Philly Cheesesteak Guide – Our Top 4 Spots

We recently spent some time in Philly, and naturally, we ate as many cheesesteaks as we possibly could. We went to some classics spots, some new-school spots and everything in between.

Below we’ve compiled our top 4, all of which are worth a visit!

Dalessandro’s (Manayunk)

When preparing for our trip, our buddy (a Philly local) recommended us Dalessandro’s. This was our first stop on the trip. Little did we know how popular yet divisive Dalessandro’s was in the Philly steak community. On an overcast Wednesday we got there around opening and were surprised that just a few minutes later there was already a steady line forming.

They say your first is special, and in this case they were right. We had the mushroom and caramelized onion cheesesteak with cheez wiz and hot peppers. The hot peppers are what really elevated this sandwich. They put the hot peppers at the bottom along the bun, so with every bite you got a spicy kick.

After doing some more research, we didnt realize that these guys were cheesesteak legends– which some still love and others think are past their prime. As a humble food blog from Boston we thought this place was top tier.

Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop (Fishtown)

Joe’s has a top tier cheesesteak, but this spot is a must try for a number of other reasons too. First off, we loved the 1950’s soda shop/diner vibes to it. We have a soft spot in our heart to that kind of Americana. Second, they have a full on pickle bar which features your classic peppers as well as banana peppers and cherry peppers. And finally, their milkshakes are the kind that you can only get at a legit diner. 

But this is a cheesesteak guide, and their cheesesteak was one of the best we’ve had. We loved the way they chopped the steak up, as it wasn’t too thinly sliced. Apparently, according to cheesesteak snobs, they are one of the few spots around town using the “proper” cheez wiz on their steaks. Our only regret is getting the small– since we were trying to maximize our cheesesteak intake for the day.

Woodrow’s (South Philly)

While the first two spots we mentioned are institutions on the Philly cheesesteak scene, Woodrow’s is a newcomer who is changing up the game with their new take on this old classic. If you want a classic cheesesteak then this isn’t your spot, but if you want a top tier cheesesteak then you have to stop here.

The magic all starts with their homemade truffle cheez wiz. It is thick, cheesy, and decadent. For a small fee, you can be sickos like us and get some on the side to dip your fries and cheesesteak in. They also have a cherry pepper mayo which adds a softer kick than having straight pepper on there. The bread was extremely fresh and held up to the tall task of handling all the cheesy gooey-ness. The french fries here are also a must try. They remind us of a gourmet version of Five Guys fries. They are thick cut, soft, and warm in the middle while crispy on the outside. The perfect vessel to dunk into our side of cheez wiz.

Jim’s South Street (South Philly)

Jim’s is another legend of the cheesesteak game in Philly. The reason this was our least favorite on the list is the same reason others might love it. When it came to the cheez wiz, Jim’s was on the lighter side. The benefit of this is that it lets the other ingredients shine. But of course, the con is less cheese.

When it came to the steak itself, it was more of a ground beef texture than shaved steak– which again is personal preference. We loved the caramelized onions, peppers, as well as the roll. Size-wise this was an absolute beast.

At the end of the day Jim’s is still a top tier cheesesteak, but with so many great options we have to help you narrow it down.