The Best Cheese Steak in Philadelphia
Whenever someone finds out that I’m from Philadelphia, I either get, “I’ve never been there, but I’ve been to Boston, New York and Washington D.C.” (screw you), or, “Phillllyyyy, Pat’s or Geno’s?” (screw you again). I won’t get into the fact that Philly is one of the biggest and nicest cities in the country and just 3 hours north of D.C. and only two hours south of NYC and is still bypassed, but my mission is to enlighten all of you that MIGHT visit and want to enjoy one of Philly’s best inventions besides myself, I’m talking about heaven between bread, God’s second son, The life and love of Philadelphia – The Cheese Steak.
When eating a cheese steak, if it’s listed in a menu as a “Philly Cheese Steak” or a “Philly Steak and Cheese”, then 1. You’re not in Philly and 2. Order it so when you come to Philly and have one for yourself, you can say how shit that one you ordered at Applebee’s in Orlando was.
But, if you are lucky enough to make it to the city of brotherly love (no homo) then there is one place that should be on your Philly bucket list (the liberty bell is a waste of time), Steve’s Prince of Steaks.
How my friend Dylan sets up at Steve's before crushing.
I could provide you with some cookie-cutter ass post like “The Top 5 Best Cheese Steaks in Philly” but instead, I’ll just get to the point.
Steve’s Prince of Steaks is an icon to those in the know. It’s not located in downtown Philadelphia with the other cheese steak gimmicks like the highly overrated Pat’s, Geno’s, or the imposter, Rick’s Steaks. Steve’s is in the Northeast section of the city, nestled comfortably in a blue-collar neighborhood where the cheese steak is more than a meal, it’s life.
Steve’s does it all right. No chopped up, assembly line rushed slop like you’ll find at the tourist traps (if you’re steak is at the window 10 seconds after ordering it, it’s not made with love). Steve’s uses high quality strips of rib eye beef that maintains its juicy goodness, never dry. About 8 pieces of meat are stacked like dominoes in a fresh Amoroso roll (crucial component) and then lathered with warm liquefied American cheese, no canned cheese wiz here. This is a unique feature of a Steve’s steak and if you don’t have an orgasm while sucking one down, you’re the sick one.
When ordering a steak, it is important to do so correctly and as quickly as possible so you don’t slow down the line or irritate the cashier (they don’t like tourists). You don’t even have to say you want a cheese steak, they know, all you need to inform the order taker is whether you want it “wit” or “without”. This means with fried onions or without fried onions. I highly recommend you add the onions, but that’s just a personal preference, Best just to order one of each.
How to Order a Cheese Steak
As of 2013, I am happy to announce that Steve’s Steaks has opened up in downtown at 16th and Chesnut. Bout damnnnn time.
While I’m usually a steadfast minion of Steve’s, my uncle was in town for the holidays from Chicago and he informed me a steak was on his agenda, but time was of the essence. He proposed, “Why don’t we just go to Pat’s?”
Pat's Steaks in South Philly
Geno's Steaks (right across the street form Pat's)
Time froze and I asked myself if it was worth it, but being the fact I hadn’t seen him in a couple years, and to just give the competition one last chance, I acquiesced to his wishes. We arrived, ordered, it was ready in 5 seconds and I grudgingly sank my teeth in.
The mediocre cheese steak at Pat's
I got it with wiz as is more customary at Pat’s (and Geno’s which is literally across the street, another “famous” cheese steak place) and was highly disappointed. After enjoying a Steve’s steak just days before, it was already over before it began, and I have to say that Pat’s legitimately sucks.
Rent a car, take the bus, beg a local to take you, but do anything you can to get to Steve’s Prince of Steaks. It is worth the trip and you can truly die happy after happily enjoying one. Bon Appetite.
What’s your home city’s signature grub and where should I go?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Jeremy’s spot on. If you eat too many cheese steaks you will die happy, but you will eventually die of sludge filled arteries. Maybe the key is to follow each cheese steak with a lipitor chaser.
I don’t anticipate that we will be visiting the City of Brotherly Love anytime soon, but it now looks like we have one very compelling reason to go.
Caanan @ No Vacation Required recently posted..How To Get Over a Slump
Oh yeaaaaaaa
I’ve never tasted, but if I ever order one of those I’ll be sure to follow your tips for NOT doing it like a tourist, TheWorldOrBust. Thanks Jeremy for checking out The Ambler. Let us know what you think, and feel free to tell us about your upcoming travels in 2012. We’re happy to post any specific travel advice you need to help plan your trip!
Sounds like a great idea
, I’ve checked out The Ambler and applied for your travel contest, hopefully I’m the big winner winner chicken dinner!
Great tips!! I’m dying to go to Philly and try a real cheesesteak. I’ve only ever had the imitations
Andrea recently posted..My Favourite Melbourne Restaurants
haha well there’s a sloppy one at Steve’s waiting for you when you’re ready
Jeremy recently posted..The 10 Best Clubs in NYC
Hey Jeremy! Loved the post, but you’re clearly missing some awesome elements of Steve’s… The spicy fries and their Cherry soda!!! Gotta get the whole package for a full Steve’s experience. So glad I stumbled upon your blog.. hope you’re doing well!
Melanie recently posted..Ten Things I Like: New Years Resolutions
Haha, oh the cheese fries are a whole separate post! Glad you found me
Nice write-up of my hometown city. You are right, Geno’s and Pat’s aren’t the best, but I still think people should visit just for the nostalgia factor. But, don’t expect a good Philly cheese steak. I compiled this list years ago from a Philly sports talk show host. Enjoy! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AijQo9ZMBqtccHB5TURzNmJKeERUU1lXMG1UR29TWVE&authkey=CIb0sb4L
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Yeaaa it’s just hard for me being from Philly too to send people to those places, but, you’re right. My advice is to go at 2 AM to Pat’s or Geno’s while you’re drunk, that way you get the experience and everything will taste great!
Oh no !!! I’m drooling now
It looks so delish
DebbZ recently posted..South Africa ( Dec 2010 ) part 1
Now you got me drooling! I haven’t had one since I wrote this post!
I completely agree! What I love about Steve’s is that you have choice (you can even add mushrooms) and although you shouldn’t order like a tourist, they aren’t as rude as Geno’s or Pat’s. I had one today and it was one of those experiences where you know it was so wrong (to eat a whole one footer), but it felt oh so right. Keep in mind though..its cash only (but there are ATMs close by) and the secret is to grab a seat before you order so you can immediately enjoy when its ready.
Also, for those who are really tourists, the Philly cheesesteak also has a red-headed cousin called the “pork roll aka Taylor ham” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_roll) …yes this meat is something I would say is similar to canadian bacon. I wouldn’t call it a delicacy but maybe it would be considered a novelty??? It is available on Steve’s menu under the “Something Different” section. I’d say buy one to split just to say that you tried a meat that is only available in the Jersey and Philly areas.
Lastly, Steve Prince of Steaks has several locations now and I believe they are all just as good. See which one is closest to you: http://www.stevesprinceofsteaks.com/
Nothing like a first hand account! The seat saving tip is great too haha, I always throw my coat over a chair before I even get in line, nothing worse than not being comfortable before sinking your teeth in!
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