The Best Cheesesteak Sandwiches in Philadelphia
Whiz wit? Prov witout? Whether you’re from Philly or just visiting, everyone has an opinion on cheesesteaks. Does it have to be an Amoroso roll? Is cheese wiz better than provolone? We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the Best Cheesesteak Sandwiches in Philadelphia – some classics, some new on the scene, but all delicious! The list is not ranked in order – follow us @americaneatss to let us know what you think is number 1!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on January 20, 2023 and last updated on March 21, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink around Philadelphia, check out our city page.
Angelo’s Pizzeria
736 S 9th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-0000
Walk along 9th Street in Philadelphia and you’ll see some of the best Italian food and purveyors in the entire country. But you’ll also see a line out the door at Angelo’s Pizzeria, where the wait is worth it for an incredible Philly cheesesteak. They also make great pizzas, subs and hoagies, but the Philly is what’s most phenomenal!
Dalessandros
600 Wendover St
Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 482-5407
If you text five friends, “What’s the best cheesesteak sandwich in Philadelphia?”, three will text back “Dalessandro’s” (at least that’s what happened when I asked my friends). The restaurant has been slinging cheesesteaks since the 60’s and were recently bought in 2009 but kept open. In 2016, Jimmy Fallon, a Dalessandros superfan, fed 76’ers #1 pick Ben Simmons a cheesesteak on The Tonight Show. If it’s good enough for Jimmy…
Geno’s Steaks
1219 S 9th St,
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-0659
If you’re visiting Pat’s, you have to save room for another cheesesteak right up the block at Geno’s. Joey Vento started it in 1966 and some think he was the first to put cheese in cheesesteaks. Either way, they’re also open 24/7 and have been serving cheesesteaks in Philadelphia for over 50 years – so they have to be doing something right. Head to both Pat’s and Geno’s and judge the competition for yourself!
Gooey Looie’s Deli
231 McClellan St
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 334-7668
Well, they at the very least have the best name for any cheesesteak place in Philly. Gooey Looie’s lives up to their name though! They serve ENORMOUS, gooey, cheese-dripping sandwiches. Maybe bring wipes – the mess will be worth it.
Jim’s Steaks
400 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 928-1911
Remember simpler times, when great home cooks would just sell incredible food from their homes, and turn that into a thriving business? Now they’d be sharing recipes on YouTube or TikTok, probably. Jim’s Steaks started in 1930, when a West Philadelphia couple named Jim and Millie sold sandwiches from their house and converted it into a restaurant. It’s exchanged owners since then, but they continue churning out some of the best cheesesteak sandwiches in Philadelphia daily. After a fire in summer of 2022, Jim’s Steaks is temporarily closed but looking to reopen soon.
Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop
1 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
215-423-5637
Joe’s has been in the cheesesteak game for over seven decades. They’ve got all the classic sandwiches, but it’s all about the Cheesesteak, which you can get with your choice of cheese and a side of peppers and pickles if you request them (which you should). Accompany your sandwich with Old Bay French Fries or Buffalo Chicken Fries and maybe a milkshake or sundae while you’re at it.
John’s Roast Pork
14 E Snyder Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
Folks have been coming to the Bucci family for roast pork sandwiches since 1930. Like Tony Luke’s, John’s Roast Pork eventually got into the cheesesteak game and are well known for having one of Philadelphia’s best! Owner John Bucci swears there won’t ever be a second location, so you’ll have to head to South Philly to try it!
Larry’s Steaks
2459 N 54th St
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 879-1776
Kobe Bryant was one of the first players in the NBA to make the jump straight from high school to the NBA. But every GOAT needs nourishment, and Kobe found his at Larry’s Steaks on 54th Street. With their big “Belly Filler” cheesesteaks, delicious pizzas and vegetarian Strombolis, there was always something on the menu to feed the big man’s appetite back then…and yours now. For something different, try the chicken cheesesteak or veal grinder with cheese and sauce or the Mega Fries with bacon, mozzarella, cheese whiz and provolone. Plus you can also order quesadillas, Buffalo wings, wraps and more. Larry’s is loaded with the stuff that satisfies your appetite. They also have a second location on Girard Ave and 10th.
Pat’s King of Steaks
1237 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-1546
According to Philadelphia’s tourism site, the cheesesteak was invented in the 1930’s, “when Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor…threw beef on his grill to make a sandwich. A passing cab driver asked for one, too, and soon Oliveri had a following.” Thus, Pat’s King of Steaks was born! It’s open 24/7, and they’ve been serving cheesesteaks for close to a century – you know it’s good if it keeps people coming for that long.
Shank’s Original
901 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 218-4000
The history of Shank’s goes way back to South Philly’s Italian Market, where Shank and Evelyn Perri opened a luncheonette counter in the 60’s. After years of success they sold Shank’s to an entrepreneur named Phil McFillin (yes, really) who has taken the Shank’s formula into the 21st century. Now they use that Italian Market tradition, using fresh ingredients to make some of Philly’s most delicious cheesesteaks.
Steve’s Prince of Steaks
Multiple Locations
With four locations in the Philadelphia area, they churn out cheesesteak sandwiches from all points of the Philadelphia compass. They’re a two time winner of Philadelphia magazine’s best cheesesteak award and were founded in 1980 by Steven Iliescu. Fun Fact – In 2015 Steve’s partnered with Amoroso Bakery to create the world’s longest cheesesteak sandwich, a 480 foot delicious monster.
Tony Luke’s
Multiple Locations
Tony Luke’s never set out to make a cheesesteak sandwich. Instead, they wanted to serve the large Italian-American community in Philly with roast pork and chicken cutlet sandwiches. But the demand for their version of a cheesesteak only intensified over the years and in the 90’s, they added one to the menu. They also do delicious chicken cheesesteak and use local ingredients from the mid-Atlantic area.
Woodrow’s
630 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 470-3559
In Philadelphia, they pronounce “water” as “woodier”. So how do you pronounce Woodrow’s? Probably something like, “mmmmmm”. Opened in 2015, it’s very quickly become one of Philadelphia’s favorite cheesesteak spots. They also serve mouthwatering Philly favorite sandwiches if you’re looking to get a second sandwich with your cheesesteak.
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