Pat's King of Steaks
Story has it that Pat Olivieri created the first Philly cheesesteak in the '30s, when he filled a bun with chopped steak instead of a wiener at his Philadelphia hot dog stand. Pat's namesake restaurant is still going strong, serving a menu that almost completely revolves around cheesesteaks.
You can get a plain steak sandwich, a cheesesteak or a pizza steak---all of them come with or without mushrooms and/or sauteed bell peppers. You can also order a fish cake sandwich, a roast pork sandwich or a hot dog, which harks back to Pat's early days. Sodas, french fries and cheese fries round out the menu at this classic cheesesteak spot.
Pat's King of Steaks
1237 E. Passyunk Ave.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
(215) 468-1546
patskingofsteaks.com
Jim's Steaks
Jim's takes pride in its authentic cheesesteaks, which are made with prime or choice beef and come with fried or raw onions and hot peppers. The restaurant, which has four branches, also serves hoagies.
Steaks come plain or with bell peppers, mushrooms or cheese (Cheez Whiz, American or provolone). You can also order a pizza steak or a vegetarian version.
The hoagies include lettuce, tomatoes, hot peppers and oil or mayonnaise. A popular choice is the Italian Special with Genoa salami, capicola, provolone and ham. Also try the prosciutto, ham, turkey or tuna---all come with or without cheese.
Jim's Steaks
400 South St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
(215) 928-1911
Roosevelt Mall, Bustleton and Cottman avenues
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19149
(215) 333-5467
431 N. 62nd St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19151
(215) 747-6617
469 Baltimore Pike
Stoney Creek Center
Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064
(610) 544-8400
jimssteaks.com
Tony Luke's
Tony Luke's serves traditional cheese steaks with rib eye and branches out to include alternatives such as chicken.
In the beef department, you can get a cheesesteak with American cheese or Cheez Whiz; a steak with cream cheese and sliced tomato; or a pizza steak with or without pepperoni. You'll even find the Ultimate Cheesesteak, a concoction weighing about 5 pounds and costing about $40.
You also can order chicken cheesesteak, a variety of hamburgers and hot dogs, sandwiches such as chicken or veal cutlet and specialty sandwiches including Italian sausage, meatballs and gravy, and fish with cheese.
Tony Luke's Old Philly Style Sandwiches
39 E. Oregon Ave.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148
(215) 551-5725
tonylukes.com
About The Author
Barbara Dunlap is a freelance writer in Oregon. She was a garden editor at "The San Francisco Chronicle," and she currently specializes in travel and active lifestyle topics like golf and fitness. She received a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has been a Knight Foundation Fellow.
