I Ate 41 Cheesesteaks in Philly (8 Were Worth It)

I spent 6 weeks eating 41 cheesesteaks across Philadelphia. My cardiologist is concerned. Your wallet shouldn't be.

The bottom line: Only 8 shops deserve your time. The famous spots? Mostly tourist traps charging $15+ for mediocre sandwiches. Here's the data-backed list of the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, ranked by quality per dollar spent.

The 8 Cheesesteaks Actually Worth Eating

1. John's Roast Pork — The Undisputed Champion ★★★★★

Location: 14 E Snyder Ave, South Philly
Price: $13.50
Wait Time: 20-45 minutes (weekends)
The Reality: This isn't even primarily a cheesesteak shop, but their version destroys Pat's and Geno's combined.

The bread comes from Liscio's Bakery, crusty outside, perfect chew inside. They use fresh ribeye sliced thin—not the frozen garbage most spots serve. The cheese (get whiz) actually tastes like cheese, not chemical soup.

I ate here 7 times. Every single sandwich was consistent. That alone puts it above 90% of competitors.

💡 Pro tip: Order the pork sandwich too. It's their signature for a reason. Get both, split with a friend, thank me later.

Skip this if: You can't handle a 30-minute wait. No seating, cash only (ATM inside).

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2. Dalessandro's — North Philly's Secret ★★★★★

Location: 600 Wendover St, Roxborough
Price: $12.00
Wait Time: 15-30 minutes
The Reality: Locals know. Tourists don't make it this far north.

The meat-to-bread ratio here is insane. I measured: 8.2 oz of ribeye on a standard sandwich. Compare that to Pat's 5.1 oz for more money. The grill technique matters—they chop and mix the meat constantly, keeping it juicy instead of dried out.

Tested this spot 5 times across different days/times. Quality never dropped.

Worth noting: The neighborhood feels sketchy if you're not used to Philly. It's fine during daylight hours. Don't go after dark unless you know The Best Cheesesteaks In Philadelphia.

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3. Steve's Prince of Steaks — Northeast Winner ★★★★

Location: Multiple locations (original on Bustleton Ave)
Price: $11.50
Wait Time: 10-20 minutes
The Reality: Four locations across Philly. The Northeast original is best, but all maintain quality.

They use Cooper Sharp cheese by default—a local white cheese that actually has flavor. Most tourists don't know to ask for it elsewhere. The onions get caramelized properly instead of just sweated.

I hit 3 of their 4 locations. Consistency held at 2 of 3 (the Comly Rd spot was off—too much grease).

💡 Pro tip: Get it "pizza style" (sauce on top). Sounds weird. Trust me.

Skip this if: You're in Center City and don't want to head out. There are closer options on this list.

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4. Jim's Steaks on South Street — Tourist Spot That Doesn't Suck ★★★★

Location: 400 South St
Price: $14.00
Wait Time: 30-60 minutes (peak times)
The Reality: Yes, it's touristy. Yes, there's always a line. It's still legitimately good.

The bread game here is strong. They get fresh rolls every 2 hours during busy periods. You can actually watch them grill your steak through the window—decent entertainment while waiting.

Ate here 4 times. Quality was consistent 3/4 visits. The one miss was late night (after 11pm) when I think they were usingday-old meat.

The math: Is it the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia? No. Is it the best you'll find while stumbling drunk down South Street at midnight? Absolutely.

Skip this if: The line is longer than 20 people. Walk to other spots in Center City — When you need a break from sandwiches

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