considering that we met Carmela during our second visit (she was passing out free rolls at the end of the night), it's valid to call the operation a true family affair.

Pro Tip: Order your Don Cheech sandwich with chicken or buffalo chicken instead of steak if that's how you roll.

5. Dalessandro's Steaks and Hoagies (Roxborough)

Dalessandro's may be 10 miles from Center City, in Roxborough, but it's far from a hidden gem. Not only have locals been eating here since 1960, but they also know to call ahead to order their sandwiches and to bring cash. You may want to do the same.

Yes, it's not easy to get to Dalessandro's without a car and the Roxborough cheesesteak shop has limited outdoor seating. Go anyway. Your reward will be a soft Amoroso's roll stuffed with chopped rib-eye steak, cheese and a mess of caramelized onions. It's a bite of heaven for cheesesteak lovers, especially those with a preference for super chopped cheesesteaks. And, as a bonus, craft beer is on the menu too.

Pro Tip: Bring a friend and turn your Dalessandro's Steaks meal into a mini cheesesteak crawl. Chubby's Steaks is a short walk across the street.

6. Chubby's Steaks (Roxborough)

Chubby's Steak, open since 1987, would easily be the best cheesesteak shop in the Roxborough neighborhood if Dalessandro's wasn't right across the street. Instead, that status is debatable.

Both source their rolls from Amoroso's and chop the heck out of their meat. While Chubby's gets extra points for having waitress service, a full bar and a varied menu featuring burgers, salads, wings and Italian desserts, it loses points for charging extra for replacing American cheese with provolone, cooper sharp or Cheez Whiz.

Pro Tip: You can pay with a credit card BUT we prepared for a credit card surcharge.

7. Mike's BBQ (East Passyunk)

A cheesesteak at a Philly BBQ place? It sounds cliché and yet it’s not. The team at Mike's mastered the concept by adding fatty, smokey, juicy brisket to Philly’s long rolled sandwich classic. To be clear, they don't just throw down some mamby-pamby provolone on their BBQ cheesesteak beasts; instead, they layer creamy cooper sharp Cheez Whiz on top of super-rich, slow smoked brisket.

Mike Strauss gets credit for launching the South Philly BBQ joint as a popup in 2015 and creating the unique cheesesteak concoction which also features Carangi seeded rolls and caramelized onions. The torch is now in the hands of Daniel Grobman who took the reins in 2023. Let's hope he keeps this jawn on the menu.

Pro Tip: Since Mike's BBQ is located in heart of South Philly just off Passyunk Avenue, you can start your day off with one of their cheesesteaks, do some shopping and peruse the bars along "the avenue" straight into the evening.

8. Jim's South St. (South Street)

With a history that dates back to the nations' bicentennial (i.e. 1976), Jim's South St. was a key player in South Street's wacky late night scene until an electrical fire devestated the iconic building in 2022. Good news! The shop's history resumed when the Jim's re-opened its doors in May of 2024.

Starting with decades of press memorabilia on the walls, much feels the same at Jim's including inevitable queues, cash-only payments and signature cheesesteaks that fill soft Amoroso's rolls with chopped rib-eye steak, gooey cheese (natch) and a generous amount of onions. Seriously, if there's a more oniony cheesesteak than Jim's, we are yet to eat it. However, the addition of a dining room in the former Eyes Gallery is a major upgrade.

Pro Tip: Check out the spectacular Isaiah Zagar mosaic whether you eat your Jim's South St. cheesesteak in the new dining room or get it to take-away.

9. Pat's King of Steaks (East Passyunk)

Most native Philadelphians fit into two categories - Pat's fans and Geno's fans. And, while Philly's cheesesteak scene has expanded greatly, there's something nostalgic about these two cheesesteak stands located across the street from each other. Plus, they're both open 24/7 which comes in handy after watching a Phillies night game or during an evening out with friends.

