Philadelphia is a world-class city, brimming with more authentic history, art, and culture than almost any other in America. We’ve got the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and a food scene that goes far beyond what you’ve seen on TV.
But like any major city, we’ve also got our traps—those over-hyped, long-line, low-payoff destinations designed to catch unsuspecting visitors.
While some might point to the (free) line to see the Liberty Bell, it’s not a “trap.” It’s a genuine piece of world history. The real, undisputed champion of all tourist traps in Philadelphia isn’t a museum or a monument.
It’s a street corner.
Specifically, the intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia, home to the neon-drenched, 24/7 cheesesteak “rivalry” between Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks.
The Neon Trap: Why It’s the Biggest
This intersection is the very definition of a tourist trap. It’s an attraction built entirely on hype, drawing massive crowds for an experience that is famously underwhelming to anyone who actually lives here.
Here’s why it fails the test:
- The Hype vs. Reality: Pat’s (which claims to have invented the steak sandwich) and Geno’s (the flashy rival across the street) are on every TV food show and in every “must-do” travel guide. This has created a self-fulfilling prophecy where tourists feel they have to go to get “the original.”
- The Subpar Product: Ask any Philadelphian where to get the best cheesesteak, and you’ll get 20 different answers. Not a single one of those answers will be Pat’s or Geno’s. The steaks are notoriously average, often using gristly, unseasoned meat on a generic roll.
- The “Experience”: The reality of “the experience” is waiting in a 45-minute, all-weather line, shuffling past a “Cash Only” sign, and having 10 seconds to bark your order (“Whiz wit” or “Provy witout”) at a gruff cashier. You then get your $15 steak and have to eat it standing up on a crowded, greasy sidewalk.
People go for the spectacle, the photo-op, and the “I did it” T-shirt. They don’t go for a good meal.
What to Do Instead: A Local’s Guide
We don’t want you to leave Philly thinking that was a good cheesesteak. If you want a genuinely life-changing steak, here’s where you should go instead.
- John’s Roast Pork: Located further south, this is the local consensus for one of the best sandwiches in the city. Their cheesesteak is incredible, but their namesake Roast Pork (with sharp provolone and spinach) is the real star.
- Angelo’s Pizzeria: Also in South Philly, this new-school spot is a local obsession. They bake their own bread, and the quality is unmatched. The line is just as long, but 100% worth it.
- Dalessandro’s Steaks: If you’re in the Roxborough/Manayunk area, this is the classic neighborhood spot. They serve a finely chopped (“chopped-up”) steak that is messy, delicious, and beloved.
- Your Local Corner Store: The real local secret? The best cheesesteak is often from the unassuming pizza shop or deli in any neighborhood.
So, here’s our advice: Go to 9th and Passyunk after dark. See the glow, take your picture, feel the bizarre energy of the cheesesteak mecca.
Then, get in your car and go eat a good sandwich somewhere else.
Follow Us!