The Philly cheesesteak. There is no more iconic food in America than this tasty dish. As locals, we’ve always had our favorites, but recently, we’ve been on a quest to try as many as possible. The result is that we have very definitive opinions on who does it best. We’ve sampled the best (and the worst) cheesesteaks Philly has to offer.
A cheesesteak is simple. It’s ribeye steak sliced thin, grilled, and layered into a firm Italian long roll. Steak lovers have favorite bakeries – Amoroso, Conshohocken Italian Bakery, and Sarcone’s Bakery – and choose their shop based on the bakery.
You can get adventurous with toppings, but the classic is “with” or “without” fried onions. Cheese options include American, provolone, and that orange, gooey substance known as cheese whiz. Purists opt for American. Foodies usually go for provolone. If you want a flavor bomb that will blow your mind, go for the cheese whiz.
We’ve done the research to ensure that—no matter how you order your steak—you get a good one. Our recommendations are in order, from best to worst.
Our top choices…Dalessandro’s and Poe’s have the perfect combination of tender steak and cheese. The smoked brisket cheesesteak at Mike’s BBQ is one you won’t be able to put down. Angelo’s is a classic, and the chicken cheesesteak at McNally’s rounds out our top 5, but there are many more to enjoy.
Dalessandro’s Steaks and Hoagies
Located on Henry Avenue in Roxborough, Dalessandro’s has been serving up incredible cheesesteaks and hoagies for over 50 years. They focus on super fresh ingredients and cooked-to-order steaks. Of the classics in the city, Dalessandro’s is head and shoulders above the rest.
The steaks here come out tender but not soggy in grease unlike some other places. They differentiate themselves by using large pieces of fried onion that you can really taste. Wiz wit is our preferred. Marinara dipping sauce is a popular addition for many locals.
Pro tip: Lines can be long. In fact, the only time we haven’t had a long line here was during a snowstorm (see for yourself). Order online and look for your name on the electronic board when you arrive to save time. You can often find parking along the park on Wendover St.
Poe’s Sandwich Joint
Poe’s Sandwiches may be the best sandwich shop in the city. Led by Nikki Allen Poe (N.A. Poe), a community activist with a deep understanding of what constitutes comfort food, the shop offers intensively creative and delicious sandwiches.
Given that kind of concept, it fits that Poe’s Joint makes one of the absolute best cheesesteaks in the city. They offer the “Uncle Tony”–a more traditional wiz wit–and the high-brow “Gary Cooper” with hand sliced ribeye and Cooper Sharp cheese. Both are remarkable, but the Gary Cooper is divine.
Located inside Human Robot Brewery, the industrial space offers a cool vibe. There are lots of dedicated cheesesteak shops, but Poe’s is unique and totally amazing. They do a booming takeout business and can be ordered online.
Mike’s BBQ
The tender, peppery meat at Mike’s BBQ ensures that its smoked brisket cheesesteak deserves its own, highly honored spot among the best the city has to offer. The brisket is complemented by a heavy dose of house-made Cooper Sharp whiz and fried onions served on a sesame seed Carangi Baking Co. roll. The combination—although non-traditional—is flawless.
Mike’s has two riffs on the standard. The first is the chicken cheesesteak, which is also incredible. The second, a fitting tribute to the beloved orange creature himself, is The Gritty, which adds lettuce, tomato, gritty sauce, and potato sticks on top.
The only problem with the meat at Mike’s BBQ: the brisket at this South Philly gem is smoked in-house daily and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Don’t sleep too late, if you want to make sure you can get one.
Angelo’s Pizzeria
Everyone kept telling us that we had to try the cheesesteak at Angelo’s Pizzeria. And we’re damn glad we did. This spot is one of the most popular for good reason.
At Angelo’s, owner Danny DiGiampietro focuses on the bread. Danny and his crew fresh bake ALL of their own sesame-seed rolls. They also make their own mozzarella. In fact, they try to make (or source) the best ingredients possible, including the ribeye. You can taste the quality difference.
