Great. They’re all going to race up the steps and then jump up and down in victory with their fists in the air.
The locals love it when they see tourists do that.
Trust me… this group has no problem at all with public humiliation.
The last time I was in Philadelphia I was going to Geno’s - mainly because the parking spot I found was closer to Geno’s. But when I got to the counter I saw a sign that said “This is America. Order in English.”
So I went over to Pat’s and ordered (in English) there.
I’ve heard the Philadelphia dialect described using many words, but “English” is not among them.
Lord knows we all need to do our best to live up to the high expectations of Philadelphians.
Wit or witout?
Yes, I think that would be best for all concerned. 
If you are going to take the train in to Center City. It’s worth picking up an Independence Pass. That allows you to ride all forms of SEPTA for the one price of 12 bucks. That way you take the train into town, and then you can use the subway, or El all you like.
I think Pat’s and Geno’s are fine. Personally, I prefer Pat’s. And, for the first time you get a cheese steak it’s more enjoyable to pick up one of those, and tell people “Yeah, I got one at Pat’. The famous place.”
I would concur that of Geno’s, Pat’s, (and Jim’s), Pat’s is the one that I, as a visitor, liked the most and would return to. But that roast pork sandwich needs to be experienced, too, so if you wanna kill two birds, Tony Luke’s is the place. I hear John’s roast pork is awesome, too, but I’ve not been there, and have no idea how their steak is.
John’s Roast Pork has a delicious cheese steak. But, I don’t think it’s ambiance, or hours matches the other choices.
You are a bad person and you should feel bad.
Previous thread on the topic:
Cheesesteak
mmm
I like Dalessandro’s better myself but like Pat’s over Geno’s. Heard good things about John’s Roast Pork but I haven’t made my way over there.
Tony Luke’s has tried to expand in South Jersey. I had a cheesesteak at their Atlantic City location. Tasteless and disappointing. I didn’t know you could screw up a cheesesteak that bad. I do a better job at home with steak-umm.
The Rocky statue is right next to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It really is an excellent art museum. Maybe after running up the stairs you can get them inside to look around.
Important point: Lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise have absolutely NO business in a Philly style steak sandwich!
Your only options are:
- With or without cheese
B. With or without onions.
You can season it with salt and, if absolutely necessary, apply some ketchup. NOTHING else.
I lived in Landsdowne for 4 years. Best cheesesteaks were from a place in Upper Darby (forget the name).
Strictly speaking, mushrooms are also acceptable. And you can maybe, maybe, put some peppers on it, but that’s a real stretch.
Oh, and if you opt for cheese, you have a variety of cheeses to choose from. Whiz is the original, American is my personal favorite, and Provolone is also pretty popular, with Mozzarella being not unheard-of.
Also, make up your mind exactly what you want before you get to the window, and order it succinctly. They don’t put up with dilly-dallying while you’re ordering. A typical order would be something like “American with”, meaning you want American cheese, and with onions. Exact change is also a good idea, and not too hard since they’re priced to come out to a multiple of 25 cents after tax.
I didn’t try and order in the local vernacular. (I don’t try to imitate a local in Houston or Manhattan or Montreal either. I figure the real locals would see right through me.) I just said “I’d like one steak sandwich with cheez whiz and onions.”
In May, I had my first trip to Philadelphia nearly unexpectedly with my parents and one of my brothers. We had to fly there on short notice due to a sudden death in the family when after a series of fuckups so colossal they were comical even at that sad time, we had two days to kill in Philadelphia and Dover, DE. Anyway…
I recalled Pat’s and Geno’s from countless restaurant shows and we arbitrarily decided on Pat’s while driving from the airport. They were great! I was fully prepared to hate them and came away very pleasantly surprised at how tasty a steak,whiz,wit could be. While we sat outside eating, it was impossible not to notice Geno’s across the street and I was immediately disappointed that the four of us didn’t get two from each rival to compare. My Whiz was pretty good but I’ll try provolone next time.
My impression was that Geno was huge, slick and touristy (Is that a motor cycle museum attached?!) while Pat’s was a small window service operation that, all food aside, is more my kind of place.
Pat’s. Whiz wit’. No other choice.
Actually, I never got around to trying any of the lesser known places, but there is no disputing that Pat’s is better than Geno’s. Seriously. No one on the planet actually thinks Geno’s is better. Even if some people think it’s close, the decision is unanimous. It’s an objective fact that Pat’s is better than Geno’s.
I fully expect that after I post this, someone will claim to like Geno’s better. This just goes to show how far people will sink just to be perverse on the internet.