So I finally got around to getting a true Philly Cheesesteak this weekend. I was aware of the whole Pat’s versus Geno’s thing, but a sizable contingent of local Philadelphians steered Peter and me to Jim’s on South Street. As a born-and-bred Midwesterner, I’m down for anything with melted cheese, meat, or mayonnaise and while the cheesesteak I got from Jim’s (see above) was pretty good, I didn’t quite reach the state of food euphoria I’m constantly chasing.
So please help me out dear readers. Where in the US of A can I find the most delicious cheesesteak? Bonus points for a place in Boston that I can hit up regularly.
I go to Philly quite regularly for cheese steak runs with my friends (Jersey is convenient if nothing else) and have also heard from locals that Jim’s was the best. Having tried it along with Pat’s, Geno’s and a few other less known places throughout Philly, Jersey and New York, I’d have to agree with you that Jim’s is a little overrated and left me wanting something better. The meat was a little dry and plain and no amount of cheese could fix that. I have no idea why everyone from Philly recommends it. They must pay people a referral bonus or something. I have similar feelings about Pat’s although I think Pat’s is slightly better than Jim’s. Other places vary but no one can seem to match up to the champ: a whiz from Geno’s. The meat is always juicy and full of flavor, the bread is always the perfect texture not to hard and not to soft and the cheese whiz adds a nice kick of flavor that no one else can seem to match. Hopefully you haven’t left Philly yet so that you can taste the holy grail of cheese steaks before you go.
I also sought the best cheesesteak over a string of Philly trips a few years back. I tried the big name places and they were good but the best one was had from a cheesesteak truck on the way to the airport.
Ask five different people from Philadelphia where the best cheese steak is and you’ll get 5 different answers and probably start a brawl.
Pat’s and Geno’s are for tourists (and politicians). Jim’s is ok if you’re down that way.
The best I’ve found is Larry’s steaks on 54th & City Avenue. It’s almost out of the city (Near St. Joes University) - but definitely worth it. They use real cheese.
It’s not possible to get a good cheesesteak outside of the philly area.
I’m a cheesesteak fiend and while Jim’s was good, I didn’t think it was the best thing ever. Carl’s here in NYC is better than Jim’s. I think he’s from Philly and you have to order like you normally would at any cheesesteak joint. But I agree with Tony, you’ll get different answers from everyone.
Tony Lukes, douchebag.
if you knew about Pat’s and Geno’s then why the hell did you go to Jim’s?! that makes about as much sense as some of john’s posts. Geno’s ftw…
the doucebag comment, btw is for the colorful language native to our area. It is not intended to inflict harm. Welcome.
Had both Geno’s and Pat’s, great sandwiches.
But, I live in Dallas. In Dallas there are a few choices.
1) Philly Connection - chain, sucks,
2)Texadelphia - could be good, but undersized/overpriced.
3) Fred’s Downtown Philly - 2 locations, great taste and size for price, rated #1 in Dallas area.
4) Go Philly - located downtown, hole in the wall, but has great steak, up for something different? get the Buffalo Cheesesteak or add pepperoni to you sandwich, awesome.
Jim’s on South Street is pretty much the best. Pat’s and Geno’s are awful, tourist attractions.
what the hey– mayonnaise!? What have I told you about mayonnaise?
I’ve tried some of those Texas spots mentioned above, and while tasty for what they are, they are surely NOT Philly cheesesteaks.
I actually just ate Rick’s in the Reading Terminal Market for lunch. Not finely sliced meat (which is what I prefer) but the bread was perfection.
When you are in SF: Cheesesteak Shop on Divisadero at Bush. Yeah it’s good. Yeah, it’s not in Philly. They get the buns from Amoroso’s Bakery in Philly.
And if you want a damn fine bagel, House of Bagels on Geary at Park Presidio. Boiled then baked.
So next time you are in town for the gadget conventions…
to Rob, I agree the Cheesesteak Shop is quite good. It’s the best cheesesteak you are going to get in the bay area, and fortunately it’s a mini chain. There are 10-20 locations throughout S.F. and the east bay. Looks like they are opening south bay and Sacramento too. As far as I know it’s the only place in Cali where you can get tastykakes so if you are from the east and craving that then you know where to go.
Sacramento shop is now open! Amoroso rolls, Chipped Beef, real cheese, tastykakes, Sandel Peppers. Try the King of Philly, I get mine with mushrooms. I also love their Italian Hoagies, Olive Oil and Oregano on the roll, hot capicolla, salami, mortadella, hot peppers!
