Location: South Philadelphia – 14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Price Range: $14-$16

Rating: 4.7/5 (Google Reviews)

Despite its name, John’s Roast Pork serves what many consider the absolute best cheesesteak in Philadelphia. Their sandwich features a generous 12oz portion of perfectly seasoned ribeye on a seeded Carangi Bakery roll that’s crusty on the outside and soft inside. The sharp provolone cheese option works surprisingly well, melting beautifully into the meat. John’s has earned its reputation through consistent quality since 1930 and even received a James Beard Award for culinary excellence.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, John’s often has lines but moves customers through efficiently. For the authentic experience, try their cheesesteak with sharp provolone and fried onions—the perfect balance of flavors that showcases why this South Philly institution tops our list.

Location: South Philadelphia – 736 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Price Range: $12-$15

Rating: 4.8/5 (Google Reviews)

Angelo’s may be known for pizza, but their cheesesteaks have quickly become legendary in Philadelphia. The secret is their house-baked seeded rolls with the perfect crusty-outside, soft-inside texture that holds up to the juicy meat without getting soggy. Their ribeye is chopped to perfection and seasoned just right, while their Cooper Sharp cheese option creates a creamy, tangy flavor that elevates the entire sandwich.

Be prepared for a wait at this cash-only, takeout-only establishment—and note they’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The lines form for good reason, as Angelo’s represents the new generation of Philly cheesesteak excellence that respects tradition while perfecting every element of the sandwich.

Location: Roxborough – 600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128

Price Range: $11-$14

Rating: 4.6/5 (Google Reviews)

Dalessandro’s has earned its reputation as one of the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia through consistency and attention to detail. Their sandwiches feature finely chopped ribeye that’s packed generously into each roll, creating a unique texture that distinguishes them from competitors. The cheese is perfectly incorporated throughout the meat rather than simply laid on top, ensuring flavor in every bite.

Located in Roxborough, it’s worth the trip outside center city. Expect a line during peak hours, but the staff works efficiently to keep things moving. Their cheesesteaks with American cheese and fried onions represent the perfect balance of traditional flavors that have kept customers returning for decades.

Location: South Street – 400 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Price Range: $11-$14

Rating: 4.5/5 (Google Reviews)

Recently reopened after a fire, Jim’s South Street continues its legacy of serving exceptional cheesesteaks since 1939. Their sandwiches feature a generous portion of well-seasoned ribeye on Amoroso rolls, with cheese perfectly melted throughout the meat. The location on vibrant South Street makes it a convenient stop for visitors exploring the area, and their second-floor dining room offers a rare sit-down experience among cheesesteak joints.

Jim’s is known for their double-layering technique with cheese both under and over the meat, ensuring perfect distribution. Their “pizza steak” variation with marinara sauce and provolone offers a delicious alternative to the traditional version. This cash-only establishment moves lines quickly and delivers consistent quality that’s made them a Philadelphia institution.

Location: South Street – 630 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Price Range: $14-$17

Rating: 4.6/5 (Google Reviews)

Woodrow’s represents the gourmet evolution of the Philadelphia cheesesteak, offering a more upscale take on the classic sandwich. Their signature “Woodrow’s Whiz Wit” features premium ribeye, house-made truffle whiz, caramelized onions, and cherry pepper mayo on a quality roll. The combination creates a rich, complex flavor profile that distinguishes it from more traditional offerings.

While purists might debate whether this counts as a traditional cheesesteak, there’s no arguing with the quality and flavor. Woodrow’s attention to ingredient sourcing and preparation techniques has earned them a dedicated following. Their South Street location makes them easily accessible to visitors exploring this vibrant area of Philadelphia.

Location: Camden, NJ – 1223 Haddon Ave, Camden, NJ 08103

Price Range: $13-$16

Rating: 4.7/5 (Google Reviews)

While technically across the river in Camden, NJ, Donkey’s Place earned its spot on our list through exceptional quality and Anthony Bourdain’s enthusiastic endorsement. What sets Donkey’s apart is their use of a round poppy seed kaiser roll instead of the traditional long roll, creating a unique texture and eating experience. Their cheesesteaks feature a half-pound of perfectly seasoned meat topped with a generous portion of their signature caramelized onions.

Open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm, Donkey’s is worth the short trip across the Ben Franklin Bridge. Their American cheese option melts beautifully into the meat, and the richly flavored onions (rumored to be cooked with beef stock) add incredible depth to each bite. This historic bar has been serving exceptional cheesesteaks since 1943.

Location: Northern Liberties – 538 N 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Price Range: $15-$18

Rating: 4.7/5 (Google Reviews)

Del Rossi’s has quickly risen in Philadelphia’s cheesesteak rankings by perfecting every element of the sandwich. Their house-baked seeded rolls rival the best bakeries in town, with a perfect golden crust and soft interior. They exclusively use Cooper Sharp cheese, which offers a bold, tangy flavor that perfectly complements their well-seasoned ribeye steak.

Located in Northern Liberties, Del Rossi’s is slightly off the tourist path but absolutely worth seeking out. Their attention to quality is evident in every bite, with perfectly caramelized onions incorporated throughout the meat and cheese. While slightly pricier than some competitors, the generous portion size and exceptional quality justify the cost.

Location: Old City – 228 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Price Range: $12-$15

Rating: 4.5/5 (Google Reviews)

Sonny’s Famous Steaks offers one of the most accessible quality cheesesteak experiences in Philadelphia, conveniently located in the historic Old City district. Their sandwiches feature tender ribeye with a nice char, served on fresh Amoroso rolls. The cheese options include the traditional Whiz, American, and provolone, all melted perfectly throughout the meat.

What sets Sonny’s apart is their friendly service and clean, welcoming environment—a contrast to some of the more rough-around-the-edges establishments. Their outdoor seating is perfect for people-watching in Old City, and their efficient service means you rarely face the long lines common at other top spots. For visitors exploring Philadelphia’s historic sites, Sonny’s provides a convenient and delicious cheesesteak experience.

Location: Fishtown – 1 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Price Range: $11-$14

Rating: 4.6/5 (Google Reviews)

Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop combines nostalgic 1950s diner atmosphere with exceptional cheesesteak quality. Their Fishtown location serves perfectly seared-to-order ribeye on fresh rolls, with cheese options including American, provolone, and Whiz. What distinguishes Joe’s is their attention to the entire experience—from the retro decor to their hand-spun milkshakes that perfectly complement their sandwiches.

Dating back to 1949, Joe’s has maintained consistent quality while evolving with the times. Their cheesesteaks feature the ideal balance of meat, cheese, and bread, with optional toppings including long hots for those who enjoy some heat. The Fishtown location makes them accessible to visitors exploring this trendy neighborhood, and their efficient service keeps lines moving quickly.

Location: North Philadelphia – 3653 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140

Price Range: $10-$13

Rating: 4.4/5 (Google Reviews)

Max’s Steaks gained wider recognition after being featured in the movie “Creed,” but locals have long appreciated this North Philly institution. Their cheesesteaks are known for generous portions of thinly sliced ribeye on long rolls that can barely contain the filling. The American cheese option melts perfectly into the meat, creating the ideal cheese-to-meat ratio.

Open late into the night, Max’s serves as both a neighborhood staple and destination for cheesesteak enthusiasts willing to venture beyond the tourist areas. Their no-frills approach focuses on quality ingredients and proper technique rather than fancy presentations. The cheesesteaks here represent authentic Philadelphia tradition at its finest, served in a genuine neighborhood environment.

The Essential Components

A traditional Philadelphia cheesesteak consists of three key elements: the roll, the meat, and the cheese. The best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia achieve the perfect balance between these components:

• The Roll: Ideally crusty on the outside, soft on the inside. Many top shops use rolls from local bakeries like Amoroso’s or Sarcone’s.
• The Meat: Thinly sliced ribeye beef, cooked on a flat-top grill. The chopping style varies from finely minced to larger slices.
• The Cheese: Three traditional options: Cheez Whiz, American, or provolone. Each creates a distinctly different flavor profile.

How to Order Like a Local

When ordering at any of the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, you’ll need to specify two things:

• Cheese Type: “Whiz” (Cheez Whiz), “American,” or “Provolone”
• Onions: “Wit” (with onions) or “Witout” (without onions)

Example: “One Whiz wit” = One cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz and onions