Angelo’s has everything you could want in a cheesesteak: good fried onions, a toasty roll, incredible steak, and tasty cheese. Our only complaint was that there wasn’t very much cheese. Ideally, you want a real gooey cheese. You don’t want to sift through the roll looking for it like some kind of scavenger hunt. This is truly one of the top cheesesteaks in the city and it has the potential to be among the best. Remember: Order by phone only (keep trying over and over) and Angelo’s is cash only (there’s an ATM inside the front door if you forget).
McNally’s Tavern
After the cheesesteak and the roast pork, Philadelphia’s most famous contribution to the sandwich world is the Schmitter. Invented at McNally’s Tavern in Chestnut Hill and served at Lincoln Financial Field, the Schmitter is sometimes called the “cousin of the cheesesteak.” It’s not. They’re not even in the same family. It is remarkable, but the Schmitter is a whole different article (which you can find here).
McNally’s also does cheesesteaks. Their traditional beef steak is good, but their chicken cheesesteak is a legend and the best in the city. Delicious breast and thigh meat, moist and tender, worked with ample amounts of cheese on a Conshy long roll. It’s sublime!
Barclay Prime
Best known as one of the city’s finest steakhouses, Barclay Prime serves one of the best cheesesteaks in the city at a price to match. At a whopping $140 dollars and it is worth every penny. For the casual connoisseur, this is big financial investment and we would rank it a bit higher if it were reasonably priced. For the serious steak lover, though, this is mandatory eating (we saved it for a special birthday dinner).
The cheesesteak is made with A6 Japanese Wagyu ribeye, fried onions, Cooper Sharp, black truffle, and foie gras on a fresh baked sesame seed roll. And, for an extra flourish, it is paired with a bottle of Champagne. The steak is incredible and made for one of our most memorable dining experiences. Start saving your pretty pennies–it’s worth it.
Sonny’s Famous Steaks
Locals tend to look down on Sonny’s for its Old City location and Market Street address. There is nothing about Sonny’s that says this would be a good cheesesteak. And that is where the prevailing local ideology is all wrong.
Sonny’s is not a made-for-tourist spot in Center City. It is a legit shop with actual friendly service (South Philly take note). They serve a delicious steak on an Italian roll with extra-creamy whiz goodness. That Sonny’s is so often overlooked in the pantheon of Philly cheesesteaks is both a crime and a blessing (shorter lines!).
Mama’s Pizzeria
Like we’ve said before, pizza shops can make great cheesesteaks. And despite being called a pizzeria, Mama’s doesn’t make any pizzas. From the outside, the fading sign and cracked parking lot have all the hallmarks of a business that may be past its prime. Inside, you are immediately hit with the grease perfume particular to many good steak shops.
Despite being tucked away in Bala Cynwyd and open limited hours (mostly around late breakfast/early lunch time and never when you actually want a cheesesteak at night), Mama’s is worth the trip. The cheesesteak comes with their own proprietary cheese blend and fat, fried onions. They chop the steak finer than anyone else in the city – it comes out minced and is an acquired tast). Once the cheese is worked in, it is almost like cheesy ground beef. We love it.
Mama’s also lightly scoops their delicious rolls to fit in more meat. I realize scooping is one of those things that divides this city like almost nothing else, but it works here. Their chicken cheesesteak is also exceptional (perhaps #2 only behind McNally’s). Tip: When they run out of rolls, they close. They post their hours online but often close early.
Sahbyy Food Stall at the Southeast Asian Market
The city has a huge population from Southeast Asia dating back to the late 1970s and 80s. These immigrants and their families have embraced the beloved cheesesteak and transformed it into something unique and all their own. At the much-beloved Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park, you’ll find the Sahbyy Food Stall and their incredible lemongrass chicken cheesesteak.
The chicken pieces of tender thigh and breast meat are cooked with flavorful lemongrass and pepper. The chicken is layered thickly onto a short roll and then topped with spicy red peppers. You cannot eat just one of these amazing sandwiches.
Pizza Jawn
Better known as makers of some of the best pizza in Philadelphia, Manayunk’s Pizza Jawn also serves up one of the best cheesesteaks. While other places may have a bigger name and are certainly more popular with tourists, locals know that pizza shops can serve up some amazing steaks. Pizza Jawn delivers one of my very favorites. The only problem is that it’s not on the regular menu and is only available as a special. If it were a regular item, this would be #1 on the list.
