You are here: Home / Philadelphia Dining / Restaurants (scroll down for list) / Cheesesteaks / Philadelphia Cheesesteak Tour 2020 During COVID-19! The Final Breakdown of 60 plus Cheesesteaks In The Philly Region!

Philadelphia Cheesesteak Tour 2020 During COVID-19! The Final Breakdown of 60 plus Cheesesteaks In The Philly Region!

February 9, 2021 By
John's Roast Pork cheesesteak

John’s Roast Pork Cheesesteak

‘Finding The Ultimate Philadelphia Cheesesteak in 2020!’

 

Bring it on! The quest for the ultimate Philadelphia Cheesesteak!

It’s no small task when searching for anything called “Best of ” that is food related!

Opinions can be subjective. Biased opinions can sometimes slide into the thinking process that should be handled by your taste buds! Overall, everyone has their favorites, sometimes being stubborn on them, but did they miss one or two in the process? Overall, I hope that we uncovered a few gems that you might not have otherwise heard of before.

The cheesesteak tour consisted of 60 plus different cheesesteaks in the Philadelphia region, which was completed in seven total days! Sometimes visiting 12 or more in one day! The areas included are establishments from South Philly, Old City, Center City, North Philly and Northeast Philadelphia, We also ventured out to some Philadelphia suburbs such as Bala Cynwyd, Levittown, Colmar, Lansdale, Folsom, Horsham, the Delco area, a handful of places in South Jersey and one in Central Jersey. 

The tour itself was fun and interesting. We got to meet some wonderful and passionate chefs, owners and at times, we even had some foodie enthusiasts meet us at certain locations. Our team consisted of a mix of cheesesteak lovers, culinary professionals and food media personalities. Many of the cheesesteak establishments listed below were established through our readers, polls, cheesesteak lovers and sometimes through research. 

Our goal was to identify a “Final 10” of cheesesteaks, then have 8 to 10 judges choose the Tour Champion. The winner will receive a special plaque as the MyPhillyAlive 2020 Best of Cheesesteaks in the Philadelphia region. The final event will happen sometime in March, as we work through the details because of Covid restrictions. We aren’t sure if the public will be allowed to join us, but we will be live streaming the event. Stay tuned for details.

This special cheesesteak tour has a special fundraiser component, in which we are raising money for two different local Philadelphia veterans organizations. The Veterans Multi-Service Center at 213-217 N 4 th St, that focuses on jobs and homelessness and the VA Vet Center at 801 Arch Street, that focuses on the mental health of our veterans.

We’ll be raising money through the proceeds of our t-shirts made specifically for this cheesesteak tour. We’ also collected money from some of the cheesesteak establishments (listed below) and from anyone who would like to donate as well. (Stay tuned to a link to the site for ordering t-shirts and donations. Please check back at the very end of March, as we want to have the winner included on the t-shirt.) We truly want to thank those establishments, during these trying times, who have so graciously donated money to the cause.

Establishments Who Have Donated To Our Choice Of Veterans Organizations: 
(click on the blue links below for their radio interviews)

.

As of now, these 29 establishments have donated: Gleason’s Bar, Goomba’s Pizzaria, Cafe Carmela, Curly’s Comfort Food, Joe’s Steaks + Soda (1:08 mark – 11:40), Altomonte’s Italian Market and Deli, Steak Em Up, Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks, Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop, Sonny’s Famous Steaks, Cleaver’s Philly, Jim’s South Street Steaks, Geno’s Steaks, Gooey Looies, Donkey’s Place, Molly Malloy’s, Spot Gourmet Burgers, Giuliana’s Deli, Via Marconi Pizza Pub, Mi Pal’s Deli, John’s Roast Pork (11:42 mark – 19:06), The Original Tony Lukes (43:05 mark – 50:25), Oh Brother Philly, Nick’s Bar and Grille, Meatheadz Cheesesteaks (19:10 mark – 31:49), Shank’s Original (38:35 mark – 41:01), Peter and Son’s Sandwiches (31:52 mark – 38:30), Tonelli’s Pizza Pub, The Original Thunderbird, Sofie’s Steaks and Delco Steaks! We have now raised $2,050! So thank you to all who have donated in helping our veterans! 

