Perhaps no food is synonymous with a U.S. city as the cheesesteak is with Philadelphia. From its creation by Pat Olivieri in the early 1930s to its city and eventual nationwide expansion, the cheesesteak has become a staple of Philadelphian's diet - I think that's the best way to view the sandwich - as a diet staple. It's a basic meal, something quick, something easy when you have a red meat craving. There's not much to the sandwich - beef, cheese, and bread - and if you set your expectations too high you may feel slightly underwhelmed. Also don't expect too much from the dining environment although the dive style atmospheres tend to contain quite a bit of character and are in colorful neighborhoods.
The ordering of cheesesteaks has taken on a lexicon of its own and may lead to some trepidation which is certainly enhanced by the cashier's gruff, I mean blue collar, attitude. The complexity of ordering is overstated and once you glance at a menu the process is relatively simple: 1) Pick a cheese - American Provolone, or Whiz (a orange / yellow liquid concoction) and 2) Order wit (that's with onions) or wit out (that's without onions). If the cashier recognizes you as an out-of-Townes they may strengthen the accent and pronounce wit with a hard "D" making it sound like "wid". The most common order tends to be a "steak wid whiz" but take a glimpse of the whiz before you commit.
I'm not a huge fan of the whiz cheese, it's unnatural color always raises questions in my mind regarding the ingredients. I also find the steaks to usually be too dry (probably from being overlooked) thus my standard order is a pizza steak - steak, provolone cheese, and tomato sauce. I also think the provolone helps to protect the bun from the grease which prevents the bun from breaking in half mid-meal.
As an alternative, many Philadelphians consider the roast pork as a superior sandwich to the cheesesteak. The pork tends to cook up a little better than the steak meat and the layers of sharp cheese and broccoli rabe, that typically cover the sandwich, give it a stronger taste. It's easier to find a cheesesteaks, however, roast pork spots are worth the extra search. The dining experience and atmosphere are interchangeable - both restaurant types tend to have a lot of character - and from an out-of-towners' perspective I'd recommend trying one of each during a 48 hour visit. I've included both sandwich types in the list below.
Word of caution: as a general rule of thumb assume the Cheesesteak shop does not accept cash.
The ordering of cheesesteaks has taken on a lexicon of its own and may lead to some trepidation which is certainly enhanced by the cashier's gruff, I mean blue collar, attitude. The complexity of ordering is overstated and once you glance at a menu the process is relatively simple: 1) Pick a cheese - American Provolone, or Whiz (a orange / yellow liquid concoction) and 2) Order wit (that's with onions) or wit out (that's without onions). If the cashier recognizes you as an out-of-Townes they may strengthen the accent and pronounce wit with a hard "D" making it sound like "wid". The most common order tends to be a "steak wid whiz" but take a glimpse of the whiz before you commit.
I'm not a huge fan of the whiz cheese, it's unnatural color always raises questions in my mind regarding the ingredients. I also find the steaks to usually be too dry (probably from being overlooked) thus my standard order is a pizza steak - steak, provolone cheese, and tomato sauce. I also think the provolone helps to protect the bun from the grease which prevents the bun from breaking in half mid-meal.
As an alternative, many Philadelphians consider the roast pork as a superior sandwich to the cheesesteak. The pork tends to cook up a little better than the steak meat and the layers of sharp cheese and broccoli rabe, that typically cover the sandwich, give it a stronger taste. It's easier to find a cheesesteaks, however, roast pork spots are worth the extra search. The dining experience and atmosphere are interchangeable - both restaurant types tend to have a lot of character - and from an out-of-towners' perspective I'd recommend trying one of each during a 48 hour visit. I've included both sandwich types in the list below.
Word of caution: as a general rule of thumb assume the Cheesesteak shop does not accept cash.
Other Best Cheesesteak lists:
Philadelphia Magazine: a great list that covers the entire city from a magazine that tends to just focus on Center City
GQ / Alan Richman: The 10 Best Only goes to 10 and says Sonny's is the best. Wow. Ray Didinger - why are you hanging out with this guy?
Philadelphia Magazine: a great list that covers the entire city from a magazine that tends to just focus on Center City
GQ / Alan Richman: The 10 Best Only goes to 10 and says Sonny's is the best. Wow. Ray Didinger - why are you hanging out with this guy?
JOHN'S ROAST PORK - THE BEST!!!
