The Cheesesteak Virgin

Posted in Culture Bites on 24. Feb, 2010

I’ve got a confession to make, Internet.

Now that I’m a working in Philadelphia AND eating meat, it just doesn’t seem right to let this linger any longer. Please don’t throw anything.

I’ve never had a proper Philly cheesesteak.

Sure, I’ve had versions of a cheesesteak before. The vegan cheesesteaks at Gianna’s Grille were wonderful during my days of no-animal-products-ever. I have a vague memory of sinking in to the warm, gooey sandwich with a strange mixture of curiosity and relief. Turns out there was such a thing as vegan junk food. Two and a half years later and I’ve switched teams again – now I’m out for the real thing.

As a generally healthy eater, the idea of a cheesy, beef-laden eat-nothing-else-for-the-rest-of-the-day grease bomb of a sandwich never really appealed to me before, but curiosity, as usual, has got the best of me. I simply have to try it. There’s got to be something to it, if it inspires debates like this.

the-great-philly-cheesesteak-book

My own paper published a really great feature by Carolyn Wyman, food writer extraordinaire, about the ten best cheesesteaks you’ve never had. All of the choices seem like a great place to start, but I’m still wondering. Also, somewhere in the bowels of my old laptop I have a photo of Wyman wearing a cheesesteak hat while giving a tour of Reading Terminal Market. I think this is important to establish her role as a super duper credible source. And an AWESOME person.

In her fifth specialty food book, “The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book“, Wyman takes a historical look at the humble beginnings of the quintessential Philly sammich and the passionate following that came after.

She also outlines the requirements for a perfect cheesesteak.

The deets:

- The roll must be super fresh

- The cheese should be noticeable but not overwhelming

- The beef should taste like beef without being tough or gristly

- The onions should neither be raw nor overcaramelized (read: mushy)

- All four of these ingredients should be perfectly balanced

All good points, which I’ll keep in mind while on my quest for the right suitor to deflower my tastebuds. But now I’m leaving the vote up to YOU!! I’ll head to whichever place gets the most votes.


So where should I go for my first time?

Make it special, y’all. I want to see fireworks.

Leave suggestions in the comments below!

  • marydanielsen
    Alex, I think you should ask the mayor of Philly where he gets his cheesesteakes. Where does the man go? I'm lookuing forward to your response. Mine: Always with mushrooms and the rolls better be fresh.
  • I actually think Geno's makes a much better cheesesteak than Pat's, their politics notwithstanding
    However, Jim's on South Street is better than either one of those.
    Also, One of the neighborhood shops that makes a pretty good one is the UArts hang Paolo's, on Juniper & Pine.
    (I wasn't too impressed by the cheesesteak at John's. Stick to the Roast Pork, which is amazing.)
  • JIM'S.
  • phillyphife
    Chiming in late but better than never. Chink's in the great NE is the undisputed people's fave, and our local Chestnut Hill watering hole Campbell's Place does pretty well. The steaks I tasted while making this video in 2008 qualify me to make such assertions.
  • Tony
    Go to Paesano's, either at Ninth and Christian in the Italian Market or on Girard between Front and Second, and get the Paesano sandwich. It's what a cheesesteak wants to grow up to be. Or if you insist on a cheesesteak, go to John's Roast Pork, at Weccacoe and Snyder, in the former waterfront area now known for big box stores like Target and Ikea. John's makes a great cheesesteak, but the roast pork sandwich is even better - and you don't have to wait as long
  • Rob
    Mikey was dead on with the sentiment that neighborhood shops tend to make the best cheesesteaks, so honestly there aren't too many wrong answers, but if you're going to have to go with a classic I'd say head down to Pat's.

    Skip Geno's, they're a bunch of suckbags.
  • I might have to go by popular vote! The discussion on Facebook and Twitter is pretty damn awesome right now. Top contenders: Jim's on South, Johns Roast Pork, Pat's in South Philly. Hmmm...
  • YOUR SISTER
    i had a really good phili cheesesteak in some grotesque hoagie shop by the airport. I'm sorry thats incredibly vague haha. <3 helen
  • Sorry to tell you: You didn't have a "phili" cheesesteak. No such thing.
  • Dalesandros has slipped and Jims and Pats are nowhere near the best. My vote is Johns Roast Pork. They use Sarcone's rolls and skip that cheez whiz nonsense. They're no gourmet spot either, they're as "authentic" as can you can get.

    The only problem is trying not to order the Roast Pork.
  • johninsjersey
    We should take you to Gaetano's in Willingboro. Still my favorite.
  • Dalessandro's in Roxborough
    Jim's on South Street
    Pat's in South Philly

    in that order.

    Normally, I go with Pat's since it's closest to my house. Though really, I feel sometimes neighborhood pizza shops make the best cheesesteaks, cheap too.
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