Pat's King of Steaks

11/05/08

It doesn't get much better!

by Babsthefirst at Citysearch

As always they wow me with the best cheesteaks ever!

I have tried all the competition and really this is the best by far!

• Pros: The best cheesteaks

09/18/08

Pat's steaks is KING in philly

by ridesdeepsnow77 at Citysearch

Pat's is by far the best, the longest running cheese steak place in America. There are no fancy low class neon lights trying to be like Las Vegas, just good people making something so good it has spawned imitators. The island between 3 different streets is a haven of a truly Philadelphian treat

05/13/08

The REAL cheesesteak...others are a steak steak sandwich!

by BBliggity at Citysearch

Don't get me wrong, times change, the economy changes, and their prices from their vendors that they get their product from change...so, the cheesesteaks have changed in quality a little over the years. However, both Pat's and Geno's are the only places that I want a cheesesteak from! Granted, they differ a little from each other, but...the only difference that matters to me is how long the line at either is, and I go with which is shorter. Geno's seems to be a little more in tuned with each other, and their line seems to go a little quicker...but, either is fine with me! Most others don't even carry CheeseWiz, and that's a sin in the cheesesteak world. Greasy is the way I like it, it's the way my father and grandfather liked it, and it will be the way my kids will like it when that time comes. Provolone?! American?! Steak Sandwich is what we call that! Wiz wit or go home! Every Eagles and Flyers game, I go and get them for my parties, and nothing else will be accepted in my house...NOTHING! Unhealthy?! Get up and go to the gym every now and then you lazy people! You don't have to eat horribly everyday, but if you're gonna do it...MAKE IT COUNT! If you're gonna go anywhere else, you may as well go to Florida to get a "Philly Cheesesteak"...LOL! Garbage...seriously! Don't get me wrong... I'm sure the sandwiches are good, but it's not a Philly Cheesesteak unless it comes from Pat's or Geno's...period. Also, the whole thing about Geno's and people only ordering in English...Geno's has MY support! You don't have to agree, and that's one of the great things about individuality. I just believe that when someone comes to this country, we shouldn't have to cater to them. It doesn't happen for me when I go to Costa Rica, Mexico, Germany, or France...so, it shouldn't happen here either. How hard is it to say "wiz wit" anyways?! Even if they chop it up, the person taking the order will know...

04/14/08

Pat Kills Geno's (No Comparison)

by Vincepapale at Citysearch

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: Huge - Awesome Taste!
• Cons: None

01/30/08

To Each His Own

by bmklaver at Citysearch

Not from Philly, I diligently tried to get an overall consensus of the best place for a Philly from locals. Our first trip to the city, we were told to go to Jim?s Steaks. From all the celebrity photos, I got the impression they know what they are doing so my opinion doesn?t matter much. However, I wasn?t overwhelmed by the product. The meat was chopped up (which seems to be a debate on this preparation as being ?true Philly? or not), it was not greasy (kind of dry in fact), and lacked something (I added salt). The onions were great and the bread was fantastic. I ordered with provolone as I heard that was the way locals ordered it. Probably mostly Italians since we were in South Philly. Good sandwich but nothing to stand in line for in my opinion. Our second trip we stopped at Pat?s on the way to the airport. I ordered with onions and this time wit whiz. The meat was not chopped finely so now I was confused about how a real Philly steak should look. Concerned that I would be biting into a chewy greasy mess like the ones I could get at TGI Fridays, I was not disappointed. The meat was very tender and juicy. The mixture of whiz and the juices from meat and onions was fantastic. I thought the whiz was going to be thick, salty and just plain sick. Maybe that?s why the meat at Jim?s was not salted in preparation to get whizzed on. Anyway, I thought it was great. Lot?s of meat and bread must have been good because I downed it in 5 minutes. Next time we are going to Geno?s and maybe Tony Luke?s as seen on the Food Network in Bobby Flay?s Throwdown. Any suggestions on where to try is welcome. Also want to try a real Philly Hoagie.

10/27/06

Must-Do Atleast Once

by alee34 at Citysearch

This is a great place to take out-of-town guests for the Philly cheesesteak experience. Granted many local neighborhood places may make an amazing cheesesteak, but this little 3 block section of South Philly is where the show is at. The steaks and fries are great, plus you cant beat the scene at 3am once the bars let out. Bring your patience as the lines are long and the parking is crappy, but expect to be entertained. Perfect late night snack! :)

• Pros: Scene, Cheap Late Night Snack
• Cons: Lines, Parking

07/13/06

Pats Steaks!

by scarlett1313 at Citysearch

Being I am not a fan of squeeze cheese or cheese wiz on my -Philly Cheesesteaks- I can say that Pat's is the only place that I will go to and enjoy the sandwiches with it on it! I love my American cheese on my steaks, but at the wee hours in the morning (open 24hrs) when we go and there is a HUGE abundance of people there you just sit back and take it all in and appreciate that Pat's exists! I had many good time memories there with a lot of friends after they got done playing at the Troc or Electric Factory. Highly recommended for anyone of the age of 18+ or is good for the family during the day of course.

• Cons: always crowds of people any time of day.

06/11/06

Best cheesesteaks

by bballforlife192 at Citysearch

Very crowded so if your impatient don't come. They have extemely good food to. They have seats outside where you can sit and relax

06/15/05

I want to e buried there!

by kevincurrie at Citysearch

I have ended many drunken nights at Pats! So good!

05/07/05

User review by madfires

by madfires at Citysearch

Like no other, the steaks are awesome and ordering is an experience. We make special road trips from Baltimore/Annapolis to grab PAT's steaks