.

Mama's Pizzeria in Bala Cynwyd, PA

Mama’s Pizzeria in Bala Cynwyd, PA

Below is our rating scale and how we viewed things.

“The Philly Foodies Rating System”

5.0 to 5.9 – Barely on the radar as a sandwich
6.0 to 6.5 – Nothing to write home to mom about
7.0 to 7.5 – Truly average to good.
7.6 to 7.9 – Neighborhood status! If in the neighborhood, you will stop for one!
8.0 to 8.9 – Very worthy! You will drive 45 minutes out of your way! Wait in line for 30 minutes! You will have to try it at least once! There is no shame in coming back again. 
9.0 to 9.9 – Hall of Fame status! One of the tops you ever had! You highly recommend, wait in line for an hour and or drive out of your way for an hour plus! And you will be back, possibly with friends and family! Your enemy might even now become your best friend!
10.0 – The Immaculate Reception! Famous status!

The difference between a low 7 and a high 6 is far greater than a high 7 and a low 8. A high 8 could be a low 9 or vice versa, as it depends on your mood, the preparation and that days experience. When we try to rate these cheesesteaks, we try to take the emotions and possibly any bias out of the equation. We truly want it to be about the taste and nothing but the taste, so help us God. 
 
As a group, we ordered all the cheesesteaks with American cheese and no onions. There are various reasons to this method of madness. We feel that these kinds of cheese; Cooper Sharp, Sharp Provolone and especially whiz, can sometimes overwhelm the overall taste, and take away from the meat. The same with onions. I have ordered fried onions, not only to receive raw onions, but the onions being very large in size, and that the onion to meat ration was extremely high. Just these things mentioned, could easily drop the rating of a cheesesteak that would have been rated higher based on the meat and bread. So our ratings will be based on the meat, bread and the cheese. As we head into the finals, we will allow for fried onions and any kind of cheese that the establishment prefers, allowing them to give us their best cheesesteak! Then it’s Game On!
 
So here is what everyone has been waiting for, our final rankings! We added a slight twist. Because there were a few sitting right at numbers 9 to 15, we decided to have a top 12. We had 2 tied at number 11 and for the 12th and last spot, we had another 3 cheesesteak establishments tied. We are allowing the public to decide the final spot. We will have voting done on Facebook and Twitter. You will be able to find the Facebook poll in our Philadelphia Cheesesteak Tour and Philly Foods (You must request to be added to the group in order to vote). For the actual poll, click Philly Cheesesteak 2020 poll on Facebook. For the Twitter poll, click Philly Cheesesteak 2020 poll on Twitter. The winner will be announced February 21st at 9 pm! One important issue though. John’s Roast Pork has declined to participate in our finals contest. Another reason why we are doing the people’s choice, and allowing for 3 to compete for the final 12th spot.
 

Who are the lucky three? Gleason’s Bar in Levittown, Cafe Carmela in Northeast Philadelphia and the Original Tony Luke’s in South Philly!

Cafe Carmela was the winner and is our 12th cheesesteak!

.

The 2020 Cheesesteak rankings with average rating, bakery, type of steak used, review & rating video and location. Keep in mind that we only visited those places that are listed below and nothing more. This is for those of you who think other places did not make our rankings. Thx

.

FYI – Gene Blum will be writing articles on the history and such on the top 12 cheesesteak establishments. Once the name is highlighted in blue, that means the article is completed. So check back every now and then for updates. He is also doing a series on the bakery companies that will be listed below. You can also click on the links for our videos on our reviews listed below. Lastly, those cheesesteak establishments who have donated to one of the veterans organizations that we chose, received an 8 minute radio interview from Kevin Wilson, from Dining on a Dime. Those establishments will get linked to the radio interviews in the donation mention section above, so check back frequently for those as well. Thx!

