The Philly cheesesteak is not only comfort food; it’s a blue-collar working man’s ideal meal. The hefty sandwich consists of thinly sliced rib-eye steak layered with onions and melted cheese on a toasted Italian loaf. Since National Cheesesteak Day is March 24 (not that you need an excuse to indulge in this downright pornographic eating experience) we pulled together five sandwich shops that do the cheesesteak tradition proud.
Pat’s
Photo: Pat’s King of Steaks.
Founded in 1930, Pat’s is the Philly institution credited with creating the city’s namesake sandwich. Cheez Whiz is the key ingredient to this sandwich whose recipe hasn’t changed in over 80 years of business. Be forewarned: the line at Pat’s moves fast and you need to have the ordering lingo down ahead of time. First, state if you want your sammy “wit” or “wit-out” (onions, that is). Next, specify your cheese (American, Cheez Whiz, or provolone), or if you prefer a plain sandwich or the pizza steak. Order sandwiches only at the first window and step to the second window for fries or drinks. Have your cash in hand because there are no credit cards accepted here. Open 24/7, Pat’s is so notorious, the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama visited for a taste in 2008.
Geno’s
Photo: @sjeatss on Instagram.
In business since 1966, Geno’s didn’t invent the Philly cheesesteak but it was the first cheesesteak joint to add provolone cheese to the classic sandwich. Like its rival, Pat’s, Geno’s is open 24/7 and is such a celebrity magnet that it has a photo gallery of famous people posing with the shop’s epononymous owner who took over when his father, and Geno’s founder, died in 2011.
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Tony Luke’s
Photo: @bccdny on Instagram.
Tony Luke’s signature take on the Philly cheesecake is Black Angus beef. The south Philly location of this counter-service chain was the site of Man v. Food‘s Ultimate Cheesesteak Challenge that pitted that show’s host Adam Richman against founder Tony Luke. Richman devoured five pounds of cheesesteak in under 28 minutes as fans cheered him on. (Tony Luke only made it 2/3 of the way through.) Think you can best that? We dare you.
Boo’s Philly Cheesesteaks
Photo: @boosphilly on Instagram.
Boo’s Philly is known as the home of “the most authentic Philly cheesesteak in Los Angeles”. Owner Andrew Ahn came to L.A. by way of Philly with the dream of becoming a filmmaker. His parents soon moved to L.A., too, and asked where they could get a good cheesesteak. “You can’t!” said Ahn. Soon a family business was born, named after Ahn’s late grandmother. Ahn’s father, who previously owned a cheesesteak joint in Philly, likely couldn’t imagine that the iconic sandwich would evolve into varieties like pizza steak, pepper steak, and cheesesteak hoagie, all served on Amoroso’s bread. Boo’s currently has three locations in Silver Lake, Koreatown, and Inglewood.
Shorty’s
Photo: @shortysnyc on Instagram.
Shorty’s, a New York City cheesesteak joint, claims that what makes or breaks a cheesesteak sandwich is the bread, which is why it imports its all-important rolls directly from Philly. With four locations throughout NYC, you’re probably not far from your next cheesesteak fix–and 20+ beers on tap–no matter where you are. If you’re too lazy to go out, no problem; get the Shorty’s app and have your cheesesteak delivered. Now the only question is: Will you add plain, bacon cheese, Italian, or Old Bay fries to that order?
