Philadelphia is a proud city that knows its history was hard fought for and works hard to set itself apart.  One of its incredible creations that are spread around the world in popularity is the Philly cheesesteak.  This delicious sandwich fills you up, is fast to eat and make, and comes from humble beginnings, just like the city itself.

This is a guide to my city and its amazing cheesesteaks, and where you can find the best ones.

The Context of a Cheesesteak

Cheesesteaks were first introduced in the early 1900s by Pat Olivieri as he worked his hotdog cart on the streets of Philadelphia.  In hunger, and interest in trying something new, he threw together a few of these to sell: and people went wild.  He sold tons of these in his first summer, and restaurants tried to replicate it, but his customers were fiercely loyal.  Although that hotdog cart doesn’t sit there anymore: you can still find that original Philly flavor throughout the city.

What Makes a Cheesesteak Good

If you want to get simple with it, a cheesesteak is thinly sliced beefsteak and melted cheese on a long hoagie roll: but it’s more than that.  The meat has to be fatty and good, and the cheese is usually cheddar or American.  Some restaurants and food carts go for canned spray cheese, which can be fun and tasty, but the sliced or shredded whole cheese melts better onto the meat and makes it fantastic.

Dalessandro’s Steaks

Dalessandro’s is my personal favorite.  If I didn’t already live here, I’d start looking at Philadelphia houses for sale just so I could stop by and eat here whenever I could.  This is a favorite of locals, the highest-rated cheese steak shop in the city: and doesn’t overprice their food; it’s extremely affordable.  I enjoy that they don’t mess with perfection and keep their dishes simple and delicious, and by the end of this article, I’ll probably start heading over to get another!  Absolutely the best.

Pat’s King of Steaks

Named after the originator himself, Pat’s King of Steaks is an awesome place to stop and try what the original vision for the cheesesteak was.  Not only does it stick to the original flavor, but it also offers the chance to mix things up if you want to make your own classic take.  This restaurant is more expensive than other steak spots, but it’s an awesome place to get the authentic flavor and feel that same excitement that everyone does when getting a great cheesesteak.

Geno’s Steaks

Geno’s Steaks has quickly become a crowd favorite.  Not only is this the most popular steak spot for locals, but it’s also a must-stop destination for vacationers and tourists who want to taste something uniquely Philadelphia.  The steaks here are extremely affordable, hot, and fresh, and the different sides you can order with them are great but don’t overwhelm or outshine the cheesesteaks.  This is a must-stop destination.

Philly Has A Lot of Flavors

Philly understands the importance of delicious food that fills you up and lets you get back to work.  Consider trying out some of these amazing restaurants, and you’ll fall in love with the city in no time.