[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

OK so I know we are extremely well stocked with Philly people here in the family, so I have an important non golf question.

So I am pulling into Philly In the next couple hours with a buddy who has never been there, and I am wondering where is the REAL Philly Cheesesteak sandwich?  I know there is a debate whose emotions run quite deep. But I only have a couple hours before I decide where to take my buddy. So if you feel passionately one way or another tell me why and convince me.

Important details are how to order it and why, and of course the address.

Let the debate begin.

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

OK so I know we are extremely well stocked with Philly people here in the family, so I have an important non golf question.

So I am pulling into Philly In the next couple hours with a buddy who has never been there, and I am wondering where is the REAL Philly Cheesesteak sandwich?  I know there is a debate whose emotions run quite deep. But I only have a couple hours before I decide where to take my buddy. So if you feel passionately one way or another tell me why and convince me.

Important details are how to order it and why, and of course the address.

Let the debate begin.

where are you exactly?  Philly's a big place. 

while there are probabaly better steaks, Geno's and Pat's offers a good one (one could even do a taste test) plus you get a little Philly flavor with you experience.  Order Whiz Wit!  that's all you need to know.

The best I think are D'alessandros in Roxborough, but that's a bit of a hike from center city.  Jim's on South St. is another decent sandwich, plus you get a little extra urban flava.

Mama's in Bala Cynwyd off City Line are good as well.

There was one in UNiversity City that was good -- abner's I think.  Not sure if that's still there or now.

[Michael Blake]

Daryl,

I've been eating'Pats' on 9th & Wharton in South Philly since I arrived in Philly in 1991.
And don't let that 'foodie' Joe Bausch convince you of others in Roxborough.  You don't have time to drive out there.

From the Pat's website on how to order:

The line at Pat's King of Steaks moves quickly, so it's best to be prepared — know what you want, and how to order it by the time you get to the front of the line!

Step 1
Specify if you want your steak with (wit) or without (wit-out) onions

Step 2
Specify Plain, Cheez Whiz, Provolone, American or Pizza Steak

Step 3
Have your money ready. We are cash only.

Step 4
Order your just your steak at the first window. The second window is for fries and drinks.

Step 5
Eat up while it's hot!

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

oh, and Tony Luke's.  That's a really good one too...

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

We are driving in from Harrisburg staying up in Horsham tonight. But within reason I'll detour wherever we need to. Are we way out of the way. I know very little about Philly from previous experience except how to find Merion. But I have GPS.

[Michael Blake]

We are driving in from Harrisburg staying up in Horsham tonight. But within reason I'll detour wherever we need to. Are we way out of the way. I know very little about Philly from previous experience except how to find Merion. But I have GPS.

You're close.
Horsham is probably 10-15 miles north of the city. 

You can take 611 south into the city.  Lots of lights and stops and gunfire.
Or you can take PA Turnpike West to 476 South to 76 East into the city.  All highway but traffic on 76 is hit or miss.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I'm a Pat's guy myself....for the history and the ambiance. It's a least 45 minutes or longer to get there from Horsham but they're open late.

If you want a cheesesteak near Horsham, Lee's on 611 has better hoagies than cheesesteaks but their's is ok.

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

if you're up that way, then Max's (i think it's on Germantown & Erie) is good.  You might get shot or mugged...

[JESII]

Turboe,

Steve's Prince of Steaks - Cottman & St. Vincent. About 25 minutes from Horsham.

Ordering; just state the type of cheese yhou want followed by "with" or "without" referring to fried onions.

The only place you'll find serving the steak sliced as opposed to chopped.

What time are thinking?

[Howard Riefs]

if you're up that way, then Max's (i think it's on Germantown & Erie) is good.  You might get shot or mugged...

Thankfully, it's safer at Geno's now that hockey season is over in Philadelphia.

http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/1/5/2684449/winter-classic-fight-philadelphia-flyers-new-york-rangers-fans

[Ed Brzezowski]

Get off at exton and go to Ron's schoolhouse, five minutes off the turnpike. South on 100 left on 113. 500 yards down on right.

Get back on turnpike.

Plus great beer selections

[Ed Brzezowski]

if you're up that way, then Max's (i think it's on Germantown & Erie) is good.  You might get shot or mugged...

Too  cool or a good shootin .  Stabbin is good this time of year

[Sam Morrow]

I liked the one at WaWa.

[Kris Shreiner]

Pat's and Geno's cheese steaks are scrawny, second rate tourista efforts. When they're squeezing your cheese out of a bottle...you know it's B.S.! I can eat about four of those things...each, they're tiny. I guess if you want to do the tourist thing...Daryl you deserve better!

Ed B's got a good call if your not past that Exton exit yet. Many of the best cheese steaks today are OUTSIDE the city.

Tony Luke's is a good call. Joe's spot in Roxy is solid. Given where you are going, that Steve's or Max's might be better logistically.

Best of luck. More lead time next shot in here would find you with a Philly posse to escort you into town!

Cheers,
Kris

[Kris Shreiner]

Darryl,

Come to think of it, if you get off at the Valley Forge exit, I'll escort you to a kick-ass cheese steak within 10 minutes of there. Call me on the cell if you're in the neighborhood at (904) 806-2150.

