Quick answer
Philadelphia's cheesesteak scene offers a range of options, typically costing $10-$16, with John's Roast Pork and Angelo's Pizzeria consistently topping local consensus for their superior quality and unique takes on the classic. While tourist spots like Pat's and Geno's are worth a visit, local favorites are scattered throughout the city.
- Best overall
- John's Roast Pork
- Top pick
- John's Roast Pork
Top verdicts
- John's Roast Pork: The local consensus pick for best cheesesteak in Philadelphia.
- Angelo's Pizzeria: The new king of Philly cheesesteaks.
- Dalessandro's Steaks: The Roxborough institution that locals defend with their lives.
A standard cheesesteak costs $10-$16 at most spots. The big three debate (Pat's vs. Geno's vs. Jim's) is largely for tourists — locals have their own favorites scattered across South Philly, Fishtown, Roxborough, and the Northeast. Three cheese choices dominate: Cheez Whiz (iconic), provolone (sharp), and American (creamy), with cooper sharp emerging as a modern fourth option at spots like Angelo's.
Area map
1. John's Roast Pork
All 12 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John's Roast Pork | Classic Cheesesteak | $10-$14 | |
| 2 | Angelo's Pizzeria | Cooper Sharp | $12-$16 | |
| 3 | Dalessandro's Steaks | Neighborhood Legend | $10-$14 | |
| 4 | Sonny's Famous Steaks | Old City Gem | $10-$14 | |
| 5 | Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop | Fishtown Classic | $10-$14 | |
| 6 | Woodrow's Sandwich Shop | House-Made Whiz | $12-$16 | |
| 7 | Jim's South St. | South Street Icon | $10-$14 | |
| 8 | Steve's Prince of Steaks | Northeast Philly | $10-$14 | |
| 9 | Ishkabibble's | South Street | $10-$14 | |
| 10 | Tony and Nick's Steaks | South Philly Local | $10-$14 | |
| 11 | Pat's King of Steaks | Tourist Landmark | $12-$14 | |
| 12 | Geno's Steaks | Tourist Landmark | $12-$14 |
1John's Roast Pork
Classic Cheesesteak💴 $10-$14
Verdict: The local consensus pick for best cheesesteak in Philadelphia.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Classic Cheesesteak in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for Classic Cheesesteak
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- The local consensus pick for best cheesesteak in Philadelphia. Juiciest meat, firmest roll, purest execution.
- What to order
- John's Roast Pork, a classic cheesesteak spot, is known for its juicy meat and perfect roll, though prices and location are not specified here. Order the cheesesteak with sharp provolone and fried onions, but don't overlook their equally legendary roast pork sandwich.
“I see why some say that this is the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia. It's an absolute gut buster of a sandwich in all the best ways. Meat is probably the juiciest I've ever had on a cheesesteak.”
— Editor's note
“John's Roast Pork. The cheesesteak is great but the roast pork is life-changing.”
— Editor's note
2Angelo's Pizzeria
Cooper Sharp💴 $12-$16
Verdict: The new king of Philly cheesesteaks.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Cooper Sharp in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for Cooper Sharp
- Price / value
- $12-$16
- Why it made the list
- The new king of Philly cheesesteaks. Cooper sharp cheese on a seeded roll that converts even the skeptics.
- What to order
- Angelo's Pizzeria, a Cooper Sharp cheesesteak destination, has an unspecified price and location, but is renowned for its seeded roll. The recommended order is a cheesesteak with cooper sharp cheese, fried onions, and long hots; the seeded roll is truly the secret weapon.
“This is the best cheesesteak I've ever had in my life. The bread was somehow crunchy without being even a little burnt, while still chewy. The cooper sharp cheese was amazing.”
— Editor's note
“Angelo's is where controversy starts. It was a fine cheesesteak. Usually not a huge fan of seeded rolls, but it worked fine.”
