The Top 10 Best Cheesesteaks in Philly

The Top 10 Best Cheesesteaks in Philly: Ranked

If you're from Philly, you know the drill. Someone from out of town visits, and the first question out of their mouth is, "Where should I go for a cheesesteak?" It's the age old question across the Delaware Valley, and we all have our favorites. But we're here to give you the definitive guide to the best of the best so you don't have to send you pal to Pat’s or Geno’s. Because if you do, you’re doing 'em dirty.

We’re not here to give you the tourist traps. We’re here to give you the real deal. The spots where the roll is crusty, the meat is juicy, and the attitude is free. We’ve eaten our weight in ribeye and Whiz to bring you the definitive ranking of the best cheesesteaks in the city.

Grab a napkin, youse are gonna need it.

The "Tourist Trap" Disclaimer

Before we get into the heavy hitters, let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the neon lights on Passyunk.

Look, Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks are history. Pat Olivieri invented the steak sandwich in 1930. We respect the legacy. But if you’re looking for the best sandwich in 2025? Keep walking. The lines are too long, the steak can be dry, and let's be real: you’re paying for the photo op, not the flavor. If you want a real Philly experience, you go where the locals go.

Now, let's get to the good stuff.

1. Angelo’s Pizzeria (South Philly)

The Holy Grail

• Neighborhood: South Philly (Bella Vista)
• The Vibe: Chaos, cash-only, and pure excellence.
• The Order: Whiz wit (or Cooper Sharp if you’re feeling fancy).

If you want the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia right now, you’re going to Angelo’s. Period. There’s no phone to call in an order (good luck getting through if there was), there’s no place to sit, and you better have cash on hand. But none of that matters once you take the first bite.

The secret weapon here is the bread. They bake their own seeded rolls in-house, and they are nothing short of a miracle—crusty enough to hold the weight of the meat, but pillowy soft on the inside. The ribeye is chopped to perfection, not too fine, not too chunky, and the cheese distribution is elite. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s the best jawn in the city.

2. John’s Roast Pork (Pennsport)

The Heavyweight Champion

• Neighborhood: South Philly (Pennsport)
• The Vibe: Old school lunch counter, closes when the bread runs out.
• The Order: Sharp provolone and spinach (trust the process).

Yeah, the name says "Roast Pork" (and their roast pork sandwich is arguably the best sandwich in America, full stop), but do not sleep on the cheesesteak. John’s has been holding it down since 1930, and they do things a little differently.

This isn’t a Whiz spot. At John’s, it’s all about the sharp provolone. They use a seeded Carangi roll, scoop out the inside to make room for more meat (genius), and layer on 12 ounces of seasoned loin tail. It’s savory, it’s spicy from the sharp cheese, and it eats like a meal and a half. Just remember: they aren't a late-night spot. Get there early, or go hungry.

3. Dalessandro’s Steaks (Roxborough)

The Neighborhood King

• Neighborhood: Roxborough
• The Vibe: Packed, greasy, loud, and glorious.
• The Order: American wit, plenty of pepper relish.

If you want to see what a cheesesteak means to a neighborhood, head up to Roxborough. Dalessandro’s piles the meat so high it practically defies gravity. The steak here is chopped insanely fine—we’re talking almost minced—which means it mixes with the melted American cheese to create a kind of meat-cheese slurry that is infinitely better than it sounds.

The grease factor is high, but that’s what makes the roll soft and delicious. Pro tip: Load it up with the hot pepper relish sitting on the counter. It cuts through the richness and adds that necessary kick. Just be prepared to eat it on the hood of your car; it’s part of the experience.

4. Jim’s South Street (South Street)

The Comeback Kid

• Neighborhood: South Street
• The Vibe: Art deco cool, smell of onions from a block away.
• The Order: Whiz wit, extra napkins.

Jim’s on South Street is an institution. After a devastating fire in 2022, the city held its collective breath. But they’re back, they’ve expanded, and the grills are sizzling again.

Jim’s chops their steak, but not as fine as Dalessandro’s. It’s got bite. The Whiz here is practically a soup, ladled on with a generosity that speaks to the soul. It’s the quintessential late-night cheesesteak. Standing in line at Jim’s, surrounded by the mosaic art and the smell of grilling onions, is a rite of passage for any Philly sports fan.

5. Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop (South Street)

The Modern Classic

• Neighborhood: South Street
• The Vibe: Hip, artisanal, but still gritty.
• The Order: The "Woodrow's Whiz Wit."

Wait, hold up. Truffle Whiz? Cherry pepper mayo? Before you start yelling "sacrilege," hear us out. Woodrow’s isn't trying to be Pat’s. They’re elevating the game without losing the soul of the sandwich.

