I grew up near Germantown Ave. You could find any number of local delis that made absolutely awesome cheesesteaks and hoagies much better than Pat's or Geno's. And I did... Almost everyday.
@@austinsrna5545 If you are going to sight see, go downtown to Center City near the Broad Street or South Street markets and delis. Plenty of vendors in and around the area selling authentic hoagies, cheesesteaks, rock salt pretzels, and cheese fries (you don't want to go to where I lived in Northeast). Also, it isn't a real Philly steak and cheese sandwich if they aren't using Amoroso bread from Jersey. Have it with a nice Rolling Rock beer, wear some Eagles green, and you will ALMOST be a native.
Thank you Philadelphians for pointing out that this is a tourist trap. I hope your comments will be read by people who'll go to Philly someday so they can taste and experience the better/best Cheese Steaks.
@@Raiders-wm5kb woah relax there chief.. Plenty of great Philly steaks.. Being that your username is Raiders tho, I wouldnt expect someone on the West coast to know what a good cheesesteak is tho..
True. I've eaten at both and couldn't figure out what the big deal was. The guys that took me there were from Bristol and were shocked when I told them I've had better in Houston. To be fair, both the places in Houston were run by guys from Philly.
What exactly don't philadelphians like about it exactly? Just being contrarian to the popular place? Ingredients look super fresh and delicious. Is it not seasoned well or something?
When I was in Philli I had a cheesesteak in Sonny`s, Market St and Bank St in Old City. They chopped up the meat, onions and cheese, then mixed it together. I thought that`s how you make a proper Philli Cheesesteak, so you taste a blend of flavours.
I was born and raised in Philly and I agree with all the comments. Pat's and Geno's are "known" tourist attractions but they are not the best Philly has to offer. Cheesesteaks like pizza varies from shop to shop and everyone has different tastes. .
*Keep in mind 2 people have been killed there in 2 separate occasions.* *This restaurant makes so much money but spend on at least having security there... smh*
@@stansmith5610 yeah 2 people was killed there but don't mean nothing I live in Philly Kensington section I go wherever people are killed every where every day in Philly I mind my own and keep it moving
I used to live a couple blocks away. After years of eating that it's not the go to food. But once in a while. Its the best thing ever. Also, I've been watching you for years. You always have great nice clear videos. I can't believe you Made it to Philly. Keep up the great work.
I’m from Philly and Pats is definitely the last place I will go for a cheesesteak, I can go to my corner store and get a much better cheesesteak at a better price. Any people who aren’t from Philly and want some suggestions some of us Philly natives can point you in a much better direction.
You're not lying man ! I grew up in the suburbs but the best foods were in the hoods. From the black soul food joints of Cincinnati to the barrios of Houston Texas getting Mexican and El Salvadorian food . Tom just sounds like another snob azz punk who think he's better than everyone. This type of jerk is usually the worse in society. Hides all of his faults behind some casual clothes and Dockers on his feet . Anyone that talks like him is never to be trusted . It's not always what you say but how you say it. He says it with hate more than concern
Oh Pats, such a tourist trap, great place to check out if your the touristy type! i just moved after living there for 20 yrs, there so many better places to get a cheesesteak in philly.
If you moved out of Philly, some advice. DON'T ever, ever, ever buy a Philly cheese steak in another state or city. You'll totally be so pissed. It will ruin your day. There is nothing like a Philly cheese steak from Philly.
Yes it is and most of them that are advertised as better are usually crap as well. For example I would never wait an hour in line for a Larry's cheesestake on south street but many do week in and week out 🤷🏾♂️
The Boss: Can I get another server quick! This guy's giving the Meat away!! The Employee: You're lucky tourists actually believe and buy this expensive sandwich you Cheap Mfkr!!! 😅
@@knockitofff I'm from Philly and live here. I've also lived in many places in the US and have come across restaurants with "Philadelphia Cheesesteak" on their menu. Never order please. And, I know we just call it a cheesesteak and the subs hoagies. In all my years here I have only gone to Pat's once - didn't like it. I haven't tried Geno's across the street. Why go there when there's better cheesesteaks all over the place?
