There’s no denying the appeal of a juicy Philly cheesesteak. While Philadelphia’s food scene is booming, its signature sandwich maintains a constant presence at counter-service spots and sit-down restaurants alike. Whether it’s the tender cuts of beef (always ribeye), the gooey cheese (provolone, white American, and cheese whiz are the only options), the soft bread (Italian-style rolls or bust), or the unbeatable allure of their powers combined, a Philly cheesesteak is a classic for a reason. So, what does it take to make the best cheesesteak in town? I set off on a culinary adventure to find out.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of dining venues serving up their interpretation of a Philly cheesesteak, making it all but impossible for even a local to have tried them all. In order to save my dairy-sensitive stomach (not to mention my wallet) from seeing green, I opted to try just four of Philadelphia’s most popular Philly cheesesteak institutions: Jim’s Steaks, Ishkabibble’s, Pat’s King of Steaks, and Geno’s Steaks. Without further ado, here is my definitive ranking of Philadelphia’s most popular Philly cheesesteaks.
The Steaks
In order to maintain a consistent apples-to-apples (or steak-to-steak) comparison, I ordered the exact same sandwich from each contending restaurant: One prov wit’ — In Philly speak, this means “one Philly cheesesteak with provolone and onions." I tried a bite of each when it was fresh from the griddle, then saved the rest for a proper sit-down taste test at the end of the journey. These are the results.
4. Pat's King of Steaks
One of the most famous spots for Philly cheesesteaks in the City of Brotherly Love, Pat’s certainly has the efficiency side of things down to a science. The long long moves quickly thanks to pre-prepped buns stuffed with cheese and huge piles of steak cooked up in advance. However, it's just this machine-like efficiency that seems to be Pat’s downfall.
On first bite, it was evident that the steak desperately needed salt. Because the cheese had been placed on the bread in advance, it didn’t seem to melt much at all. As a result, I could taste the cheese in this one a bit more than the others, which added to the overall flavor. The bread was nice and soft, but that was about all I can say for Pat’s. I wouldn’t skip Pat’s altogether because it’s certainly a South Philly institution, just maybe temper your expectations.
3. Geno's Steaks: Best Bread
Note: Geno’s is a cash-only establishment.
With its neon lights and signature bright orange picnic tables, Geno’s is an all-but-unmissable landmark in South Philly — it also happens to be right across the street from its arch nemesis, Pat’s. Like its neighbor, Geno’s also operates on a high-efficiency scale to serve the long lines of tourists that queue up for Philly cheesesteaks at all hours (it’s open 24/7 to curb your carb cravings) and suffers a similar fate.
While Geno’s slices its meat instead of chopping it, resulting in a much heartier bite, the sandwich was still extremely bland and begging for salt. The saving grace of this Philly is the bread. Geno’s bakes its own Italian-style rolls in-house, and the attention to detail is evident. The bread is just crisp enough on the outside to house its meaty fillings with a super soft, slightly chewy interior that almost melts in the mouth. I would go back to Geno’s for the bread alone.
2. Jim's Steaks: Best Onions
Note: Jim’s is a cash-only establishment.
The epitome of 1950s diner vibes, Jim’s black and chrome exterior sets the scene for the comfortable no-frills dining experience that awaits inside. Order at the counter and watch your sandwich be prepped to order before heading to the surprisingly spacious dining room to enjoy your Philly cheesesteak.
My first impressions of Jim’s were a little lackluster, partially because I unwrapped the sandwich upside down, causing me to lose quite a bit of filling to the wrapper. Once I scooped up my gaff and took a bite, I was, yet again, left wanting salt. However, Jim’s is redeemed with its use of carefully caramelized onions that lend a light sweetness to the sandwich. While the meat needed more seasoning, it had a decidedly more savory flavor to it than its counterparts, which when paired with the onions, was a delightful change of pace.
Pro Tip: Instead of sitting in the main dining room, head upstairs to find plenty more seating among recently discovered mosaic murals by Philadelphia street art legend Isaiah Zagar.
1. Ishkabibble's: Best Meat
Probably the least well-known of these Philly cheesesteak restaurants, Ishkabibble’s seems to be the most commonly cited spot by locals for a quick and classic sandwich. There are a few locations around town, but the original is a small stall perched across the street from the Theatre of the Living Arts.
The reason Ishkabibble’s takes the top spot in my rankings is that they go the extra mile to add salt and pepper to their meat, which is also cooked to order rather than pre-prepped. The results speak for themselves in a savory, juicy sandwich that’s well-balanced between nicely seasoned beef, gooey provolone cheese, and tender onions (though not quite as caramelized as Jim’s).
Bonus: Ishkabibble’s was also the only spot to offer me a free cup of water with my sandwich.
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