For decades, Philadelphia has steak-ed a claim to having one of the most iconic sandwiches ever. The city’s freshly grilled steak sandwiches with cheese and onions are synonymous with Philly. These beefy sandwiches are one example of the city’s long history of making superlative food.
Whether it’s game day or every day, the Philly cheesesteak is always a winner. It’s time to assume “the Philadelphia lean” and take a bite into the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia.
Image Credit: Pat’s King of Steaks.
What Is A True Philly Cheesesteak?
A true Philly cheesesteak has a pile of thinly sliced beef, typically sirloin or chipped beef, that is cooked on a flat-top griddle. The beef is on an untoasted torpedo (submarine) roll that is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. Cheesesteaks are served “wit” or “witout” grilled chopped white onions and American, Provolone, or Cheez Whiz.
Image Credit: Fudio/istockphoto.
What Is The Most Famous Philly Cheesesteak?
The most famous Philly cheesesteaks are the ones that come from Philadelphia. Pat’s King of Steaks is credited with inventing the first steak sandwich in the 1930s. It was made on a roll with beef sliced paper thin. Two decades later, a Pat’s King of Steaks employee added Provolone cheese. Since then, Pat’s King of Steaks has had many competitors who vye for the title of best Philly cheesesteaks.
Image Credit: bhofack2/Istockphoto.
The Best Cheesesteaks In Philly
Make no mis-steak, the City of Brotherly Love has some of the steak sandwiches with melted cheese and caramelized onions.
Pat’s King Of Steaks
Go straight to the source of the original Philly cheesesteak either in person or by ordering online for nationwide shipping. Pat’s King of Steaks are the creators of the famous sliced beef and onion sandwich. Since inventing the sandwich in the 1930s, Pat’s has been on a roll, adding cheese in the 1950s.
Image Credit: Pat’s King of Steaks.
Jim’s Steaks
Since 1939, locals and visitors alike have flocked to Jim’s Steak for a taste of an authentic and superior Philly cheesesteak. A five-time winner of Philadelphia Magazine‘s “Best of Philly,” Jim’s cheesesteaks are a comforting mix of sliced beef wit Whiz, American, or Provolone cheese.
Image Credit: Jim’s Steaks.
Joe’s Steaks
Philly Mag has crowned Joe’s Steaks the best Philly Cheesesteak and countless Philadelphians agree. Founded in 1949, Joe’s Steak makes each sandwich to order. Each hearty sandwich has generous heaps of ribeye steak, a choice of Cheez Whiz, Provolone, or American cheese, and onions.
Image Credit: Joe’s Steaks.
John’s Roast Pork
John’s Roast Pork is not only famous for its roast pork sandwich, but it’s also a favorite for its Ultimate Philly Cheesesteak, which debuted in 1987. Each cheesesteak is made with Carangi Bakery’s Italian rolls, 12 oz. of meat from local butchers, and Provolone cheese.
Image Credit: John’s Roast Pork.
Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks
The official cheesesteak of the Philadelphia Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers, Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks are the real deal. Founded in 1947, the Philadelphia deli makes its Philly cheesesteaks on Liscio’s Bakery famous bread rolls. Each sandwich is piled high with shaved ribeye steak smothered and covered in Provolone or Cheez Whiz.
Image Credit: Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks.
Other Famous Cheesesteaks
You don’t have to travel to Philadelphia to enjoy the best cheesesteaks. Restaurants in New York, New Jersey, and beyond are also handcrafting some of the most sizzling cheesesteaks in the world.
Donkey’s Place
It might seem surprising to some that Anthony Bourdain once declared that the best Philly cheesesteak was not in Philadelphia. The famed chef went to Donkey’s Place in Camden, New Jersey, and the rest is history.
Founded by Olympic heavyweight boxing champion Leon Lucas in 1943, Donkey’s Place makes a New Jersey-style cheesesteak sandwich. The Donkey’s Place Cheesesteak Kit has four sandwiches. Each is on a round poppyseed Kaiser roll topped with thin-sliced steak, American cheese, and browned onions.
Image Credit: Donkey’s Place.
Quest Loves Food
Grammy Award-winning drummer and Philadelphia native Questlove makes a meatless cheesesteak that is music to our taste buds. Each Quest Loves Food Questloves Cheesesteak is ready-to-heat and eat.
Each giant sandwich comes with plant-based Impossible, sautéed onions, white cheddar cheese sauce, and banana pepper and pickle relish tucked inside an Amoroso’s roll.
Image Credit: Quest Loves Food.
Nathan’s Famous
Nathan’s Famous may be famous for its hot dogs and crinkle fries, but the Coney Island, New York, hot dog stand also makes an amazing cheesesteak.
Each meaty Nathan’s Famous Cheesesteak Meal Kit for 4 features 2 lbs. of sliced Pat LaFrieda Black Angus ribeye, American cheese, and caramelized onions on a baguette. Plus, there’s Pat LaFrieda ‘Butcher Reserve’ Steak Sauce and crinkle cut fries.
Image Credit: Nathan’s Famous.
Tony Boloney’S
Tony Boloney’s has put Hoboken, New Jersey, on the map for masterful mashups. The cheesesteaks from the pizzeria by Mike Hauke have been featured on Food Network. Tony Boloney’s grills up a cheesesteak that won Guy Fieri’s Cheesesteak Battle.
The Olé Cheesesteak is stuffed with mezcal-marinated ribeye steak. It’s topped with chipotle sauce, homemade queso Oaxaca “Mexican string cheese,” caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and cilantro.
Image Credit: Tony Boloney’S.
Krave It Pizza & Sandwich Joint
Founded in Queens, New York, in 2015, Krave It Pizza & Sandwich Joint is famous for its mashups. Husband-and-wife Vishee and Jenna Mandahar take the classic Philly cheesesteak and turn it into a newfound culinary creation.
Their Cheesesteak includes:
- RIbeye Mozzarella
- Ribeye & Bacon
- Ribeye & Pineapple
- Ribeye & Onion Rings.
This article originally appeared on Goldbelly.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: Krave It Pizza & Sandwich Joint.
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