They use the highest quality meat and layer it into a delicious sesame seed roll. With whiz and fried onions is the way to go here. If you see them as a special, run as fast as you can to Manayunk to dig into this delicious sandwich.
Tony and Nick’s Steaks
If you’re not familiar with the name, Tony and Nick’s is the rebranded Original Tony Luke’s. The name change was to distance themselves from the legal problems that have plagued the original franchise/name (still owned by Tony Sr. and Nick and operated as a franchise company). The whole sordid drama is recounted in this article about the split in the family. The result is that Tony and Nick’s Steaks is now independent.
If that’s too much drama and too confusing to keep track of, just focus on the fact that this is the original location and the steaks are just as good as they have always been. Some weekends, they have special sesame seed rolls, which are incredible. Tip: They have a small parking lot adjacent to the restaurant or look for parking under the highway overpass.
Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop
Don’t let the throwback 1950s décor and color schemes fool you, this is serious eats. For decades, this was known by the name Chink’s Steaks, after the founder Samuel “Chink” Sherman. After the owner died, the restaurant was taken over by employee Joe Groh, and the offensive name was retired. But the quality of steak has never deviated from its path to perfection.
The sandwiches are stuffed full of prime ribeye on a hard roll. Add in whiz and onions, and you can’t beat it. As a bonus, they are one of the few cheesesteak shops to make authentic milkshakes, not the pre-mixed stuff.
The original Joe’s location on Torresdale Avenue closed in 2022, but they still operate a decidedly more upscale (and much busier) location in the Fishtown neighborhood. Sadly parking is an absolute nightmare, but we’ve had luck on Girard and the side streets to the east of the store.
Barry’s Steaks & Hoagies
Not far from the Henry Avenue battle that is Dalessandro’s vs. Chubby’s, Barry has been doing his own thing in Roxborough for over 30 years. He started making steaks at D’Alessandro’s but then branched out on his own. Now, he’s unphased by what is happening nearby, and his steak shop churns out a remarkable product in a completely unpretentious environment.
Barry’s Steaks is first and foremost a neighborhood shop. They do an excellent classic cheesesteak on traditional Amoroso rolls. The way they work the cheese deep into the steak results in cheesesteak perfection. You won’t find their cheese just on the top or pooled in the bottom of the roll. Barry’s are the cheesiest, which is why we love them.
Barry’s differentiates itself by also doing some unique and non-traditional steaks. The pepperoni pizza cheesesteak will infuriate purists and melt the heart of anyone else. It is an absolutely delicious Italian interpretation of the classic and is not to be missed. They also have their own line of craft sodas. The root beer and the black cherry are excellent.
Donkey’s Place
The late great Anthony Bourdain once said, “The best cheesesteak in the area might well come from New Jersey.” He was talking about Donkey’s Place, of course. And with all respect to Bourdain, it was the ONLY cheesesteak he tried. Not exactly a great sample size.
Donkey’s Place is polarizing. They’ve been around since 1943 and and their sandwich is truly excellent. But it’s not actually a Philly cheesesteak. It’s a round sandwich on a Del Buono’s poppy seed Kaiser roll.
The steak is sliced and stacked thickly on the roll, which is more reminiscent of a Schmitter. They encourage you to put red pepper relish on it. It is an amazing sandwich and is worth the drive into Camden to try to it, but not a proper cheesesteak. Note that there is limited street parking. While the area is generally safe during daylight hours, it’s best to be alert.
Jim’s South St.
Note: Jim’s is temporarily closed due to a fire, but a re-opening is planned for May 1, 2024. The renovated spot will have double the seating.
People have a love it or hate it feeling about South Street. From the lack of parking to the constant party vibe, there is a lot for people to overcome to visit. But come they do. The constant line around the building is a testament to how good these steaks can be. Don’t worry, the line moves quickly.
Jim’s has the perfect mix of big, perfectly fried onions and provolone. The only downside is that the roll is a bit thinner and narrower than at other places. While some people prefer this, it is less authentic. But when it comes to the big-name steak shops, Jim’s sets a high bar for their competition.