14 Snyder Avenue - www.johnsroastpork.com - Yelp: 4.5 Stars, 750+ reviews
I've seen people wait in line for cheesesteaks here ignoring the best sandwich in Philadelphia: John's classic roast pork sandwich. What's not going for it is it's location, which is difficult to reach via public transportation, and the opening hours. Why must this place close at seven?!?!?!?! The bun, the meat, the sharp provolone are each individually better than any other roast pork sandwich shop. Combine all three of these ingredients into a single sandwich and you have the best in the City. Supposedly John's has great cheese steaks too, however, if I'm getting in a car to drive all the way down here I'm going with the best. If you are heading to or from the airport or the sport complexes fight the siren songs of Pat's and Geno's or Tony Luke's and head to John's.
14 Snyder Avenue - www.johnsroastpork.com - Yelp: 4.5 Stars, 750+ reviews
I've seen people wait in line for cheesesteaks here ignoring the best sandwich in Philadelphia: John's classic roast pork sandwich. What's not going for it is it's location, which is difficult to reach via public transportation, and the opening hours. Why must this place close at seven?!?!?!?! The bun, the meat, the sharp provolone are each individually better than any other roast pork sandwich shop. Combine all three of these ingredients into a single sandwich and you have the best in the City. Supposedly John's has great cheese steaks too, however, if I'm getting in a car to drive all the way down here I'm going with the best. If you are heading to or from the airport or the sport complexes fight the siren songs of Pat's and Geno's or Tony Luke's and head to John's.
PAT'S AND GENO'S
1237 East Passyunk Avenue
www.patskingofsteaks.com - Yelp: 3.0 Stars, 3,000+ reviews
www.genosteaks.com - Yelp: 3.0 Stars, 2,400+ reviews
The much maligned South Philly duo. Pat's is the original "inventor" of the Philly Cheese Steak. Geno's is the upstart located diagonally across the street. Together they contribute more to the historical side of Philadelphia than the culinary side, as evidenced by the Yelp reviews, which I believe are fair. Thus Pat's and Geno's creates the ultimate tourist "Do I or Don't I" dilemma. Phew. I don't know. The East Passyunk Corridor has become a hot area of the City over the past five years so if you are walking through it's worth considering stopping and sharing a half sandwich at either or both of these places.
The weather could be a deciding factor on Pat's and Geno's - they have only outdoor seating - so if it's raining or cold the weather may make your decision easier. Both these places are open 24 hours.
1237 East Passyunk Avenue
www.patskingofsteaks.com - Yelp: 3.0 Stars, 3,000+ reviews
www.genosteaks.com - Yelp: 3.0 Stars, 2,400+ reviews
The much maligned South Philly duo. Pat's is the original "inventor" of the Philly Cheese Steak. Geno's is the upstart located diagonally across the street. Together they contribute more to the historical side of Philadelphia than the culinary side, as evidenced by the Yelp reviews, which I believe are fair. Thus Pat's and Geno's creates the ultimate tourist "Do I or Don't I" dilemma. Phew. I don't know. The East Passyunk Corridor has become a hot area of the City over the past five years so if you are walking through it's worth considering stopping and sharing a half sandwich at either or both of these places.
The weather could be a deciding factor on Pat's and Geno's - they have only outdoor seating - so if it's raining or cold the weather may make your decision easier. Both these places are open 24 hours.
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JIM'S STEAKS
A South Street Favorite - www.jimssteaks.com - Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 1,400 reviews+
Everyone's favorite cheese steak place isn't about the meat, the bread, the cheese, or the environment. It's about proximity. That's why Jim's Steaks is my favorite. Even though I think it has the best meat, uses the best rolls (Amoroso's), has the standard provolone cheese, and is located on South Street, Philadelphia's most electric neighborhood, it's my favorite because I used to live a block and a half away. It was my go to place when I didn't feel like cooking after work. I'd go so often I had a favorite chef and if he wasn't cooking I'd turn around, head home, and heat something up in the microwave. Living nearby I could opt to eat on a Tuesday night when I could walk right in and place my order vs. waiting 30 minutes in a line that wrapped around the block. Plus my name is Jim so of course Jim's Steaks is the best.