.

Rank Cheesesteak Establishment Avg Rating Bread Company Type of Steak Used Review & Rating Video Location
1 Mama’s Pizzeria 8.97 Conshohocken Bakery – Special Made Ribeye Mama’s Pizzeria in Bala Cynwyd Bala Cynwyd, PA
2 John’s Roast Pork *** 8.7 Carangi Baking Company Loin Tail John’s Roast Pork in South Philly South Philly
3 Angelo’s Pizzeria 8.67 Makes their own bread Ribeye Angelo’s Pizzeria in Bella Vista Italian Market Area
4 Curly’s Comfort Food 8.5 Aversa’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Curly’s Comfort Food in Levittown, PA Levittown, PA
5 Donkey’s Place 8.45 Kaiser Roll by Del Buono’s Bakery Ribeye Donkey’s Place in Camden, NJ Camden, NJ
6 Goomba’s Pizzaria 8.37 Recipe given to Hearth Baker Ribeye Goomba’s Pizzaria in Colmar, PA Colmar, PA
7 Meatheadz Cheesesteaks 8.33 Amoroso’s Bakery – Special Top Bread Ribeye Meatheadz Cheesesteaks Lawrence Twp, NJ
8 Tonelli’s Pizza Pub 8.28 Liscio’s Italian Bakery – Seeded Ribeye Tonelli’s Pizza Pub in Horsham, PA Horsham, PA
T9 Cleaver’s Philly 8.17 Carangi Baking Company Ribeye Cleaver’s Philly in Rittenhouse Square Rittenhouse Square
T9 Sonny’s Famous Steaks 8.17 Conshohocken Italian Bakery Ribeye Sonny’s Famous Steaks in Old City Old City, Philly
T11 Delco Steaks 8.1 Carangi Baking Company Black Angus Ribeye Delco’s Steaks in Broomall, PA Broomall, PA
T11 Spot Gourmet Burgers 8.1 Conshohocken Italian Bakery House Butcher Ribeye Spot Gourmet Burgers in Brewerytown Philly Brewerytown Philly
13 Café Carmela 8.05 Carangi Baking Company – Seeded Ribeye Cafe Carmela in Northeast Philly Northeast Philadelphia
14 Gleason’s Bar  8.07 Aversa’s Italian Bakery Sirloin  

Gleanson’s Bar in Levittown, PA

 Levittown, PA
15 Original Tony Luke’s 8.03 Liscio’s Italian Bakery House Baked Thinly Sliced Ribeye – Slab Original Tony Luke’s South Philly South Philly
T16 Original Thunderbird Steaks 7.95 Conshohocken Italian Bakery Ribeye Original Thunderbird Steakhouse & Catering in Broomall, PA Broomall, PA
T16 Lugi and Giovanni’s 7.95 Liscio’s Italian Bakery – Seeded Ribeye Lugi and Giovanni’s in Newtown Square, PA Newtown Square, PA
18 Steak Em Up 7.93 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Steak Em Up in South Philly South Philly
T19 Giuliano’s Deli 7.9 Collegeville Italian Bakery Chopped Ribeye Original Philly Giuliano’s Deli in Lansdale, PA Lansdale, PA
T19 Mad Dog Morgan’s 7.9 Randall’s Bakery Sirloin Mad Dog Morgan’s in Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ
T19 Molly Malloy’s 7.9 Sarcone’s Bakery Sliced Ribeye from Giunta’s in RTM Molly Malloy’s Reading Terminal Reading Terminal Mkt
T22 Oh Brother Philly 7.87 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Oh Brother Philly in Old City Old City, Philly
T22 Altomonte’s Italian Market 7.87 Homemade Roll Sliced Ribeye In-House Altomonte’s Italian Market Warminster, PA
24 Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop 7.85 Aversa’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop South Street District
T25 Gaetano’s Steaks 7.83 Deluca’s Bakery – Seeded Ribeye Gaetano’s Steaks Brooklawn, NJ
T25 Leo’s Steaks 7.83 Amoroso’s Bakery Ribeye Leo’s Steaks in Folcroft, PA Folcroft, PA
T27 Carmen’s Famous Hoagies 7.8 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Ribeye & Sirloin