Cheers,
Kris

[Joe Bausch]

Darryl,

Come to think of it, if you get off at the Valley Forge exit, I'll escort you to a kick-ass cheese steak within 10 minutes of there. Call me on the cell if you're in the neighborhood at (904) 806-2150.

Cheers,
Kris

Garrett Hill Pizza is like 20 minutes from that exit Kris.  What is your problem?

I've eaten hoagies bigger than Mike B so I know what I'm talkin' about. 

[Ed Brzezowski]

We need a full post dinner report please

[Dan Boerger]

I had an out-of-body experience at this place:

http://www.chinksteaks.com/store/magento/index.php/

[Mark Provenzano]

I had an out-of-body experience at this place:

http://www.chinksteaks.com/store/magento/index.php/

That's a good one! Some other great places were previously mentioned.

Agree with those saying avoid Pat's/Geno's, that's for the tourists or late-night-post-sports-complex-event-munchies.

Personal preference? A joint called Ted's Place in Conshy. Best I've ever had anywhere. 5 minutes or less from the Schuylkill, Blue Route, Turnpike or NE Extension.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

As usual I am never disappointed with the response you get on GCA be it golf related, or something really important like this thread.  Unfortunately it didn't dawn on me until quite late on this trip as we had literally left Harrisburg when I posted the thread from my iPhone.  I got the first several posts but all of the ones after my post mid way through I did not see until now in my hotel room.  So sorry I coldnt follow up with anyone of the offers after that point.

Next time I will give more advanced notice.  This is a business trip with someone traveling with me, so I didn't think the golf options were going to be too much for me this trip.  I am only here in Philly area proper for this one night, and will be out in Reading area for the conference for the rest of the week starting tomorrow pm.  Have some customer golf scheduled a couple times (no input on where we are playing unfortunately), but don't know if I will be able to sneak away on my own for some better golf at all.

OK now on to the important post meal report someone asked for.  We headed to Pats based on basic recommendations. As I mentioned I have only been in Philly a couple times before, and only downtown once before 15 yrs ago and someone drove me around so I have no idea where all I went.  But I had this guy with me that had never been here so I figured we needed to do one of "The big two".  So Pat's it was.  I had Wiz Wit, and I nibbled on a few cherry peppers and hot peppers for good measure as well.  My associate had plain wit.   Now for those of you who have met me and know that not only am I not a petite guy, but also quite inquisitive, I just couldn't resist and when I finished my Wiz Wit at Pats, I walked over to Geno's and ordered the same.  No comparison... Pats was far and away the better Cheesesteak.  Now I know and won't have to do that again.  At risk of alienating some of my Philly brethren here I have to call it as I see it.  

One of my Philly brothers from SC whom I talked to though told me I was missing the boat entirely with limiting myself to Cheesesteaks anyway and I should have gone to Johns Roast Pork and gotten something I think he called the Roast Port Italiano.  Does he know what he is talking about or has living in the heat of SC for several years fried his brain.

Next trip the picture in my head of "a posse of GCA guys escorting me into town" is intriguing enough to make it happen.

Thanks for all the advice, pics on my iPhone, but for now I must sleep...

[Jason Mandel]

One of my Philly brothers from SC whom I talked to though told me I was missing the boat entirely with limiting myself to Cheesesteaks anyway and I should have gone to Johns Roast Pork and gotten something I think he called the Roast Port Italiano.  Does he know what he is talking about or has living in the heat of SC for several years fried his brain.

Next trip the picture in my head of "a posse of GCA guys escorting me into town" is intriguing enough to make it happen.

Thanks for all the advice, pics on my iPhone, but for now I must sleep...

Your friend who suggested John's roast pork was spot on. But actually while their pork is great, their cheesesteak is better in my opinion.  In any case John's is only open from about 6am-2PM so that wouldn't have worked for you anyway.

Steve's and John's are my two top steaks right now with Chinks definitely in the top 5.

Pats/geno's is worth it for the experience and serves the purpose.


Please get in touch next time you come through philly!

[Kris Shreiner]

Daryl,

You probably could have had a couple more of those "superior" Pat's efforts and still needed more! Well you at least got the "JV" comparison out of the way. Come to that 2013 U.S. Open at Merion next year and we'll "get it on" in a battle royale with the upper tier offerings from the Philly region. As I mentioned, and the suggestions confirm, the best cheesesteaks are mostly being created "outside" the city limits.

Joe B.,

You're a little light on the pedal pards! I can get to Garrett Hill in 10 minutes(light traffic) from that exit. Conestoga Style Pizza, across the street from there actually has the better cheesesteak at the moment, GH has slipped a little of late.

Mark P.,

Ted's is spot on!



I'm having a cheesesteak for lunch today to honor this thread! And it sure as hell won't be Pat's or Geno's offerings!


Cheers,
Kris

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Completing the report...



mmmmmm.....

[D_Malley]

Daryl,
do you really think this group of suburbanite golfers knows anything about the ever changing food scene in a large city like philadelphia.

your friend from SC probably gave you better advise then anyone.

[Tim Martin]

I liked the one at WaWa.

You might know about chicken fried steak and BBQ but people have been slain for comments like that. WaWa is good for gas,coffee,and Tastykakes.

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