Pat's King of Steaks

Don't get me wrong, times change, the economy changes, and their prices from their vendors that they get their product from change...so, the cheesesteaks have changed in quality a little over the years. However, both Pat's and Geno's are the only places that I want a cheesesteak from! Granted, they differ a little from each other, but...the only difference that matters to me is how long the line at either is, and I go with which is shorter. Geno's seems to be a little more in tuned with each other, and their line seems to go a little quicker...but, either is fine with me! Most others don't even carry CheeseWiz, and that's a sin in the cheesesteak world. Greasy is the way I like it, it's the way my father and grandfather liked it, and it will be the way my kids will like it when that time comes. Provolone?! American?! Steak Sandwich is what we call that! Wiz wit or go home! Every Eagles and Flyers game, I go and get them for my parties, and nothing else will be accepted in my house...NOTHING! Unhealthy?! Get up and go to the gym every now and then you lazy people! You don't have to eat horribly everyday, but if you're gonna do it...MAKE IT COUNT! If you're gonna go anywhere else, you may as well go to Florida to get a ""Philly Cheesesteak""...LOL! Garbage...seriously! Don't get me wrong... I'm sure the sandwiches are good, but it's not a Philly Cheesesteak unless it comes from Pat's or Geno's...period. Also, the whole thing about Geno's and people only ordering in English...Geno's has MY support! You don't have to agree, and that's one of the great things about individuality. I just believe that when someone comes to this country, we shouldn't have to cater to them. It doesn't happen for me when I go to Costa Rica, Mexico, Germany, or France...so, it shouldn't happen here either. How hard is it to say ""wiz wit"" anyways?! Even if they chop it up, the person taking the order will know... more

For 30 years I wanted to go to Philly & find the best Cheese Steak. Finally making it there this spring, myself and a coworker decided to visit the 3 most popular haunts in walking distance from our hotel downtown. We decided to hike to Geno's, Pat's and Jim's.\r \r Geno's was first & we were so disappointed in the steak!!! It was dry - too much bread & it just had little flavor. The locals I asked told us & I must confirm that the price is way too much for what you get. I will say the meat was lean (& sliced), but I can get a better Philly in Denver, CO than at Geno's. My co-worker had the exact same impression.\r I admire Geno's for their publicity of cops' causes, but I got to wonder if that is more for their own publicity than for the cops. This has nothing to do with the taste test (as I had already had my steak), but it was offensive none the less: Geno's will give out free bumper stickers (1 per customer the sign says), espousing their latest publicity on ordering in English. I saw a fellow in front of me get 5-10 of them. So I asked for 1. The employee turned & asked an old guy (I think it was Joey), if he had any stickers to give out - pointing to me. I guess I didn't look South Philly enough, cause he said ""nah, we're out.""\r Very classy Joey!!! I'll just make sure that everyone knows my opinion of Geno's. Since I work in the travel industry, I'll make sure to tell folks where to steer clear in Philly.\r \r As for the rest of the Steak trip - the next two were a quantum leap!\r After Geno's we go across the street to Pat's. The employee greets us with a big smile & takes our order. Oh man - night & day! Pat's was HUGE! They piled it on & yes this is what I was expecting in a steak in SO Philly. Outstanding.\r After some serious walking, I worked up enough room to venture to Jim's at South & 4th. While not as big as Pat's - it had a certain flavor that just beat out Pat's.\r Locals say Gooey Louie's (huge & meaty) & Tony Luke's are the best. Pros: Huge - Awesome Taste! more

Pat's was the first real cheesesteak place I dined at in Philly. I recall my friend Craig taking me here.... more

Pat's was the first real cheesesteak place I dined at in Philly. I recall my friend Craig taking me here. It seems to be the most famous. Other ... more

