TheCheesesteakBracket
Who makes the best cheesesteak in Philly? You decide.
Philadelphia is the capital of sandwiches, but ask an out-of-towner and they’ll only think of cheesesteaks — not our amazing hoagies or roast pork or chicken maroosh. Yes, cheesesteaks are a cliché, but they’re also a delicious source of pride. And what we care about, more than any single cheesesteak, is our go-to shop. Cheesesteaks are a comfort food and so where we seek that comfort can say a great deal about us.
Preferring Dalessandro's over John's Roast Pork is a way of repping Roxborough over South Philly. Proudly proclaiming your order from Angelo’s might show you’re a foodie who knows the shop bakes bread in house. Even the type of cheese you choose — Whiz, American, provolone — can speak to your priorities, or, more often, your memories.
Knowing that the best cheesesteak is a personal choice, it’s impossible to say which is best. But we’re here to do it anyway. 16 popular Philly spots (sorry, Donkey’s Place). Incredibly tough matchups. Voting ends April 3. Which cheesesteak will fight its way to the top?
Remember: Wit great power comes great responsibility.
North
Learn more about these spots
V
V
Sizzling 16
- V
Elite Ate
Central
Learn more about these spots
V
V
Sizzling 16
- V
Elite Ate
South
Learn more about these spots
V
V
Sizzling 16
- V
Elite Ate
South South
Learn more about these spots
V
V
Sizzling 16
- V
Elite Ate
Finals
- V
Fried Onion Four
- V
- V
The Final Bite
Thanks for voting! We’ll announce the winner on April 4th.
Sign up for our Let’s Eat Philly newsletter and be alerted of the winning spot. Also, keep up-to-date on all things Philly food.
Now explore some other tales from Sandwich City, like, where to get vegan cheesesteaks in Philly and 2022’s Italian Hoagie Bracket winner.
You might be wondering: What’s the best sandwich in the city? One writer thinks it’s Saad’s Chicken Maroosh while another thinks it’s the cheesesteak at Mama’s Pizzeria (yes, it’s not really in Philly). Finally, read how Famous 4th Street Deli has a massive stash of mustard.
Staff Contributors
- Design and development: Sam Morris
- Words and digital editing: Evan Weiss
- Illustration: Hawk Krall
- Copy editing: Brian Leighton
- Additional Thanks: Patricia Madej, Kate Dailey, Jamila Robinson, Margaret Eby
- North
- Central
- South
- South South
- Return to bracket
Dalessandro’s
Open since 1961, our algorithm determined this Roxborough shop as the top seed in this entire tournament. Interestingly, most people order their steaks with American cheese instead of Whiz. Also, differentiating itself from most shops, it serves beer.
Steve’s Prince of Steaks
Steve's, which has three locations, is different and you realize the moment you bite into it: The meat is not chopped like at most cheesesteak shops. It makes for a completely different texture — some may find they bit off more than they can chew, others will find it perfect.
Max’s Steaks
Though Max’s has been open since 1994, it has recently received increased attention from being featured in Creed, Creed II, and an episode of This Is Us. Locals know two vital features that help make Max's a beloved institution: the sandwiches are huge and it's open late.
Joe’s Steaks
While the original location closed last year, Joe's is still a popular spot at its Fishtown flagship. The original location was known for decades by a different name, which was a racial slur. A longtime employee, Joe Groh, purchased the shop in 1999 and changed the name in 2013.
Campo’s
Opened in 1947, this spot is so popular it even has a location at Citizens Bank Park. The Old City location has nice outdoor seating when it's warm enough and is central for anyone seeing the historic sites.
Sonny’s Famous Steaks
Sonny's is perfectly located for anyone visiting the Old City historic sites. It also has a mighty fine cheesesteak, one which GQ once called the best in Philly.
Cleavers
Cleavers, opened in Center City in 2016, is a relative newcomer in this competition. But it's already made a significant impression with locals and nearby workers with its 100% USDA domestic ribeye cheesesteaks.
Ishkabibble’s
Ishkabibble’s has two locations, two blocks from each other, where they get especially busy on weekends when people are out and about on South Street. It's known for its large sandwiches but also a drink called the Gremlin, which is a lemonade and grape drink hybrid.
Pat’s King of Steaks
You can't talk about cheesesteaks in this city without talking about Cheesesteak Corner — Pat's and Geno's — or, as some call it, Cheesesteak Vegas. Pat's, though, is the original. And for that, you'll certainly see many tourists, but it's also a local standby. Is it the best? That's up to you.
Jim’s South St
Yes, this place is currently closed due to a fire. But it's a South Street institution and will be back soon enough. Interestingly, this was our No. 2 seed in the whole tournament and, like our No. 1 seed, also serves beer.
Angelo’s Pizzeria
Angelo's is a favorite for many things. Some think it makes the best pizza in the city. It won our Italian Hoagie Bracket last year. And some think that same house-baked bread that makes their hoagies so good also puts their cheesesteaks over the top.
Geno’s Steaks
Kitty-corner from Pat's, the flame-framed neon of Geno's glows like a Guy Fieri fever dream. And like Pat's, it's one of the first places tourists go. But it also has local fans as evidenced by the steady year-round business. Many locals still remember when Geno's posted a sign that read, “This is America, when ordering please speak English.” The sign was taken down in 2016.
John’s Roast Pork
Yes, John's is famous for its roast pork — it's even in the name — but don't sleep on the cheesesteak. This South Philly "American Classic," according to the James Beard Foundation, has been turning out sandwiches since 1930. They're doing something right.
Tony and Nick’s
Most readers will know this as the original Tony Luke's, but it changed its name last year after a court battle and family feud. This classic is conveniently located off I-95 and is close to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.
Gooey Looie’s
You can't beat the name. I'm sorry, you can't. This small South Philly spot is hidden in a pedestrian courtyard and is beloved for its hoagies, burgers, and, of course, cheesesteaks.
Philip’s Steaks
Like Pat's and Geno's, this West Passyunk shop is open 24 hours a day and is an easy stop on the way to or from the airport for those driving from the city. (Editor's note: This story was updated to remove a reference to Philip's Steaks’ founding.)