Kings of Leon rate Philly cheesesteaks backstage at Wells Fargo Center

When in Philly to perform, the rock outfit Kings of Leon has a tradition:

Eating cheesesteaks.

But the guys add stakes to the steaks: They turn it into a friendly but serious competition called Battle of the Cheesesteaks.

While Kings of Leon was in town Jan. 19 to perform at the Wells Fargo Center, the game was on. Ballots were printed, pencils were sharpened, napkins and plates were obtained.

After three previous years of sampling traditional spots like Geno's and Pat's, the competition involved a crop of five newcomers: Dalessandro's and Chubby's in Roxborough, Jim's on South Street, Stacy's Pizza in West Philadelphia, and Philip's in South Philadelphia.

Last time out, Jim's won.

Live Nation chose the competitors - no band or crew members had a say in the selection.

Band and crew were eligible to eat and vote. All competitors were kept to a meat/cheese/bun item in a white wrapper - keeping it anonymous.

(Results follow the photos.)

The final results:
1. Dalessandro's
2. Chubby's
3. Jim's
4. Stacy's Pizza
5. Philip's