Carmen’s Famous Hoagies Part 1

Carmen’s Famous Hoagies Part 2

 Reading Terminal Mkt
T27 Ray’s Pizza 7.8 Conshohocken Italian Bakery Ribeye Porterhouse Blend Ray’s Pizza in Lansdale, PA Lansdale, PA
T27 Shank’s Original 7.8 Aversa’s Italian Bakery Top Round Shank’s Original in South Philly Penn’s Landing / South Philly
T27 Via Marconi’s Pizza Pub 7.8 Corpollisis Bakery Ribeye Via Marconi’s Pizza Pub Hatfield, PA
T27 Doc’s Deli Steaks & Hoagies 7.8 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Doc’s Deli Steaks & Hoagies Lansdowne, PA
T32 Spataro’s Cheesesteaks 7.77 Carangi Baking Company Top Round from Giunta’s Meats inside Reading Terminal Mkt  Spataro’s Cheesesteaks Reading Terminal Mkt
T32 Nick’s Bar and Grille 7.77 Liscio’s Italian Bakery   Nick’s Bar and Grille in Old City Old City Philly
T34 Nick’s Roast Beef 7.73   Ribeye Nick’s Roast Beef on Cottman Ave Northeast Philly – Cottman Ave
T34 Gooey Looies 7.73 Aversa’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Gooey Looies in Pennsport, PA Pennsport, PA – South Philly
T36 Carmen’s Deli 7.7 Del Buono’s Bakery Ribeye Carmen’s Deli in Bellmawr, NJ Bellmawr, NJ
T36 Mi Pal’s Deli 7.7 Undisclosed Ribeye

Mi Pal’s Del South Philly

Pepperoni cheesesteak & garlic bread

 South Philly
38 Delco’s Original Steaks Hoagies 7.68 Aversa’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Delco’s Original Steaks and Hoagies in Chadds Ford, PA Chadds Ford, PA
T39 Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop aka Old Chink’s 7.67 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop in Fishtown Fishtown

/North Philly
T39 Chubby’s Steaks 7.67 Amoroso’s Italian Bakery Sirloin Chubby’s Steak in Roxborough Roxborough Philadelphia, PA
T41 White House Sub Shop 7.6 Formica’s Bakery in Atlantic City Top Round Sirloin White House Sub Shop Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ
T41 Pudges Steaks 7.6 Conshohocken Bakery Ribeye Pudge’s Steaks in Lansdale, PA Lansdale, PA
T41 The Fresh Works 7.6 Par Baked Sirloin  The Fresh Works Olde Richmond, Philly
T41 Jay’s Steak & Hoagie Joint 7.6 Vive La France Bakery Ribeye Jay’s Steak & Hoagie Joint Langhorne, PA
45 Sofie’s Steaks 7.55 Liscio’s Italian Bakery 100% Ribeye

