USA TODAY 10Best
The Groove Cheesesteak Co. the Surprise Winner of Best Cheesesteak in Pennsylvania
Best Cheesesteak in Pennsylvania (2016)
While many of our iconic sandwiches are surrounded by debate regarding their origin, there is less controversy surrounding the creation of the classic cheesesteak sandwich . In 1930 Pat Olivieri, a Philly hot dog vendor, put some meat on his grill and a cabbie driving by ordered the first steak sandwich. Word spread like wildfire as cabbies across the city flocked to Pat’s for his steak sandwich topped with onions. There is debate as to who added cheese, but today’s incarnation of the sandwich is as synonymous with Philly as the Liberty Bell and Rocky Balboa.
That's why it came as quite a surprise when readers of 10Best and Sandwich America voted The Groove Cheesesteak Co. (formerly Southside Steaks) — a Pittsburgh sandwich shop — as the best in the state. It's a major upset that should have some Philly residents abuzz.
It was an extremely tight race, and the final result came down to a matter of a few votes between Pittsburgh's only nominated sandwich shop and Dalessandro's Steaks & Hoagies, a Philadelphia favorite. But the City of Brotherly Love was still well represented, with seven out of the top 10.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Cheesesteak in Pennsylvania are as follows:
- Pat's King of Steaks - Philadelphia
- John's Roast Pork - Philadelphia
- Leo's Steak Shop - Folcroft
- Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop - Philadelphia
- Steve's Prince of Steaks - Philadelphia
- Philip's Steaks - Philadelphia
- Jim's Steaks South Street - Philadelphia
- Forksville General Store - Forksville
- Dalessandro's Steaks & Hoagies - Philadelphia
- The Groove Cheesesteak Co. - Pittsburgh
Photo courtesy of Pat's King of Steaks
No. 10:
Founded by Pat Olivieri in 1930, Pat's King of Steaks began as a modest hot dog stand and is now considered the birthplace of the steak sandwich which eventually evolved into the now iconic cheesesteak. The menu at Pat’s includes a Steak section with 13 options, as well as a section called "Everything Else" with about half as many options. Pat’s is old school and accepts cash only, and the website includes instructions on how to order: 1) specify which steak sandwich “wit” or “wit - out” onions; 2) specify plain, cheese whiz, provolone, American or Pizza Steak; 3) order only steak at widow one and everything else at window 2 and have your cash ready. A true cheesesteak experience.
Photo courtesy of T.Tseng / Flickr
No. 9:
Established in 1930, John's is one of the oldest sandwich shops in Philly. Today the rest of city is learning what dock workers and contractors have known for years: John’s has great sandwiches! John’s does indeed serve a delicious roast pork as the name would indicate, but don’t let the name fool you! They also serve a cheesesteak which has won top honors in the category. It is noted for expertly seasoned beef grilled with cheese and onions actually folded into the meat, making it more flavorful and cheesy than many of its rivals. It's served on a crusty seeded roll.
Photo courtesy of Leo's Steak Shop / Facebook
No. 8:
Despite its location outside of Philadelphia in Folcroft, Leo's has attained a reputation as one of the best cheesesteaks around, with awards for the best rendition in Philly and Delaware County. The shop has somewhat of a cult following for its 18-inch cheesesteak. The meat at Leo’s is served chopped rather than sliced and always comes with American cheese on semi-soft rolls as opposed to the soft rolls many places use. Patrons agree this is necessary given the size of the sandwiches.
Photo courtesy of Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop
No. 7:
Samuel "Chink" Sherman, who had long worked at Pat’s King of Steaks, opened what was then called Chink's Steaks in 1949 when he decided it was time to bring the cheesesteak to North Philly. Sherman ran Chink's for 46 years before retiring and turning the business over to one of its long time workers, Joe, who changed the name in 2013. It has won many awards, including the honor of best cheesesteak in Philadelphia.
Photo courtesy of Steve's Prince of Steak / Facebook
No. 6:
A Philadelphia native, founder Steve Iliescu of Steve's Prince of Steaks has always known the value of a good cheesesteak and its importance in the cultural scene of his city. As a boy, Steve made trips to get his beloved sandwich at iconic establishments like Pat’s and Geno’s, and he has had a lifelong passion for this iconic sandwich . Many believe Steve has now surpassed his predecessors and is indeed the Prince of Steaks.
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 5:
Philip's Steaks has been open for over 30 years, serving residents of and visitors to South Philly 24 hours a day. A bit off the beaten path for South Philly cheesesteak, Philip's offers a standard 'wich as well as the more unusual "Old Fashioned," topped with provolone, grilled tomatoes, onions and long hots.
Photo courtesy of steve lyon / Flickr
No. 4:
The home page of Jim’s Steaks is adorned with food porn shots of their cheesesteaks with the caption “This is How It’s Done.” It’s hard to argue when the proof is staring you in the face saying “eat me now!” Passed down to Ken Silver by his father, Jim's Southside opened in the summer of 1976 and has ties to the first Jim’s steakhouse opened around 1940. Jim's uses chopped steak as opposed to sliced. In a hipster neighborhood in the heart of Philly, Jim’s has earned its place among the top cheesesteak institutions in the city.
