Pennsylvania Cheesesteaks

Top 10 Best Cheesesteaks in Pennsylvania

A curated ranking of Pennsylvania's best cheesesteaks — from legendary Philadelphia ribeye shops and house-baked rolls to beloved suburban counters and western Pennsylvania representatives.

Pennsylvania's cheesesteak culture is inseparable from Philadelphia, where the sandwich evolved into one of America's most recognizable regional foods. The best versions balance thinly sliced or chopped beef, melted cheese, fried onions, and a roll sturdy enough to hold everything together without overwhelming the filling. This Discovery Matt Food Map ranking highlights cheesesteak shops that stand out for sandwich quality, bread, local credibility, history, and current reputation. Philadelphia understandably dominates the list, but Folcroft, Mayfield, and Beaver Falls add representation from outside the city.

1
Angelo's Pizzeria
Philadelphia
Angelo's Pizzeria takes the top spot because it delivers one of the most complete cheesesteak experiences in Pennsylvania. Its sandwich combines fresh ribeye, fried onions, Cooper Sharp cheese, and a seeded roll baked in-house. The bread is a major part of what separates Angelo's from the competition, giving the sandwich structure, flavor, and a distinctive South Philadelphia identity.
Known for: House-baked seeded rolls, ribeye, Cooper Sharp cheese, fried onions
2
John's Roast Pork
Philadelphia
John's Roast Pork is one of Philadelphia's most important sandwich institutions. Although the restaurant's roast pork sandwich is equally famous, its cheesesteak has earned a reputation as one of the city's best because of its beef, sturdy seeded roll, and restrained old-school construction. Its history dating to 1930 gives it a depth that newer cheesesteak shops cannot easily match.
Known for: Old-school cheesesteaks, seeded rolls, sharp provolone, Philadelphia sandwich history
3
Dalessandro's Steaks & Hoagies
Philadelphia
Dalessandro's Steaks & Hoagies is one of the most recognizable cheesesteak destinations in northwest Philadelphia. The Roxborough institution is known for finely chopped ribeye, generous portions, fried onions, and rolls that soak up the meat and cheese without falling apart. Its constant lines and loyal following make it one of the city's most defensible traditional picks.
Known for: Finely chopped ribeye, generous portions, fried onions, Roxborough institution
4
Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop
Philadelphia
Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop combines a classic Philadelphia cheesesteak with the atmosphere of an old-fashioned neighborhood soda counter. Its history reaches back to 1949, and the current Girard Avenue location continues to serve traditional steaks alongside milkshakes, fountain drinks, fries, and other soda-shop favorites. It ranks this high because it delivers both a strong sandwich and a distinctly Philadelphia experience.
Known for: Traditional cheesesteaks, soda-shop atmosphere, milkshakes, long-running local history
5
Jim's South Street
Philadelphia
Jim's South Street remains one of Philadelphia's most recognizable cheesesteak landmarks. The shop reopened in 2024 after nearly two years of rebuilding following a major fire, returning with an expanded space and colorful mosaics connected to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens artist Isaiah Zagar. Its late-night energy, South Street location, and classic Whiz-covered cheesesteaks keep it firmly in the statewide top five.
Known for: Whiz cheesesteaks, South Street atmosphere, late-night dining, iconic black-and-white exterior
6
Leo's Steak Shop
Folcroft
Leo's Steak Shop gives Delaware County one of Pennsylvania's strongest cheesesteak representatives outside Philadelphia proper. The Folcroft shop specializes in cheesesteaks, chicken cheesesteaks, and hoagies, with sandwiches known for their substantial size and straightforward local-shop execution. It earns this placement because it has the kind of neighborhood loyalty that defines the best suburban cheesesteak counters.
Known for: Oversized cheesesteaks, chicken cheesesteaks, fast counter service, Delaware County loyalty
7
Café Carmela
Philadelphia
Café Carmela is one of the strongest newer-school cheesesteak names in Northeast Philadelphia. The family-owned Italian restaurant is known for cheesesteaks built with quality beef, Cooper Sharp cheese, fried onions, and bread that holds up to the filling. It brings a more polished Italian-kitchen approach to the sandwich without losing the satisfying messiness people expect from a proper cheesesteak.
Known for: Cooper Sharp cheesesteaks, Italian specialties, Northeast Philadelphia following
8
Del Rossi's Cheesesteak Co.
Philadelphia
Del Rossi's Cheesesteak Co. is a strong Northern Liberties representative with a menu centered on cheesesteaks, chicken cheesesteaks, pizza, and specialty variations. Its sandwiches offer the familiar Philadelphia combination of chopped steak, melted cheese, onions, and a substantial roll. It earns its spot as a reliable neighborhood option that takes both its cheesesteaks and its bread seriously.
Known for: Classic cheesesteaks, chicken cheesesteaks, house pizza, Northern Liberties location
9
Steve & Irene's Hoagies
Mayfield
Steve & Irene's Hoagies gives northeastern Pennsylvania a deserving place on the list. The Mayfield shop has served its well-known cheesesteaks for decades, offering traditional made-to-order versions as well as a special with fried onions, mushrooms, peppers, and marinara. It may be better known regionally for hoagies, but its long-running cheesesteak tradition gives it enough credibility for a statewide ranking.
Known for: Made-to-order cheesesteaks, oversized hoagies, northeastern Pennsylvania tradition
10
Chilly Willy Cheesesteaks
Beaver Falls
Chilly Willy Cheesesteaks rounds out the ranking as western Pennsylvania's representative. The family-owned Beaver Falls shop builds its identity specifically around Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks and brings in key products associated with the traditional sandwich, including authentic-style rolls. It closes the list as an important geographic pick that proves Pennsylvania cheesesteak culture extends beyond the Philadelphia region.
Known for: Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks, western Pennsylvania location, family-owned service

How this ranking was built

Discovery Matt Food Map rankings are curated using a mix of public ratings, review volume, local reputation, category-specific credibility, historical significance, bread quality, meat preparation, cheese integration, and overall standout appeal. For this Pennsylvania cheesesteak ranking, extra weight was given to shops where the cheesesteak is central to the restaurant's identity rather than a secondary menu item. Philadelphia remains heavily represented because it is the birthplace and unquestioned center of Pennsylvania cheesesteak culture. Folcroft, Mayfield, and Beaver Falls were included to give the ranking wider statewide value without forcing weaker picks into the list solely for geographic balance.

Newsletter