PAT'S KING OF STEAKS
Although many locals like to denounce Pat's as a tourist trap, we think Pat's is famous for a reason. And gluttonous vegetarians like Messy can make a whole meal of delectable cheesefries. Seriously, these are some good cheesefries. Always crispy, and the whiz never gets gloppy. As for the cheesesteaks, Picky considers them to be quite good. Ready in 5 seconds and always "wit" (onions, for those who don't know) no doubt about it. Plus, it's one of the rare places in Philly open 24 hours, and what could satisfy a 3 a.m. drunken craving better than a dripping cheesesteak and some messy, salty fries. If Messy had spent her formative years around such delicacies, she never would have become a vegetarian.
Messy ****(cheesefries only); ** (overall)
Picky ****1/2
The final word: Not for those on a low-cholesterol diet. Get your eats and a true Philly experience in one shot.
Pat's King of Steaks
Where 9th Street crosses Wharton & Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA
Open 24/7, 361 days a year
215-468-1546
August 15th, 2005 at 4:41 pm
when I found your site, I was so excited that philly may begin to actually have some trustworthy reviews, but alas, I happen upon your review of Pat's, and my dreams are shattered.
If you two truly believe that pat's is good, then all your other reviews are worthless.
for a good cheesesteak, try:
tony luke's
east ridge pizzeria in willingboro
other good sandwiches are:
anything at tommy dinic's in the reading terminal
roast beef at cherry street tavern
roast pork at royal tavern
by the way, I agree with picky. pizza in philly sucks.
December 1st, 2005 at 1:21 am
Pat's is the King of Steaks like Piss is the King of Beers. It's a tourist trap and a refuge for timid creatures who don't have the spine to venture beyond South Street to visit PHILADELPHIA for food. Hell, I can get a better CheeseSteak out here in El Paso, TX than going to Pat's!
Try Pagano's, up on Cheltenham Avenue. Falone's, on Island & Elmwood avenues. Just about any steak shop in North Philly, West Philly, Germantown and Mount Airy will produce a fantastic sandwich.
You know why? They don't have money for marketing: their advertising is word of mouth. They can't afford to support the Mummers, but if not for them Amoroso's would be out of business.
If you're gonna review Philadelphia food, you have to venture beyond the tourist traps and center city. My home town has food so good I still wake up, almost 5 years after leaving fair Woodhaven, wishing I could walk down the street and get double steak w/onions and half provo, green peppers at the end, black pepper and garlic.
Too bad Falone's doesn't deliver west of the Mississippi…
May 26th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
You have got to be kidding!!!!
Pat's can't hold a candle to most any of your neighborhood hoagie shops. They sell tourist crap. I don't know where they got their rep for the "King of Steaks" but someone sure missed the boat.
Your website has lost a lot of status on this one. Come on admit it. You must be from somewhere else. I know California. I am from Philly originally, and have lived in Arizona for over 30 years. The first thing I do when I come back east is head for Dallesandro's on Henry Ave. That's the real thing not the junk that Pat's passes off on the public.
We have some decent Cheesesteak and Hoagie shops out here in the Phoenix area. They are run be transplanted Philadelphians. Still not the same. but pretty good. It really sucked years ago. The best I've run into is the "Philadelphia Sandwich Company" at 5th Ave and Scottsdale Rd in Scottsdale. They owners are from South Philly and stay open 24 hours. They make the best in Arizona, but still are behind my old home town.
Do me a favor and get back to Pat's and give them another try after going to a quality place. Better yet don't bother. You'll only waste your money. Use the money you save and send me some TastyKake Lemon Pies. I will be forever grateful.
June 27th, 2006 at 11:06 am
What about Chink's up my old way? I'm from Frankford and Cottman but is one NE landamrk i don't see mentioned much here. I'll bet that would rival some more famous sopts for one of the best cheesteaks in town. I am on vacation next week and may drive over to pick some up to take back home to (euggg) Jersey where I live now.
July 21st, 2006 at 4:38 pm
I have travelled all over the world, unlike you obviously small-town pin-headed homers.