— Editor's note
3Dalessandro's Steaks
Neighborhood Legend💴 $10-$14
Verdict: The Roxborough institution that locals defend with their lives.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Neighborhood Legend in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for Neighborhood Legend
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- The Roxborough institution that locals defend with their lives. Everything blends perfectly.
- What to order
- Dalessandro's Steaks, a neighborhood legend with unknown pricing and location, is famous for its provolone-based cheesesteaks. Order the cheesesteak with extra sharp provolone and fried onions, and add sweet peppers for the full experience.
“It's a damn great sandwich. Everything blends in super well. To hell with the contrarians, Dalessandro's deserves its flowers.”
— Editor's note
“Dalessandro's is often ranked as the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia for a good reason.”
— Eater Philadelphia
4Sonny's Famous Steaks
Old City Gem💴 $10-$14
Verdict: The sleeper pick that friends always settle on.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Old City Gem in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for Old City Gem
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- The sleeper pick that friends always settle on. Equal parts bread, cheese, and steak in every bite.
- What to order
- Sonny's Famous Steaks, an Old City gem with unspecified pricing and location, is known for its classic cheesesteak. The recommended order is a cheesesteak with Whiz and fried onions, but their chicken cheesesteak is also excellent.
“Whenever I'm out with friends we usually settle on Sonny's. Everything works so harmoniously together. You get equal parts of bread, cheese and steak in every bite.”
— Editor's note
5Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop
Fishtown Classic💴 $10-$14
Verdict: A solid, well-balanced cheesesteak in Fishtown with old-school soda shop vibes.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Fishtown Classic in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for Fishtown Classic
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- A solid, well-balanced cheesesteak in Fishtown with old-school soda shop vibes.
- What to order
- Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop, a Fishtown classic with unknown pricing and location, is a must-visit for its original cheesesteak. Order the original cheesesteak with Whiz, and don't skip the milkshakes.
“A very solid blend of ingredients. Kind of smaller than the other ones I'm used to eating.”
— Editor's note
“Joe's is one of those spots that never disappoints. Consistent every single time.”
— Editor's note
6Woodrow's Sandwich Shop
House-Made Whiz💴 $12-$16
Verdict: The new-school cheesesteak shop where house-made cheese whiz is a gamechanger.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- House-Made Whiz in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for House-Made Whiz
- Price / value
- $12-$16
- Why it made the list
- The new-school cheesesteak shop where house-made cheese whiz is a gamechanger.
- What to order
- Woodrow's Sandwich Shop, known for its house-made Whiz cheesesteak, has an unknown price and location. Order the cheesesteak with house-made cheese whiz, but skip the truffle and get the original.
“Their house made cheese whiz is a gamechanger. Bread was good and the steak might have actually been the best of them all.”
— Editor's note
“The truffle cheese was a bit overpowering but the meat was actually quite tasty.”
— Editor's note
7Jim's South St.
South Street Icon💴 $10-$14
Verdict: The South Street institution that reopened after a fire.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- South Street Icon in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for South Street Icon
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- The South Street institution that reopened after a fire. Great fried onions scattered through the meat.
- What to order
- Jim's South St., a South Street icon with unspecified pricing and location, is famous for its Whiz cheesesteaks. Order the cheesesteak with Whiz and fried onions; the onions are scattered throughout the meat here.
“I really liked it. Particularly was a fan of the fried onions and how they scattered them throughout the meat.”
— Editor's note
8Steve's Prince of Steaks
Northeast Philly💴 $10-$14
Verdict: The Northeast Philly legend.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Northeast Philly in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for Northeast Philly
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- The Northeast Philly legend. Their Whiz is house-made and the portions are massive.
- What to order
- Steve's Prince of Steaks, a Northeast Philly staple with unknown pricing and location, is known for its house Whiz cheesesteaks. Order the cheesesteak with their house Whiz; the large is enormous.
“Steve's is the best cheesesteak in the Northeast and it's not even close. Their Whiz is different.”
— Editor's note
9Ishkabibble's
South Street💴 $10-$14
Verdict: Best cheesesteak on South Street.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- South Street in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for South Street
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- Best cheesesteak on South Street. Plentiful Whiz, generous meat.
