Jim's Steaks

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400 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

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(215) 928-1911
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Jim's Steaks - Philadelphia, PA
Jim's Steaks - Philadelphia, PA
Jim's Steaks - Philadelphia, PA
Reviews
( 48 )
( 31 )
( 5 )
( 9 )
( 11 )

Best

I have tried Pat's and Geno's, and let me tell you...they are JUNK compared to Jim's!!! Even with the traffic of South Street and hunt for a parking spot do not stop us from g...

Worst

To tell you the truth, I can't really tell the difference between Pat's, Geno's, Jim's, whoever's cheese steaks... but, I do know that the two times I went to Jim's I came out of ...

Top stakes! 12/26/2002

I would like to disagree with the clown who said that the crew at Jim's is unfriendly. I work on Washington Square and go there every now and then for lunch, always take dates there, and have NEVER had a bad experience with the staff. As a matter of fact, just the opposite! There's some loveable older black lady there who always calls me ""Baby"" and I love it. The steaks are top notch, and I've had people in line tell me they heard about it in Atlanta and had to try it. And another thing... The South Philly crowd DOES like the provolone. But for me... ""Gimme a wiz wi dunyuns."" Pros: steaks, staff Cons: room more
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HERITAGE 12/13/2002

I go back to the Original Jim's, just off 61st St., above Market. Jim's was owned by Jim Pileggi of Upper Darby, who later sold it off to another person who was pretty good at maintaining the quality. Jim's had a sign on the wall offering a Reward to anyone who proved that Jim's did not use Cross's Choice Steak for their sandwiches. The secret to Jim's unusual flavor is the mixture of the meat juice, Cheeswiz and cooking oil. They combine to make a very special sauce. Still the best, but I miss the shakes that the ladies at the Original Jim's used to make. Pros: THICKER CUT STEAK, ONION CHUNKS, SECRET SAUCE Cons: NO SHAKES, RUDE HELP, PARKING more
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Wasted Trip 11/25/2002

Growing up in the midwest, I had about the same tasting cheesesteaks at the local foodcourt in the mall. So on this recent trip to Philly was disappointing. The only thing that was impressive was the experience of getting cheesesteaks late at night in Philly. If I had to do it over again I would take the cab ride to Pat's. more
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come out smelling like... 11/15/2002

To tell you the truth, I can't really tell the difference between Pat's, Geno's, Jim's, whoever's cheese steaks... but, I do know that the two times I went to Jim's I came out of their smelling like a cheese steak. For the rest of the day at work people kept asking, ""What smells like cheese steak?"" I'll never go to Jim's again. Pros: close to everything, a philly favorite Cons: touristy, you eat, then reek more
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Want a better cheeseteak? 11/14/2002

Most people leave thinking that a visit to Pat's or Jim's or anyone of a dozen cheesesteak emporiums completes their cheesteak experience. They leave with a half smile that disguises their bloated stomach and a sense that , while their cheesesteak was tasty, it featured the ordinary taste of cheese whiz. Enter the next level of your cheesteak experience. Don't get me wrong, we are NOT talking ambiance here. I am strictly referring to the pure taste and texture of the sandwich. If you want to be smiled at by a twenty- something, blonde college student go to some, so called American Bistro. If you want an incredibly great cheesteak. go to LaSpadas in Parkside Pa. near Philly There are other shops like this one, but this is the one I know. What's the difference? Well for one thing, real cheese and no whiz, and Amoroso's rolls Pros: cheesesteak, popular, it's in philly Cons: there is better, not real cheese, cheese whiz more
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The Corner of South Street and New York. 11/9/2002

Jim's Steaks is a taste of rude Manhattan smack-dab in the heart of Philadelphia. The lines are long, the service is abrubt, and the steaks are consistently mediocre. Jim's is simply the definitive South Street eatery, and though I don't quite know why that is, whenever I'm in town, I find myself standing in the same long line. The clientele are a complete cross-section of American society, and somehow, the whole IS greater than the sum of its parts. You can find better cheesesteaks, many of them in New Jersey, but if you are visiting Philadelphia, or just reaffirming your membership among its citizenry, Jim's is an obligatory stop. Don't miss the blatant celebrity lies about the quality of the food, forever noted on autographed glossies. And on consistency, well, it is the hallmark of a great restaurant!? Don't miss Jim's Steaks... unless of course you're dining somewhere else. Pros: cheap, consistent, traditional Cons: busy, mediocre, busy more
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These Stink 11/6/2002

