Where to Find 15 of Philly's Best Cheesesteaks, According to a Longtime Local

The City of Brotherly Love is filled with meat-and-cheese sandwich lovers. Philadelphia is defined by the big three: Hoagies (loaded Italian and chicken cutlet sandwiches), roast pork (with garlicky broccoli rabe and sharp provolone), and cheesesteaks.The cheesesteak's story began in the 1930s in South Philadelphia but has become a staple at corner shops across the region, given the gourmet remix by award-winning chefs, and even inspired international outposts in Tokyo and London. I've been eating cheesesteaks since my college days, and as a Philly lifer, I've got plenty of opinions. Consider this your beginner’s guide.Know before you goCheesesteaks are as much a part of Philly's late-night food culture as they are a daytime attraction, especially on weekends and game days. Expect long lines, limited seating, and plenty of takeout orders at popular spots, and bring cash—many old-school shops don't accept cards. Like New York's pizza slice culture, cheesesteaks are typically eaten on the go or at a nearby outdoor table. Grab extra napkins and come hungry.How to order a Philly cheesesteakA classic Philly cheesesteak starts with thinly sliced ribeye steak, melted cheese, and a long Italian roll. But no two shops make it exactly the same, and everyone has their preferences.The meat: Some shops finely chop their ribeye on the grill, while others leave it in thin slices or longer strips. It comes down to whether you prefer a finely chopped, cheesy mixture or more substantial bites of steak.The cheese and toppings: American, Cheez Whiz, and provolone are the traditional choices. In Philly, you'll hear people order their preferred cheese "wit" or "without," referring to fried onions. For example, "Whiz wit" means Cheez Whiz with onions, while "American without" means American cheese without onions. Other popular toppings include mushrooms, sweet or hot peppers, which you can often request on the side.The bread: A good cheesesteak roll is typically long and Italian-style, sometimes seeded, with a lightly crunchy crust and soft interior—similar to New Orleans French bread. Some shops scoop out the excess bread to make more room for the steak and cheese, while others leave the roll intact. Either way, the bread needs to hold up to all that juicy filling.Where to find Philly cheesesteaks by neighborhood and styleClassic South Philly CheesesteaksJohn's Roast Pork has a signature sandwich of the same name. Jillian GuyetteJohn’s Roast Pork14 E. Snyder Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19148John’s on East Snyder Avenue has been a neighborhood fixture for nearly a century, thanks to the Bucci family. The James Beard Award-winning shop has also been voted Best Cheesesteak multiple times, known for its hefty portions of finely chopped, crispy ribeye steak served on crusty rolls sourced from nearby Carangi’s or Sarcone’s. Choose from American, provolone, or Cooper Sharp cheese. Expect long lines, but there’s outdoor seating and a semi-enclosed dining area where you can dig in. And if you’ve got the appetite, don’t leave without trying their signature roast pork sandwich.Angelo’s Pizzeria South Philly736 S. 9th St. Philadelphia, PA 19147You’ve probably heard the hype or seen the long lines on 9th Street. Every cheesesteak at Angelo’s is made with house-baked, crusty bread and fresh, peppery ribeye steak, with your choice of Cooper Sharp or the increasingly popular long-hot-pepper-infused Cheez Whiz. Since its Italian Market debut, the Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized shop has expanded beyond its Italian Street location, including an outpost at a food hall in Wilmington, Delaware and a ghost kitchen deeper in South Philly, with more locations on the horizon.South Street Cheesesteak InstitutionsThe steaks at Jim's on South Street Jillian GuyetteJim's Steaks400 South St. Philadelphia, PA 19147431 N. 62nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19151Philadelphia is lucky to have two Jim’s Steaks, each with its own personality. The 50-year-old Jim’s South Street is where all walks of life congregate late into the night, plotting their orders (definitely get the famous Whiz wit), scrambling for cash (there’s an ATM inside that sometimes works), and hollering at motorbikes cruising by. Inside, there’s a first-floor diner-style dining room and a second floor adorned with rare mosaics by the late legendary Philadelphia artist