What is a Cheesesteak? A cheesesteak is a long, crusty roll filled with thinly sliced sautéed ribeye beef and melted cheese. Generally, the cheese of choice is Cheez Whiz, but American and provolone are common substitutions. The art of cheesesteak preparation lies in the balance of flavors, textures and what is often referred to as the “drip” factor. Other toppings may include fried onions, sautéed mushrooms, ketchup and hot or sweet peppers. Some sandwich shops also offer a cheesesteak hoagie, a hybrid version that combines the cheesesteak with cold hoagie dressings like lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. Cheesesteaks are fast, portable and readily available at steak shops, delis, food trucks, pizzerias and even some high-end restaurants throughout the region.
How to Order a Cheesesteak Cheesesteak consumption has its own etiquette. When ordering, there are two critical questions to answer: First, what kind of cheese do you want? (Whiz? Provolone? American?) Second, do you want onions? (“Whiz wit?”) The correct way to respond is “Wit” for “Yes, I would like Whiz and onions,” or “Widout” for “No, just the cheese.” Then, ask for any other toppings or condiments you desire. Be forewarned: Lines are long, patience is tested, and if you don’t have your order and money ready to go, you might be sent to the back of the queue.
Best Places to Find a Cheesesteak Nearly every pizza shop on any corner of every neighborhood in the city serves up the mouth-watering delicacy. Here are a few notable Center City and South Philadelphia spots
Center City:
Chic steakhouse Barclay Prime dishes out what is the city’s, and most likely, the world’s most expensive cheesesteak, gussying up the original template with ingredients like Kobe beef and truffles. 237 S. 18th Street, (215) 732-7560, www.starr-restaurant.com
More famous for its creative menu of hoagies, Campo’s Deli cooks up a respectable traditional cheesesteak, and they ship to other cities as well. 214 Market Street, (215) 923-1000, www.phillyhoagie.com
Jim’s Steaks has multiple locations, but the classic smell of fried onions wafting down South Street makes that location the most memorable. 400 South Street, (215) 928-1911, www.jimssteaks.com
Rick’s Philly Steaks is a third-generation spinoff of Pat’s, started by the “Prince of Steaks” Rick Olivieri, who brought his cheesesteak savvy to the Reading Terminal Market. 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 925-4320, www.rickssteaks.com
Founded in 2000, Sonny’s Famous Steaks offers a fresh, healthier take on the recipe, frying the meat in its own juices rather than in oil. 228 Market Street. (215) 629-5760, www.sonnysfamoussteaks.com
Tony Luke Jr.’s is the Center City version of the original, with steak and pork sandwiches promptly served up for a weekday lunch crowd. 118 S. 18th Street, (215) 568-4630
South Philadelphia
Cosmi’s Deli is a relative newcomer among the cheesesteak contenders, winning recent accolades from Philadelphia magazine. 1501 S. 8th Street, (215) 468-6093
It may be across the street from the oldest cheesesteak joint in town, but Geno’s Steaks is a formidable competitor going roll-for-roll with Pat’s for more than four decades. 1219 S. 9th Street, (215) 389-0659, www.genosteaks.com
A small shack amidst shopping plazas, John’s Roast Pork is frequently cited as one of the city’s top steak spots. Its secret weapon? A crusty seeded roll. 14 Snyder Avenue, (215) 463-1951
The original home of the cheesesteak, Pat’s King of Steaks is still owned and operated by the Olivieri family. 9th Street & Passyunk Avenue, (215) 468-1546, www.patskingofsteaks.com
Visit Shank’s and Evelyn’s luncheonette for a highly reputed cheesesteak and an old-school South Philly experience. 923 S. 10th Street, (215) 629-1093
Every sandwich at the award-winning Tony Luke’s is worth ordering, and they taste even better during a game at the nearby sports complex. 39 E. Oregon Avenue. (215) 551-5725, www.tonylukes.com
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