While neither neon-decorated cheesesteak stand gets our nod for serving the very best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, we prefer Pat's lightly chopped cheesesteak over Geno's sliced cheesesteak for a couple reasons. First, we appreciate that original owners Pat and Harry Olivieri are credited with inventing the cheesesteak sandwich in 1930. Second and more important to Daryl, eating a well constructed Pat's cheesesteak in an Aversa's roll brings back memories of similar cheesesteaks he ate at 2:30am after nights out when he was in his 20s.

Pro Tip: Whether you follow the ordering instructions on the sign or not, it's important to order quickly to avoid dirty looks. (One basic thing to remember - wit is with onions and widout is without onions.)

10. Geno's Steaks (East Passyunk)

The Geno's crew makes a lot of cheesesteaks and sells them to nostalgic locals and tourists who stream to the Italian Market destination. Those cheesesteaks are world famous but not due to the way that Cheez Whiz combines with the fat from thinly sliced, flat-top grilled steak inside each Liscio's roll.

The shop hit international airwaves in 2006 for its sign that required customers to place their orders in English. That sign is now gone but some of us still remember its unwelcoming ethnocentric message.

We thought about it and decided that Geno's Steaks deserves a place in this guide for its history alone. The late Joey Vento opened the iconic cheesesteak shop in 1966 and wove it into the fabric of Philly's culture over the ensuring decades. Today, his aptly named son Geno runs the show with a more welcoming attitude.

Pro Tip: Head to Geno's Steaks at night for the full neon experience.

11. Steve's Prince of Steaks (Northeast Philly)

Pat's may be the king of steaks but Steve's is the prince. At least that's what Steve Iliescu proclaimed when he christened his Bustleton Avenue cheesesteak shop in 1980. Today, there are four princes (i.e shops) in Iliescu's edible empire. They all operate on a cash-only basis.

The cheesesteaks at Steve's are slightly different from other Philly cheesesteaks. For starters, the shop's sources its rolls from a bakery that's not Amoroso's, Aversa's, Carangi, Liscio's or Sarcone's. More important, the slabs of sliced rib-eye steak are quite thick. Beyond cheesesteaks, notable menu items include chocolate soda, Texas tommies and loaded fries.

Pro Tip: Take your cheesesteak passion to the next level by booking the PrinceMobile food truck for your next special event.

More Cheesesteaks In Philly

Eating eleven Philly cheesesteaks is a great start. Here are some more options as you continue your journey:

• Barclay Prime (Rittenhouse Square) *
• Barry's Steaks (Roxborough)
• Campo's Philly Cheesesteaks (Old City)
• Cleavers (Center City)
• Cosmi's Deli (East Passyunk)
• Del Rossi's Cheesesteak & Pizza Co. (Northern Liberties)
• Gilben's Bakery (East Mount Airy)
• Gooie Looie's (Pennsport)
• Ishkabibble’s (South Street)
• Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop (Fishtown)
• Max's Steaks (North Philly)
• Nipotina (West Passyunk)
• Saad's Halal Restaurant (West Philly)
• Sonny's Famous Steaks (Old City)
• SQ Philip's Steaks (West Passyunk)
• Taste Cheesesteak Bar (Center City)
• Woodrow's Sandwich Shop (South Street)

* Note that Barclay Prime is a steak house that serves a gussified $$$ sandwich.

How to Order a Philly Cheesesteak

Now that you know WHERE to eat a cheesesteak in Philly, then next step is to know HOW to order one. Follow these tried and true tips to order your cheesesteak like a local:

• Bring cash since many of the best cheesesteak shops don't accept credit card payments.
• Decide on your desired cheese and toppings before you place your cheesesteak order.
• If your at Pat's or Geno's, say "whiz wit" if you want both Cheez Whiz and fried onions on your cheesesteak. Alternatively, you can say "whiz widout" if you prefer to omit onion. Also, it's important to order quickly since both typically have long queues.
• Ordering is less stressful at cheesesteak shops like John's Roast Pork and Angelo's. Just be ready to order when it's your turn. Philadelphians will quickly know whether you're a local or not, so don't sweat it.

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