Isaiah Zagar, whose Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is just a few blocks west. Over in West Philly, Jim’s West—the original location, now under different ownership—sits on a residential corner where O.G.s line up to bring cheesesteaks home to family and friends or score a $20 combo special: a beef or chicken cheesesteak, a drink, and a side of banana pudding.Ishkabibble’s I & II517 South St. Philadelphia, PA 19147337 South St. Philadelphia, PA 19147Recently featured in season six of Abbott Elementary, the nearly 50-year-old Ishkabibble’s has long attracted celebrities, locals, and tourists alike, often captured on camera by local photographer South Street Sam. The shop helped popularize chicken cheesesteaks and hot pepper-and-onion Spanish fries, eventually expanding to a second, larger location with additional seating just two blocks away. Chicken cheesesteaks are the name of the game here, with nearly a dozen variations, including Pizza (mozzarella and pizza sauce), South Philly (roasted peppers, spinach, and provolone), and Broccoli (melted cheese and steamed broccoli). Wash it all down with their famous Gremlin, a half-grape soda, half-lemonade concoction. Trust us.Vegan & Vegetarian CheesesteaksInside Joe's Steaks & Soda Shop Jillian GuyetteJoe’s Steaks + Soda Shop1 W. Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19125What began as a Northeast Philly corner shop in 1949 has changed owners, locations, and names over the decades, but one thing remains: its signature thinly sliced ribeye cheesesteaks, grilled to order with or without onions on fresh Liscio's rolls delivered daily. In 2013, the renamed shop landed at Fishtown's buzzy corner of Girard and Frankford avenues, transforming into a family-friendly, '50s-style diner with an expanded menu. Alongside its classic cheesesteaks, you'll find vegetarian versions with onions and mushrooms, gluten-free roll options, crinkle-cut fries, egg creams, and sundaes.Triangle Tavern1338 S. 10th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147Got cheesesteak FOMO because you're vegan? Or have plant-based loved ones who want in on the Philly experience? Triangle Tavern, a neighborhood bar on East Passyunk Avenue, has you covered. Most of the menu is vegetarian or vegan, including its only cheesesteak, which was crowned Best Vegan Cheesesteak in Philly by the American Vegan Center in 2019. The winning sandwich features locally owned Blackbird Foods' seitan, fried onions, and a Carangi Bakery roll, all smothered in house-made vegan Whiz (a blend of Daiya vegan cheddar, Tofutti cream cheese, miso, nutritional yeast, and seasonings).Tattooed Mom/Kscope MediaTattooed Mom530 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19147For decades, Robert Perry has cultivated a community of artists, musicians, creatives, and beer lovers at this two-story rock-and-roll bar known for its sticker- and graffiti-covered walls. Affectionately called TMoms by locals, Tattooed Mom welcomes meat lovers and plant-based eaters alike with a savory, gooey vegan cheesesteak. Chunks of seitan and plant-based smoked Gouda replace the traditional steak and Whiz, all tucked into a crusty roll from local bakery Merzbacher's of Germantown. Even better, you can snag one for just $7 on Meatless Mondays.Globally-Inspired CheesesteaksGojjo4540 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19143A West Philly institution, this husband-and-wife-run Ethiopian restaurant and bar is known for its mashup of East African and Philly staples, particularly its berbere-spiced beef cheesesteaks, served since 1996. Thinly sliced beef is coated in an earthy, fiery blend of chili peppers, coriander, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and allspice, then tossed with onions and melted American cheese. The result is a juicy, boldly seasoned cheesesteak with a kick.Libertree GroundsLibertee Grounds1600 W. Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19130Fairmount may not be the first neighborhood that comes to mind for a Philly cheesesteak, but it's home to an 8,500-square-foot indoor mini golf course serving pan-Asian-inspired bar food. Opened in 2021 by three longtime friends, Libertee Grounds has a playful menu to match, including an Indian-inspired Lamb Kheema cheesesteak made with a masala-rubbed lamb and ribeye blend, melted Cooper Sharp, caramelized onions, and cilantro-lime aioli on a seeded long roll. It comes with fries, but for an extra kick, add pickled Fresno peppers or miso Cooper Sharp cheese Whiz.Korea Taqueria3101 Tasker St. Philadelphia, PA 191453401 Walnut St. Franklin's Table Food Hall, Philadelphia, PA 191042563 Trenton Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19125What began as a food cart in 2022 has grown into multiple Philadelphia locations for Korea Taqueria, where chef-owners Alexander Sherack and Rene Lopez blend traditional Korean flavors with Mexican street food staples. Their Korean-Mexican mashups include a signature slow-burn spicy bulgogi cheesesteak featuring thinly sliced halal ribeye marinated in bulgogi sauce, melted Cooper Sharp, gochujang mayo, and scallions on a seeded Liscio's hoagie roll. Add cucumber kimchi for an extra tangy crunch.North Philly Cheesesteak LandmarksDalessandro's sits in Roxborough, in the city's northwest outskirts. Courtesy Dalessandros Dalessandro’s Steaks600 Wendover St. Philadelphia, PA 19128Husband-and-wife team Steve and Margie Kotridis have kept this Northwest Philly cheesesteak shop humming with hungry customers since taking over in 2008. Now one of three Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized cheesesteak shops in Philadelphia, alongside Del Rossi's and Angelo's, Dalessandro's is known for its juicy, gooey, squishy sandwiches. Finely minced ribeye, melted cheese, and generously diced onions meld together inside Amoroso's hearth-baked rolls (another local favorite bakery), which soak up all that goodness. Better yet, toppings are free. Grab your cheesesteak to go and, weather permitting, enjoy it beneath the trees at the park across the street.Max's Steaks3653 Germantown Ave.Philadelphia, PA 19140This North Philly cheesesteak shop is a celebrity in its own right, having appeared in Creed and Creed II and attracted famous fans like Philly's own Colman Domingo. Since 1994, crowds have lined up beneath its glowing red neon sign near the Broad and Erie transit hub for finely chopped "100% sirloin steak," served in half, whole (12-inch), or Giant (two-foot) portions. Order yours Whiz wit (ketchup is a popular addition here), grab some cheese fries, and join the regulars eating off the hoods of their cars. Those in the know head next door to Eagle Bar for a beer before calling it a night.New School Cheesesteak ShopsSkinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks3020 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19145Heading down to the stadiums for a game? Consider Skinny Joey's your pre- or post-game cheesesteak fix. Former inmate turned podcaster turned restaurateur Joey Merlino has entered Philly's competitive cheesesteak scene, offering six beef and chicken variations that draw long lines of customers and parked cars along Broad Street on weekends. And he's not stopping there: Merlino has expanded to the Jersey Shore with a Wildwood outpost.Del Rossi's Cheesesteak & Pizza Co.Del Rossi's Cheesesteak & Pizza Co.538 N. 4th St. Philadelphia, PA 19123Competition and tradition run deep in Philly's cheesesteak scene, a challenge Nish Patel embraced when he took over Del Rossi's in 2020. He helped usher in a new wave of cheesesteak making by focusing on better ingredients and technique rather than reinventing the classic sandwich. First came a house-baked roll with a crunchy crust and pillowy-soft interior. Next, pasture-raised, hormone-free, hand-cut ribeye steak, followed by melted Cooper Sharp American cheese and onions. The upgrades paid off: Del Rossi's earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition in 2026.Backyard Cravings1429 Wolf St. Philadelphia, PA 19145One of Philly's newest cheesesteak sensations, Sal Burgese's Backyard Cravings began as pandemic-era home cooking for friends, family, and a few lucky guests at his South Philly rowhome. What started in his backyard grew into tailgating parties and, eventually, his first brick-and-mortar shop in October 2026. Like Del Rossi's, the focus here is on quality ingredients and cooking from scratch. The $20+ cheesesteak has a generous portion of finely chopped, salt-and-pepper-seasoned beef, onions, and creamy Cooper Sharp cheese on a long, crisp, sesame-seeded roll with a soft, scooped-out center. Burgese's cheesesteaks have drawn sold-out crowds wherever he's served them, so for now, the Eagles “Kelly Green” and cream-colored corner spot sells them only on weekends.View our Philadelphia travel guide here, which includes:The Best Museums in PhiladelphiaThe Best Day Trips in PhiladelphiaThe Best Brunch Places in Philadelphia