Bushra Griffith
Philadelphia is famous for its cheesesteaks, and while the sandwich has been imitated around the world, it's rarely duplicated successfully outside of the city. The classic Philly cheesesteak consists of thinly sliced steak (usually ribeye), caramelized onions, and bell peppers, served in a soft but sturdy hoagie roll. The cheese is a major topic of debate, with provolone, Cheese Whiz, American cheese, and cheddar-style cheese sauce all having their advocates. Some of the best places to get a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia include Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, John's Roast Pork, Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop, Dalessandro's Steaks, Chubby's Steaks, and Max's Steaks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Provolone, Cheese Whiz, American cheese, cheddar-style cheese sauce |
| Steak | Rib-eye, sirloin, top round |
| Other ingredients | Onions, mushrooms, ketchup, mayo, sweet peppers, Italian "long hots" peppers |
| Variations | Chicken steaks, Pizza steaks, vegan steaks, cheesesteak hoagies |
| Notable shops | Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, John's Roast Pork, Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop, Larry's Steaks, Max's Steaks, Ishkabibble's, Dalessandro's Steaks, Chubby's Steaks |
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What You'll Learn
The best places to get a Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich
Philadelphia is famous for its cheesesteaks, and the city's residents take their sandwiches seriously. The classic Philly cheesesteak consists of thinly shaved steak (usually ribeye), caramelized onions, and melted cheese—provolone, Cheese Whiz, or American—served in a soft but sturdy hoagie roll. While the sandwich has spread across the world, it's rarely duplicated successfully outside of Philadelphia.
If you're looking for the best places to get a Philadelphia cheesesteak, here are some top spots to try:
Dalessandro's Steaks
Located at 600 Wendover Street in Northwest Philly, Dalessandro's has been serving up massive cheesesteaks with finely chopped rib-eye and extra-chunky, hand-sliced sautéed onions since 1960. Their signature is a finely chopped steak with a secret seasoning.
Chubby's Steaks
Just 100 feet across the street from Dalessandro's, Chubby's offers a finer chopped steak with a shorter wait time. Their signature is a more finely chopped steak with a secret seasoning, and they also have a full bar.
Pat's King of Steaks
Pat's, located at the southern tip of Philly's Italian Market, is where the cheesesteak was allegedly born. The story goes that a bored and hungry manager named "Cocky Joe" Lorenza threw some provolone onto the steak sandwich, creating the first cheesesteak.
Geno's Steaks
Geno's is located kitty-corner from Pat's, and the two shops have a friendly rivalry.
John's Roast Pork
While the name suggests otherwise, John's is known for its cheesesteaks, which are heavy with seasoned beef cooked to order. Their secret weapon is a crusty hollowed-out Carangi's Bakery seeded roll and a strict no-whiz policy.
Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop
A classic since 1949, Joe's offers fantastic seared-to-order rib-eye steaks. Their original shop was in Northeast Philly, but they've since moved to Fishtown.
Max's Steaks
Located in North Philly, Max's gained fame when Tessa Thompson showed Michael B. Jordan how to eat a Philly cheesesteak in the movie Creed. They serve huge sandwiches and are open late every day.
Ishkabibble's
This iconic yellow-and-pink storefront on South Street has been serving perfectly executed cheesesteaks since 1979. They also have a second, larger location just two blocks up the street.
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The history of the Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich
The Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich, also known as the Philly cheese steak, is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beef steak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It is a popular regional fast-food item that originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the early 20th century, specifically in the 1930s.
The exact story behind the creation of the Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich is debated, but according to many accounts, it was invented by Philadelphians Pat and Harry Olivieri, who originally owned a hot dog stand. One day, Pat decided to make a new sandwich using chopped beef and grilled onions. While he was eating this sandwich, a cab driver stopped by, asked for one, and enjoyed it so much that he suggested Olivieri quit making hot dogs and focus on this new sandwich.
The Olivieri brothers began selling their steak sandwiches at their hot dog stand near South Philadelphia's Italian Market. The sandwiches became so popular that Pat opened his own restaurant, which still operates today as Pat's King of Steaks. The original sandwich was prepared without cheese, but according to Pat's son Herb Olivieri, American cheese was first added by "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, a manager at the Ridge Avenue location in March 1951. However, other members of the Olivieri family claim it was provolone. There is a dispute over whether Pat's was the first to add cheese, and to date, no concrete evidence has emerged to settle the debate.
In the mid-1960s, the sandwich's popularity grew even further, with the opening of another restaurant, Geno's, right across the street from Pat's, and the launch of numerous other establishments serving cheese steaks. By the 1970s, rivalries over the 'best cheese steak' had emerged, with Philadelphians taking the competition very seriously. Today, the sandwich has spread far beyond its original cart location on Passyunk Avenue, and can be found at restaurants, food carts, and even high-end restaurants, both within and outside Philadelphia.