Chubby’s Steaks
Did you know there is an iconic cheesesteak rivalry that’s not Pat’s and Geno’s? And this one actually involves great food. Located across Henry Avenue from each other, Dalessandro’s and Chubby’s battle it out daily. Yes, the long lines across the street attest to the winner of the battle, but don’t overlook the scrappy upstart Chubby’s. In any other section of the city, this great shop would be beloved. So why the hate? They are simply a victim of comparison.
Chubby’s offers a very good frizzled steak, large onions, and creamy whiz on a tasty roll. Service is fast and the prices are cheap. And if they were located anywhere else in Philly, there would be a line down the block. This Roxborough rivalry is much better than anything you will find in South Philly.
John’s Roast Pork
John’s Roast Pork (or JRP to the die-hards), has legions of fans and long lines. And it is well worth the wait. At first glance, the restaurant doesn’t look like much. It’s a shack with some storage buildings next to some abandoned railroad tracks and across the street from an unremarkable strip mall. It doesn’t inspire confidence.
However, this lowly little establishment has climbed the mountain of culinary achievement and won a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for their namesake sandwich that is one of the most defining foods of Pennsylvania. When it comes to cheesesteaks, though, John’s are merely good. They’re certainly in the top 50 percent in the city but are nowhere near as remarkable as the roast pork.
Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop
There’s no shortage of cheesesteak options along South Street, but Woodrow’s holds its own with the best. They make their own homemade truffle whiz, which is truly next level. If you order your sandwich “Woody’s Way,” you’ll also be treated to a steak with cherry pepper mayo. The hint of acid in the mayo brings out the flavors in the meat and the cheese. The thick cut fries were a surprisingly fantastic addition to the meal.
Grab your cheesesteak to go or eat at one of the handful of tables inside while checking out the cool art.
Ishkabibble’s
Since 1979, Ishkabibble’s on South Street has served up some fine steaks. They have a friendly cross-street rivalry with Jim’s, but the restaurants focus on very different segments of the sandwich-loving population. At Ishkabibble’s, the focus is on the different, rather than the traditional.
The go-to here is the chicken cheesesteak, which they invented. Fresh chicken tenders are chopped up and lovingly placed into the roll. It’s best with whiz and onions. Be sure to pair the sandwich with the gremlin drink, also one of their own creations: a soda made from mixing grape and lemonade. It is both delicious and addictive. If you crave a traditional beef steak, don’t worry, they have that too.
Campo’s
Campo’s has been turning out steaks for over 75 years. While they do a classic version, most people come here for their specialty: The Heater. This cheesesteak comes with hot pepper cheddar cheese, spicy hot peppers, and liberal doses of hot sauce. It’s an acquired taste but has legions of devoted fans.
While the Market Street location has been around for 20 years, more people experience their Campo’s at the sports stadiums. The steaks are the same at all locations.
Oregon Steaks
Oregon Steaks is one of a handful of 24-hour steak shops in the city. Founded in 2013, they have lots of devoted followers that line up for steaks at their window counter. There are a couple of blue picnic tables to enjoy your sandwich, or take it away.
The steaks are cooked to order, so it takes a little longer than some other places that batch cook hours in advance. Theoretically, that should result in a higher quality product. But we found the slabs of meat to be dry and a bit flavorless, although we loved the fat onions, the extra gooey cheese, and the delicious roll.
Shank’s Original
Once a mainstay of the Italian Market, Shank’s has served almost all the politicians and sports stars in the city over its 60+ years. The daughter of the original proprietors still runs the place, but they have moved to a cozy kiosk at Pier 40 along Columbus Boulevard (with parking!). There are ample picnic tables and a view of the river.
Shank’s has made their steaks the same way for decades. They are a bit too greasy for our taste, although the roll holds up well. They do get the cheese really evenly distributed. As a bonus, they are slightly cheaper than some of the other South Philly shops.
DiNic’s Pork & Beef
DiNic’s is primarily a roast pork establishment. The brainchild of cousins Frank DiClaudio and Tommy Nicolosi (hence, DiNic), the shop serves hot, delicious pork. The cousins broke up the business and DiClaudio runs the Navy Yard and Montgomeryville locations, while Nicolosi runs the Reading Terminal Market location. Whichever one you visit, you’re getting the best sandwich in America according to the Travel Channel. And, while we still love JRP, the pork here is excellent.
