Pat’s VS Geno’s: Philly’s Greatest Rivlary

The Cheesesteak is undoubtedly the official food of Philadelphia. Every city around the country has a food that defines their great city. New York has the pastrami sandwich and its hot dogs. Chicago has its deep dish pizzas and Italian beef. Boston has its clam chowder. And Philly has the cheesesteak. While you can get this sinfully rich sandwich anywhere in the country, you gotta go to Philadelphia for the authentic one. And there are only two contenders for the best in the city: Pat’s and Geno’s.

At the corner of 9th Street and Passyunk in South Philly, two stands duke it out for the best in the city. Pat’s, which has been around since the 1930’s; Geno’s, which has been around since the 1970’s. Both offer the classic steak sandwich with your choice of cheese and fixings. But which one is better? Which one defines the city itself? Which one will leave you feeling full and happy?

This was my first ever visit to Philadelphia. The only time I had been thru this city was when I was on the Amtrak heading from New York to DC. I was spending two nights in Atlantic City and took the NJ Transit to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station for a day of sightseeing. While I was looking forward to seeing all the usual hotspots like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, my stomach was screaming for the most famous food in the city. Even on a boiling hot day in July, nothing was going to keep me from those sandwiches. At around 12 noon or so, I hopped on the Market Street SEPTA subway, got off at Ellsworth-Federal station, and marched the long walk down Wharton Street to 9th and Passyunk. It felt like being back in Brooklyn or Queens. The neighborhood was quiet and was full of old-school businesses and bakeries. It was nice to stroll thru a neighborhood that gentrification had not yet touched. As I sought shade under a scaffolding, I caught a glimpse of my quandary down the street:

Pat’s, also known as Pat’s: The King of Steaks, was founded by Pat and Harry Olivieri in 1930 when they opened a hot dog stall at the corners of 9th Street, Wharton Street, and Passyunk Avenue. In 1933, according to local lore, the brothers were working their stand, selling mostly hot dogs, when they decided to try something different for lunch. Pat sent Harry to the market for some inexpensive cuts of steak. The brothers thinly sliced the steak, then grilled it alongside chopped onions. The aroma attracted a cabdriver who was a regular customer; he asked to try the dish. Pat sold him the sandwich for a mere dime. Upon the advice of the aforementioned cabdriver, the brothers started selling steak sandwiches instead of hot dogs.

Upon arrival at Pat’s, I knew that there were rules to abide by when ordering; namely, to say “wit” instead of “with onions”. Any regular of Pat’s, let alone any Philadelphian, will tell you that those who want onions on their cheesesteak say “wit”; a nod to the Philadelphian vernacular accent that permeates all forms of talking. As far as cheese goes, the most popular cheese is Cheez Whiz; the creamy, melty nature of this miracle product serves as the perfect accompaniment to such a rich dish. It melts well, it doesn’t interfere too much with the quality of the meat, and it adds a messiness that no one can resist. A close second is Provolone which is popular with the Italian community and then probably American. One thing is for sure: it isn’t the same without loads of chopped onions and maybe a grilled peppers which adds both flavor and color. For me, I went with the classic: Cheez Whiz and onions (wit) on a hoagie roll. One bite, and I was in heaven. The sandwich was hot, but not too hot. The meat was just the right amount and definitely benefited from those onions. As for the hoagie roll, while it was a little intimidating chomping thru all that bread, it was merely the perfect vehicle for all that meat and cheese! Combine that with the perfect ambiance of sitting outside in a historic part of Philly and you understand why a place this delicious has survived for decades.

After trying the original, I had to walk the long journey across the street to its formidable competitor. With its orange and white exterior and its neon marquee, it is hard to miss Geno’s Steaks especially when it is brilliantly lit at night. Geno’s Steaks was founded in 1966 by Joey Vento, directly across the street from rival Pat’s King of Steaks. One thing that Geno’s has that Pat’s does have is variety. From various cheeses to peppers to mushrooms, Philadelphians can agree that variety is the spice of life. Geno’s, however, is not shy about bragging about its celebrity clientele. You will see many photos of many stars that have passed through Philly, but they especially proud of the native Philadelphians that have dined outside the orange and white structure. Natives like Will Smith, Tina Fey, Sylvester Stallone, Hall & Oates, Boyz II Men, The Roots, and Steve Martin, to name a few.

Their cheesesteak, however, is what I came for. Both offer Cheese Whiz with lots of onions. However, their steak is left intact as slices, while Pat’s chops the meat. Second, their sandwiches are a bit thicker, probably due to the un-chopped meat and have a grease factor that ensures a messy meal. Lastly, the hoagie roll is a thicker bite so finishing just one Geno’s cheesesteak can be a delicious, yet daunting experience. But one that is totally worth it!

So, after dining on two of the most famous cheesesteaks in the city of brotherly love, one question still remains? Which cheesesteak do you prefer? Do you go with Pat’s, which is the original? Or do you go with newcomer, Geno’s? Do you prefer the chopped steak wit, or the sliced steak wit?

Try them both for yourself and you be the judge!

PAT’S KING OF STEAKS:

1237 E. Passyunk Ave
(at 9th & Wharton Sts)
Philadelphia, PA 19147

GENO’S STEAKS:

1219 South 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA
(9th and Passyunk Avenue)