Philly Cheese Steaks, Philadelphia

Geno's Cheesesteaks in the heart of South Philly. What more can you say? This is one yummy place. Don't be intimidated by the locals and the neighborhood. This is a hot tourist spot as well. Geno's is long famous for their Cheesesteaks and man are they good. They have a different style to their meat than other places. Geno's leaves the meat long and flat rather than chopping it to bits. I can honestly say I like both. They have amazing bread and good cheese. I am not a big fan of cheeze whiz so I went for the provolone, but my hubby's with cheese whiz was pretty tasty too!

Favorite Dish: Cheesesteak and amazing cheese-fries!!!

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Everyone who comes to Philadelphia eventually asks about the Philly cheese steak, and some people end up addicted. It was allegedly invented at this stand in the heart of South Philly where both neighborhood boys and limousines wait in line for the opportunity to eat greasy fried steak, shredded and covered with Cheese Whiz or Provolone cheese and fried onions and peppers, and then piled onto an Italian roll. You get no respect from the surly staff, but chances are you will love it and come back for more.

Pat's King of Steaks was founded by Pat Olivieri in 1930. He was joined in the business by his younger brother Harry Olivieri. Pat Olivieri claims to be the originator of the sandwich most people associate with the city of Philadelphia, the cheese steak.

Originally a hot dog vendor, Olivieri told the story that he decided one day for his own lunch to use chopped-up steak bits instead of a normal wiener. At the suggestion of a cab driver who sampled and enjoyed the new sandwich, he opened Pat's Steaks to sell steak sandwiches.The Olivieri family still owns the establishment.

if you don't want to sound like a tourist when ordering your cheesesteak, here's the formula: "TYPE OF CHEESE, WITH/W/O ONIONS". In other words, if you'd like a cheesesteak with american cheese and onions, say "AMERICAN WITH". Cheese Whiz (my personal recommendation) without onions? say "WHIZ WITHOUT". No cheese? Just say "PLAIN STEAK" or "PLAIN".

Across the street is rival and "upstart" Geno's Steaks, which has been in business since the '60s. Both joints use the same meat. Both joints use the same bread. Both joints use the same cheese (although now at Geno's you can get cheddar). But every Philadelphian has a favorite; popular opinion is probably split close to 50/50.

Favorite Dish: It smells really good outside. You can smell onions, peppers (hot and sweet), steaks and cheese - all the ingredients that make a Philly Cheesesteak. The prices of a cheesesteak range from $5 to $7 depending on what is on it.

One of the major requirements for a good Philly Cheesesteak is a good Italian roll. Also, there are a variety of different cheeses to choose from. Some of these include American, Provolone, and Cheese Whiz.Some of the other toppings may include onions (raw or fried), sweet and hot peppers, and mushrooms.The perfect way to eat your cheesesteak is to unwrap the paper from one end of it and stand with your feet together, bend at the waist, holding the cheesesteak away from your shoes, and take a bite. Notice the juice dripping

It is a combination of all the freshest ingredients that can be found. It's quite simple. It's rib-eye steak sliced thin, onions, cheese, and of course, the freshest Italian bread you can find. Put them altogether and you've got a Pat's Philly Cheese steak. Can't you just smell that Cheese steak

Larry's opened in 1956 and since then it has enjoyed a reputation for offering some of the best cheese steaks in a city known for its cheese steaks! Right across the street from St Joseph's University, it is a favorite among college students and other locals. The steak is ground perfectly and they don't use cheez whiz like some of the other famous Philly cheese steak joints.

If you are really hungry or just want to share, try their famous bellyfiller.

Other famous cheese steak places in town include Pat's and Geno's, but many locals will claim these are overrated tourist attractions... stick to Larry's!

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The Philly Cheesesteak is a food group. With Cheese and steak forming part of the name you know what you're getting.

I decided upon Sonny's Famous Steaks for the location of my lunch in Philly. Its right down towards the river along Market St.

The place doesn't look much but its fairly busy with tourists. And well it looks like a cute diner.

If you don't like the steak, have the chicken. Or there are other choices to satisfy everyone.

Favorite Dish: Philly Cheesesteak.

I went the $8.50 lunch special. Which came with a soft drink and fries.

Warning it's not for the health conscious. They use the most oily looking cheese wiz stuff around for the cheese unless you ask for real cheese. In retrospect I should have done this.

But the serving is huge. And if you think you're going to make it through the drink and fries too, good luck.

Down in Philly, all the hype of Pat's vs. Geno's, let me tell you, they both are over-rated. Steaks are decent...better than average, but to get down there, wait in line to be treated like your a piece of crap to them, then if you get to sit, you'll be doing so in a pile of garbage at a table covered in Ketchup and Cheese Wizz. Oh, and to get a drink or fries wit dat steak, plan another half hour wait in a separate line while your steak goes cold.

Favorite Dish: Eating elsewhere is the best plan!

I had my first genuine Philly cheesesteak at Sonny's, on Market Street near the Old City. For Sonny's classic cheesesteak, they pile on a mountain of meat, mix in grilled onions and spray Cheese Wiz. That's right, Cheese Wiz. I never knew there was a use for that stuff.

The result is a genuine Philadelphia delicacy that's oh so good, yet probably oh so bad for you. But, what the heck, you're in Philly!

By the way, I was told by my VT friend Katmosphere (who grew up in South Jersey) to have my cheesesteak with hot peppers. Sonny's didn't have those, but I will find a place that does before I leave. And, of course, I'll tell you how it was too.

You may hear a discription of a Philly Cheesesteak and say "so what? - it's just a sandwich!" Saying an authentic Philly Cheesesteak is just a sandwich is like saying that Michaelangelo's David is "just a statue" or that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is "just another building with foundation problems."

As you can tell from the other posts in this category, everyone has their favorite place. But even if you get one from a cart - like this one on 18th Street at Rittenhouse Square - you'll be in for a treat! At the very least, it'll be the best thing you've ever eaten off of a cart!

Favorite Dish: While some say that getting one with CheezWhiz is the "real" way, I find it to be pretty gloppy and gross. Typically you'll get either Provolone or white American. Onions are a must, as well as the sweet cherry peppers. That's it for an authentic cheesesteak - some places will serve them "hoagie style" (meaning with lettuce and tomatoes and such), but that to me is just wrong!

Going to Philly and not getting a cheesesteak is like going to New York and not getting pizza, or going to San Francisco and not trying the crab. You'd be missing out on part of the experience!

Greatest Cheesesteak in the Philly area, better than Pat's, Geno's, Steve's, Jim's, and Stocky's! On Ridge Avenue in the Roxbourough section of the city!!! Also use the best rolls in the world!

Favorite Dish: Philly Cheesesteak