Five Hidden Cheesesteak Spots in the Philly Area Critics Won't Tell You About: From a Local
Skip the Whiz
Here’s how it works. You are with some people in (insert tired American town/city) drinking (insert inflation-spiked beer) and you mention you are visiting Philadelphia. They tell you to get a cheesesteak, of course, the prized sandwich I spent my childhood wrecking after youth sports games perfecting my gut, and you nod obliviously.
“Go to Pats or Geno’s,” a stupid person says, after doing a quick google search.
But do not be deceived by your ignoramus friend who went to Philly once for a conference and followed the herd to wait 60-minutes for a soggy and cold cheesesteak "wit’ whiz.” This manifesto — okay it’s not that comprehensive — is intended to impart some cheesesteak wisdom, so you don’t have to listen to your friend, or worse, a 20s’ something food reporter who traveled to PA once on assignment for a $300 article and lazily tried the touristy places.
Something I’ve found is that people from the Greater Philly area, like myself, are not actually that picky about their cheesesteak. People like to sort of swear by certain places, in a half-serious way, but in reality, it’s kind of hard to fuck up a sandwich that is comprised of steak and cheese.
Still, while it is certainly difficult to make a bad cheesesteak, it is obvious when one is particularly good. Visiting Philly for the weekend? Here are five great spots.
Mama’s Pizzeria & Cheesesteaks
426 Belmont Ave
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 664-4757
Mama’s cheesesteaks are not for the faint of heart. I mean that. They are massive, good for sharing, and pretty rich for their house blend cheese mix.
Ever since stepping through these doors around age 9 – cleats from another loss in flag football in hand – this has arguably been my favorite cheesesteak. They also have a stellar chicken steak, and due to the popularity of their sandwiches recently, they stopped selling pizza (their pizza was meh).
Mama’s is located about five minutes from City Ave and also Fairmount Park. It’s about 20 minutes from Center City. As of last I checked, they are only doing takeout, but that may have changed.
Chubby’s Steaks
5826 Henry Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 487-2575
This is a controversial take for people who know where this is located. Chubby’s is across the street from Dalessandro’s – which is pretty good but has a massive line most days that makes it not worth it.
Chubby’s is the place you look at while you're in line at Dalessandro’s questioning what your life has come to. But do not be deceived – Chubby’s offers a killer pizza steak (provolone and sauce) that is hard to rival, and a good buffalo chicken steak. They also have a full bar service with cheap beer and indoor seating – whereas Dalessandro’s is an outdoor frenzy that is cash-only.
People will say I am trying to just be the contrarian here, and sure, there is some truth to that, but Chubby’s is (insert descriptor for food besides great that makes it sound like I’m a trained food writer).
For a respectable whiz experience, try Chubby’s.
Campus Corner
829 Lancaster Ave
Villanova, PA 19085
Campus Corner is the place I used to go with my friends in High school mostly or to get delivered. It’s on the Villanova University campus and just off the highway.
Nova basketball memorabilia lines the walls -- dusty pictures of Jay Wright or Scottie Reynolds or Kris Jenkins – who hit The Shot – with boomers holding #1 fingers in the air. This is an establishment known for its “munchies” section – including pizza fries, mac and cheese bites, nachos supreme, buffalo chicken fingers, and so on.
The cheesesteak here is well-worth it if you are located closer to the Nova/King of Prussia area. It's a popular delivery and takeout place – and they have a solidly sized seating area that is ‘50s-esque. If getting a cheesesteak, I recommend doing provolone or some other cheese – not the whiz.
Steve’s Prince of Steaks
2711 Comly Rd
Philadelphia, PA 19154
There are three locations for Steve’s — a famous place that holds up as well-worth it. And Steve's is certainly no underdog — offering stellar steaks since ‘99. They charge extra for mozzarella and provolone.
The Comly located above is off Roosevelt boulevard and a few minutes from I-95 and the turnpike. See Dave Portnoy’s Barstool review there.
Beck’s Cajun Cafe
Reading Terminal Market
51 N 12th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
C&8
(215) 592-0505
Reading Terminal – a massive market with an abundance of options – is a must-stop if visiting Philadelphia. Beck’s Cajun Cafe cooks up a “Trainwreck” cheesesteak that is chopped steak mixed with spicy sausage and salami. It’s a unique twist that you can’t try elsewhere.
One could imagine that the “Trainwreck" shocked the OG’s. Indeed, it is hardly representative of a typical Philly steak. But it’s awesome and worth getting in addition to one of the other places above.
In general, to reiterate, a cheesesteak is a simple dish. I have only had one bad cheesesteak in my life, and of course, it was at a Sixers game. And if going to Sixers game, for the love of God, for all things holy and just, do not get a steak at Campos.
I am happy to suggest more food places if you have the misfortune of visiting Philadelphia. Email me at gkaminskycontact@gmail.com.
Gabe Kaminsky is an investigative reporting intern for the Daily Wire. His work has appeared in The Federalist, RealClearPolitics, The American Mind, and elsewhere.