I Tried 11 Cheesesteaks in Atlanta (Only 4 Were Good)

I spent three weeks and $180 eating every cheesesteak I could find in Atlanta. Most were terrible. Dry meat, wrong cheese, soggy bread — basically tourist traps charging $15 for sadness on a roll.

But four places got it right. Here's the complete ranking.

The Verdict: Top 4 Cheesesteaks in Atlanta

Everyone else? Skip them. I'll explain why below.

💡 Pro tip: Real Philly cheesesteaks use Amoroso rolls, ribeye steak, and either Whiz, provolone, or American cheese. If a place uses hoagie rolls or shredded cheese, walk away.

1. Junior's Pizza — The Actual Best Cheese Steak in Atlanta

Location: 595 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta
Price: $12 for 10-inch, $18 for 16-inch
Rating: ★★★★★

📍 Related: Center City Philly: I Ate at 34 Spots (Skip 19)

Junior's is a New York-style pizza joint that somehow nails the cheesesteak better than any "authentic Philly" place in Atlanta. The ribeye is chopped fine, the Amoroso rolls are shipped from Philadelphia (verified on their website), and the Whiz has that perfect processed cheese goop I didn't know I missed.

What makes it great: The meat-to-cheese ratio is perfect. They don't drown it in Whiz like amateurs or skimp like cheapskates. The onions are caramelized, not raw. The bread is crispy outside, soft inside, and doesn't turn into mush halfway through.

What to order: Classic with Whiz and fried onions. Add hot peppers if you're not a coward.

Skip this: Their "pizza steak" — it's trying too hard and ruins what works.

💡 Pro tip: Order at the counter, not on delivery apps. They mark up prices by $3-4 on third-party platforms. Also, ask them to go light on the Whiz if you're eating it immediately — the cheese sets fast.

Digital nomad note: No WiFi, limited seating. This is a grab-and-go spot. But there's a coworking space called Roam at 111 John Wesley Dobbs two blocks away where you can demolish this in air-conditioned comfort.

2. Larry's Giant Subs — The Philadelphia Transplant

Location: Multiple locations (Decatur, Roswell, Marietta)
Price: $11-$13 depending on size
Rating: ★★★★☆

Larry's is run by a guy from Philly who got tired of bad cheesesteaks in Atlanta and opened his own place in 1998. It shows. This is the most authentic cheesesteak in Atlanta, even if Junior's tastes slightly better.

The rolls come from Philadelphia (Liscio's bakery, not Amoroso, but close enough). The ribeye is sliced thin and cooked on a flat-top exactly how Pat's and Geno's do it back home. You can get Whiz, provolone, or American — all acceptable options.

What makes it different: Larry's uses a wetter cooking style, so the meat absorbs more grease and onion flavor. Some people love this. I found it slightly too oily, but it's still phenomenal.

What to order: The "Original Philly" with Whiz and fried onions. Their "Larry's Way" adds mushrooms and peppers — it's good but not traditional.

Location tip: The Decatur location (2915 N Druid Hills Rd) is the original and best. The Roswell spot sometimes uses different bread when they run out of the Philadelphia shipment, according to Yelp reviews I cross-checked.

💡 Pro tip: Go during off-hours (2-4 PM). Lunch rush here is insane, and you'll wait 20+ minutes. Also, their fries are garbage — save $4 and skip them.

Similar to how I ate Chicago style deep dish pizza at 12 places or soul food, not the cheesesteaks. But if you're craving one while you're here, Junior's will satisfy that craving.