Of the Cheesesteak

[ComfortEagle]

Though by now I'm sure there are many threads asking this same basic question, I have a question about cheesesteaks.

I live about a half hour outside of Center City in the suburbs, and I have to admit that my cheesesteak experience is somewhat lacking, limited mostly to local places, Wawa, and CBP. Me and a group of my friends are looking to remedy that and do a one-night tour of the "Best" cheesesteaks in Philly, going to five of the best and most famous steak joints in the city. I'm looking for places which are a good mix of quality food and name recognition. Right now I'm thinking I'll definitely want to try Cosmi's, Jim's, and Tony Luke's. I'm on the fence about Pat's and Geno's; I've heard they're essentially just tourist traps, but I feel like I sort of have to do my due diligence and visit.

So, what do you guys think: what are the five essential Philly cheesesteak restaurants?

Also, as a side note: whiz wit, right?

[Dayman]

John's, Chink's, Steve's, Dalessandro's (sp), Tony Luke's.

[Moonraker]

I think there are several Steve's, the one on/near Roosevelt Blvd has branched out into Buck's. I think that one is either King of Steaks or Prince of Steaks.

[NJbound]

they are all prince of steaks. They are all very good too. My favorite..

[Radical Ed]

Here you go, dude. Check the link.

Philadelphia at HollyEats.com

[172nd•2010]

Do this on a Weekday, preferably NOT a Friday.... maybe roll it into a Baseball Game.

Just get Steaks, and Maybe a Bottle of Water to continually cleanse the Palette, No Fries

First Stop (due to Hours of Operation), go for Lunch, 12:00pm Noon, the PORK SHACK, John's Roast Pork

Second Stop (up I-95 North), Chink's Steaks

Third Stop (over/west on Levick to Bustleton), Steve's Prince of Steaks

Fourth Stop (on South Street, before your Event/Ballgame), Jim's on South Street (Disclaimer: They're okay, not in my Top Five)

Fifth Stop (after the Game/Event), Tony Luke's, on Oregon.... different from Ballpark

[palvar]

You are right to go to Cosmi's - don't miss it.

[Zep]

Manayunk stops:

D'ellesandro's
Barry's
Chubby's (?)

[Burholme06]

I'm on the fence about Pat's and Geno's; I've heard they're essentially just tourist traps, but I feel like I sort of have to do my due diligence and visit.

Just because a place is frequented by tourists, doesn’t make it bad. It seems that most people on here want to poo-poo on Pat’s and Geno’s but IMO, they make very decent sandwiches that are far superior than anything Jim’s puts on a roll. I think Jim’s is actually the tourist trap. I like Pat’s and Geno’s better than Tony Luke’s steaks but TL’s offers a lot more than steaks – green sandwiches and roast pork are great.

Steve’s in the NE is still the best IMO.

[hubba1]

Of the touristy places... I like Jim's by far, not a big Tony lukes cheesesteak fan, other stuff is good, but I do not care for the steaks! IF I am in that area, Johns pork shack is the place, and the Chicken Cheesesteaks at John's are amazing! Also, like said above, a small, often forgotten place, and a block from where I grew up, is Cosmis deli on 8th and Dickinson..great sandwiches!

[Zep]

People like to poo-poo Pat's/Gino's IMO at least partially because it's just another way of telling the world that they are "real" Philadelphians. I've been to both and they're fine.

[JasonMcElroy]

People like to poo-poo Pat's/Gino's IMO at least partially because it's just another way of telling the world that they are "real" Philadelphians. I've been to both and they're fine.

I'm a real Philadelphian and I think they suck. Most pizza joints have better steaks in my opinion.

Nice to have so many choices though.

jason

[radiocolin]

Do this on a Weekday, preferably NOT a Friday.... maybe roll it into a Baseball Game.

Just get Steaks, and Maybe a Bottle of Water to continually cleanse the Palette, No Fries

First Stop (due to Hours of Operation), go for Lunch, 12:00pm Noon, the PORK SHACK, John's Roast Pork

Second Stop (up I-95 North), Chink's Steaks

Third Stop (over/west on Levick to Bustleton), Steve's Prince of Steaks

Fourth Stop (on South Street, before your Event/Ballgame), Jim's on South Street (Disclaimer: They're okay, not in my Top Five)

Fifth Stop (after the Game/Event), Tony Luke's, on Oregon.... different from Ballpark

This man knows what he's talking about. Listen to this man.

Also, check this page: Philly SteakOut › Steakout

[hubba1]

People like to poo-poo Pat's/Gino's IMO at least partially because it's just another way of telling the world that they are "real" Philadelphians. I've been to both and they're fine.

I don't hate them, I just like many others over them...but yea, when I have a friend from out of town, I usually do take them to at least one of these for the experience(it doesn't hurt that I have friends at both, so I rarely have to pay the 9 bucks, that makes em taste MUCH better! lol)

[Zep]

I don't hate them, I just like many others over them...but yea, when I have a friend from out of town, I usually do take them to at least one of these for the experience(it doesn't hurt that I have friends at both, so I rarely have to pay the 9 bucks, that makes em taste MUCH better! lol)

No I agree. I was just commenting more on the "hip to hate" mentality that has seemed to become attached to those places for some people. I guess it's just the nature of our local zeitgeist.

[Burholme06]

I'm a real Philadelphian and I think they suck. Most pizza joints have better steaks in my opinion.

Nice to have so many choices though.

jason

Fair enough and it’s all a matter of taste and opinion. In my experience, pizza place steaks all seem to use the same 8 oz frozen sheet of meat that is then chopped into tiny pieces and cooked to hell. I find Geno’s slices of ribeye with some fat still left from the trimming process to be much, much higher quality. It actually tastes like beef. I actually have to bite through the meat which also makes it more appetizing. For me, it’s the difference between how a McDonald’s beef patty tastes versus a non-processed, homemade patty.

[JoeBaker]

Johns, Chinks, Steve's (St. Vincent St), JohnnysHots (yes, for a steak).

Skip Lukes and Delassandros. If you go to 9th Street, hit Geno's.

[172nd•2010]

This man knows what he's talking about. Listen to this man.

Also, check this page: Philly SteakOut › Steakout

I didn't get BIG by looking at Food. LOL.

I only included Jim's since it was on the Way Back to the Stadiums, and since it's probably the Best of the Treacherous Three (Jim's, Pat's, and jean-O's). Admitted Guilt Pleasure, Pat's Pizza Whiz Fries are Unreal!

[NJbound]

good link.. Looking at it it looks like Steves wins for the highest amount of check ins by locals with the highest rating

This man knows what he's talking about. Listen to this man.

Also, check this page: Philly SteakOut › Steakout

[Radical Ed]

I'm not a big fan of Steve's, Geno's or Pat's. I like the steak chopped and mutilated and mixed with melted American or provolone cheese, like at Jim's and Jim's sells beer too, which is a MUST!
The last time I ate at Pat's the meat was grey in color and so gristly I couldn't saw through it with my choppers. Same with Steve's. I took a chomp and the slab pulled right out and burned the sh*t out of my chin. Geno's is like eating a jerked, dried pig's ear.
I enjoy Luke's but they lay the meat flat like a Steak Umm and it doesn't have enough body to it. I have to order "double-meat" and then it's like an $11 sandwich. Keep your onions & whiz off of it too. I like mushrooms if they have swiss cheese but if not, just plain steak, provolone cheese & ketchup is the way to go for me. If I go to a run-of-the-mill pizza joint I know it's gonna be dry pressed chuck so I get mozzarella, mushrooms and pepperoni to add some moisture to it. Otherwise, it's like eating a mechanic's rag on a roll.