The Ultimate Philly Cheesesteak Showdown: A Tasty Tale of Three Titans

I embarked on a mission to uncover the champion of Philly Cheesesteaks. The contenders? The legendary Pat's King of Steaks, the sequel-worthy Geno's Steaks, and the underdog that could, Dalessandro's Steaks and Hoagies. Fueled by my love for all things cheesy and a little nudge from some fervent keyboard warriors (shoutout to Scott, Erik, Jeff, Brian, and our local vegetarian mohel, Craig), I set out to judge these titans not just by their taste but by the experience they offer. Buckle up, folks; it's going to be a greasy ride.

The Geno's / Pat's story is quite a rivalry here, similar to the Lafayette v American Coney rivalry in Detroit...Except nobody i know would be caught dead at American Coney.  More on how Philadelphians embrace this at the end.

The Cheesesteak Chronicles Begin

​Pat's King of Steaks

Our tale starts at Pat's King of Steaks, where Jodi confidently proclaimed Pat's as "the original and the best." The encounter was promising, the Whiz was overflowing, and the vibe was... messy, to put it lightly. Halfway through the hoagie, with Whiz on my hands and probably my face, I realized this was only the beginning of my cheesy quest.  

So what did I think? Before opening the sandwich, I noticed that it was messy...the Whiz was all over the wrapper...it soaked through all the way, and I was in need of napkins. lots of napkins. The Whiz was on top of the meat, and I was tempted to eat it with a fork and knife...I thought better of it, since I know I would get dirty looks. It tasted pretty good....Only ate half of it, as I was still going to be eating the Geno's Hoagie.

Geno's Steaks

Next stop, Geno's Steaks. With its cleaner packaging and a less messy presentation, Geno's offered a sequel experience that was good but not quite the OG. The Whiz, sneakily hidden under the meat, left me contemplating life's tough questions—like why sequels rarely outshine the original and whether it's blasphemous to eat a cheesesteak with a fork and knife.  Case in point, BTTF is Pat's, and BTTF2 is Geno's...On it's own, BTTF2 could be good...but it isn't the original.

So after only going to Pat's and Geno's, I was told I made a Mistake...er MISTEAK. SO the next day, I hauled butt to Dalessandro's to try their Hoagie.

Dalessandro's Steaks and Hoagies:

Enter Dalessandro's: The Game Changer

Dalessandro's, a name that wasn't on my original itinerary but came highly recommended by a choir of cheesesteak aficionados. The scene was set: a nondescript wrapper, a line out the door, and the promise of the best cheesesteak in Philly. Dalessandro's didn't just meet the hype; it turned it into a culinary symphony. With the perfect meat-to-onion ratio, seasoned to perfection, and the Whiz gloriously reigning atop, it was clear—I had found my winner.

Again, the line was long...and while there were a couple of competitors on the same city block, none of them were busy. While in line, I met a group of students who traveled here from India, led by Rohiashwa Chatterjee (Connect with him on Linkedin). These gentlemen were quick to give me their review, and they loved their hoagies. They just had a 3 week stay in East Lansing at Michigan State University and their next stop is Miami...They wanted advice on what to do down there...so if you have any ideas, connect with him on Linkedin, and let him know.

Cheesesteak Revelations

1. Dalessandro's > Pat's > Geno's: In this cheesesteak trilogy, Dalessandro's takes the crown, with Pat's and Geno's trailing behind like the supportive cast members they are.
2. Everyone's a Critic: Engaging with fellow cheesesteak enthusiasts, I learned that loyalty runs deep, and everyone swears by the sandwich in their hand.
3. A Tourist Delight: Surprisingly, the locals seemed to be as scarce as a low-calorie cheesesteak. This delicious mess of a sandwich has become a pilgrimage for tourists seeking to capture the authentic Philly experience.
4. Detox Pending: Post-cheesesteak binge, it's clear a salad cleanse is in my immediate future.

Final Thoughts

The Philly Cheesesteak showdown was more than just a taste test; it was a dive into the heart of Philly's culinary scene, where the love for cheesesteaks unites tourists and invites debate among aficionados. While Dalessandro's emerged as the undeniable champion in my book, each contender brought something unique to the table, much like the vibrant city they call home.

So, whether you're a Pat's purist, a Geno's advocate, or a Dalessandro's devotee, one thing is for sure—the quest for the perfect Philly Cheesesteak is a delicious journey worth taking. And remember, no matter where you go, always opt for the Whiz on top