The Best Cheesesteak Places In Philadelphia

As the locals call it, Philly is known as the City of Brotherly Love. Its name comes from the Greek words “philos” (love) and “adelphos” (brother).

Often overshadowed by its powerful neighbor, New York, many travelers overlook this gem on their tour of the northeast coast. That’s a huge mistake.

Founded in 1681, Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the United States.

On July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain in Philly, planting the seed for the powerful nation that America would become.

From the start of the Revolutionary War until the founding of Washington, D.C., Philly served as the capital of the United States. As the largest city of the colonial era, it enjoyed more political and social importance than Boston or New York.

Beyond its historical significance and patriotic icons, Philadelphia is a lively and cosmopolitan city that exceeds all expectations. It stands out for its vitality, excellent music scene, and, of course, its gastronomy.

One dish Philadelphia is particularly famous for is the cheesesteak, which is included in the best-guided food tour of Philadelphia.

Philly’s Famous Cheesesteaks

Philadelphia has a famous specialty: the cheesesteak, a hot grilled sandwich made with thin slices or chopped beef (usually ribeye), caramelized onions, and melted cheddar-style cheese sauce (known as “Whiz”) on a super soft long roll.

This is the basic version, though many people like to add grilled mushrooms, sweet peppers, mayo, or Italian hot long peppers.

If you’re interested in a deep dive into cheesesteak history or looking for tips on where to find the best one on a food tour of Philadelphia, keep reading!

The Story of Philly’s Famous Cheesesteak

The history of the Philly cheesesteak is filled with anecdotes and a bit of controversy. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Italians immigrated to South Philadelphia, where they sold cheap sandwiches from carts, using inexpensive cuts of meat.

The Philly cheesesteak embodies the American dream, telling the story of two brothers who created the now-famous sandwich by chance.

One day in 1930, Pat Olivieri and his brother Harry sold hot dogs from their food cart. Bored of eating hot dogs every day, Pat asked Harry to buy a steak from the butcher. He cooked it with some onions on the grill and put it in a bun.

Thus, the initial version of the cheesesteak was born.

That same day, the aroma of grilled meat caught the attention of a regular customer, a cab driver, who asked to taste the new creation.

He loved the meat sandwich with fried onions so much that he recommended the brothers promote it to their customers. Word of mouth worked wonders, and their cart became the most famous in the city.

In 1940, Pat and Harry transformed their cart into an authentic restaurant called Pat’s King of Steaks, which the Olivieri family still operates at its original location in South Philadelphia.

Best Cheesesteaks in Town

Visiting Philadelphia and not eating a cheesesteak is a sin. To help guide you to the best steaks in town, here are a few hotspots in Philly, both new and classic.

One of the best-known restaurants is Jim’s Steaks. Founded in 1939, this place is an institution in the city, a spot that becomes a bustling meeting point on weekends. Inside, you’ll find a gallery of images of local celebrities, artists, politicians, and athletes who have visited Jim’s Steaks.

For a more refined gastronomic experience, head to the East Passyunk area, where you can find some of the best cheesesteaks in town.

Another must-visit is Geno’s Steaks, located just across the street from Pat’s King of Steaks. Geno’s opened in 1966 and has been serving up delicious cheesesteaks 24/7 ever since. The friendly rivalry between Pat’s and Geno’s has become a part of Philly’s food culture.

Dalessandro’s Steaks and Hoagies is another top contender in the Roxborough neighborhood. Known for their massive and perfectly cooked steaks, Dalessandro’s is a favorite among locals. If you’re ever in Philadelphia, try these iconic cheesesteaks.

You won’t regret it. Enjoy the culinary journey and savor every bite of this Philly classic!