I maintain a horrible diet.
This, certainly, is a direct result of having lived in Philadelphia for the past three years. For two of those, I ate a cheesesteak special from George’s on 2nd three times a week. $5 for a cheesesteak, fries, and a budget brand soda. The meal balanced well with my efforts to cycle at minimum 10 miles a day. While my legs hardened my midsection soon housed the only non-drinkers beer belly in the world.
People from outside of Philly will always ask, “Where is the best cheesesteak?” They will also tell bland stories of having visited Pat’s or Geno’s. My short answer to the previous question begins with “not Pat’s, not Geno’s.” The long hits hits at a laundry list of elements that make a proper cheesesteak, and for the eater are more or less completely subjective. For example, while I like both the bread and the name at Chink’s (added bonus here, they serve ice cream), I’m partial to a chopped steak and as such wouldn’t rate the place as tops. The only time I’ve ever eaten at John’s Roast Pork was at 8am (coming off a flight home from Tampa) so the only ultimate drawn from that establishment is the level of my bad decision making.
For my money (and proximity to my former home), Johnny Hot’s in Fishtown ranks top 2 (just behind Dellassandro’s). Located under 95, the place has been featured on Food Network and is primarily known for hot sausage (pause) and fishcakes. Undervalued, in my opinion, is the cheesesteak. Unlike Dellassandro’s, Johnny Hot’s also has fries, making it 100% more enjoyable an actual meal.
Larry’s, apparently is also terrific. The below video should be convincing enough.