As someone who lives here, Pats & Geno’s are tourist locations! Take a nice scroll down south street and visit Ishkabibbles and Jim’s for the best cheesesteaks in Philly! They are right across the street from each other so you can easily compare the two.
About 2005 I'm laying over in downtown Phillidelpha (I'm an airline pilot). The first officer, flight attendants and I go up to the hotel front desk and ask "Where's the best Philly Cheese Steaks?" The staff behind the desk (3 of them) get in to this argument that almost came to blows over the best cheese steak. We picked the closest one as we were on foot. Great local bar and the cheese steak were great but, after a couple of beers it was all relative .
I live in Philly. I think it’s common for people from here to hate on Pats because they’re very popular and very touristy. They don’t have the best steaks in town, but if you’re visiting and aren’t aware of other places… their steaks aren’t bad. Dalassandros is my favorite. Jim’s on south isn’t far away. And Johns Roast Pork makes great steaks!
As a Philly boy born & bread at 62 I’ve had my share of steaks & let me tell you Gino’s/Pats not even worth goin to the aggravation to park alone is enuff to drive you crazy but if it’s a really good quality cheesesteak you want like the man said John’s roast pork is the bomb not only that but his pork & Italian hoagie are also as good parking is easy no one will try to kill or at least not yet but there are many other great little spots that have an incredible cheesesteak it just depends on how hard you feel like searching some of the places not known are hidden gems like newly opened Cafe Carmelo on Holme Ave oh boy is that good…
About twenty years ago, I went to Philly ate cheesesteaks, all Whiz With Onions, at Pat's, Geno's, and John's. John's was the best, but the best sandwich I had that day was a Roast Pork Italian from Tony Luke's.
Pats steaks sucks but It's nice that all the tourists and visitors go to Pats and Genos so there's less crowd at places which actually serve good steaks 😂
Born and raised in Philly as well. You want to try John’s Roast Pork. South Philly. One of The Best Cheesesteaks you will find!! The Best Roast Pork Sandwich as well!
The chase for the best cheesesteak restaurant is a little silly. You need to analyze yourself and figure out what’s your favorite beef cut and what type of roll you like. Once you figure it out, making cheesesteaks at home is insanely easy and low level skill.
No. As an actual Philadelphian I can pretty much tell you that any small mom and pop pizza shop in and around the city makes better cheesesteaks than Pat's or Geno's which is on the other corner. Those two places are both just for tourists and drunk college kids late at night to get a mediocre cheesesteak.
I've heard from friends that grew up in Philly that pat's and geno's are tourist places and locals don't eat at pat's or geno's so if you want to find the best Philly cheesesteak ask a local
I’m in Portland, Oregon. We have the same kind of thing here, it’s called Voodoo doughnuts. Completely mediocre at best but in the summer there’s a 2 hour line to get a crappy doughnut. Almost any other doughnut shop in town has better product than Voodoo. If I ever go to Philly, I’ll try Jim’s or Dellesandros and avoid the Pat’s/Geno’s trap.
I loved visiting Portland a few years ago. Tried Voodoo first - mediocre is being generous. Had MUCH better donuts at several other shops while visiting your fair city.
Try Mama's for the best steak...Jim's used to be awesome but; The grill guys are terrible, and dellesandros; Pack a lunch...ALWAYS crowed...Go to Nick's Roast Beef instead...Combo," little on the out" if they have it...
I'm 1hr from Portland and I agree Voodoo doughnuts is so OVERRATED. Their doughnuts scream diabetes and don't even taste good, the employees are overworked and don't work in a safe environment
Omg being from Philly, but living on the west coast now. As soon as I saw this I was like oh hell no! Lies! Thank you fellow philadelphians. Philly stand up!!!! Yuck to Pat's king of grease and bad meat!
I live in Philadelphia and people who live in Philadelphia don't get their cheesesteaks from Pat's or Genos. I like Jim's steaks or the neighborhood pizza shop.