The cheesesteaks, on the other hand, are passable but unremarkable. Service is quick and friendly with no lines. But the sandwiches tend to be too heavy on the grease to taste the meat. Skip the steak and get the pork instead.
Pat’s King of Steaks
Most tourists start their Philadelphia cheesesteak sampling at Pat’s King of Steaks, named for the self-proclaimed inventor of the sandwich, Pat Olivieri. The small restaurant at the corner of 9th and Passyunk could be hollowed ground for those who love their steaks. Yet, it’s more of a tourist draw than a local favorite, driven primarily by the cross-street rivalry with Geno’s.
Pat’s has a good steak. In fact, it was far better than we expected. Locals love to hate these Passyunk Ave shops, but the King of Steaks does deliver in spades. And while there are better cheesesteaks in the city, it is nice to have one here where it all started.
Read more on the Pat’s vs Geno’s Cheesesteak Rivalry.
LaSpada’s Original
Tucked into a small strip mall, LaSpada’s claims to be the best cheesesteak in Delaware County. It’s close to the Philly Union stadium and makes a good pre-game stop. But, when your motto is “The Best Damned Sandwich in Town!” you set a high bar. Sadly, the experience doesn’t deliver.
They’ve perfected the surly South Philly service attitude, but the steak lacked seasoning and just seemed sad sitting in the roll. Having heard about this place for years, I left wondering if I was at the wrong LaSpada’s or if the people raving about it have ever had a good cheesesteak.
Max’s Steaks
Long before we ever visited, we’d heard about Max’s. The steaks are supposed to be so good that a vegetarian friend swore this would be his last meal. With cameos in the Rocky spin-offs Creed I and Creed II as well as on the small screen in This Is Us, our hopes were high but the experience did not deliver.
We found the perfunctory roll, some meat, a little cheese, and onions. But not much else to enjoy. The whole steak was just so soggy in grease that we couldn’t taste either the steak or the cheese. After hearing friends rave about Max’s, we were left wondering why. Either we visited on an off day, or Max’s has gone the way of other famous steak shops: a relic of history, but not a contemporary favorite.
We probably need to try it again before we write it off forever but can’t imagine paying another $10 for such a mediocre steak when there are so many other good choices.
Larry’s Steaks
With a couple of locations in the city, Larry’s Steaks has its followers. Larry’s is known for two things. First, they specialize in a two-foot cheesesteak known as the “belly filler.” Second is their deep appreciation for Kobe Bryant in their décor and a special sandwich named for the late star on the menu. A trip to Larry’s is almost obligatory during a night of hard drinking for St. Joseph’s students.
The cheesesteak? Mediocre. The roll was good, but the steak and cheese were nearly flavorless, likely due to being under seasoned. Both of our steaks were missing the ingredients/toppings we ordered. I guess you get the steak Larry wants you to have whether or not it’s what you ordered. With a good location and so few good steak shops in this part of the city, Larry’s has so much potential, but it wasn’t to be.
Geno’s Steaks
When it comes to South Philly cheesesteaks, you can’t miss Geno’s. There’s so many signs and neon lights that you can supposedly see it from outer space. Locals like to say Geno’s is for tourists. After all these years, that is probably overstating the case, but visitors flock here in droves. You only need look at the large number of cars with out-of-state plates to see this is true.
Geno’s is best known for its rivalry with Pat’s across the street. The marketing battle hasn’t necessarily translated into the food. The cheesesteak is serviceable but the steak is often cooked far in advance and can become dry, making it last on our list.
RIP
Previous versions of this article included shops that have since closed. This list included the all-vegan Blackbird in Northern Liberties that helped pioneer the vegan cheesesteak, as well as Frizwit at Musi BYO, and the original location of Joe’s Steaks on Torresdale Ave.
You left off one of the most popular cheasesteaks in all of Philadelphia. Steve’s Prince of Steaks on Bustlrton Av in Northeast Philadelphia
You are absolutely right. John’s Roast Pork is clearly the best, Steve’s is a great second and Dalessandro’s third. Joey’s (formerly a different name) in the northeast a close fourth.
Try the Collegeville Bakery for some of the greatest sandwiches and pizza in the suburbs. The cannolis are fantastic!
John’s is positively #1.
