Erin Elizabeth
If you’re from the Philadelphia area, you probably have a favorite. The best Philadelphia cheesesteak is a long-held debate, with old school steak shop and newcomers competing for the title. But what makes the best Philly cheesesteak the best? Is it the roll? The cheese? Do you want a classic Philadelphia cheesesteak, or a modern twist?
There’s a lot to consider when tasting the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, and there are new sandwich shops creating their own recipes each year. We’ve rounded up the most popular places to get a cheesesteak in Philadelphia for you to test them all.
Best Places to Get a Philly Cheesesteak
- Dalessandro’s Steaks and Hoagies
- John’s Roast Pork
- Pat’s King of Steaks
- Geno’s Steaks
- Tony Luke’s
- Jim’s Steaks
- Steve’s Prince of Steaks
- Sonny’s Famous Steaks
- Shank’s Original
- Barclay Prime
- Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop
- Cosmi’s Deli
- Philip’s Steaks
- Ishkabibble’s
- Joe’s Steaks & Soda Shop
- Cleavers
- Campo’s Deli
- Chubby’s Steaks
- Oregon Steaks
- Max’s Steaks
- Donkey’s Place
- McNally Tavern
- Angelo’s Pizzeria
- Frizwit at Musi
- Mike’s BBQ
- Gooey Looie’s
- Mama’s Pizzeria & Cheesesteaks
Dalessandro’s Steaks and Hoagies
600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Phone: (215) 482-5407
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An old school favorite, Dalessandro’s Steaks and Hoagies is one of the most popular spots for a Philly cheesesteak. Located in Roxborough, many Philadelphians go out of their way for a Dalessandro’s steak, and you’ll find this sandwich shop on most of the “best of” lists out there.
Dalessandro’s cheesesteaks consist of a thinly shaved and finely chopped beef, bound by cheese and served on an Amoroso roll. You can choose to go with or without fried onions, peppers, mushrooms, or other toppings. Dalessandro’s is known for their well-chopped meat, as other places don’t cut it up as much.
If you haven’t tried this classic sandwich shop yet, stop by for one of Philly’s most famous cheesesteaks.
John’s Roast Pork
14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 463-1951
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John’s Roast Pork is in an unassuming location – you could pass it without noticing, if not for the long lines that tend to gather around the spot. This luncheonette is home to one of South Philadelphia’s best cheesesteaks, however, with many naming it as the #1 stop in the city.
John’s Roast Pork has been open since 1930 and has long been a favorite for locals, but it’s recently gained more attention. Carangi’s crusty seeded roll gives this cheesesteak its signature. Their roast pork sandwich is another favorite, although you shouldn’t miss out on the cheesesteak if you’re stopping by.
Pat’s King of Steaks
1237 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 468-1546
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You can’t talk about Philly cheesesteaks without mentioning Pat’s King of Steaks. Pat’s original owner, Pat Olivieri, claims to have invented the Philly cheesesteak, and the shop has been around since 1930. Pat’s is located in South 9th street right off of Passyunk Ave, sitting right across from its biggest competitor: Geno’s.
The Pat’s vs Geno’s debate is a Philly tradition, although most local Philadelphians would probably argue that neither has the city’s best cheesesteak. Still, Pat’s draws large crowds, and since they’re open 24 hours a day, it’s a great spot for a late night cheesesteak.
Geno’s Steaks
1219 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 389-0659
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Geno’s Steaks, located directly across the street from Pat’s, is the other half of the famous rivalry. This quick stop cheesesteak joint is also open 24/7, so stop by anytime to grab a cheesesteak or even compare the two rivals across the street from one another.
Geno’s fans claim it wins the rivalry due to fresh, thinly sliced ribeye and homemade bread. Not sure where you stand in the Pat’s vs. Geno’s dispute? Try both and let us know who wins your vote in the comments!
Tony Luke’s
39 E Oregon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 551-5725
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Another household name in the world of Philly cheesesteaks, Tony Luke’s has grown to become one of the most successful cheesesteak chain restaurants, with over 21 locations across the country. The original location is on Oregon Ave in South Philadelphia, so you can try the real deal to make your decision on this popular sandwich shop.
