Jim's Steaks
Philadelphia, PA 19147-1521
Phone: (215) 928-1911
- Price:
- $
- Best of Citysearch:
- Cheesesteak 2006
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 10am-1am, Fri-Sat 10am-3am, Sun 12pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Jim's Steaks – by Lawrence Goodman
In Short
This Philadelphia institution is considered a front-runner in the great cheesesteak debate. That's why customers line up on its noxiously sanitized sidewalks at all hours. The steaks ooze grease, which seeps into the roll and makes the entire sandwich a mind-blowing experience. Make sure to get fried onions on top, and don't try to sound well-heeled by ordering some kind of facy cheese like provolone. Jim's famous cheez wiz will do perfectly fine.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe servers at Jim's have something of a reputation for rushing customers and barking at them when they don't fork over their cash fast enough. Out-of-towners will find themselves stunned by the rude treatment.
User Reviews for Jim's Steaks
04/14/2008 Posted by Vincepapale
For 30 years I wanted to go to Philly & find the best Cheese Steak. Finally making it there this spring, myself and a coworker decided to visit the 3 most popular haunts in walking distance from our hotel downtown. We decided to hike to Geno's, Pat's and Jim's. Geno's was first & we were so disappointed in the steak!!! It was dry - too much bread & it just had little flavor. The locals I asked told us & I must confirm that the price is way too much for what you get. I will say the meat was lean (& sliced), but I can get a better Philly in Denver, CO than at Geno's. My co-worker had the exact same impression. I admire Geno's for their publicity of cops' causes, but I got to wonder if that is more for their own publicity than for the cops. This has nothing to do with the taste test (as I had already had my steak), but it was offensive none the less: Geno's will give out free bumper stickers (1 per customer the sign says), espousing their latest publicity on ordering in English. I saw a fellow in front of me get 5-10 of them. So I asked for 1. The employee turned & asked an old guy (I think it was Joey), if he had any stickers to give out - pointing to me. I guess I didn't look South Philly enough, cause he said "nah, we're out." Very classy Joey!!! I'll just make sure that everyone knows my opinion of Geno's. Since I work in the travel industry, I'll make sure to tell folks where to steer clear in Philly. As for the rest of the Steak trip - the next two were a quantum leap! After Geno's we go across the street to Pat's. The employee greets us with a big smile & takes our order. Oh man - night & day! Pat's was HUGE! They piled it on & yes this is what I was expecting in a steak in SO Philly. Outstanding. After some serious walking, I worked up enough room to venture to Jim's at South & 4th. While not as big as Pat's - it had a certain flavor that just beat out Pat's. Locals say Gooey Louie's (huge & meaty) & Tony Luke's are the best.
Pros: Awesome Steak (wit wiz), nice view (&scenery) of South St from upstairs, Beer!
Cons: Slightly Rude Help, pricey for size (but worth it).
03/09/2008 Posted by Jerome99RIP
Don't listen to the people giving this place four or five stars. It's garbage and the people who work there are miserable. If I want to get yelled at by people serving me food I'll commit a crime and go to jail instead. Oh, the cheesesteaks that people rave about? A big, fat, meh.
Pros: None
Cons: Miserable employees, mediocre cheesesteaks.
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