A South Street Favorite - www.jimssteaks.com - Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 1,400 reviews+
Everyone's favorite cheese steak place isn't about the meat, the bread, the cheese, or the environment. It's about proximity. That's why Jim's Steaks is my favorite. Even though I think it has the best meat, uses the best rolls (Amoroso's), has the standard provolone cheese, and is located on South Street, Philadelphia's most electric neighborhood, it's my favorite because I used to live a block and a half away. It was my go to place when I didn't feel like cooking after work. I'd go so often I had a favorite chef and if he wasn't cooking I'd turn around, head home, and heat something up in the microwave. Living nearby I could opt to eat on a Tuesday night when I could walk right in and place my order vs. waiting 30 minutes in a line that wrapped around the block. Plus my name is Jim so of course Jim's Steaks is the best.
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DALESSANDRO'S AND CHUBBY'S - "THE ROXBOROUGH DUEL"
Dalessandro's - 600 Wendover Street - www.dalessandros.com - Yelp: 4.5 Stars, 900+ reviews
Chubby's - 5826 Henry Avenue - Yelp: 4 Stars, 200+ reviews
Don't let the different addresses fool you, these two places are directly across the street from one another on Henry Avenue. I'm saying it's a duel between the two places but really it's not that close, primarily because Dalessandro's is one of the best, if not the best cheese steak in the City. Dalessandro's is distinct in that it is a HUGE sandwich. Much wider and much meatier than Jim's - I usually start with a fork. Dalessandro's has a great neighborhood vibe and it's good to either eat in or take out. Chubby's is decent - it's no Dalessandro's although few places compare. Chubby's does have a more extensive menu and more seating.
Dalessandro's - 600 Wendover Street - www.dalessandros.com - Yelp: 4.5 Stars, 900+ reviews
Chubby's - 5826 Henry Avenue - Yelp: 4 Stars, 200+ reviews
Don't let the different addresses fool you, these two places are directly across the street from one another on Henry Avenue. I'm saying it's a duel between the two places but really it's not that close, primarily because Dalessandro's is one of the best, if not the best cheese steak in the City. Dalessandro's is distinct in that it is a HUGE sandwich. Much wider and much meatier than Jim's - I usually start with a fork. Dalessandro's has a great neighborhood vibe and it's good to either eat in or take out. Chubby's is decent - it's no Dalessandro's although few places compare. Chubby's does have a more extensive menu and more seating.
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BARRY'S
I lived in Manayunk for over two years before I heard about Barry's. The restaurant is located on Leverington Avenue near Ridge. I've driven past the place a hundred times. I've walked past the place tens of times. The windows have a tinted shade and from the outside the place looks unappealing. It's embarrassing to admit but it took a "Best of" article in Philadelphia Magazine to inform me of Barry's greatness. I was skeptical of the Philly Mag article and checked the Google reviews. 4.4 stars with common refrains: "Best Cheesesteaks in Roxborough", "Better than Delassandro's". The inside word is that Barry, is supposedly the former head chef at Delassandro's - hence why the cheesesteaks are so good. |
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I'm not going to get into a “better than Delassandro's” debate. My refrain on Barry's is "it's where I grab a cheese steak when I have a craving on a Tuesday night but if friends are in town who have never had a cheese steak, I take them to Delassandros”. Barry's is better but for a first timer you can't beat Delassandros excitement and atmosphere.
Barry's cheese steak is also notably...dainty. Probably the daintiest cheese steak I've ever eaten. The positive spin on the daintiness is that you aren't feeling the weight of the cheesesteak hours after the meal. If anything it's a right size portion relative to the monsters served elsewhere. One other note, Barry's also makes their own soft drinks and ice tea that's available in bottles. So don't go autopilot on the drinks with a local brand root beer, which in any other place would be the correct call.
Barry's cheese steak is also notably...dainty. Probably the daintiest cheese steak I've ever eaten. The positive spin on the daintiness is that you aren't feeling the weight of the cheesesteak hours after the meal. If anything it's a right size portion relative to the monsters served elsewhere. One other note, Barry's also makes their own soft drinks and ice tea that's available in bottles. So don't go autopilot on the drinks with a local brand root beer, which in any other place would be the correct call.
WIZ KID (not sure this place is still open)
Vegans and Hindus rejoice. There is a cheese steak you can eat and it's more than just a vegetarian cheese steak, it's a great cheese steak, bottomline, no qualifiers necessary. Even if you aren't a vegetarian, even if you aren't Hindu, if you are a Philadelphian you need to try this cheese steak at least once, if not twice, if not thrice.