All these Whiz eaters are clowns.
John’s has an absolutely amazing roast pork. It is the stuff of legend. I will happily drive an hour out of my way for the roast pork. However, the cheesesteak, was merely adequate. Good but not great. Definitely mid-pack. By all means, love John’s. But if you are there, just choose the correct option, and it isn’t the cheesesteak.
Apollo’s in Croydan.
Max’s are my favorite
Your article states that you tried them all – ummmm, no you did not!!! Did you bother to try Angelo’s Pizzeria on South 9th Street??? NO! Philadelphia Magazine’s readers’s poll declared this place as the King of Cheesesteaks. There is a reason why. They are also Jason Sheehan’s favorite pizzeria for pizza – (Food critic for Philadelphia Magazine). They make their own bread, the cheesesteaks are super made perfectly… Super juicy, and with the perfect mix of cheese and steak. They are SO popular that they run out of bread on a regular basis, due to a lack of being able to get enough employees for their kitchen during the pandemic. I have no financial interest in this business. I just know that if you want the best cheesesteak in the city, this is the place to go. The other area places you missed are in South Jersey. Donkey’s Place in Camden, and Yellow Submarine in Maple Shade are awesome places to get great cheesesteaks, much better than the touristy places.
Thanks for your comment. As article states, some pizza shops serve good cheesesteaks. And there are over 400 pizza shops in the city. I’m sure there is someone out there who believes each one of those pizza shops actually serves a good cheesesteak. We’ve tried a lot of them…and beg to differ. Just because you put a cheesesteak on the menu doesn’t mean it is any good…or even should be considered for this list. That said, Angelo’s has been our list to try…and we will.
Oh no no no !
Amoroso rolls ?
You can’t be from Philly .
There is no way a steak or hoagie can be served on an
Amoroso roll !
You can’t be from Philly .
Let’s hear your ideas on Philly hoagies . 👍
Quite a number of cheesesteak shops (still) serve their steaks on Amoroso rolls. So yeah… Whether they are the best, however, is a topic for debate.
Mama’s on Belmont Ave in Bala Cynwood, just of City Ave. Absolutely amazing. Only one guy has been cooking them.up for at least the last 35 years. I travel there about 4 times a year just for a cheesesteak. Simply amazing….
Mamas yes! I drive from Abington to get Mamas cheesteaks on Belmont Ave. In Bala Cywnwood. Best cheesteak I’ve ever had hands down! They melt in your mouth with amazing tender lean beef, award-winning blend of cheese, and homemade rolls they scoop out. Absolute heaven!!! They blow Delasandros away!
I’d love to try them. The fact that they are only open a few hours a week kind of makes that a challenge.
Thank you. I CANNOT believe MAMA’S was missed. I grew up on their cheesesteaks and to this day whenever I visit I stop by and see Paul and order one for there and several to take home.
Make sure to check their hours and times though. They do have a specific schedule.
Thanks. They are open about 10 hours a week and never at a time you want to eat. They must not want the business.
I think you owe it to yourself to check out Woodrow’s at 630 South St. The four cheese truffle whiz that is made in house sets it apart from the others on this city’s crowded cheesesteak mountain – I wouldn’t be shocked if you made an edit to your article after a few bites.
You forgot Angelo’s!!! They in my opinion are the best just above JRP
JRP has some amazing pork. But the cheesesteak was…passable and hardly remarkable.
Have you tried Saad’s? I’ve heard their cheesesteaks are to die for
Dalessandros and Chubbys are the best!! Both places, you can call your order in and just pick it up, fast and delicious every time. Chubbys uses Doordash for delivery.
Angelo’s.
Steve’s stinks.
Pagano’s on Ogontz Avenue. They don’t get any better.
Leo’s steak shop in Folcroft, PA
Sleeeeeeperrrr
Leo’s Hands Down!
Cosmi’s Deli is the best that I’ve had (& I’ve had most). Abner’s was always a good second for me but they are (sadly) gone after decades. Delassandro’s #3 (just had 1 last night for the umpteenth time).
You haven’t lived (or died) if you haven’t tried Donkey’s Place in Camden. Better than all the places on your list that I’ve been to, including Pat’s, Geno’s, JRP, and that place under I-95.