Sofie’s Steaks Part 1

Sofie’s Steaks Part 2

 Morton, PA
T46 Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks 7.53 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Campo’s Philly Old City Philly
T46 Steve’s Prince of Steaks – Comly Rd 7.53 Deluxe Italian Bakery Slab Steve’s Prince of Steaks Comly Rd Somerton – Philly
T46 By George  7.53 Carangi Baking Company Seeded   By George in Reading Terminal  In Reading Terminal Mkt
T49 Chick’s Deli 7.5 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Marinated Loin Tail Chick’s Deli  Cherry Hill, NJ
T49 Tony Boloney’s 7.5 Randall’s Bakery Ribeye Tony Boloney’s Atlantic City, NJ
T51 Mike and Emma’s Steak Shop 7.48 Aversa’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Mike and Emma’s Steak Shop Folsom, PA
T51 Peter and Son’s Sandwiches 7.48 Liscio’s Italian Bakery – Extra Baked Slab Peter and Son’s Sandwiches  Glassboro, NJ
T53 Steve’s Prince of Steaks – Bustleton 7.33  Deluxe Italian Bakery Slab Steve’s Prince of Steaks Bustleton  Northeast Philly
T54 Dino’s Pizza 7.3 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Ribeye Dino’s Pizza Warminster, PA
T54 Cosmi’s Deli 7.3 Carangi Baking Company Loin Tail Cosmi’s Deli South Philly
56 Jim’s Steaks on South 7.27 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Rostellis Angus Meats Jim’s Steaks Queen Village Philly
T57 Dalessandro’s Steaks 7.2 Amoroso’s Bakery Ribeye Dalessandro’s Steaks Roxborough Philadelphia, PA
T57 Oregon Steaks 7.2 Aversa’s Italian Bakery – Seeded Slab Oregon Steaks South Philly
59 Jimmy G’s Steaks 7.17     Jimmy G’s Steaks North Philly
60 Larry’s Steaks 7.1 Amoroso’s Bakery   Larry’s Steaks North Philly
61 Ishkabibble’s II 6.97   Ribeye Ishkabibble’s II South Street District
62 SQ Philip’s Steaks 6.53     SQ Philip’s Steaks W. Passyunk South Philly
63 Geno’s Steaks 6.47 Liscio’s Italian Bakery Slab Geno’s Steaks Passyunk South Philly
64 Pat’s King of Steaks 6.33 Aversa’s Italian Bakery Slab Pat’s King of Steaks Passyunk South Philly

*** John’s Roast Pork won’t be participating in the finals. Because of this, Delco Steaks and Spot Gourmet Burgers round out the 10th and 11th spots. Hence why we are doing a People’s Choice pick for the 12th and final spot. Rules above. ***

I have already ranked Freshworks in Port Richmond myself. I gave their cheesesteak a 7.6 rating. You can read my review here. ~ Freshworks Review ~

I have also ranked Mi Pal’s Deli in South Philly. Not only did I try their regular cheesesteak, but I had one that was made on garlic bread and I had pepperoni added on it. I gave that one a 8.2 and their regular a 7.7.  ~ Mi Pal’s Deli ~

During the whole tour, we had radio show host Kevin Wilson, from Dining on a Dime, follow us along all seven tours. He did and will be doing interviews of owners, the staff and even from customers. We’ll also be doing a one-hour review segment after the winner is picked, recapping our whole tour and much more. We’ll give you the date and time later, so you can listen in and possibly call in. There is always the taped review after the fact. ~ Dining On A Dime On Facebook ~ Dining On A Dime On Twitter ~ Dining On A Dime On Instagram ~
 
Please tell us your favorite cheesesteak places throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey in the comments below or on our Facebook post at MyPhillyAlive’s Cheesesteak Tour.
.

You can follow us along our food adventures and post your own as well at our Philadelphia Cheesesteak Tour group on Facebook.

.

From the author Jeff Belonger: Here is my opinion on the many cheesesteak articles out there naming the top places in Philadelphia. I find many to be regurgitated from other articles, and even those who wrote the articles, probably only visited a few of the places they mentioned. Then you have those who are biased to their areas, loyal to friends who might own a cheesesteak establishment, and some who never leave their areas, yet can boast the best cheesesteak places. My goal is to present an unbiased rating based on the meat, bread and cheese. 

Delco Steaks - Black Angus vs Jeff B

Delco Steaks – Black Angus vs Jeff “Quick Hands” Belonger

MyPhillyAlive Foodie Articles

If you have any suggestions or your favorites regarding any of the food items mentioned above, please sent them to MyPhillyAlive@gmail.com – Thx!

Filed Under: Cheesesteaks, Events & Festivals, Food Festivals, Food Festivals, Philadelphia History, Things to Do in Philadelphia Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,