Vegans and Hindus rejoice. There is a cheese steak you can eat and it's more than just a vegetarian cheese steak, it's a great cheese steak, bottomline, no qualifiers necessary. Even if you aren't a vegetarian, even if you aren't Hindu, if you are a Philadelphian you need to try this cheese steak at least once, if not twice, if not thrice.
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DONKEY'S
Is a patty melt a hamburger? No.
The only reason Donkey's is included in a list about cheese steaks is because Anthony Bourdain stated that the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia was not from Philadelphia. It was from a little place called Donkey's located across the river in Camden, a place few people, Philadelphians, New Jersians, anybody, ever venture. I believe Bourdain's assertion is to be more provocative and edgy than authoritative. The "is this the best cheesesteak" debate is stupid because no one should be making the claim this sandwich is a cheesesteak. It's not cooked like a cheese steak. It's not served like a cheese steak. It's not eaten like a cheese steak. It's a cheesesteak melt. It's as much a cheese steak as a party melt is a hamburger.
In addition, it's all a pointless debate. Whether Donkey's is a cheesesteak, whether it's the best in Philadelphia It's all a redundantly stupid debate. It's worth heading to Donkeys because it's a destination in a place no one would ever intentionally venture yet the macabre that passes for life in Camden should be seen by everyone and wonder how politicians, corporations, and citizens at the city, state, and federal level allow a place like Camden to exist in America.
Is a patty melt a hamburger? No.
The only reason Donkey's is included in a list about cheese steaks is because Anthony Bourdain stated that the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia was not from Philadelphia. It was from a little place called Donkey's located across the river in Camden, a place few people, Philadelphians, New Jersians, anybody, ever venture. I believe Bourdain's assertion is to be more provocative and edgy than authoritative. The "is this the best cheesesteak" debate is stupid because no one should be making the claim this sandwich is a cheesesteak. It's not cooked like a cheese steak. It's not served like a cheese steak. It's not eaten like a cheese steak. It's a cheesesteak melt. It's as much a cheese steak as a party melt is a hamburger.
In addition, it's all a pointless debate. Whether Donkey's is a cheesesteak, whether it's the best in Philadelphia It's all a redundantly stupid debate. It's worth heading to Donkeys because it's a destination in a place no one would ever intentionally venture yet the macabre that passes for life in Camden should be seen by everyone and wonder how politicians, corporations, and citizens at the city, state, and federal level allow a place like Camden to exist in America.
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STEVE'S PRINCE OF STEAKS
Various locations, original at 7200 Bustleton Avenue - www.stevesprinceofsteaks.com - Yelp: 4 Stars, 250+ reviews
Steve's is the most renowned of Northeast Philadelphia's steak shops. The sandwich is a departure from the usual "chopped" meat style found elsewhere in Philadelphia - the meat is thin slabs topped with cheese and place instead a large close style bun. The size of the bun unfortunately detracts from the flavor of the beef - each bite has a higher portion of bread to beef in some cases completely drowning out the steak taste. The base sandwich costs about $10. A double meat option is available for $3 more per sandwich and is probably the way to order instead of adding a side of fries.
Various locations, original at 7200 Bustleton Avenue - www.stevesprinceofsteaks.com - Yelp: 4 Stars, 250+ reviews
Steve's is the most renowned of Northeast Philadelphia's steak shops. The sandwich is a departure from the usual "chopped" meat style found elsewhere in Philadelphia - the meat is thin slabs topped with cheese and place instead a large close style bun. The size of the bun unfortunately detracts from the flavor of the beef - each bite has a higher portion of bread to beef in some cases completely drowning out the steak taste. The base sandwich costs about $10. A double meat option is available for $3 more per sandwich and is probably the way to order instead of adding a side of fries.
SQ PHILIPPS
Cool little spot in West South Philly. Outdoor eating only and on a cold Sunday afternoon SQ Philipps cheese steak is a quick scarf. This is an underrated place that doesn't make many top cheese steak lists. It's South Philly’s equivalent of Northeast Philly's Steve's King of Steaks. Like Steve's no one would rank SQ in their top five but it would be in everyone's top ten. Also like Steve's, SQ uses larger pieces of meat instead of the finely chopped steak meat served just about everywhere else.