Gino’s Steaks - In Philadelphia. Anything else is a joke.
1219 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
This, of course, coming from someone who lives in the suburbs around Philly, but I’ve been all over the US and have never once seen or tasted a steak like Gino’s makes.
Lived in Philly (or nearby) for essentially my whole life, and I completely agree that Pat’s and Geno’s are totally a)not worth the hype, b)disappointing, and c)a tourist trap. Jim’s is alright. The best cheesesteak is actually right outside the PA border in Claymont, Delaware. Take exit 5 off of 95-S and make a right. It’s FANTASTIC. The place has been around for decades, has won magazine awards for best of Philly (including ESPN: The Magazine if memory serves me right), and developed an almost Soup Nazi-like quality and (GOOD) reputation. It’s phenomenal. A small steak sandwhich eaten at 10am filled me up until breakfast the next day- and I’m a hefty guy! I know it’s some travel from center city, but I swear you won’t regret it.
Hey, what is the name of it? And I would be coming from 95N, so which exit would it be for me?
Tony Lukes seconded!!!
Tony Lukes, yes. Also - pick a random pizza place and you’ll more than likely be OK (though no where as good as TL).
And, having lived in the Boston Area for several years, there is no decent cheese steak in the region. The meat is bland and they get served on glorified dinner rolls. I once asked if there was anyplace to get a good, crusty, roll and I was asked, “You mean you want stale bread?”
The roll makes a cheese steak as much as the meat and cheese (though, ‘wiz steaks make me rather ill).
If the steak is dry - ketchup is a good solution.
And here I gave up fried food for Lent..
Definitely Tony Luke’s. Geno’s and pat’s are steak’um and cheese whiz. Tastes like garbage compared to real chipped steak, real cheese, and a fresh roll.
This isn’t technically cheesesteak–it’s warm roast beef with mozz on a fresh hero roll dipped in the gravy from the roast beef–but it’s the best sandwich I’ve ever had (and the best mozz). It’s at a place called “Fiore’s” in Hoboken, and only made for lunch on Tuesday and Saturday. That said, you try it once and you’ll never look at a cheesesteak again.
Oh, and Tony Luke’s is (was?) excellent in NYC–it’s now called “shorty’s” and is still good (try the sliced pork with broccoli rabe and provolone…)
If you’re okay with going a little north of Boston, Suppa’s in Lowell is great. They make a deep-fried cheesesteak sub - you can only eat one once a year, but why not?
It’s right by the UMass Lowell campus.
Al’s Steak House in Alexandria, VA is the best!
http://www.alssteak.com/
Yum, yum!
Doug, let the dream die. There are no real cheesesteaks in Boston. They are only sausage sammy’s there. But amtrak is a hop, skip and a jump here!
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Steve’s Prince of Steaks in the Northeast are the best, hands down. St. Vincent and Busselton, near the Roosevelt Mall. Go for the ‘both cheeses’.. melted american and wiz. I’ve tried pretty much every steak in Philly, these are the best.
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A good, tasty cheese steak actually can be had in the Boston area:
1) College Sub
Located at the end of the “B” Green Line at Boston College. Very, very tasty but not a lot of sub for the money, and even their large is not large enough.
2) Leone’s Sub & Pizza
In Somerville, 294 Broadway on Winter Hill. There is not a high cheese to meat ratio, so you might want to ask for extra cheese.
3) Bob’s Imported Food Store & Catering
324 Main St in Medford. Lots of size options with a choice of regular sub roll or a scali sandwich roll
4) D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches
This is a local sub chain with a solid steak & cheese offering.
Chessesteaks in philly overated!!!!!Chesse wiz on a chessesteak thats nasty!!!!! You can get better chessesteaks in New York the place is called Carl’s and a pizza place I went to was the best cheesesteak i ever had. I’ve been to Pats and Genos and everywhere else in philly its nothing special. Oh yeah the pizza in philly sucks. NEW YORK PIZZA the best in the world that includes Italy!!!!! I’ll take a slice of NEW YORK PIZZA over a philly chesssesteak any day!!!!!
Chessesteaks in philly overated!!!!!Chesse wiz on a chessesteak thats nasty!!!!! You can get better chessesteaks in New York the place is called Carl’s and a pizza place I went to was the best cheesesteak i ever had. I’ve been to Pats and Genos and everywhere else in philly its nothing special. Oh yeah the pizza in philly sucks. NEW YORK PIZZA the best in the world that includes Italy!!!!! I’ll take a slice of NEW YORK PIZZA over a philly chesssesteak any day!!!!!