Pat’s versus Geno’s: one of the nations all time greatest food rivalries. No matter which side you take, there will always be someone to refute. Nonetheless, whether Pat’s is your go to or you prefer Geno’s, either one is a top-notch choice for lunch or dinner when in Philly. 

Established in 1930, Pat’s was the first of the two restaurants, making it the earliest cheesesteak in Philadelphia. The founder, Pat Olivieri, began as a hot dog vendor, but one day tried using beef from the local butcher hoping that maybe it would be a hit among the people — it was. The word spread fast and

soon everyone was lining up for some of Pat’s steaks. Pat opened up a shop for his famous steak sandwiches on 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue in South Philly. Eventually, he began adding cheese to his recipe, and the rest is history. 

Thirty six years after Pat’s originated, Geno’s launched directly across the street. The restaurant was founded by Joey Vento. He began his journey two boxes of steak, a few hot dogs, and six dollars in his pocket — nobody thought he would make it. Instead, Joey mastered the steak grilling process and business boomed. Since 1966, Pat’s and Geno’s have been face to face in a friendly competition to determine the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia and some may even argue the world. 

What is the separating factor that draws us to one or the other? Both places use similar bread, similar cheesy mess, and matching toppings, but the difference lies in the meat. Pat’s uses the traditional chopped steak, while Geno’s serves their steak sliced. At the end of the day, the choice between meat comes down to a personal preference. Otherwise, look for the shortest line and ultimately buy a phenomenal cheesesteak no matter where you decide.   

It’s not often that a city has their name branded on a food like the “philly” cheesesteak. Unfortunately, with such a famous label, Pat’s, Geno’s, and numerous other cheesesteak restaurants throughout Philadelphia are flooded with tourists. In turn, many locals have to wait in painfully long lines or face the consequence of no cheesesteak at all.   

If you are in the city of Philadelphia, regardless of the location, there should always be a cheesesteak shop nearby. Despite the inevitably long line, you should definitely make an attempt to try a philly cheesesteak… it will change your life for the better.