SQ is worth a visit to check out the broader neighborhoods. Here's a nice walking tour: get off at Oregon Avenue. Head south along broad street through Marconi Plaza. Head West and go through one of the I-76 under passes and do a loop through Packer Park, one of Philly's great master planned communities. Then grab a beer at the Philadeum, a very territorial South Philly bar. From here walk through Girard Estates and marvel at the prairie style homes - you'll think you are in Chicago. Cut through Girard Park, pass Girard Academic Music school to SQ. From SQ head up Passyunk Avenue to AQR Microbrewery. Back to Oregon Avenue or continue north on Broad Street.
Cool little spot in West South Philly. Outdoor eating only and on a cold Sunday afternoon SQ Philipps cheese steak is a quick scarf. This is an underrated place that doesn't make many top cheese steak lists. It's South Philly’s equivalent of Northeast Philly's Steve's King of Steaks. Like Steve's no one would rank SQ in their top five but it would be in everyone's top ten. Also like Steve's, SQ uses larger pieces of meat instead of the finely chopped steak meat served just about everywhere else.
SQ is worth a visit to check out the broader neighborhoods. Here's a nice walking tour: get off at Oregon Avenue. Head south along broad street through Marconi Plaza. Head West and go through one of the I-76 under passes and do a loop through Packer Park, one of Philly's great master planned communities. Then grab a beer at the Philadeum, a very territorial South Philly bar. From here walk through Girard Estates and marvel at the prairie style homes - you'll think you are in Chicago. Cut through Girard Park, pass Girard Academic Music school to SQ. From SQ head up Passyunk Avenue to AQR Microbrewery. Back to Oregon Avenue or continue north on Broad Street.
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MAX'S
I first heard of Max's because Questlove mentioned it was his favorite cheese steak in the city, not because it was filming location in Creed. You need to be patient at Mac's. The line isn't long, but it is the slowest moving cheese steak line in the city. Most cheesesteaks places operate with a chef attentively watching a giant mound of meat. You state the cheese you want, with or without onions, and your sandwich is ready in seconds. At Max's there's no giant mound of meat. They cook the meat 20 at a time. They take 20 orders, layout 20 loaves of bread (all over the workstation) then fill the 20 sandwiches with meat sandwich by sandwich. Then start with another batch of 20. It's maddeningly inefficient and by the time you get your sandwich you are thinking this had better be worth it. I'm not sure it is. The positive about the wait is that Max's is on a lively intersection of Germantown, Erie, and Broad. There were a couple of street hawkers, one of which was selling a contraption preloaded with 500+ NES games. Apparently all the street hawkers knew Max’s line moved slowly too because I've never seen hawkers at other cheese steak shops. Max's final distinction is that the adjoining dining area is a bar. Once your order is ready you can grab any available seat and order a beer.
I first heard of Max's because Questlove mentioned it was his favorite cheese steak in the city, not because it was filming location in Creed. You need to be patient at Mac's. The line isn't long, but it is the slowest moving cheese steak line in the city. Most cheesesteaks places operate with a chef attentively watching a giant mound of meat. You state the cheese you want, with or without onions, and your sandwich is ready in seconds. At Max's there's no giant mound of meat. They cook the meat 20 at a time. They take 20 orders, layout 20 loaves of bread (all over the workstation) then fill the 20 sandwiches with meat sandwich by sandwich. Then start with another batch of 20. It's maddeningly inefficient and by the time you get your sandwich you are thinking this had better be worth it. I'm not sure it is. The positive about the wait is that Max's is on a lively intersection of Germantown, Erie, and Broad. There were a couple of street hawkers, one of which was selling a contraption preloaded with 500+ NES games. Apparently all the street hawkers knew Max’s line moved slowly too because I've never seen hawkers at other cheese steak shops. Max's final distinction is that the adjoining dining area is a bar. Once your order is ready you can grab any available seat and order a beer.
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SONNY'S and CAMPO'S
You should be wary of any cheesesteaks in tourist zones. Fortunately, in Philadelphia there's only two Sonny’s and Campo's. There's a belief that these are dueling shops are competing for the title of best cheese steak in Philadelphia. Sonny’s was Alan Richman’s selection as the best cheese steak in Philadelphia. Alan Richmann is a moron. The only thing these shops are dueling over is their place in the bottom five. Seriously.
If you eschew Pats and Geno's because they are "too touristy" and head to Sonny's you've fell for a trap. Go to Pat's and Geno's. Sonny's steak was overcooked and used lower quality meat. It's great they use Amoroso rolls and per Alan Richmann the staff is "friendly" and "knowledgable" but it was a horrible cheesesteak. I'm not trying to be a contrarian. It was bad. My experience was at such odds with popular opinion that I'm tempted to go back and give it another shot. Maybe mine was a defect.
