Pat’s King of Steaks

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 1237 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147 marketingwit@patskingofsteaks.com Website (215) 468-1546 Price: $ Hours: 24/7 Twitter // Facebook // Foursquare

Overrated, overpriced, worth a try, would not return

Pat’s is better than Geno’s, but that’s not saying much. Their steaks are more flavorful and the temperature is just right, but their bread is a little on the hard side. The lines here are just as long as Geno’s, but they have a way more courteous staff. Case and point, one of my steaks was a little too dry to my liking and they replaced it no questions asked. You won’t get that kind of service at Geno’s.

Overall, the cheesesteaks are decent, but not worth the price or the trouble of waiting on a long line. This is more a less a tourist attraction, after all Pat’s is credited for creating the original Philly cheesesteak.

Covered seating is available outdoors and they only accept cash.

Wiz Cheesesteak with (onions) ($9), Provolone Cheesesteak with ($9), & Provolone Cheesesteak without ($9)

French Fries ($4)

Geno’s Steaks

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 1219 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Website (215) 389-0659 Price: $ Hours: 24/7 Foursquare

Over-hyped and bad service! You’re better off going across the street to Pat’s, the lesser of two evils

What was once a past favorite is now an over-hyped tourist trap. Lines get really long, mostly due to its attractive lights and its mural of celebrity encounters. The cheesesteaks are warm at best, the beef was sliced and had no flavor what so ever, the provolone cheese wasn’t melted, and the onions were raw. That’s pretty much everything you can do to ruin a cheesesteak. Not to mention the service is horrible, they’re rude and they look down on customers that can’t speak English well. The fries are decent but if you want a more satisfying cheesesteak, just go across the street to Pat’s.

If this review hasn’t deterred you enough to not want to try Geno’s, then bring cash because they don’t accept credit. Similar to Pat’s, covered seating is available outdoors.

Wiz Cheesesteak with (onions) ($9) & Provolone Cheesesteak Sandwich with ($9)

Freedom Fries ($4)