How to Get a Cheesesteak in Philadelphia

A true Philly cheesesteak, which gives locals a bigger dose of civic pride than the Liberty Bell, is a mouthwatering combination of spongy roll, heart-stopping chopped steak, cheese and toppings of your choice. In recent years the chicken cheesesteak has gained legitimacy, even for purists.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Find a legitimate shop. Ask locals for recommendations, read reviews in the Philadelphia Daily News or Philadelphia magazine and Web sites like Citysearch (philadelphia.citysearch.com). Best bets are Geno's, Jim's Steaks, Pat's King of Steaks and Larry's Steaks and Hoagies.

2. Know what you want before you reach the counter. Decide on meat, cheese (provolone, American, cheddar or Cheese Whiz) and toppings (pizza sauce, ketchup, fried onions, pickles, sweet or hot peppers, mushrooms and pepperoni).

3. Don't get offended or frazzled if the person taking your order acts like the Soup Nazi. This is protocol. Keep ordering--no small talk! Be confident and get the job done.

Tips & Warnings

• For a true Philly experience, wash down your cheesesteak with a Yuengling beer while watching an Eagles game.
• Bring cash. Many shops don't accept checks or credit cards.

on 8/8/2006 Jim's on the corner of 4th and South Street is a very popular place among locals and visitors alike. However, if you are going to be there just once, I would recommend going to south Philly to either Pat's or Geno's. They are across the street from each other, and both claim to have invented the Philly Cheese steak. I tend to think that Pat's was first.

on 1/25/2006 If you are a tourist, then go to Pat's and Geno's (they're across the street from each other). Even us locals argue about which is better. This isn't to say that you won't find other (better) places in the city, but these are "the" places to get a cheesesteak.

on 11/22/2005 Don't fall for tourist traps like Geno's and Pat's. Try Larry's Famous Steaks on 54th Street. It's a few minutes away from Center City. Once you bite into one of their steaks, you will be in cheesesteak nirvana!

on 11/22/2005 When ordering a cheesesteak in Philadelphia, it's common to shorten your order to two words, just to keep things moving. It's usually the type of cheese and then whether or not you want onions. For example, "Whiz without," will get you a cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz and no onions. Pat's Steaks in South Philly and the new Phillies stadium stress this method.