How To Order a Cheesesteak Like a Pro

Cheesesteaks are iconic to Philly, but even if you were born and raised here or have lived here for 20 years, you may not know some of the rules for ordering one.

All summer, City Cast Philly’s Trenae Nuri has traveled throughout the city eating cheesesteaks. Just like not all cheesesteaks are made the same, neither are the ways to order them.

Here are things to know so you can order a cheesesteak like a pro.

💰 Bring Cash

Cash is king at some cheesesteak restaurants. Before you stand in line at these spots, make sure you stop by the ATM.

• Angelo’s
• Geno’s
• Jim’s on South Street
• Dalessandro’s
• Jim’s West
• Max's
• Chubby’s does take cards, but there’s an extra charge for using one.

🤔 Know Your Order

Cheesesteak restaurants can get super busy. Check their menu before you get in line. Know exactly what you want on your sandwich, including the kind of cheese, condiments like salt, pepper and/or ketchup, and toppings like hot peppers or pickles.

• Pro-tip: Jim’s West charges extra for toppings on the side, so just ask for them on your cheesesteak.

🪑Where To Sit

The best time to eat your cheesesteak is right away, while it’s nice and hot. Yet, some cheesesteak restaurants don’t have places where you can sit down and eat your sandwich. So, you may have to sit in your car — but never sit on someone else’s stoop.

These places have seating options:

• Pat’s King of Steaks (outdoor seating)
• Geno’s (outdoor seating)
• John’s Roast Pork (outdoor seating)
• Philips (outdoor seating)
• Jim’s on South Street (indoor seating)
• Dalessandro’s (outdoor seating)
• Chubby’s (outdoor seating and bar inside)