The original Tony Luke’s is a small, unassuming establishment, where you order from a window and eat on a picnic table or take it home. Get the true South Philly experience, or find a Tony Luke’s near you to give this contender a taste.
Jim’s Steaks
400 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 928-1911
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Jim’s Steaks originated in West Philly in 1939, but the more popular Jim’s Steaks on South Street opened in 1976. The steak shop has an art deco look and delicious sandwiches, which is why you’ll frequently find lines going down South Street on busy days.
Jim’s Steaks on South Street parted ways from the original shop in 2011 under new ownership, but remains popular. The West Philadelphia location has been closed for a few years, much to the chagrin of its fans.
Steve’s Prince of Steaks
7200 Bustleton Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19149
Phone: 215.338.0985
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Residents of Northeast Philadelphia swear by Steve’s Prince of Steaks. Originally located in the Northeast on Bustleton Ave, Steve’s now has four locations in Philadelphia, a testament to its popularity.
Steve’s cheesesteak stands out because it’s much less chopped than some competitors, so the texture is different with larger pieces of steak. The original location also has a pepper bar, so you can dress your cheesesteak to your liking.
Shank’s Original
901 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 218-4000
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Another South Philly favorite, Shank’s Original is located in a very small outpost along the Delaware River waterfront, right off Columbus Ave. For many, Shank’s is the hidden gem of the city, as you can easily drive by and miss it.
Shank’s Original offers a classic Philly cheesesteak, no frills, but done right. They are also known for great chicken cutlet sandwiches – grab both if you can!
Barclay Prime
237 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 1910
Phone: (215) 732-7560
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If you’re looking for the most expensive cheesesteak in the city, check out Barclay Prime. This upscale steakhouse offers their take on a cheesesteak for a whopping $120 – roughly 10x the average price.
For the money, you get a cheesesteak made from wagyu rib-eye, truffle whiz, and foie gras. It also comes with half a bottle of champagne. This cheesesteak is meant for sharing, as it’s incredibly rich. You don’t have to spend this much money for a good cheesesteak in Philadelphia, but if you’re into the novelty of it then it’s a unique find.
Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop
630 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 470-3559
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Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop is a relatively newcomer on the Philly cheesesteak scene, but they’ve quickly made an impression. Located on South Street, Woodrow’s makes specialty sandwiches, including a cheesesteak that’s gaining popularity.
Named the Woodrow’s Whiz Whit, this cheesesteak features caramelized onions, cherry pepper mayo, and truffle-infused whiz along with shaved rib-eye steak. While this options offers a twist on the classic cheesesteak, it’s a delicious contender for the best of Philadelphia.
Cosmi’s Deli
1501 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 468-6093
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Cosmi’s Deli is a small corner shop in South Philly, serving up sandwiches since 1932. While it may not look like much from the outside, Cosmi’s is a local favorite, and their cheesesteak has gained them some extra attention.
Cosmi’s cheesesteak comes standard, with your choice of cheese and the option to add fried onions, peppers, and more. It’s served on a sarcone’s roll, and you can choose between a classic hoagie roll or a seeded roll.
Philip’s Steaks
2234 W Passyunk Ave #3318, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: (215) 755-4820
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Philip’s Steaks is another old school steak shop with window service on West Passyunk Avenue. Much like Pat’s and Geno’s, Philip’s is open 24/7 in South Philadelphia, although it has more local acclaim as opposed to the well known rivalry of the others.
Philip’s makes a solid cheesesteak, with classic options as well as an “old fashioned” which includes grilled tomatoes, onions, and long hots with provolone instead of whiz.
Ishkabibble’s
517 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 922-0494
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Ishkabibble’s is on the main stretch of South Street, and it’s gained popularity for its cheesesteak. While many out of towners line up at Jim’s down the street, you can grab a top-notch cheesesteak at Ishkabibble’s if you’re in the know.
Many patrons love Ishkabibble’s chicken cheesesteak, and the shop claims to have invented the chicken cheesesteak. Everything is made to order here, so you can order your cheesesteak however you like it. There are plenty of other beloved menu items at Ishkabibble’s as well, so don’t leave without trying some french fries as well.
