In Philadelphia, the cheesesteak is not just a sandwich—it is a whole culture. It all dates back to the 1930s, when an owner of a local hotdog stand decided he wanted a change and used the grill to make some thinly sliced steaks. Add some bubbly hot cheese and fried onions to that, and you can see why it turned into a local hit. We gathered for you the best places in town to get the full local experience.
Joe’s Stakes
This is a vintage American place for steaks and sodas. They treat their own meat, so you get a sandwich that is made of very fresh steaks and not premade packed one. It is also very easy to get there with public transportation.
Address: 1 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 11pm
Tony Luke’s
This place is owned by a local celebrity Tony Luke who is often on TV to comment on local food. The place offers 12 different versions of cheesesteaks with a variety of toppings.
Address: 39 E Oregon Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8am to 10pm
John’s Roast Pork
As the name suggests, this place is not all about cheesesteaks, but they surely make one of the best sandwiches in town. It is a family-owned business that had won many awards in BBQ competitions. They take their sandwiches really seriously, and you will get no less than 340 g of perfectly tender beef.
Address: 14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm