Philadelphia is renowned for its cheesesteak sandwiches, which consist of thinly sliced ribeye beef and melted cheese on a long hoagie roll. While cheesesteaks can be found all over the city, two establishments in particular stand out as the most famous and iconic cheesesteak destinations in Philly:
Pat’s King of Steaks
Located in the South Philadelphia neighborhood, Pat’s King of Steaks opened its doors in 1930 and is often credited with inventing the cheesesteak. The original location started out as a hot dog stand opened by Pat Olivieri and Harry Olivieri, and the legend goes that one day they decided to throw some thinly sliced beef on the grill. A passing taxi driver smelled the meat and sandwiches, and requested one for himself. After tasting it, he suggested they start selling this new creation – and so the cheesesteak was born.
Today, Pat’s is one of the most well-known cheesesteak shops in Philly, serving their classic sandwich 24/7 to hungry customers who often wait in long lines down the sidewalk. Their steaks are made with thin slices of ribeye cooked on a flat-top grill and topped with melted American or provolone cheese. You can order your cheesesteak “wit whiz” to get it with melted Cheez Whiz. The authentic spot only accepts cash.
Geno’s Steaks
Located directly across the street from rival Pat’s King of Steaks is Geno’s Steaks, which opened in 1966. Founded by Joey Vento, Geno’s proudly displays various signs advertising their classic cheesesteaks made with thin slices of ribeye, melted cheese, and options for onions. Like Pat’s, customers can also order their steak “wit whiz” to get melted cheese whiz on top.
Beyond the original location across from Pat’s, Geno’s has expanded to several other locations throughout Philadelphia and even other states. The brand is also recognizable by their employees wearing bright red shirts with the Geno’s logo. The original shop is open 24 hours a day, serving their famous steaks through the night to satisfy those late night cheesesteak cravings.
Comparison of Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks
| Category | Pat’s King of Steaks | Geno’s Steaks |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1930 | 1966 |
| Signature Cheesesteak | Ribeye steak, melted American or provolone cheese, optional fried onions | Ribeye steak, melted American cheese, optional fried onions |
| Original Location | South Philadelphia | South Philadelphia (across from Pat’s) |
| Hours | Open 24/7 | Open 24/7 |
| Payment Options | Cash only | Cash and credit/debit cards accepted |
| Dining | Takeout only | Takeout only |
| Other Locations | Just the original South Philly location | Multiple locations in Philadelphia and other states |
Conclusion
When it comes to the most famous cheesesteak establishments in Philadelphia, the debate often comes down to the original rival spots of Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks. Though they use similar ingredients and are located right across the street from each other, each has their own loyal fans who argue for the superiority of one over the other. Ultimately, visitors to Philadelphia seeking an authentic cheesesteak experience should try both legendary spots and decide the winner for themselves.