Every Philadelphian has a cheesesteak opinion, and most of us will defend it louder than our opinion on the Eagles’ quarterback. Out-of-towners tend to head straight to 9th and Passyunk, pick one of the two neon corners, and call it research.
We get it. But some of the best steaks in the city come out of tiny lunch counters, old neighborhood shops and a pizzeria with a line out the door. Here are the 12 we’d send a friend to, from the famous rivals to the places locals happily drive across town for.
How to order like a local: Say the cheese, then onions or no onions. “Whiz wit” means Cheez Whiz with fried onions; “provolone witout” means provolone, no onions. Know your order before you reach the window and have your money out. Plenty of old-school shops still like cash, so carry some.
The South Philly Rivals
Start with the most famous rivalry in town. Pat’s and Geno’s face each other across 9th Street at Passyunk Avenue, so you can try both in one stop.
1. Pat’s King of Steaks
📍 1237 E Passyunk Ave (at 9th & Wharton), South Philadelphia
Pat’s has been at it since 1930 and claims it invented the steak sandwich. Is it the best steak in the city? Most locals would say no. Should you eat one at the outdoor window under those lights at least once? Probably, yes.
It’s window ordering and picnic tables, half tourists and half people coming from a game or the bar. It’s open 24/7 (check before you go), which explains that second crowd.
2. Geno’s Steaks
📍 1219 S 9th St, South Philadelphia
Directly across the street, Geno’s has been Pat’s loud, neon-covered rival since 1966. The meat is sliced rather than chopped, and the whole place glows orange at night, so it wins the photo either way. Doing the taste test? Split one from each with a friend and save room for the spots below.
The Ones Locals Swear By
Ask a Philadelphian where to get a cheesesteak and you’ll probably hear one of these names. They’re spread across the city, so pick the one closest to where you’re headed.
3. John’s Roast Pork
📍 14 Snyder Ave, South Philadelphia
John’s has been at the corner of Weccacoe and Snyder Avenue since 1930. It’s famous for roast pork, but plenty of locals will tell you the cheesesteak here is the best in the city: big seeded roll, no frills, and a steak that takes its time on the griddle. It’s near the stadiums and the big-box stores on Columbus Blvd.
One catch. It keeps lunch-counter hours, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (check before you go), so don’t plan a dinner run.
4. Dalessandro’s Steaks
📍 600 Wendover St, Roxborough
Up in Roxborough, Dalessandro’s has been the neighborhood’s answer since 1960. Finely chopped meat, piled high on a soft roll, and the counter seats are always taken. Hike the Wissahickon first (it’s just down the hill) and you’ll feel like you earned it. Our best things to do in Philadelphia list has more ideas for the rest of the day.
5. Angelo’s Pizzeria
📍 736 S 9th St, Bella Vista (original location)
Angelo’s is technically a pizzeria, and the pies are great, but the cheesesteak on a house-baked seeded roll is why there’s a line on South 9th Street. It only opened in 2013, which makes it the baby of this list, and it’s already one of the most argued-about steaks in town.
It’s small, it’s packed, and it isn’t open every day, so check the hours before you make the trip. There’s a second location at 22 Wolf St.
6. Steve’s Prince of Steaks
📍 7200 Bustleton Ave, Northeast Philadelphia (original location)
Northeast Philly’s pick. Steve’s started as a small stool-lined shop on Bustleton Avenue and built its following on thinly sliced whole cuts of meat instead of chopped beef. If you’re on Team Geno’s for texture, you’ll like Steve’s. Bustleton out of your way? Steve’s site lists its other locations.
7. Max’s Steaks
📍 3653 Germantown Ave (at W Erie Ave), North Philadelphia
Max’s, at Germantown and Erie, is famous for two things: enormous steaks and its cameo in Creed. The sandwiches are long enough to share and the counter crew moves fast.
Bonus: Max’s has free parking, which for a Philly steak shop is close to a miracle.
8. SQ Philip’s Steaks
📍 2234 W Passyunk Ave, South Philadelphia
Philip’s has been making steaks on West Passyunk Avenue in Grays Ferry since 1983, known for seeded rolls and fillings that don’t skimp. Going to an Eagles game? It also lists a stand inside the Linc, so you can skip the stadium chicken fingers.
Center City and Beyond
You don’t have to head deep into South Philly for a great steak. These four are closer to the action, from South Street to Rittenhouse to Fishtown.
9. Jim’s South St.
📍 400 South St, Queen Village
Jim’s is the classic South Street steak: a black-and-white tiled corner shop where you watch your sandwich get built in front of you. It’s one of the most recognizable steak spots in the city, so you won’t be alone. Make it a pair with Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, a few blocks west at 1020 South St.
10. Ishkabibble’s
📍 337 South St, Queen Village
Ishkabibble’s has been on South Street since 1979 and says it’s the home of the original chicken cheesesteak. It’s a tiny walk-up counter with a big personality.
Order this: a chicken cheesesteak and a “Gremlin,” which is half lemonade, half grape juice. Sounds wrong. Weirdly perfect.
11. Cleavers
📍 108 S 18th St, Rittenhouse
Want a great steak near Rittenhouse Square and an actual chair to sit in? Cleavers. The menu goes way past the classic, with a long list of specialty steaks plus fries and shakes, so it’s the move for a group that can’t agree on anything. Staying in Center City? It’s the easiest good steak to walk to (more on where to stay in Philadelphia).
12. Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop
📍 1 W Girard Ave (at Frankford Ave), Fishtown
At Frankford and Girard on the edge of Fishtown, Joe’s is half steak shop, half old-fashioned soda fountain. Get a steak and a shake and don’t overthink it.
Go ahead and get the photo at Pat’s and Geno’s. Everybody does it once.
Then go eat where the locals eat. John’s Roast Pork and Angelo’s are the two most likely to ruin every other cheesesteak for you, and Dalessandro’s, Steve’s and Max’s are worth the drive.
Making a day of it? Our list of the best things to do in Philadelphia has the rest of your trip covered.
Now settle it for us: whiz wit or provolone witout? And if your spot isn’t on here, tell us in the comments. We know you have opinions.