Campos isn't much better. They mix the cheese with the meat, which I'm not a fan of, and leads to the roll splitting. They also sprinkled parmesan cheese on my pizza steak. I don't like parmesan cheese on anything.
You should be wary of any cheesesteaks in tourist zones. Fortunately, in Philadelphia there's only two Sonny’s and Campo's. There's a belief that these are dueling shops are competing for the title of best cheese steak in Philadelphia. Sonny’s was Alan Richman’s selection as the best cheese steak in Philadelphia. Alan Richmann is a moron. The only thing these shops are dueling over is their place in the bottom five. Seriously.
If you eschew Pats and Geno's because they are "too touristy" and head to Sonny's you've fell for a trap. Go to Pat's and Geno's. Sonny's steak was overcooked and used lower quality meat. It's great they use Amoroso rolls and per Alan Richmann the staff is "friendly" and "knowledgable" but it was a horrible cheesesteak. I'm not trying to be a contrarian. It was bad. My experience was at such odds with popular opinion that I'm tempted to go back and give it another shot. Maybe mine was a defect.
Campos isn't much better. They mix the cheese with the meat, which I'm not a fan of, and leads to the roll splitting. They also sprinkled parmesan cheese on my pizza steak. I don't like parmesan cheese on anything.
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JOHN'S
There must be a last place and John's made it easy. Look at that photo. Even if you've never seen a cheese steak before you intuitively know that's not what they should look like. And if while looking at the photo you think that doesn't look like tomato sauce on a pizza steak, that looks like tomato soup. You'd be correct. That's tomato soup on my pizza steak.
Total bummer. John's opened in the 1940s and aside from a name change (John looked Chinese and this earned a nickname that is a derogative term of the Chinese) the restaurant hasn't changed at all. There's bar and table seating. The environment creates high expectations and then your pizza steak arrives with tomato soup instead of tomato sauce and you want to scream.
There must be a last place and John's made it easy. Look at that photo. Even if you've never seen a cheese steak before you intuitively know that's not what they should look like. And if while looking at the photo you think that doesn't look like tomato sauce on a pizza steak, that looks like tomato soup. You'd be correct. That's tomato soup on my pizza steak.
Total bummer. John's opened in the 1940s and aside from a name change (John looked Chinese and this earned a nickname that is a derogative term of the Chinese) the restaurant hasn't changed at all. There's bar and table seating. The environment creates high expectations and then your pizza steak arrives with tomato soup instead of tomato sauce and you want to scream.
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DINIC'S
Reading Terminal Market - 1136 Arch Street - www.tommydinics.com - Yelp: 4.0 Stars, 1500+ reviews John's Roast Pork may be the best in the city, however, it's Tommy DiNic's Roast Pork that won Travel Channel's Award for "Best Sandwich in America". I normally eschew the "Best Of" selections but DiNic's is a worthy exception. DiNic's location in the Reading Terminal Market offers a raucous atmosphere. There are other options, I am preferential to The Rib Stand, and their take on the roast pork sandwich, however, DiNic's lines move quick and if this is your one chance to try a Roast Pork sandwich it is worth the wait. |
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TONY LUKE'S
39 East Oregon Avenue - www.tonylukes.com - Yelp: 4.0 Stars, 1,300+ reviews
Tony Luke's is the third member of Philadelphia's Cheese Steak Triumvirate (Pat's and Geno's being the other two). There's just one difference - Tony Luke's is more well known for their Roast Pork Sandwich. However, and this is a BIG however, Tony Luke's is less than a mile from John's Roast Pork so why would you ever go to Tony Luke's? Because it's after seven and John's Roast Pork is closed. Tony Luke's has expanded over the years with several franchised locations. These franchised locations are good to cure a Roast Pork fix but are a poor substitute for the original.
39 East Oregon Avenue - www.tonylukes.com - Yelp: 4.0 Stars, 1,300+ reviews
Tony Luke's is the third member of Philadelphia's Cheese Steak Triumvirate (Pat's and Geno's being the other two). There's just one difference - Tony Luke's is more well known for their Roast Pork Sandwich. However, and this is a BIG however, Tony Luke's is less than a mile from John's Roast Pork so why would you ever go to Tony Luke's? Because it's after seven and John's Roast Pork is closed. Tony Luke's has expanded over the years with several franchised locations. These franchised locations are good to cure a Roast Pork fix but are a poor substitute for the original.
