Top Philly Cheese Steak List

Before attending a Phillies, Sixers, Flyers or Eagles game, I sometimes find it appropriate to stop into one of the many wonderful cheese steak hot spots in the Philadelphia area for an always satisfying pre-game meal. There are many places through out the Delaware Valley who claim to have the best cheese steak, but I have your inside scoop and the answer to the never ending Philly cheese steak debate. Here is my top ten.

#10 Campo’s
Campo’s comes in at number 10 mainly because I only ate there a couple of times. I went to the Campo’s at Citizens Bank Park and waited in a decently long line but boy was it worth it. Campo’s is a great option if you’re not willing to wait in the long Tony Luke’s line and will always leave you satisfied before or during a Phils game.

#9 Dallesandro’s
If you’re looking for a pre-game meal, Dallesandro’s is a bit out of the way. But if you’re willing to make the trip, you’re in for a treat. Dallesandro’s is tucked away in a nice Manayunk neighborhood and is a well kept cheese steak secret. Lines are relatively short and the cheese steaks are phenomenal.

#8 Geno’s
I haven’t been to Geno’s for a few years now, but just going by memory I know that Geno’s offers one of the best Philly cheese steaks. The rolls are perfect, the meat is great and you can’t beat their location in South Philly. It’s a true Philadelphia experience to have a Geno’s cheese steak and a true experience for your taste buds as well. Some people may be a bit surprised to find Geno’s all the way down at #8. Geno’s may have the lights and glamour but their cheese steaks can’t compete with some of the places in my top 7.

#7 White House Subs
This is another place that I only visited a couple of times basically because it is a bit out of the way. White House is located all the way in Atlantic City but still offers one of the best cheese steaks around. Probably the most notable feature about White House is that they get fresh rolls delivered from a local bakery several times a day. The bread really adds to the cheese steak and if you’re ever hungry on your way down the shore, be sure to stop in.

#6 Wit or Witout
Wit or Witout is relatively new and has locations on the boulevard, on Frankford Avenue, and in Brookhaven, PA. Wit or Witout offers you great cheese steaks with or without sautéed onions and some of the best French fries I’ve ever had. Wit or Witout cooks great non-chopped meat complimented nicely by fresh cheese and great rolls. Wit or Witout has low prices and is a non-expensive and convenient pre game treat.

#5 Tony Luke’s

Located directly off the Packer Avenue exit of 95, is a great and convenient place to go before the game. But if you go too close to the start of a major sporting event you may find yourself waiting in an overwhelmingly long line. Personally I love Tony Luke’s but I’m not willing to wait at their South Philly location or Citizens Bank location on game day. If you’re willing to wait you’re in for a very satisfying and perfectly cooked cheese steak. Tony Luke’s has great cheese steaks which are good enough to crack my top five.

#4 Steve’s Prince Of Steaks
Steve’s is a great way to avoid the long lines of places like Geno’s and Tony Lukes and still get an authentic Philly cheese steak experience. Steve’s is similar to Wit or Witout in that they don’t chop their meat and the cheese compliments the meat so well. Steve’s also has great rolls and fries and is a convenient pre-game meal especially if you live in the burbs.

#3 Mony’s Sandwich Shop
Monty’s opened in 2010 and has been steadily climbing in the ranks of my cheese steak list. Located in Southhampton, PA, Monty’s offers outstanding steaks and is a well kept secret. Monty’s owes a lot of their cheese steak’s success to their rolls. Monty’s has the best rolls I’ve ever had hands down. The fresh rolls and great meat make for a near perfect combination. Although Monty’s is pretty new, it still has better steaks than some of the most notable South Philly joints. If you are a Philly cheese steak fanatic, Monty’s has to be on your list of places you need to try.

#2 John’s Roast Pork
John’s is probably the best kept Philly cheese steak secret. John’s is located in South Philly and is located just off of Columbus Avenue exit of 95. John’s combines fresh and perfectly chopped meat and incredible rolls into one of the most amazing cheese steaks in all of Philadelphia. The only complaint I have with John’s is the slow moving lines. If you’re going to a 1 PM Phillies game you may want to arrive at 11-11:30 in order to have sufficient amount of time to catch the first pitch.

#1 Chink’s Steaks
Some prior information you need before reading the description of Chink’s; it was an extremely close call between Chink’s and John’s for number 1, in fact it was a photo finish. But ultimately Chink’s prevailed as number 1 on my list combining great cheese steaks, pre-game convenience, and overall atmosphere. Chink’s cooks their meat whole and offers great rolls. Located on Torresdale Avenue, Chink’s is a convenient pre-game stop and offers customers a unique 1950’s soda shoppe experience. And as if the cheese steaks weren’t filling enough, Chink’s has awesome milkshakes that are extremely tasty and filling. Chink’s is number 1 on my list and is the best pre or post game stop for steaks and more.

Pre-game rituals are as important to the overall enjoyment of a sporting event as the game itself. Whether you are tailgating with your friends or stopping in at a top 10 cheese steak joint, a fun and satisfying pre-game meal can make even a loss manageable. So next time you’re thinking about grabbing a steak before a game, make sure you stop in to a Joe Morrison approved cheese steak joint and I promise that you won't be disappointed.

A special thanks goes out to my uncle for his contributions to this article.