Where to Eat in Philadelphia: Cheesesteaks and Local Classics

If you want to know where to eat in Philadelphia, start with the three sandwiches the city is known for: the cheesesteak, the roast pork sandwich and the hoagie. This guide gives you 12 places inside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, each confirmed open on its own official site, plus a few non-sandwich classics that locals would hate for you to miss.

The short version: cheesesteaks at Pat's King of Steaks and Dalessandro's Steaks, roast pork at John's Roast Pork, and for a break from beef, Peking duck in Chinatown and Laotian food in West Philadelphia.

What are Philadelphia's signature foods?

Philadelphia's signature foods are the cheesesteak, the hoagie and the roast pork sandwich, all served on a long Italian-style roll. Visit Philadelphia, the city's official tourism organization, treats them as a trio, and so should you.

The cheesesteak is chopped or thinly sliced beef on the griddle with melted cheese, and you order it by cheese and onions. The roast pork sandwich is slow-roasted pork, usually with sharp provolone and greens. The hoagie is the cold-cut cousin, built on the same kind of roll and just as much a part of everyday eating in Philadelphia.

Where did the Philly cheesesteak come from?

The Philly cheesesteak traces to 1930 in South Philadelphia, when hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri made himself a chopped beef sandwich on an Italian roll, sold one to a cab driver who insisted on it, and went on to found Pat's King of Steaks. According to Pat's King of Steaks, the cheese came later, added at the request of staff and customers. Geno's Steaks opened across the street in 1966, which is why the two corners face each other to this day.

The roast pork sandwich has a matching origin story: John's Roast Pork says Domenico Bucci started the business in 1930, and the sandwich is still its featured item.

How we chose

Every pick below is inside the Philadelphia city limits, and every one was confirmed open on its own official website. We favored places known for the exact dish, not merely nearby, and we left out places we could not confirm. Hours change, so we give them as typical and tell you to check the official site before you go.

The cheesesteak and roast pork essentials

1. John's Roast Pork, South Philadelphia

John's Roast Pork at 14 E. Snyder Avenue in South Philadelphia is the place to order the roast pork sandwich. The shop dates to 1930, and the roast pork is the featured sandwich. Hours are typically Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and it is closed Sunday and Monday, so do not plan this one for a Sunday. Check johnsroastpork.com first.

2. Pat's King of Steaks, East Passyunk

Pat's King of Steaks at 1237 E. Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia is where the steak sandwich started in 1930, and its official site says it is open 24/7. Order the cheesesteak, and see the East Passyunk page for what else is nearby. A cheesesteak at 2am on the corner of 9th and Passyunk is a Philadelphia rite of passage.

3. Geno's Steaks, East Passyunk

Geno's Steaks at 1219 S. 9th Street sits directly across the intersection from Pat's. It was founded in 1966, serves a thinly sliced ribeye cheesesteak on rolls baked fresh daily, and also says it is open 24 hours, seven days a week. The fun move is to buy one at each corner and decide for yourself.

4. Dalessandro's Steaks, Roxborough

Dalessandro's Steaks at 600 Wendover Street in Roxborough, Philadelphia, has served steaks and hoagies since 1960. It grills fresh-cut rib-eye, it is cash only with an ATM on site, and typical hours run from 11am to as late as 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. This is the one for people who want a neighborhood cheesesteak away from the tourist corner, and it is a good reason to head up past Manayunk (see our Manayunk page).

5. Jim's Steaks, South Street

Jim's Steaks at 400 South Street, on the corner of South and 4th, sells the classic Philly cheesesteak and posts late hours, typically past 10:30pm every night and until 1am or 2am on weekends. It is our pick when the bars on South Street let out. Confirm hours at jimssouthstreet.com.

6. Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop, Fishtown

Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop at 1 W. Girard Avenue in Fishtown is the only location listed on its official site. Hours are typically late, running to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Come here for a cheesesteak and a soda-shop stop in Fishtown, a short ride north of Center City.

7. Cosmi's Deli, South Philadelphia

Cosmi's Deli at 1501 S. 8th Street has been going since 1932 according to its site, and it focuses on cheesesteaks and hoagies. Typical hours are daily from 10am to 9pm, with online ordering. This is a good hoagie stop when you want an Italian sandwich rather than a steak.