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The best cheese for a Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich
The best cheese for a Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich is a topic of debate, with provolone, Cheese Whiz, and American cheese being the most popular options. Provolone is a sharp and salty cheese that pairs well with the rich fatty beef typically used in cheesesteaks. It also melts well, resulting in a gooey texture that is desirable in a cheesesteak sandwich. Cheese Whiz, a cheddar-style cheese sauce, is another popular option that offers a melty texture. American cheese, with its gooeyness, is also a good choice for those who prefer a cheesesteak with a more classic American flavour.
Some people also like to use a blend of cheeses, such as provolone and mozzarella, to get the best of both worlds in terms of flavour and meltability. Others may opt for a beer/cheese sauce or sharp cheddar, depending on their preference and what they have available.
When making a Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich at home, it is recommended to toast the rolls first. Split the rolls but do not separate them, lightly butter the insides, and place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven. While the rolls are toasting, cook the steak, peppers, and onions in a skillet. Once the veggies are tender, transfer them to a dish and cook the steak with seasonings in the same skillet. Finally, assemble the sandwich by placing the steak and veggie mixture on the toasted rolls and topping it with cheese. Cover the pan and cook until the cheese melts, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Some popular places to get a Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich include Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, John's Roast Pork, and Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop. Each of these establishments has its own take on the classic sandwich, but they all use different types of cheese, including provolone, Cheese Whiz, and American cheese.
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The best bread for a Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich
A traditional cheesesteak consists of sliced or chopped rib-eye beef, melted cheese, and optional sautéed onions on a soft-but-crusty long roll. The roll is different from a hoagie roll. The cheese of choice is often "whiz"—a melty cheddar-style cheese sauce—but white American and provolone are also popular.
The best bread for a Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich is, therefore, a soft-but-crusty long roll. This roll should be toasted before serving. To toast the roll, split it down the middle but do not separate it into two pieces. Lightly butter the inside, place it on a baking sheet, and bake it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Some popular cheesesteak spots in Philadelphia serve their sandwiches on seeded rolls. For example, John's Roast Pork serves its cheesesteaks on a crusty hollowed-out Carangi's Bakery seeded roll.
French bread is also a good option for a Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich. This type of bread is soft and flaky and pairs well with the other ingredients in the sandwich, such as tender ribeye slices, peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
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How to make a Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich at home
Philadelphia is famous for its cheesesteaks, and while it's hard to replicate an authentic cheesesteak outside of the city, you can certainly make a good attempt at home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- Steak (ribeye or sirloin)
- Cheese (provolone, cheese whiz, American, or similar)
- Onions
- Bell peppers (traditionally green and red)
- Vegetable or olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Butter
- Hoagie rolls or similar soft rolls
Method
First, place your steak in the freezer for 15-30 minutes to make it easier to slice thinly. Then, heat up some vegetable or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Slice your onions and bell peppers and add them to the pan, cooking until tender. Transfer the veggies to a dish.
Next, thinly slice your steak and chop it into small pieces. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add a little more oil if needed. Add half of the steak and cook, stirring, until no pink remains. Season with salt and pepper, or seasoned salt and garlic pepper. Repeat with the remaining steak.
Now, preheat your oven to 400°F. Split open your hoagie rolls, spread them with softened butter, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 3-5 minutes, until lightly toasted.
Finally, return the veggies to the skillet with the steak and toss to combine. Place 7 slices of provolone cheese in a circle over the mixture and cover the pan. Cook on medium heat until the cheese melts, then use tongs to transfer the mixture to your toasted rolls.
Your Philadelphia cheese steak sandwiches are now ready to serve!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several places in Philadelphia that are known for their cheese steak sandwiches. Here are a few:
- Pat’s King of Steaks
- Geno’s Steaks
- John’s Roast Pork
- Dalessandro’s Steaks
- Chubby’s Steaks
- Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop
- Max’s Steaks
- Ishkabibble’s
A traditional Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich consists of sliced or chopped rib-eye beef, melted cheese, and optional sautéed onions on a soft-but-crusty long roll. Common toppings include ketchup, mushrooms, mayo, sweet peppers, or Italian "long hots" peppers.
The two most popular types of cheese used in a Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich are provolone and Cheese Whiz, a melty cheddar-style cheese sauce. However, some people also use American cheese.
The steak sandwich was invented in 1930 by the Olivieri family, the patriarch of which owned Pat's King of Steaks. It took another decade before, according to legend, an employee named "Cocky Joe" Lorenza threw some provolone onto the sandwich, thus creating the cheesesteak.
Some of the most famous Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich restaurants include Pat’s King of Steaks, Geno’s Steaks, and Dalessandro’s Steaks. These restaurants are often mentioned in "best of" lists and are known for their massive sandwiches.
