04/03/04

Don't waste your time....

by schwager

Our concierge recommended Jim's, but I wish we would have stuck with our plan of going to Dessandro's. The sandwich was just O.K. - dry meat and grease. The service at the counter was horrible!!! I think the chef thought he was funny, but I found it just plain rude.

10/10/09

This place was awful

by Lynn516

When I visited Philadelphia today my friend said you must go to Jim's Steaks. I was amazed when I saw the long lines and smelled the aroma of the cooking. I have eaten cheesesteaks all my life so I feel I know a good one from a bad one. Jim's Steak unfortunately was a bad one. First it arrived with little meat.The cheesesteak was completely tasteless and so bland that I had to eat it together with potato chips just to get the taste of salt to possibly blend with this tasteless sandwich. In addition the staff were placing tomatoes in containers without any gloves.In fact I observed staff eating food with their fingers as they served customers. Not the most sanitary place.It is one thing if you come here just because you see the long lines but if you are a repeat customer and really feel this place is any good.....then you have to wonder are your taste buds awake or asleep.The whole experience has made me want to be a vegetarian.

• Pros: Absolutely None
• Cons: Taste, Price and the Long Lines

06/01/09

Umm??

by element13

I was visiting from LA and hadn't been in Philly for awhile and much to my surprise I've ordered cheesesteaks in California that were 10 times better than this. The workers were all rude, didn't put enough cheese whiz on my steak and charged me out the ***. If you're visiting Philly, do Pat's or Geno's, but stay away from this dump.

• Pros: The upstairs was kind of cool
• Cons: Employees looked like they were all on work release

04/14/09

Amazing

by CSMobileUser

This was the best. I had a cheesesteak at jim's and I craved more. Then I visited pats, Pats had bad food and the didn't care at all about you. If your in phillie and you want a cheesesteak visit jim's and not pat's

• Pros: Example: best croissants in town
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

03/25/09

Rude Service, Moody Employees

by niksiz

The service at this dump is downright rude and indifferent. The lazy employees have an attitude problem and don't care about friendly service with a smile.

Save your money and go somewhere else that appreciates your business.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Rude Service, Mediocre Cheesesteaks, Overpriced

03/24/09

Pat's or Geno's? Nope - Jim's!

by thatbrian

Think the best steak & cheese in Philadelphia can be found at either Pat's or Geno's? Wrong! It's at Jim's!

• Pros: Best Steaks
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

03/18/09

Best cheese steak in philly

by AshanK

It's all in the cheese wiz!!!

Although it's crowded, once you're inside there's space to sit down.

• Pros: Best cheese steaks in Philly
• Cons: The wait is a bit much but definitely worth it

12/14/08

Great Cheesesteak!

by HockeyFan16

Tourists to Philadelphia - Do what the locals do. We locals know that Pat's and Geno's are two tourist traps living off of their prior reputations. If you want to have a great cheesesteak, you don't have to go any farhter than Center City. Jim's Steaks offers the best! Forget the cheese whiz (which I always said was simply disgusting) - go for the provolone. You might experience a long wait - that should tell you something positive is about to be served to you.

• Pros: Best cheesesteak in Center City, Philadelphia
• Cons: Seating area is not the best

11/06/08

Eat at Jim's, nuff said

by skwirlsareyummy

Best meat + best buns + best technique = Jim's. If you want to look like a total douche, get the Cheese Whiz which the other places prefer because they're too lazy. Stick with the American.

• Pros: Best steaks in town
• Cons: LIMITED seating and long lines on Saturdays

07/30/08

Yo, gimme a 'steak with cheese and I'd like a beer with it. Any place to sit here?

by cougaboutown

I've long held that the only place to get a good Philadelphia cheesesteak is in Philly itself. For some reason you just can't get one of these elsewhere. Jim's has the reputation and you won't be disappointed. Having said that, seating is very limited and there are people who will line up well outside the door to get their hands (and mouth) on one of their 'steaks. I like cheesesteaks. I've eaten cheesteaks. Cheesesteaks are a friend of my stomach. But... I'd never wait more than 10 minutes to get one and that includes Jim's. But, if you have to go to the place, I guess you have to do what you have to do. There's very little seating, the cooks are Northeast fast and rude so be ready for that if you're from Kansas sports fans. Otherwise, get ready for a great Philadelphia cheesesteak!

• Pros: A great, classic Philly 'steak
• Cons: Can be a long line, limited seating. Upstairs seating is singularly dirty and charmless.

07/25/08

One secret revealed - it's their BREAD that helps great steaks be even greater.

by ghaynes

Great steak sandwiches, and don't be put off by the hustle and bustle. Nobody ever explains that part of the Jim's cheesteak mystique is the bread they use, custom-baked for Jim's in South Philadelphia. The long lines that occasionally snake out the door onto South Street are, after all, people voting for this place -- and who clearly believe it's worth the wait. It IS. Funky decor. Go upstairs with your order and grab one of the tables by the front window and you can munch while watching the activities on South and 4th Streets. The staff can be brusque if you are first in line but don't know what you want, or if you don't have your money ready to pay after you they hand you the tray with your order on it. But they mean well - they're just really busy because this place, if you seek a great Philadelphia cheesesteak, is THE PLACE TO GET IT.

• Pros: Most likely the best cheesesteak available in Philadelphia or anywhere
• Cons: If hustle and bustle bothers you, try off-hour visit. The place is often packed but turnover is rapid and the food's worth it..