Joe’s Steaks and Soda Shop
1 W Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: (215) 423-5637
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Joe’s Steaks and Soda Shop originated in Northeast Philadelphia, but it’s current location in Fishtown is the better known spot. Joe’s first opened in 1949, and they stick to their traditional cheesesteak recipe still today.
Joe’s Steaks and Soda Shop is right in the middle of the Fishtown bar scene, making it a popular stop for late night eats. They also serve milkshakes and ice cream sodas, and they offer vegan and vegetarian options as well.
Cleavers
108 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 515-3828
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If you’re in Center City, Cleavers is one of the most popular cheesesteaks in the area. Located right by Rittenhouse Square, Cleavers is a family business with a focus on high quality, fresh ingredients for their cheesesteaks.
Cleavers offers their cheesesteaks on a roll, a wrap, or in a bowl with just the fillings. You can make your own, or choose from their menu of specialty cheesesteaks. They also offer a vegetarian cheesesteak made with portobello mushrooms.
Campo’s Deli
214 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 923-1000
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Campo’s is located in Old City near some of Philadelphia’s historic landmarks, making it a popular spot for tourists to grab an authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak.
Campo’s offers an assortment of sandwiches, including cheesesteaks, hoagies, grilled chicken sandwiches, and more. They are also the official cheesesteak of the Philadelphia Phillies, and you can find them at the ballpark if you’re catching a game.
Chubby’s Steaks
5826 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Phone: (215) 487-2575
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Another contender from Roxborough, Chubby’s Steaks makes a classic Philly cheesesteak that many Philadelphia natives mark as their favorite. Chubby’s also offers chicken cheesesteaks, hoagies, specialty sandwiches, salads, and wings.
Chubby’s is also a full service bar, and they offer beer to go. They’re open late on weekends, making them a popular spot for late night eats in the Roxborough area of Philadelphia.
Oregon Steaks
2654 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (267) 928-3338
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Another South Philadelphia cheesesteak shop, Oregon Steaks is located deep in South Philadelphia on Oregon Avenue. While they only just opened in 2014, Oregon’s Steaks has quickly made their mark as one of the best in South Philly.
Oregon Steaks is open 24/7, and their close proximity to the sports complexes makes it a popular post-game stop. Their menu includes their quality rib-eye cheesesteaks, as well as roast beef, roast pork, chicken cutlet, and other specialty sandwiches.
Max’s Steaks
3653 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140
Phone: (215) 229-9048
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Max’s Steaks is one of the most popular places for a cheesesteak in North Philadelphia. It was also featured in the Rocky franchise movie Creed, giving it some extra Philly cred.
Max’s offers all the standard cheesesteak options, served on a soft Italian roll with your choice to add onions, peppers, mushrooms and more. They also make hoagies, and if you go in person there’s a full bar as well.
Donkey’s Place
1223 Haddon Ave, Camden, NJ 08103
Phone: (856) 966-2616
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Donkey’s Place is technically across the river in Camden, but it’s gained so much popularity that we had to include it in our list of Philadelphia cheesesteaks. Take a quick ride over the bridge or hop on the ferry to try the cheesesteak at Donkey’s Place.
The cheesesteak at Donkey’s Place is known for being loaded with onions, and it’s typically served on a kaiser roll instead of a long roll. They also offer house-made hot sauces if you want to spice up your cheesesteak.
McNally’s Tavern
8634 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Phone: (215) 247-9736
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McNally’s is a family owned bar in Chestnut Hill that has gained acclaim for its specialty cheesesteak. Called The Schmitter, this famous sandwich uses their house made Schmitter sauce.
The Schmitter comes on a kaiser roll, although you can request a long roll, and it includes sliced beef, extra cheese, tomato, grilled salami, and of course their secret sauce. This speciality has made it to the big leagues, served up at Phillies games and at Lincoln Financial Field for the Eagles.