Not from Philly, I diligently tried to get an overall consensus of the best place for a Philly from locals. Our first trip to the city, we were told to go to Jim?s Steaks. From all the celebrity photos, I got the impression they know what they are doing so my opinion doesn?t matter much. However, I wasn?t overwhelmed by the product. The meat was chopped up (which seems to be a debate on this preparation as being ?true Philly? or not), it was not greasy (kind of dry in fact), and lacked something (I added salt). The onions were great and the bread was fantastic. I ordered with provolone as I heard that was the way locals ordered it. Probably mostly Italians since we were in South Philly. Good sandwich but nothing to stand in line for in my opinion. Our second trip we stopped at Pat?s on the way to the airport. I ordered with onions and this time wit whiz. The meat was not chopped finely so now I was confused about how a real Philly steak should look. Concerned that I would be biting into a chewy greasy mess like the ones I could get at TGI Fridays, I was not disappointed. The meat was very tender and juicy. The mixture of whiz and the juices from meat and onions was fantastic. I thought the whiz was going to be thick, salty and just plain sick. Maybe that?s why the meat at Jim?s was not salted in preparation to get whizzed on. Anyway, I thought it was great. Lot?s of meat and bread must have been good because I downed it in 5 minutes. Next time we are going to Geno?s and maybe Tony Luke?s as seen on the Food Network in Bobby Flay?s Throwdown. Any suggestions on where to try is welcome. Also want to try a real Philly Hoagie. more

Skip Pat's and Geno's the steak tastes like leather, are small for the price you pay, and are no more than tourist traps. I have never understood why these 2 places are considered good. D'Allesandro's in Roxborough is also over-rated. I am a bit of a cheesteak officianado and have sampled steaks from through the Philadelphia area. Being born and bred in this area and living all around it I must say that as of right now the best I've had are at Chubby's in Roxborough and Steve's Prince of Steaks in the NE. Chubby's comes with a fork there is so much steak and there isn't a line of people out of the door waiting. The bread is very good and steak is juicy and plentiful. My main rating factor's include roll selection, meat quality and quantity, and cheese flavor. more

Located across from Geno's. Is it better? Nah. more

Located across from Geno's. Is it better? Nah. more

AMAZING. add more later...apparently i need 10 words to submit this... more

AMAZING. add more later...apparently i need 10 words to submit this... more

i expected a LOT more... where's the grease? i didn't know u were supposed to get it with the cheeze whiz more

i expected a LOT more... where's the grease? i didn't know u were supposed to get it with the cheeze whiz more

Never had a bad steak there...I have a feeling that a good amount of the bad reviews are written by Geno's fans. I've been there a handful of times during my vacation visits and haven't once had a bad steak. My husband actually bought me one at 4:30 in the morning to greet me as I stepped off my red-eye flight...pure deliciousness. Gives you the feel of Philly without the over-the-top flashy nonsense that Geno's has to offer. Can't believe ppl are complaining about the Cheez-whiz...don't ya know you have a choice??? Greasy?? Seriously? Show me a cheesesteak that isn't! That's why they're open 24 hours!! Very popular with the bar crowd! Always a pleasure, will always get my business. Pros: Good steak, no frills Cons: Rudeness is part of the experience...get over it... more

Mushroom Pepper Philly... Wiz wit... wuz good!... Not as good as Geno's more

Mushroom Pepper Philly... Wiz wit... wuz good!... Not as good as Geno's more

I don't go down there much-only when I bring out of towners. But I don't bring them to Geno's-too flashy-Pat's is old school. just tastes better Pros: traditional cheesesteak Cons: bad neighborhood more

The steak here was acceptable but not as good as at Geno's. Furthermore, the place is dirty and messy. Geno's is a much better organized operation all around. Go to Pat's if you've already had Geno's so you can compare, but if you have to choose one cheesesteak in Philly, this isn't it. Pros: ok food Cons: disorganized, messy, no inside seating more

This is a great place to take out-of-town guests for the Philly cheesesteak experience. Granted many local neighborhood places may make an amazing cheesesteak, but this little 3 block section of South Philly is where the show is at. The steaks and fries are great, plus you cant beat the scene at 3am once the bars let out. Bring your patience as the lines are long and the parking is crappy, but expect to be entertained. Perfect late night snack! :) Pros: Scene, Cheap Late Night Snack Cons: Lines, Parking more

Pats used to be the best place for steaks in Philly. Now, it's bordering on the worst. The portions of meat are so small, the meat is nasty, chew and of the worst quality. Trust me. if you want authentic philly cheese steaks, head to any small local Mom and Pop place and you won't be dissapointed. Or even make your own with those frozen steak sandwich steaks. You will still be getting better quality than at Pats\r \r And cheese wiz on a steak. Nasty. Eat with provolone or american. \r \r Stay far away from this place unless you want to be out thirty bucks for a nasty meal. Pros: Nothing. This place used to be great but is now the worst. Cons: Everything. Nasty cheap quality steaks with rude service. more

The best! That is all! Cons: always crowds of people any time of day. more