The hoagie-adjacent and market stops

8. DiNic's, Reading Terminal Market

DiNic's (Tommy DiNic's) at 1136 Arch Street inside Reading Terminal Market in Center City is the roast pork counter to know downtown. Its menu also lists roast beef, meatballs and sausage. Hours are typically Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm, and it is closed Sunday. See Center City for what to do around it.

9. Paesano's Philly Style, Italian Market

Paesano's Philly Style at 943 S. 9th Street, on the Italian Market stretch of 9th Street in South Philadelphia, describes itself as sandwiches with Italian inspiration. Typical hours are Wednesday through Sunday, with the longest hours on Saturday and an earlier close on weekdays, so check paesanosphilly.com. Walk it off through the Bella Vista Italian Market.

10. Termini Bros Bakery, South Philadelphia

Termini Bros Bakery at 1523 S. 8th Street has called itself a Philadelphia tradition since 1921. Order the cannoli or a coffee ring cake. Its site lists no storefront hours, so check termini.com before you walk over, and plan ahead if you want to order for in-store pickup, which needs 24 hours' notice.

Beyond the sandwich: two more Philadelphia classics

11. Sang Kee Peking Duck House, Chinatown

Sang Kee Peking Duck House at 238 N. 9th Street in Chinatown has been open since 1980, and it roasts its signature Peking duck fresh every day. Dine-in hours are typically 11am to 8pm; takeout typically opens at 10am, when only barbecue and noodle soup are served until 11am. Chinatown is a short walk from Reading Terminal Market (see Chinatown).

12. Vientiane Café, West Philadelphia

Vientiane Café at 4728 Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia bills itself as Philadelphia's first Laotian restaurant, and the family business has been known as the Blue Tent since 2000, after the blue tent it started under. It is BYOB and cash only, and hours are typically Tuesday through Saturday, 4pm to 9pm, with last seating at 8:30pm. Bring cash and a bottle, and expect Laotian dishes that you will not find anywhere else on this list.

A one-day Philadelphia eating route

1. Morning: roast pork at DiNic's in Reading Terminal Market, then walk to Chinatown.
2. Midday: a split Peking duck plate at Sang Kee Peking Duck House, 238 N. 9th Street.
3. Afternoon: cannoli at Termini Bros Bakery, then a hoagie at Cosmi's Deli.
4. Late night: a cheesesteak at Pat's King of Steaks, then one at Geno's Steaks, and pick your side.
5. Another day: John's Roast Pork on Tuesday through Saturday, and Vientiane Café on a weekend evening with a bottle.

How do you order a cheesesteak?

You order a cheesesteak by saying the cheese first, then whether you want onions. Say your order before you reach the window, because the line moves. For more places across town, browse our food and dining listings.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I eat in Philadelphia for a first-time visit?

Start with a cheesesteak at Pat's King of Steaks or Geno's Steaks in East Passyunk, a roast pork sandwich at John's Roast Pork in South Philadelphia, and Peking duck at Sang Kee Peking Duck House in Chinatown. All are inside Philadelphia and confirmed open on their official sites.

Where did the Philly cheesesteak come from?

The Philly cheesesteak traces to 1930 in South Philadelphia, when hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri made a chopped beef sandwich for a cab driver and went on to found Pat's King of Steaks; cheese was added later. Geno's Steaks opened across the street in 1966.

Which Philadelphia cheesesteak places are open 24 hours?

Pat's King of Steaks at 1237 E. Passyunk Avenue and Geno's Steaks at 1219 S. 9th Street both say on their official sites that they are open 24 hours. Check their sites before a late-night trip.

What is a roast pork sandwich and where do you get one in Philadelphia?

A roast pork sandwich is slow-roasted pork on a long Italian roll, and it is one of Philadelphia's three signature sandwiches. John's Roast Pork at 14 E. Snyder Avenue and DiNic's in Reading Terminal Market are two places to order one.

Is Vientiane Café cash only?

Yes, Vientiane Café at 4728 Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia is cash only and BYOB, according to its official site. Hours are typically Tuesday through Saturday evenings, so confirm before you go.