I haven’t been to Philly but when I go I’ll def try it out just for the experience. Then I’d try out some of the more local places. Like In and Out Burger, I know it’s not the best but I def had to try one when I visited Texas.
2002-2007: I spent 2 weeks at a time, twice a year, April and October, in Philly, on a calibration job at the Naval Propellor Center. Went on a mission. Find the best Philly Cheesesteak. I tried them all, from the famous, to the corner bars, to the hotels. I never had a bad one, heck, the Stadium Holiday Inn was great. But, the best, in my opinion, hands down, was Tony Lukes! Perfection.
actually that grill wont stand more than 2 years. I believe they change it annually. Because of the constant heat even the best grills cant stand intact
Steve's Prince of Steaks is the best cheesesteak you're getting in Philly, I've had all the big name places in Philly and over the last 20 years, Steve's has been the most consistent.
had both, pats and genos, seeing friends from Philly. i thought both delicious. but also on their recommendations, had their thoughts on the non tourist cheesesteak places that were also delicious and like didn't have to deal with the long lines and rushed service!!
Loved this video. When I was in college, I did a short-order cook job up in Alaska where I made Philadelphia cheese steaks. This video takes me way...way back in time...lol.
That is NOT 7/11 nacho cheese, that is the one, the only, the original Cheese Whiz. It comes in a giant can and is nectar of the gods, especially on fries. Also, you do have other options for your cheese steak. In fact, the people I know rarely get whiz on their steak. Provolone is the most popular, but I'm a fan of American because of the way it melts into the meat. Back in my younger days, of course, I would often go with a "Heart Attack"- all three cheeses together. And, yes, these are the ONLY three acceptable cheeses: provy, whiz and American.
Thanks for sharing! The word 'BEST' in these kind of videos never say much. 'BEST' in revenue, order-to-serve time, taste (food), presentation (plate), pricing, ingredients, product sale, staff/service, hygiene, equipment, tables, location/building, company colors/logo/clothing, public interest, etc..?
@@thehonestdoctor3590 So say iconic, not Best. Because it Is Iconic and every Philadelphian knows..is Not the best. Doesn't make it bad, not by any means. Also as far away from being the best tho
When my wife was alive we decided one Saturday to head down and take a weekend trip to Philly from the Jersey Shore for a Cheesesteak, she saw all about Geno's and Pat's and how they're iconic and wanted to go there to get one, and I told her nah I friend of mine who went to Temple told me to hit up Jim's on South St. So we did. Went upstairs to the dining and probably had one of the best cheesesteaks we ever had. Got the pepper steaks with american. goddamn.
Stay far away from Pat's, they're just a tourist trap along with Geno's. A while ago, the Philadelphia Inquirer's food critic did a comparison of all the major cheesesteak places in the city. Pat's? One star. Geno's? Two stars. The only place to get five stars was John's Roast Pork. THAT is where you want to go.
I totally agree! I was in Philly for my niece's wedding, and of course I wanted to try a Philly cheesesteak. So I went to this place because of the rep. Now I want to be clear. It was NOT a bad sandwich. In fact, it was a good sandwich. I am from NY City, so I am used to great heroes. But I remember thinking while eating this hero, "Okay. It's about as good as a cheesesteak hero I can get off a decent food truck or sidewalk vendor here in NY. No better, no worse." Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, since some of the street vendors have awesome food in NY. But I was nonetheless disappointed. I expected a lot more. So I asked a few residents and they gave me the scoop, and sent me to an out of the way place, all the way in South Philly called The Real Tony Luke's (Maybe it was The Original Tony Luke's?). Anyway, this place absolutely blew me away! I was about to order a Cheesesteak, but when I saw roast pork with broccoli-Rabe and fresh provolone, I had to go with that. One of the best sandwiches I ever had in my life. Pat's and Gino's are just mediocre sandwich shoppes making bank on their name, nothing more. Next time I go there I have to try the actual Cheesesteak, because I saw the cooks make them, and they looked like they were practically cramming the meat and cheese into the hero bread with a plunger and a crowbar.