- What to order
- Ishkabibble's, a South Street cheesesteak destination with unspecified pricing and location, is known for its Whiz cheesesteaks. Order the cheesesteak with Whiz, but their chicken cheesesteak is also a local favorite.
“Best Cheesesteak on South Street. The cheese whiz was delicious and it was plentiful on the meat.”
— Editor's note
10Tony and Nick's Steaks
South Philly Local💴 $10-$14
Verdict: A true South Philly neighborhood joint.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- South Philly Local in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for South Philly Local
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- A true South Philly neighborhood joint. No tourists, no lines, just a really good cheesesteak.
- What to order
- Tony and Nick's Steaks, a South Philly local favorite with unknown pricing and location, offers simple, no-frills perfection. Order the cheesesteak with American cheese and fried onions.
“Tony and Nick's is an underrated gem. Nobody talks about it but the steak is consistently great.”
— Editor's note
11Pat's King of Steaks
Tourist Landmark💴 $12-$14
Verdict: The original — invented the cheesesteak in 1930.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Tourist Landmark in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for Tourist Landmark
- Price / value
- $12-$14
- Why it made the list
- The original — invented the cheesesteak in 1930. A pilgrimage, not a peak culinary experience.
- What to order
- Pat's King of Steaks, a tourist landmark with unknown pricing and location, is famous for its classic cheesesteak. Order the "Whiz wit" (Cheez Whiz with onions), and know your order before you reach the window.
“Pat's is more beefy and actually had good flavor. A little dry, but I enjoyed it.”
— Editor's note
“Not controversial — the meat was disgusting to me.”
— Editor's note
12Geno's Steaks
Tourist Landmark💴 $12-$14
Verdict: Pat's rival across the street.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Tourist Landmark in Philadelphia
- Strengths
- Known for Tourist Landmark
- Price / value
- $12-$14
- Why it made the list
- Pat's rival across the street. More about the experience than the sandwich.
- What to order
- Geno's Steaks, a tourist landmark with unknown pricing and location, is known for its classic cheesesteak. Order the "Whiz wit," but if the line at Pat's is shorter, go there instead.
“If water was a cheesesteak it'd be a Geno's steak.”
— Editor's note
“Geno's — it's a cheesesteak, nothing more. Kinda flavorless and greasy at the same time.”
— Editor's note
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia?
John's Roast Pork and Angelo's Pizzeria are the most consistently recommended on Reddit. John's has the juiciest meat with a perfect roll, while Angelo's uses cooper sharp cheese on a seeded roll that converts skeptics.
What cheese should I get on a Philly cheesesteak?
The three classic options are Cheez Whiz (the iconic choice), provolone (sharp and melty), and American (mild and creamy). Cooper sharp is a newer favorite at places like Angelo's.
Is Pat's or Geno's better?
Neither is considered the best by locals. They're tourist landmarks worth visiting for the experience, but Reddit overwhelmingly recommends John's Roast Pork, Angelo's, and Dalessandro's over both.
How do I order a cheesesteak in Philly?
Keep it simple: say your cheese choice and whether you want onions. 'Whiz wit' means Cheez Whiz with fried onions. 'Provolone without' means provolone, no onions. Have your money ready.
How much does a cheesesteak cost in Philadelphia?
A standard cheesesteak costs $10-$16 at most spots. Angelo's and Woodrow's are on the higher end ($14-$16). Pat's and Geno's are around $12-$14.
What are the best cheesesteak spots away from tourist areas?
Dalessandro's in Roxborough, John's Roast Pork in South Philly, Steve's Prince of Steaks in Northeast Philly, and Tony and Nick's on Oregon Ave.
What's the difference between a cheesesteak and a roast pork sandwich?
A cheesesteak uses thinly sliced ribeye cooked on a flat-top grill with melted cheese. A roast pork sandwich uses slow-roasted pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. John's Roast Pork is famous for both.