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The Schmitter...
The Schmitter rose to prominence when it was announced that the sandwich would be served at Citizens Bank Park. When Citizens Bank opened in 2004, it was a concerted effort to have the stadium serve food from local restaurants. I had never heard of the Schmitter or McNally’s Tavern, the creator of the sandwich, but I knew this was the first meal I’d eat at Citizens Bank. I eventually made my way to McNally’s Chestnut Hill location, which is a great local spot along Germantown Avenue at the top of Chestnut Hill. The sandwich has a bit of everything – beef a melt of cheese, fried onions, tomatoes, and salami topped with a homemade sauce. |
SAAD'S AND WAH-GI-WAH
I’m not sure if it’s this neighborhood’s proximity to the University of Pennsylvania campus or what but this neighborhood has a high volume of ethnic cuisine that can’t be found in other parts of the city like Muslim and Ethiopian restaurants. There’s a place called Saad’s and let me tell you something about Saad’s…Muslims flock here to eat an el halal cheesesteak but their chicken marush sandwich, which is something they made up, is the star. The food here is so good that depending upon when you arrive it may be an hour wait for your chicken marush (best not to come on a Saturday night). While waiting you order some bread at Wah-Gi-Wah, which is a block away
I’m not sure if it’s this neighborhood’s proximity to the University of Pennsylvania campus or what but this neighborhood has a high volume of ethnic cuisine that can’t be found in other parts of the city like Muslim and Ethiopian restaurants. There’s a place called Saad’s and let me tell you something about Saad’s…Muslims flock here to eat an el halal cheesesteak but their chicken marush sandwich, which is something they made up, is the star. The food here is so good that depending upon when you arrive it may be an hour wait for your chicken marush (best not to come on a Saturday night). While waiting you order some bread at Wah-Gi-Wah, which is a block away
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CHERRY STREET TAVERN
A horrible confession - I lived across the street from Cherry Street Tavern for the better part of a year and never ate or drank at this establishment. I think this makes me the worst neighbor ever. This is a great historical bar, one of Philadelphia's oldest (opened in 1905), and there's a carvery making freshly cut roast beef sandwiches. Joe Frazier loved eating here. It's the perfect neighborhood tavern and I'm a moron for not patronizing this place when I lived across the street.
A horrible confession - I lived across the street from Cherry Street Tavern for the better part of a year and never ate or drank at this establishment. I think this makes me the worst neighbor ever. This is a great historical bar, one of Philadelphia's oldest (opened in 1905), and there's a carvery making freshly cut roast beef sandwiches. Joe Frazier loved eating here. It's the perfect neighborhood tavern and I'm a moron for not patronizing this place when I lived across the street.
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OLD ORIGINAL NICK'S
Cherry Street Tavern isn't the only roast beef game in town. Nick’s, deep in South Philadelphia is another great neighborhood bar that's doing the roast beef carvery thing. It's a messier sandwich than Cherry Street but still worth the trek. You could visit this place and compare/contrast with SQ Philipps.
Cherry Street Tavern isn't the only roast beef game in town. Nick’s, deep in South Philadelphia is another great neighborhood bar that's doing the roast beef carvery thing. It's a messier sandwich than Cherry Street but still worth the trek. You could visit this place and compare/contrast with SQ Philipps.
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FINKS
Two miles up Torresdale Avenue from Joes is Finks (whose name coincidentally rhymes with John's nickname), a hoagie shop. I ordered an Italian hoagie who's processed meats left me with a heavy stomach three hours later but I still loved Finks, primarily because of Fink. Fink was present when I ate and it's cool seeing a Philly hoagie icon. I wish Fink’s was closer so I could pop in every once and a while to try the rest of his hoagie and sandwich lineup, processed meats and all.
Two miles up Torresdale Avenue from Joes is Finks (whose name coincidentally rhymes with John's nickname), a hoagie shop. I ordered an Italian hoagie who's processed meats left me with a heavy stomach three hours later but I still loved Finks, primarily because of Fink. Fink was present when I ate and it's cool seeing a Philly hoagie icon. I wish Fink’s was closer so I could pop in every once and a while to try the rest of his hoagie and sandwich lineup, processed meats and all.
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