I still cannot understand why Jim's always makes ""The Best.."" List. Geno's and Pat's far exceed Jim's in quality and taste. The only reason it is ""A Best"" is because of it's location. It is on par with any other average steak house. Their meet is dry and their rolls are weak. Please stop putting this place in the top 10. Have a Pat's or Geno's. Cons: The Cheesesteaks more
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Tasty 11/1/2002

they have been my favorite since 1980 and when in town make special trip to taste them I have never been disappointed Pros: value more
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Far Best!!!! 11/1/2002

Jim's Steaks are the absolute best! I tried them about a month ago, and have been craving them ever since! I don't know how to get there or I would eat them every night. Pat's isn't quite nearly as good. I believe that is is rated best only because of the celebreties that have gone there. That is no reason to rate it the best Cons: Bad Parking more
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Eat @ Jim's? 10/28/2002

As a native of Southern California with a Philly boyfriend, I had to try a REAL cheesesteak. He brought me to Jim's and I was hooked forever. This place is even featured in a photo on the wall of a cheesesteak place in San Diego! The only place I've ever gotten a sandwich even resembling something from Philadelphia. Yum. Pros: Can see it being made Cons: Snappy counterhelp more
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Philly's best cheesesteaks 10/4/2002

I ate cheesesteaks ALL the time before I took a break from red meat, so I consider myself a cheesesteak expert (lol). Jim's is the best. Sure you don't get french fries, and the guy on the grill is boud to be rude but they are the best. An extremely close second is Tony Luke's. If you are big on meat and want a steak packed with meat, Pagano's (sic) is Germantown is the way to go...you can make two sandwiches out of what they give you. Ishkabibble's is also very good, but the chicken cheesesteak has big chunks of chicken. Pat's and Geno's are both overrrated in my opinion, but Pat's has the better cheesesteaks of the two...Geno's the better fries. Sorry to put all this info in one review, but stick with this and you'll eat well. :) Pros: best cheesesteaks, good value Cons: service always sucks, no fries more
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best in town!!! 10/2/2002

the best service, the best cheesesteaks, the best overall! fun to watch how they make their cheesesteaks more
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Jim's is the best 9/17/2002

I haven't hit every cheesesteak place in phily....yet. but for now Jim's continues to be the standard by which all other cheesesteak joints are measured. you always know what to expect. quick service, fresh roll, tasty steak, throw on some wiz, fried onions, and sweet/hot peppers and you are set. there is no better place to be at 2:30am on a saturday night then Jim's on South Street. Amen. Pros: great cheesesteaks, location, location more
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real philly flavor 9/3/2002

featuring the best cheesesteaks in town, jims offers the opportunity to get that center city philly feel, as you get philly full! Pros: inexpensive, delicious, fun Cons: fattening, crowded, not the cleanest more
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Cheesesteak Virgin 8/26/2002

After reading reviews for best cheesesteaks in Philly and asking everyone I came into contact with there, I finally tried my first Philly cheesesteak at Jim's while on vacation. It came highly recommended by everyone. My fear was biting into hunks of fat or gristle but that did not happen. The meat was very lean and tender. Overall the sandwich was good but I really don't care to have another anywhere. Even with onions and cheese, the sandwich is quite bland, not something I would ever have a craving for. Been there, done that now. Pros: Lean, tender meat, Inexpensive Cons: Uninteresting, Brusque countermen more
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My Rating For A Good Steak Sandwich 8/23/2002

My review of Jim's Steaks would be outstanding - i have passed by the place and have been drawn in by the smell of fried onions cooking along with the steaks and i would rate it a very good place to eat for a late night bite more
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Taste off winner! 8/19/2002

Last time in Philly, we tried both Genos and Pats. Pats was the winner - no questions asked! more
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5 Stars 8/19/2002

Best cheese steak ever ... Beats all the rest and I've tried the rest... Nuff said Pros: Worth the wait Cons: Long Line sometimes more
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absoluteplilly 8/13/2002

Best in Philly. While others are becoming more manufactured Jims still is the way they have done it for years. You just better know what you want when it's your turn in line! Thanks Jims keep up the old ways. Pros: best rolls, good meat to cheese r, not to greesy Cons: No parking more
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Cheesesteak Heaven 8/8/2002

Jim's Steaks has the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. It is an authentic part of South Street. The atmosphere, though rather hectic at times, is perfect for the city and it is a blast to be able to watch your cheesesteak being made. Pros: watch food get made, taste of food, seating Cons: line, crowded, steps to seating area more
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Menu for Jim's Steaks


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Editorial

  • In Short
    This Philadelphia institution is considered a front-runner in the great cheesesteak debate. That's why customers line up on its noxiously sanitized sidewalks at all hours. The...

  • 6/19/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Saturday From 10:00 AM To 03:00 AM Sunday From 12:00 PM To 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Center City East, Center City
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