Looking for the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia? We may have found it!
After an extensive research we have selected four different places that served a mean cheesesteak according to multiple reviews: Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies and Cheesesteaks, Dalessandro’s Steaks, Di Nic’s Roast Pork and Jim’s Steaks.
Disclaimer numero 1
We are aware we have left out some of Philly’s institutions when it comes to cheesesteaks, such as Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks, because we deemed too touristy, as well as John’s Roast Pork because we simply could not make it there on time. And there are many more places we could not get to.
We may, therefore, and understandably, unleash a wave of criticism from Philadelphians with regards to the legitimacy of our vote. Truth is we had to make a choice as we had limited time at our disposal.
If you are enraged or simply committed to try as many cheesesteaks as your body can handle, we would suggest to watch this video by Bon Appétit on YouTube for numerous alternative ideas.
To try to make up for it, we did include Geno’s, Joe’s and Pat’s in our proposed two-day itinerary of Philly. Check it out at this link.
First and foremost, what is a cheesesteak?
A food staple in Philadelphia, proudly exported all around the US, the cheesesteak is a huge sub sandwich – or hoagie – where a soft dough bread roll is filled to the brim with onions, cheese (either melting Provolone or creamy yellowish American cheese whiz) and, the star of it all, finely-sliced rib-eye steak.
As you may imagine, there are countless variations on the theme, but you get the gist: bread, cheese, meat, onions. What can go wrong?
Disclaimer numero 2
There is at least one thing, we’ve noticed, that negatively affects the taste of a cheesesteak: and it’s the time elapsed between the moment you collect it and the moment it encounters your fangs. It’s in inversely proportional: the more you wait, the more the bread gets soggy, loses its outer delicate crunchiness and ultimately results less pleasant to consume. This definitely has influenced our choice, penalizing our last two picks.
Disclaimer numero 3
As we’ve tried the first cheesesteak with Provolone, onions and some veggies (mainly peppers), we felt obliged to do the same with the following ones, so as to make the choice as equal and fair as possible.
The best cheesesteak in Philadelphia – last to first
Without further ado, our last pick is: DALESSANDRO’S STEAKS
The bread was too soft and the onions, drowned in a rich and sweet marinara sauce, were chopped too coarsely. The Provolone was almost missing. The meat was tasty but finely chopped and a bit too dry. We did try one with lettuce, tomatoes and red peppers, for a change, but were disappointed.
Where? 600 Wendover Street and Henry Avenue
When? Mon – Sat 11:00am – 12:00am; Sun 11:00am – 9:00pm
Next to last comes: JIM’S STEAKS
It could have easily placed second if it weren’t for the bread being a little too much on the soggy side. The filling itself was tasty; the elements worked well together in a clean, decent bite. It may have been nice to see a bit more meat but other than that, a solid cheesesteak.
Where? 400 South St
When? Sun – Thu 11:00am – 1:00am; Fri & Sat 11:00am – 2:00am
Second-placed is: CARMEN’S FAMOUS ITALIAN HOAGIES AND and CHEESESTEAKS
A huge sub filled with perfectly cooked meat. The beef, contrary to what we’ve found at Dalessandro’s, was not resting and waiting in a huge heap on the hot-plate, but a single, generous portion of rib-eye steak was chopped and cooked individually for each and every order.
Where? Reading Terminal Market
When? Mon – Sun 8:00am – 6:00pm
Surprisingly enough, our award for the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia goes to: DI NIC’S ROAST PORK
We say, surprisingly but we meant funnily, as we did not try their specialty, roast pork, and order a cheesesteak instead. Their signature sub is served with broccoli but unfortunately they had run out so we were stuck with green peppers and spinach which made us sceptical. But our expectations were pleasantly rebutted as we bit more and more into this delicious creation. Fine slices of rib-eye steak were accompanied with oozing Provolone and nicely-stir-fried peppers. The spinach leaves were not as unpleasant and out-of-place as we had initially feared they would be. Hats off to the winner! Great cheesesteak!
Where? Reading Terminal Market
When? Mon – Sat 9:00am – 6:00pm; Sun 9:00am – 4:00pm
Curiosity: if you want to be a true Philadelphian, order your cheesesteak “whiz with”, which means with American cheese whiz and onions.