A retard’s guide (or non-Philadelphian’s guide) on the correct way to order a cheese steak:
1. Say the name of the cheese you want
2. Say “with” or “without” (meaning with or without fried onions)
3. Example: A cheese steak with American cheese and fried onions= American with
Here are the top 8 cheese steaks in Philadelphia. Well actually, the world, for that matter.
8. Aldo’s Pizzarama
Location: 10201 Bustleton Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19116
You might live in Philadelphia, and still have yet to hear of Aldo’s. As a George Washington graduate, Aldo’s was the spot. The pizza is excellent and Aldo’s gives you the customer-employee relationship everyone loves. The cheese steaks are always hot, fresh, and are extremely underrated.
Recommended: Pizza Steak
7. Tony Luke’s
Location: 39 E. Oregon Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Tony Luke’s is another place with a great, traditional, Philly atmosphere. As far as the cheese steaks go, while they are definitely really good, I think they are somewhat overrated. The roast pork is the sandwich to get at Tony Luke’s, but I’ll sometimes get a cheesesteak.
Recommended: Wiz With
6. Jim’s Steaks
Most Popular Location: 400 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
If you prefer your steak chopped rather than not chopped, than Jim’s is one your top choices. Jim’s, a Philly staple since 1939, has the best cheese steak in Philly, with chopped meat that is. Personally, I prefer the sliced slabs of meat, but I still love Jim’s.
Recommended: Wiz with
5. Pat’s King of Steaks
Location: 1237 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Pat’s is Philadelphia’s so called, King of Steaks. I’m not buying it. While Pat’s is historic, founded in 1930, the sandwich is not the best. Pat’s has become a tourist attraction, and while there’s no better Philadelphia experience/atmosphere, especially after a big Philly sports win, there are better cheese steaks. Pat’s is mostly concerned about quickness these days, much because of the constant long lines.
Recommended: Wiz with
4. Geno’s Steaks
Location: 1219 South 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Around since 1966, Geno’s is across the street from Pat’s, making this area the best atmosphere for a Philly cheese steak. Geno’s which has a little better sandwich than Pats, and much more lively display and appeal to their restaurant, is still not the best sandwich in Philly. Like Pats, Geno’s has become historically known, and is also focused on quickness rather than freshness.
Recommended: Wiz with
The move: Don’t be a puss. Get one from Pat’s, then walk across the street, and get one from Geno’s. See which is better.
3. Wit or Witout
Northeast Location: 9970 Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19115
Wit or Witout is a newer cheese steak place in Philadelphia, and the sandwich is delicious. Modeled after Steve’s Prince of Steak’s, which we will get to later, Wit or Witout is almost as good. The atmosphere is new and not yet established, but there are plenty of TV’s, very good pickles, and it is clean.
Recommended: American with
2. Chink’s Steaks
Location: 6030 Torresdale Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19135
Chink’s is located in Tacony, PA and is the one of the cheese steak traditions of the Northeast. It’s small, it’s old school, it’s not clean, but who cares. It’s fuckin’ delicious. Plus, they have great milkshakes and sodas.
Ps. Recently, Chink’s was ridiculed for its name, as the Asian community was offended. They still eat the cheese steaks though.
Recommended: American With
1. Steve’s Prince of Steaks
Original Location: 7200 Bustleton Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19149
Simply the best. Steve’s opened in 1980, inspired by Pat’s and Geno’s. Steve’s is the creator of the “American Wiz”, which is melted and liquid, like cheese wiz, but it is American cheese. In the northeast we say, a tourist goes to Pat’s or Geno’s, but people that know cheese steaks go to Steve’s.
Recommended: American with
Others considered: Dalessandro’s, John’s Roast Pork
Let us know your thoughts and what we missed!
*For a the best hotels in Philly, with discounted prices, visit Where to stay in Philadelphia for more information!
This is actually very accurately stated and written. Well done
NE biase.. check out Leo’s Steaks family owned and .. for sure the meatiest out of all of them.. and right by the airport.
Anyone who’s had Leos knows what I’m talking about
Ive had leo’s way over rated its not about the amount of meat in the cheese steak its about the perfect combo
Jrg- Thanks, appreciate it.
LEOS- Never had it. I’ll be sure to check out Leo’s Steaks though. Thanks for the heads up.
look at the size .. I worked there when I was 14 they’re friends of the family.. so I am a little biased
Looks like a pretty cool place. Thanks for the video
Wit or Witout better then Geno’s #CMONMAN
No doubt.
not a chance
You really messed this one up. Forgot Dalessandro’s and Shanks.
Never had Delassandro’s, but gave it a shout out.
No Johns Roast Pork?
It’s there under “others we considered”. Never had it yet, so couldn’t say much about it. Same with Delassandro’s.
Good list – I think you put Pat’s and Geno’s a little high – like you said, they are so focused on speed i think they forgot flavor.
You definitely need to try out Leo’s (even though it’s in Folcroft) and John’s Roast Pork. Another sleeper – @ Jim’s, the pizza steak w/ wiz. Sloppiest thing ever, but you end up licking the tissue paper afterwards.
I am Philly born and bred, been here my whole life (30 yrs). As strange as it sounds, the absolute best cheese steak i have ever had in my life has come from the cafeteria in Abington Memorial Hospital. I agree with the list as Steve’s is also my favorite in the city.
I myself make very good Cheese Steaks, I use good Cheese ,not liquid cheese.I love John D’Alessandro roast pork
this is a very poor top 8 cheese steak ratings. Johns roast pork is top three no question. Wit or wit out needs to get removed from the list, and a place named phillips needs to be added in (around 20 and pasyunk.) Plus aldos and jims? Cmon I thought Michael taught you better then that lets get real here….you need an updated version
Stop hatin Blaze
i am very displeased with these rating i thought you guys were true philly boys….I come to see PSU and all the Bros have changed ur views
Agree with Blaze about Phillips, very good and very underrated
Pats and Genos are the worst cheese steaks in Philly and wit or without not should be on this list 1pound cheese steaks in d’Alessandros should be on this list behind steves and chinks
1 Pound and d’Alessandros cheese steaks should be up before pat and Genoa and wit or witout
No Phillips? Always a great place to stop after youve lost your drinking legs early in the morning. Wiz wit and their whole hot cherry peppers really add to a tough stomach the next day lol. But still very good. Or maybe we were just too drunk to know? Hmmmm?