Angelo’s Pizzeria
736 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 922-0000
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Angelo’s Pizza has quickly become one of Philly’s favorite pizza shops, but they are also well known for their cheesesteak. The secret to their pizza is the same reason their cheesesteak has grown popular: the bread. Angelo’s cheesesteaks come on crusty, sesame seeded, house-made rolls.
Angelo’s cheesesteak is also made with high quality rib-eye and toppings, making a delicious sandwich. For a twist on the classic, order the Tony Head – a cheesesteak made on the same roll, but turned into garlic bread.
Frizwit at Musi
100 Morris St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 377-9466
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The Frizwit is a cheesesteak pop-up that began in 2015, but has expanded during the pandemic in Musi’s space in South Philadelphia. The sandwich is named “Frizwit”, and other menu items include pork & greens and the shroomwit.
This cheesesteak stands out due to it’s high quality ingredients. The steak is sourced from local butcher, Primal Supply, and the cheese is a unique beer cheese sauce.
Mike’s BBQ
1703 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (267) 831-2040
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Mike’s BBQ is one of the city’s best barbecue joints, but don’t ignore the cheesesteak. Mike’s cheesesteak is made with their smoked brisket, offering a twist on the standard rib-eye. With cooper-sharp whiz, it’s no surprise that Mike’s BBQ has made an impact on the East Passyunk food scene.
Enjoy Mike’s classic cheesesteak or try The Gritty – a brisket cheesesteak with cooper sharp whiz, fried onions, lettuce, tomatoes, homemade Gritty sauce, and potato sticks for some crunch.
Gooey Looie’s
231 McClellan St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 334-7668
Gooey Looie’s is another South Philadelphia cheesesteak that’s gotten positive attention. These cheesesteaks are fully stuffed – even overflowing – so you won’t walk away hungry.
This small deli in Pennsport Plaza serves up classic Philly cheesesteaks, as well as hoagies and other sandwiches. If you’re looking for a new cheesesteak restaurant to try out, this one has rave reviews.
Mama’s Pizzeria & Cheesesteaks
426 Belmont Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Phone: (610) 664-4757
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If you’re from the Bala Cynwyd area of Philadelphia, Mama’s just might be your go-to cheesesteak restaurant. Across the Schuykill, Mama’s is serving up delicious cheesesteaks to the shop’s many fans.
This family run cheesesteak shop has been open since the 50s, and they’ve gained fame for their cheesesteaks. Each roll has a pound of meat with a special house blend of cheese, but they also offer a mini version on a six inch roll if you don’t have the appetite for more.
What is a Philly Cheesesteak?
The cheesesteak sandwich originated in Philadelphia, and the Philly cheesesteak still reigns supreme (especially in the eyes of Philly natives).
A Philly cheesesteak is made with shaved or finely chopped steak on a long roll, and typically comes with cheese and fried onions. Some believe that a true Philly cheesesteak requires cheese whiz, but most cheesesteak restaurants offer other options like American or provolone cheese as well.
How do I order a Philly cheesesteak?
The traditional way to order a cheesesteak in Philadelphia is “wit or witout”.
In local Philly lingo, this means with or without fried onions. Many Philadelphians believe a true Philly cheesesteak must include the onions, but plenty of people go without.
When you’re ordering a cheesesteak, you’ll most likely be asked what type of cheese you prefer, as well as any other toppings like peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
What type of cheese goes in a cheesesteak?
The standard Philly cheesesteak comes with cheese whiz, but you can opt for other cheese options as well. Many people choose American, provolone, or cooper sharp. Some cheesesteak restaurants have a signature cheese of their own.
Final Thoughts
Philadelphia is the home of the Philly cheesesteak, so you can find these delicious sandwiches all across the city. Check out our top 25 Philadelphia cheesesteaks to find your favorite!
Did we forget to mention your favorite cheesesteak in Philadelphia? Let us know who we missed in the comments, or tell us your top pick from our list!
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The only Cheese steaks is Steve’s steaks is the Best to get there and their french fries are really good and both the cheese steak and fries are very delicious to eat. Steve’s steaks also a second location at Roosevelt Blvd (Route one) and Coulomy Road in the Great North East . Try it you’re will like it.