@@ChiroVette I've been there too, it's certainly very good but STILL doesn't hold a candle to John's Roast Pork IMO. You'll only find me there when John's is closed.
Johns is the best in the city. If you're in the burbs, head to Giacomo's in Quakertown. Their roast pork and their cheesesteaks are right up there with the best in south philly.
I've visited Philly a ton of times for cheesesteaks and this is not the place (nor is Geno's). Yes they have that bright lights feel but I've been to the spots mentioned below myself and they are much better! John's Roast Pork (Even though I do like their Roast Pork, this is my favorite cheesesteak spot!) Dalessandro's Steaks Steve's Prince of Steaks Barry's Steaks Angelo's Pizzeria (Yes their cheesesteak is good! Oh and I do like their pizza as well!) Woodrow's Sandwich Shop (Try the truffle wiz cheese! unique and delish!) Cleavers (if you just want a HUGE cheesesteak) Max's Steaks Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop Sonny's Famous Steaks There are definitely others that are good too, I just have not been to every spot to judge myself!
@@SDC88311 I love having that cheesesteak with the sesame seed roll at John's Roast Pork! I'd go to Dalessandro's too from time to time for their consistency, and wide abundance of parking since it is outside the main part of the city!
@@chiphargis2419 you must not be FROM the city cause everybody know corner stores has the best cheese steaks period no debate. Better holla at Papi and em. Delassandro's fell off after '08😂😂
Cheesesteak is a hard thing to judge. Reading all the comments on here, and as a former resident in Philly, I think the best cheesesteak is what you prefer. There’s so many places and no one from Philly drives out of their way for a cheesesteak at Pats. They usually have their local spot with their preferred taste. Cheesesteaks are tricky, no one size fit all.
Thank you for clarifying a question I've had about cheese steaks for a very long time. Well known foodies have said that place or this place was best and most sought after, but I still had my doubts.
I went there and they use cheese whiz. It tasted okay. Then the native of Philadelphia brought us to a local, neighborhood cheese steak place and it just blew this place away. Not only was the cheese steak huge, at least twice as long as what the video showed, but it used real cheese. It was far, far better tasting.
Cheese Whiz is definitely not the tradition. It was white American cheese or Provolone is acceptable. Cheese whiz isn’t really cheese. It is a sauce but folk like it.
I’m from south Philly. I can tell you, after living in the suburbs and elsewhere, Gino’s and Pat’s are the Worst Philly cheesesteaks ever. Stay away from this tourist trap.
Definitely not the worst. They're just the most hated because tourists think they're the best for no good reason. But the actual steaks are just mediocre. There's far worse out there.
If you’re standing in line at either Pats or Genos you should call in an order at Angelos walk up 9th st and treat yourself to a far superior cheesesteak. Johns roast pork makes a great one along with Donkeys across the river.
Thank you Philadelphians for protecting your city and future tourists in the comments. I'm from Chicago and I really have a hard time warning people when it comes to the touristy food traps. Peace and love to all!
If you really wanna sound "hip" to your friends. You can call it a cheese steak.. no need for the Philly part.. dont know why people say Philly cheese steak.. do youse say "Chicago deep dish"? Just curious, I'm pretty sure I know the answer
If you really wanna sound "hip" to your friends. You can call it a cheese steak.. no need for the Philly part.. dont know why people say Philly cheese steak.. do youse say "Chicago deep dish"? Just curious, I'm pretty sure I know the answer
@@CarsCatAliens a Philly cheese steak is different than a regular cheese steak. Regular cheese steaks come with a red sauce. You can also get California cheese steaks that come with lettuce tomato and mayo on the roll.
@@CarsCatAliens You actually live in ignorance to think there’s only one type of cheese steak. That’s like thinking there’s only one type of cheeseburger.
Which cheese is the best is purely personal preference. Why not just try them all and make your own mind up. Unfortunately im from England and probably wont get to taste these cheesesteaks but my mouth is watering watching this.
