<p>Hi there. I'm writing this because I feel that there needs to be some kind of post that doesn't involve people stressing out over their chances to get in. With that in mind, I have a very pertinent question for all the Penn students and alumni on this board. Where is the best Philly cheesesteak both near campus, and more generally in Phlialdelphia?</p>
<p>HAHA! I’d love to know too :D</p>
<p>My personal favorite is Steve’s, but Jim’s on South Street is pretty good too.</p>
<p>Tony Luke’s</p>
<p>Jim’s (10char)</p>
<p>People say Geno’s in South Philly is a classic… personally it wasn’t all that in my opinion. It was good, but not ■■■■ amazing or worth the $7 it cost me lol. Regular cheese steaks from the carts across Community College Philadelphia are good enough for me, and they only cost $3.50. However, I think the cheesesteaks in Houston Hall at Penn are pretty alright too.</p>
<p>Jim’s is pretty good</p>
<p>from what I remember, Jim’s was really good (i’m now a vegetarian so that was like 3 years ago :] )</p>
<p>Geno’s and Pat’s in South Philly are unmitigated dreck. The best part about going to Geno’s is if you come from the rest of the world and believe that Mumia Abu-Jamal is a victim of injustice, at Geno’s you can savor the Wall of Tribute to Danny Falkner, the police officer he killed. Also, the “This Is America, Speak English!” sign, whose irony you will appreciate if you actually try to use standard English while ordering a cheesesteak there.</p>
<p>What Jim’s has going for it is a great location on South Street and a giant window where passersby can see them cooking mountains of sliced steak. The steaks are OK, not better. Steaks on South, half a block away, is better.</p>
<p>Tony Luke’s, in deepest South Philly, is the current steakery of choice among locals. Except if you go there, you should order roast pork with greens and sharp provolone. Yummmm!</p>
<p>^Only crazy people actually believe Mumia isn’t a murderer.</p>
<p>I cant wait to eat from all of the street venders/ philly cheese steaks</p>
<p>by far tony luke’s on oregon ave in south philly!</p>
<p>Jim’s, Gino’s and Pat’s is the HYP of Philly Cheesesteak places.</p>
<p>Personally, my favorite is Jim’s.</p>
<p>Kay, so I’m not going to UPenn, but I did live in suburban Philly for four years, so I feel the need to input on this thread :D</p>
<p>Annnd, my vote is for Jim’s. All the way. The flavor is soooooo unique <3</p>
<p>Jim’s, Geno’s and Pat’s is the Wendy’s, Burger King, and McDonald’s of Philly cheesesteak places. If one of them is your favorite, it’s because you’ve never actually had a good cheesesteak.</p>
<p>Hey I’m going to Penn for next 4 years I want to know =(
JHS where’s a good place to go for those then?</p>
<p>Pat’s is the best, then Jim’s, then Hemo’s (food truck), then Abner’s, then Geno’s.</p>
<p>Tony Luke’s, as many people have said, on Oregon Ave. in South Philly (although there’s a satellite location in Center City, too).</p>
<p>It’s not as if there’s a lot of magic and mystery about cheesesteaks, though. What you want is good quality ingredients, especially the meat, cheese, and roll, and the ability to pick and choose among good additional elements like onions, sauce, mushrooms, peppers, greens, pepperoni, etc. And not too much grease. And a decent quantity. The famous old-school places, Pat’s and Geno’s, pretty much fall short on all of those aspects. (Cheese Whiz is “traditional”, but, folks, it’s not 1950 anymore, and the stuff is an awful concoction of fat, salt, and food coloring. You can do better!) Tony Luke’s is great, but lots of places do a fine job. I rarely walk the extra two blocks it would take me to get to the Center City Tony Luke’s Jr., because there are two places within half a block that I would rate at 85-95% of Tony Luke’s.</p>
<p>I couldn’t agree with you more, JHS. If you’re looking for a good steak, go into the heart of South Philly (I’m not talking about the Italian Market area… think more like… 10th and Wolf Streets, that area), and just find a place that has a sign that says “steaks” on it. I can guarantee it will be good. </p>
<p>That said, Pat’s is great at 3AM… not too many places are open 24/7!</p>
<p>Also, to whoever said that Whiz is out of style, false false false! I’ve never had a steak with Provolone that tasted better than a steak with Whiz, and I don’t see the point of getting any other kind of cheese. My steak, every time, is whiz wit-out and hots (or for those not from the area, steak with whiz and hot peppers without fried onions)</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys. JHS, you’re right; Tony Luke’s is amazing. Best damn cheese steak in the world. ChrisW, you’re also right: whiz is the ultimate topping. Thanks for all the advice.</p>