Philadelphia has produced a lot of iconic people and things over the centuries. Ben Franklin. Hershey’s Chocolate. Will Smith. But the most famous of them all? The Philly Cheesesteak. The Philly Cheesesteak is one of the most iconic pieces of American cuisine, and while many places around the country (and world) try to replicate it, there is really nowhere that does it like Philadelphia itself. Here are five places that I recommend grabbing a cheesesteak next time you’re in the City of Brotherly Love.
5. Geno’s Steaks
Geno’s Steaks is one of the two iconic, dueling cheesesteak joints in South Philly. Located on the corner of 9th and Passyunk, Geno’s claims to have the best cheesesteak in Philly. Well, it’s number five on my list. Not bad, but I would say that there’s some false advertising going on. Either way, if you’re looking for a cleanly wrapped, nicely presented, traditional cheesesteak, Geno’s might be just the place for you.
4. Carmen’s Famous Cheesesteaks
Located in Philadelphia’s iconic Reading Terminal Market, Carmen’s is a favorite spot for many Philadelphians. In fact, Obama even grabbed a bite here on one visit while he was president. Carmen’s serves up a great classic cheesesteak, and while they offer a broad menu with many different options, don’t be fooled; their traditional Philly cheesesteak is the only thing on the menu worth your time. Don’t try to get funky. The other stuff is good, but nothing tops the classic.
Which is better: Pat’s or Geno’s? Does Pat’s or Geno’s have better cheesesteaks? These are some of the most popular questions people have when deciding where they want to get a traditional Philly cheesesteak. In my opinion, Pat’s smokes Geno’s. While Geno’s is clean and nicely presented, Pat’s beats them where it really matters: taste. Pat’s King of Steaks whips up one of the best cheesesteaks in the city, and its iconic reputation and location make it well-worth a visit. If you’re visiting with friends, you have to do the touristy thing and get a cheesesteak from both Pat’s and Geno’s and compare them. Stay classic and go Whiz Wit’ if you want a real experience. Once you see the two, you’ll know what I mean: Geno’s is clean and nicely presented but slightly less delicious, while Pat’s is gross, slimy, ugly, and melts in your mouth.
2. Dalessandro’s Steaks
A trip to Dalessandro’s requires a bit of a trek from downtown, as it is proudly located in Roxborough. While this is still technically in Philadelphia, you shouldn’t plan on walking there unless you want to burn off enough calories to eat three of their cheesesteaks. Still, Dalessandro’s is worth the hike. This place has been doing it for decades, and they’ll proudly tell you that they serve up the best cheesesteak in the city. Again, I think anyone that says that is probably guilty of some false advertising, but either way they still whip up a great sandwich. If you find yourself headed to the Manayunk/Roxborough area, or if you’re truly hunting our the best cheesesteak in the city, you can’t miss Dalessandro’s.
1. Jim’s South Street
Truthfully, it is hard to pick a favorite between Jim’s and Dalessandro’s. Both cook up an incredible cheesesteak, and you can’t go wrong at either location. Where Jim’s takes the cake (or shall we say steak), though, is location. The food is comparable, but Dalessandro’s is all the way out in Roxborough. Jim’s is in the beating heart of the city, located on iconic South Street. If you’re going to get a Philly cheesesteak, I think it only makes sense to do it in one of Philly’s most iconic and beloved areas. If you are looking for the ultimate Philly cheesesteak experience, I think Jim’s is where you should be heading.
Thanks for reading my post with five great places to get a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia. Hopefully these recommendations are useful to you as you plan your next trip to the City of Brotherly Love! If there is a place that you think we missed, or if you disagree with our rankings, please let us know by dropping a comment below.
