These 10 Restaurants Serve The Best Cheesesteaks In Philadelphia
Here’s the thing about trying to narrow down the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia – there’s no way to ever be right. Everybody has their favorite spot, there are plenty of amazing hole-in-the-walls that never get mentioned outside of their block, and while we all agree that cheesesteaks are great, that’s where it stops. Some of us love whiz, some of us are provolone purists. Some of us pile them up with mushrooms and onions, others stick to cheese, steak, and peppers. You might even prefer chicken cheesesteaks.
Each of the great philly cheesesteak spots has their signature style, and the best one will depend entirely on what your cheesesteak preferences are. All that being said, here are ten that consistently come up in conversation when the topic of “best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia” inevitably comes up.
Dalessandro's is off of the beaten path, but there's a reason nearly everyone in Philly has traveled out to try one of their steaks. Order them however you'd like, because you're guaranteed to get a juicy, fresh cheesesteak that's made perfectly.
Joe's used to be called Chinks, and most Philadelphians still refer to it by the old name. The cheesesteaks here are a little different - they aren't oversized and they aren't super messy - but they are delicious. Pair one with an old fashioned milkshake and you'll be in tastebud heaven.
Address: 6030 Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19135
Steve's Prince of Steaks turns out consistently great cheesesteaks. There is a location in Rittenhouse, but travel out to the Northeast Philly location for the real deal.
Address: 7200 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19149
Ishkabibble's is one of the most popular spots on South Street, and for good reason! They tend to cater to the late night bar crowd, so it can get busy at certain hours, but the lines are worth the wait. While some would pit Jim's against Ishkabibble's for the best steaks of south, I think trying them both is the way to go.
Almost every time I go to Tony Luke's, I order a chicken cutlet. You just can't beat them... but I digress. This is about cheesesteaks. Whenever I order that chicken cutlet, everyone in my group looks at me like I'm insane, because they know how delicious the Tony Luke's cheesesteaks really are.
Max's is another spot that's off the beaten path, but it's popular due to the juicy chopped steak and fresh rolls that take them a notch above most cheesesteak places. They also make unforgettable chicken cheesesteaks, if that's more your thing. Oh, and their steaks are HUGE - the ones pictured above are half size!
Address: 3653 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19140
Jim's is probably the most polarizing cheesesteak shop on this list. People seem to either love it or hate it, and I haven't seen much of an in between. Whatever your opinion is, I stand by the fact that Jim's is the place to go after a concert at the TLA when you need to refuel.
Yes, John's Roast Pork makes one of the best cheesesteaks in Philly. Some people treat this tiny hole-in-the-wall as a secret, but it's a poorly kept one at best. The restaurant has won a ton of awards for all of their sandwiches, and they are all well deserved.
It's hard to find a great steak in Old City, but Sonny's never disappoints. Their steaks are messy, juicy, and bursting with meat and cheese, which makes them way better than many of the dry, skimpy steaks you might find at some Market Street bars.
Chubby's gets this coveted 10th spot, because I have never had a disappointing steak here. Their cheese fries are amazing, too, so don't forget to add that to your order! Load up with cheese, onions, mushroom, and more. You'll love each bite you take.
Honestly, I didn't know what to do with Donkey's, so consider it a secret bonus on this Top 10 list! It's not technically located in Philly, but it's just over the bridge in Camden. Cheesesteak purists will be offput by the poppyseed kaiser roll (what?!), but expand your cheesesteak horizons and try them at least once in your life. There's a reason that they often top "best cheesesteak in Philly" awards, and renowned foodie Anthony Bourdain called Donkey's steak the best he's ever had in his life.
Where do you go for your favorite cheesesteak? I’m almost afraid to ask the question… but I also love taste-testing! Share your thoughts in the comments… but promise me you’ll keep it civil!
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