Photo courtesy of Forksville General Store
No. 3:
The Forksville General Store and Restaurant is a 160-year-old historic landmark located in the picturesque mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Owners Mike and Mary Ann moved their family from the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia to the quiet countryside upstate. Being from South Philly, Mike brought his love of the iconic cheesesteak to his quiet mountain restaurant, now home of Big Mikes Steaks and Hoagies. The original south Philly cheesesteak is served with a half-pound of grilled steak “wit or witout” fried onions and a choice of provolone, American cheese or the “whiz,” all on a famous Amoroso roll.
Photo courtesy of Krista / Flickr
No. 2:
Open since 1960, Dalessandro’s uses chopped rib-eye served on soft fresh Italian rolls with a pepper bar you can sample when ordering your cheesesteak. They mix the onions in with the cheese and meat, giving a flavorful combo in every bite. Dalessandro’s is one half of the neighborhood rivalry with Chubby’s across the street.
Photo courtesy of The Groove Cheesesteak Co.
No. 1:
Visiting Philadelphia natives credit The Groove Cheesesteak Co. (formerly Southside Steaks) as the closest to a Philly original you can get in Pittsburgh. The classic rendition comes with sliced beef on a soft Italian roll with sauteed onions, peppers and cheese sauce, while the "Pittsburgh" comes topped with mozzarella, french fries, lettuce, tomato and cole slaw.
A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Jill Gilber (JillyFromPhilly), Erica Lamberg (10Best Local Expert) and Sharon Rigney (10Best Local Expert) were chosen based on their familiarity with Pennsylvania's food culture.
Other nominees included Chubby's Steaks in Philadelphia, DiMaria's Pizza and Italian Kitchen in Lilitz, Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia, Giacomo's Market in Easton, Maggio's Restaurant in Southampton, Mama's Pizzeria in Bala Cynwyd, Pagano's Market & Bar in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Subs in Wilkes Barre, Pudge's Steaks & Hoagies in Blue Bell and Tony Luke's in Philadelphia.
Congrats to all 10 of our cheesesteak winners.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Erica Lamberg
Erica Lamberg is a journalist based in suburban... Read More
Erica Lamberg is a journalist based in suburban Philadelphia. She's married with a son and a daughter and enjoys traveling with her family. During the summer, she enjoys time in Margate City, a town on the Jersey shore. She currently writes for Fox News, Fox Business, Real Simple, Forbes and several other outlets. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, planning vacations, volunteering, and spending time with the family's yellow Labrador retriever.
Erica Lamberg
Erica Lamberg is a journalist based in suburban Philadelphia. She's married with a son and a daughter and enjoys traveling with her family. During the summer, she enjoys time in Margate City, a town on the Jersey shore. She currently writes for Fox News, Fox Business, Real Simple, Forbes and several other outlets. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, planning vacations, volunteering, and spending time with the family's yellow Labrador retriever.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships,... Read More
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jill Gilber
Jill Gilber, a.k.a. Jilly From Philly is an... Read More
Jill Gilber, a.k.a. Jilly From Philly is an Enthusiastic Home Cook and an Avid Recipe Contest Competitor who spends most of her spare time in her kitchen creating restaurant style meals for family and friends. She is extremely proud of her hometown of Philadelphia, and the iconic food her city is well known for, especially the Cheesesteak. Jill has sampled many versions of the often imitated sandwich over the years. In her opinion, she says “ it all starts with the quality of the roll and the meat, then we build the rest around that.” Check out Jill Gilber on Instagram.
Jill Gilber
Jill Gilber, a.k.a. Jilly From Philly is an Enthusiastic Home Cook and an Avid Recipe Contest Competitor who spends most of her spare time in her kitchen creating restaurant style meals for family and friends. She is extremely proud of her hometown of Philadelphia, and the iconic food her city is well known for, especially the Cheesesteak. Jill has sampled many versions of the often imitated sandwich over the years. In her opinion, she says “ it all starts with the quality of the roll and the meat, then we build the rest around that.” Check out Jill Gilber on Instagram.
Sharon Nolan
Sharon Rigney is 10Best's Local Expert in... Read More
Sharon Rigney is 10Best's Local Expert in Philadelphia, who specializes in family and last-minute travel. One of her fave Philly experiences is strolling along Fairmount Park's scenic Kelly Drive and grabbing a treat from Reading Terminal Market.
Sharon Nolan
Sharon Rigney is 10Best's Local Expert in Philadelphia, who specializes in family and last-minute travel. One of her fave Philly experiences is strolling along Fairmount Park's scenic Kelly Drive and grabbing a treat from Reading Terminal Market.
Terry French
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked... Read More
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .
Terry French
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .
