A New Yorker vs. Philly's Best Cheesesteaks

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Compared with the rest of this list, Rick's isn't all that impressive. Their meat is fatty and a tad gristly, and -- at least on my visit -- the cooks were way … overzealous with the Whiz. But its Reading Terminal location is convenient to Center City tourists and convention-goers looking to avoid the Hard Rock. [link]

With its thinly sliced ribeye, freshly baked Sarcone's bread, and carved wooden hoagie sign, Campo's is a touch classier than your typical neon-lit cheesesteakerie. And … like Sonny's, it's located in Old City -- a plus for those on a late-night bender wishing to avoid another trek to South Philly. [link]

Families fill the booths and locals line the bar at this minute cheesesteak shop in Roxborough. The sandwiches are fat and meaty, and as an added bonus, Chubby's serves … frosted mugs of beer to wash down your meal. [link]

Famous for their signature roast pork sandwich and generously portioned cheesesteaks, John's has been feeding Philadelphia's dock workers since 1930. More recently, this … take-out lunch counter has caught on with the masses thanks to well-seasoned meat and perfectly crusty rolls from the Carangi Baking Company. Just don't expect any Whiz -- John's only serves American and provolone. [link]

Sonny's is slightly more polished than the average Philly steak shop. The storefront's devoid of neon, the service is friendly, and the bathrooms are clean. Plus it's in … Old City, a gentrified neighborhood filled with galleries, boutiques and bistros. But Sonny's cheesesteaks are as authentic as any and pretty much have to be paired with their globby Cheez Fries. [link]

Perhaps Philly's most famous steak shop, Geno's looks more like some bygone Times Square strip club with its shameless barrage of self-promotional neon signage. The … cheesesteaks are choice, but owner Joey Vento's in-your-face right-wing patriotism (the speakers blare the Star Spangled Banner) and highly publicized views on immigration (his strict "English Only" ordering policy is a point of political and moral contention in Philadelphia) can be as unappetizing as huffing an economy sized can of Whiz. [link]

The service is harsh at Jim's South Street location -- so much so that I witnessed an elderly man get berated for not ordering fast enough. But make it through the line … unscathed, and you'll feast on one of the finest chopped-style cheesesteaks in the city. While waiting, peruse the wall of celebrity clientele, highlighted by a signed photo of Larry King skydiving with the dedication, "Jim's cheesesteaks take me higher." [link]

Like many Philly steak shops, Pat's is steeped in celeb adoration and local tradition, particularly that involving its longtime rivalry with gaudier Geno's across the … street. Posted ordering instructions acclimate tourists to the regional lingo -- "Wiz wit" = Cheez Whiz and onion -- while expert grillsmiths serve Pat's steak chopped to perfection. Local lore claims that Pat's founder, Pat Olivieri, invented the cheesesteak back in 1930. [link]

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