They make their own Whiz in-house with truffle (it’s subtle, we promise), and that cherry pepper mayo adds a heat and acidity that balances the fat of the ribeye perfectly. It’s served on a high-quality roll that stays crunchy. If you think you’re too traditional for this, try it once. You’ll be a convert.

6. Donkey’s Place (Camden, NJ)

The "Technically Not Philly" Pick

• Neighborhood: Camden, NJ
• The Vibe: Dive bar, wood paneling, onions for days.
• The Order: Cheesesteak with onions, plenty of crushed red pepper.

Okay, put down the pitchforks. We know it’s in Jersey. We know it’s served on a round kaiser roll (gasp!). But even Anthony Bourdain said this might be the best cheesesteak in existence, and who are we to argue with a legend?

Donkey’s is a time capsule. The steak is thick-cut, salty, and seasoned with a heavy hand. But the star of the show is the onions. They cook them down until they’re basically caramelized jam. The round poppy seed roll soaks up the juice without falling apart. It’s a flavor bomb that’s worth the toll across the bridge.

7. Ishkabibble’s (South Street)

The Chicken Steak Champ

• Neighborhood: South Street
• The Vibe: Walk-up window, bright yellow, legendary.
• The Order: Chicken cheesesteak or the "Spanish Fries."

If you need a break from red meat (why?), or you just want the best chicken cheesesteak in the zip code, you go to Ishkabibble’s. They claim to have invented the chicken steak, and honestly, they perfected it. It’s never dry, always flavorful, and chopped with the same love as the beef.

Pair it with a "Gremlin" (half grape juice, half lemonade) and an order of Spanish Fries (fries with hot peppers and onions), and you’ve got a meal that’ll cure any hangover the Eagles gave you last Sunday.

8. Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop (Fishtown/Northeast)

The Retro Gem

• Neighborhood: Fishtown & Northeast Philly
• The Vibe: 50s diner, neon signs, egg creams.
• The Order: Steak with provolone, side of pickles.

Formerly known as Chink's (yeah, the name change was necessary), Joe’s has been serving classic steaks since 1949. They don’t chop the meat here; they slice it. It’s a different texture, more like ribbons of ribeye that melt in your mouth.

The Fishtown location has a cool retro diner vibe where you can get an egg cream or a milkshake with your steak. It’s consistently great, rarely has the insane lines of the tourist spots, and serves a high-quality sandwich every single time.

9. Chubby’s Steaks (Roxborough)

The Rival

• Neighborhood: Roxborough
• The Vibe: The place you go when the line at Dalessandro’s is too long (and then realize it’s just as good).
• The Order: Cheesesteak with American, add mushrooms.

Located literally across the street from Dalessandro’s, Chubby’s is locked in an eternal battle for Roxborough supremacy. And here’s the hot take: some days, Chubby’s wins.

The meat is slightly chunkier than Dalessandro’s mince, and they serve it on a roll that feels a bit sturdier. They also have a full bar, which is a massive competitive advantage. If you want a beer with your steak and don't want to wait 45 minutes in the cold, Chubby’s is your spot.

10. Cleavers (Center City)

The Heavy Hitter

• Neighborhood: Center City (Rittenhouse)
• The Vibe: Industrial, loud music, massive portions.
• The Order: The "Block" or just a classic with Cooper Sharp.

If you’re stuck in Center City and don’t want a tourist sandwich, Cleavers is the move. These things are monsters. They serve them on a seeded roll or a wrap, but go for the roll.

They offer a ton of variations (pizza steaks, buffalo chicken, etc.), but their standard steak with Cooper Sharp is elite. It’s not a gritty street corner spot; it’s a bit more polished, but the sandwich has the grease and the flavor you need.

The "How to Order" Cheat Sheet

Don't hold up the line. We got places to be. Here is how you do it:

1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, American, or Provolone. (Swiss is for weirdos, don't do it).
2. Pick your onions: "Wit" (with onions) or "Witout" (without onions).
3. Put it together: "One Whiz Wit." "Two Provolone Witout."
4. Have your cash ready: Seriously. Don't be that guy fumbling for a card at a cash-only window.

The Verdict

Look, asking a Philadelphian to pick one favorite cheesesteak is like asking them to pick their favorite child. It depends on the mood, the time of day, and how much beer was consumed during the game.

But if you hit up Angelo’s for the bread, John’s for the pork/steak combo, or Dalessandro’s for the neighborhood vibe, you’re eating like a true local.

Forget the shiny lights on Passyunk. Go where the grit is. That’s where the flavor lives.

Jeet yet?? If all this talk about cheesesteaks got ya hungry, then shop our Philly Food Collection or head straight to our best-selling Philly Cheesesteak tee.

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