7 Best Places To Get A Philly Cheesesteak in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has a really famous sandwich to offer locals and tourists: the cheesesteak. And there’s a lot of controversy surrounding our famous cheesesteak – and a lot of claims of having the best. 

Pro tip: the famous places generally have awful cheesesteaks.

It’s a food as famous as the liberty bell, and while it’s often replicated, it’s not the same outside of Philly. Even in Philly, there’s a lot to learn about the different schools of thought surrounding cheesesteak best practices. 

But let’s dive right into the best places to grab a cheesesteak in Philadelphia:

1. Angelo’s Pizzeria
2. Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop
3. John’s Roast Pork
4. Oh Brother Philly
5. Joe’s Steak and Soda Shop
6. Cosmi’s Deli
7. Dalessandro’s Steaks

1. Angelo’s Pizzeria

Simply the best cheesesteak Philly has to offer – head to Angelo’s for a real and authentic experience. Beware of the lines though, this place is no longer the hidden gem it used to be, tourists and locals are flocking here on a near daily basis. This is a cash only establishment, so be sure to stop at the ATM on your way over or you will wait in line for nothing. 

Angelo’s Pizzeria Reviews

Address: 736 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Closed: Mon, Tues
Cheesesteak Cost: $11

2. Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop

Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop is hands down the best place to grab a cheesesteak on South St. Forget Campos, just keep walking and get a real cheesesteak that’s baked in goodness and not tourist traps. It can get pretty busy here, but Woodrow’s is keen on keeping up with modern tech, so there’s online ordering to make it a breeze. 

Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop Reviews

Address: 630 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Closed: None
Cheesesteak Cost: $13.50

3. John’s Roast Pork

Another local favorite is John’s Roast Pork. Sitting unpretentiously down in South Philadelphia, this one is a bit more of a hike for the tourists, which is maybe what makes it so special to the locals. This place is cash only with no seating so grab and go, but in South Philly near the water, you have a great view of the skyline. 

John’s Roast Pork Reviews

Address: 14 E Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Closed: Sun, Mon
Cheesesteak Cost: $12.50

4. Oh Brother Philly

Oh Brother Philly is another Old City joint that destroys Campo’s (seriously don’t waste your time there). There’s hefty cheesesteak options for those feeling more adventurous (try the AI Cheesesteak) and it’s BYOB. That’s right, you can further save money by bringing your beer in instead of paying huge fees for it. 

Oh Brother Philly Reviews

Address: 206 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Closed: None
Cheesesteak Cost: $11.99

5. Joe’s Steaks and Soda Shop

A true retro joint serving up amazing cheesesteaks for locals and tourists alike, Joe’s Steaks and Soda Shop is an ideal location to get a cheesesteak and a fountain soda before hitting the nearby Barcade (a retro outfit for arcade games).

Joe’s Steaks and Soda Shop Reviews

Address: 1 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Closed: None
Cheesesteak Cost: $9.25

6. Cosmi’s Deli

Founded in 1932, Cosmi’s has been serving up cheesesteaks forever with great reviews. A short walk from Geno’s and Pat’s, you should take your money here to get a real cheesesteak before joining their endless cheesesteak war. It’s a true hidden gem near some of the most infamous cheesesteak tourist traps in the city. 

Cosmi’s Deli Reviews

Address: 1501 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Closed: None
Cheesesteak Cost: $9.95

7. Dalessandro’s Steaks

Another local gem, Dalessandro’s is located near the Jefferson University East campus making it a true fan favorite for locals. It’s far enough out that the tourists don’t come in droves, and close enough to be relevant to Philadelphia. If you want a truly authentic experience, Dalessandro’s is your best bet. I’m sure your used to it by now, but there can be huge lines so call ahead. And please remember – cash only. 

Dalessandro’s Steaks Reviews

Address: 600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Closed: None
Cheesesteak Cost: $13.00

Pat’s vs Geno’s Philly Cheesesteak War

We can’t in good faith recommend either of these establishments. Both are simply tourist attractions. But there’s a lot of history behind 9th and Passyunk in the cheesesteak world that make it sort of a novel place to visit. 

The story goes that Pat Olivieri first found the cheesesteak right here for himself and a passerby requested it and found it equally amazing. From there, the cheesesteak was born. And so, Pat’s now holds the title as the father of the cheesesteak. 

Then Geno’s opened across the street with a plan to take down the father of the cheesesteak with flashy lights, and yes, people claim you can see it from space and it’s absolutely just a marketing gimmick. 

In fact, the whole cheesesteak war is just a marketing gimmick. Both places pride themselves on being must visit cheesesteak establishments, and they’re right across from each other so they both benefit from the hype. 

We say: skip it and go somewhere with a real cheesesteak.