Pats is the King.
Everything else is shit.
July 22nd, 2006 at 10:29 am
I went to Pat's last night. The blonde short hair lady who served us was mean and gave us a really bad attitude. That was my first time to Pat's and I will never go back to them.
August 26th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
PATS or GENOS - Both tourist traps. Just a place for south philadelphians to "hang". If you want a good cheesteak, almost any other place will do. If you are hungry and down there, go to the mexican place next to GENOS.
January 13th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Pat's and Geno's = fatty meat serving tourist trap.
Dellesandro's takes the 'steak'….
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I live in North Carolina and I can tell you from personal experience… the "cheesesteaks" here are shit comapred to what Pat's dishes out. Whether or not you think Pat's is a tourist trap, it was and still is the originator of the cheesesteak and beats the shit out of places I go to anywhere around here. Each time I'm in Philly (which is rather often), I always make a point to stop at Pat's to eat something real. I hate imposter poser-ass "Philly Cheese Steaks" places down here. Pat's rules.
June 18th, 2007 at 1:52 am
I'm origonaly from Willingboro , N.J. and I know good food if you want a good cheesesteak go to Pats or Genos if you want a great cheesesteak go to Gatanos in Willingboro. As far as pizza is conserned there is only Eastridge Pizza on Beverly Rancocas Rd. in Willingboro
Now if your in Jackson , Mississippi your screwed unless you know where to go , for pizza Venus Pizza is the best choise its pizza with a southern flair ( I didn'nt think it would last or taste this good ) they have a pizza called a crawdaddy its deshelled crawfish added for a topping , if you still want a cheesesteak DO NOT GO TO THE MALL THEY SUCK !!!! Do treat yourself to Lennys Subshop the guy who started Lennys is none other than THE CHEESE STEAK KING of Wildwood , N.J. now if you have a yerning for food from home you have an idea where to go when your in Jackson Mississippi !!!!!
July 27th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
If you want a great cheesesteak, you have to go to PAGONO's off of Ogontz Ave. Pat's and Geno's are COMMERCIAL. Yes they get alot of play on TV, but trust me, when you TASTE a Cheesesteak from Pagono's, it taste so good, it almost make you want to smack your Mama!!!!!! Also, try the Pagono's Special, which is a Hoagie. Not a sub, not a grinder, a HOAGIE!!!!!!!! They also have a Fantastic Chicken Cheesesteak. I get mine with Triple Cheese and Mushrooms.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Don't take any of the other reviews seriously. Not one person knows what they're talking about.
The best cheesesteak is purely subjective, and for many evolves over time. Pat's was my favorite at one point in my life, and then for a few years was hit or miss so I stopped going. A few weeks ago I had one of the best cheesesteaks I've ever had from Pat's. Obviously most of the employees are ignorant, greaseballs, but hey, its South Philly and its got character . . . and characters. Geno's is basically a cleaner (restaurant and sandwich-wise) version of Pat's, with less meat, in a brighter atmoshere.
Personally I fined Delasandro's to be average. They're overstuffed, and the place smells kinda gnarely; I do however give them an A+ on cheese usage. In fact its my brothers, and one of my best friends favorite places. Another guy I hang out with loves Chubby's across the street.
A lot of people like Jim's on South Street, and it is a good steak, but not as filling as a lot of the other places. In high school I loved it.
I usually eat a cheesesteak for lunch every Saturday. The only place I go anymore is George's on the East side of 9th just South of Christian. The cheesesteak is unbelievable, as well as the sausage, meatballs, roast pork, roast beef, spicy veal, and tripe. Try the sharp provolone. He keeps bankers hours so go during the day. Sandwiches You Will Like . . . you won't be dissappointed.
As far as Pizza goes: Lorenzo's, Randazzo's and Gianfranco's . . . ironically all on South Street . . . ar unbelievable.
Love,
A guy from South Philly
January 19th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
pats is the best. if you think u can get a better cheesesteak in el paso, then u r on drugs. no cheesesteaks are better then the ones in Philly!!!!