Thousands of tourists flock to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to visit some of the most historic landmarks in the United States – the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the U.S. Mint to name a few. However, for the avid foodie, a trip to Philly is not complete without a stop to Geno’s Steaks or Pat’s King of Steaks (or both) for a Philly Cheesesteak. Located right across the street from the other in South Philly, Geno’s and Pat’s are Philly institutions and have been in business since 1966 and 1930, respectively. Pat’s history is evident the moment upon arrival – a large sign (pictured below) depicting Pat’s influence in how the cheesesteak came to be displays proudly out front.
When approaching the line to order, there’s a humorous sign out front explaining the proper protocol in cheesesteak ordering.
Moments later, Pat’s Cheesesteak is ready to eat. We opted for the cheesesteak ‘wit’ and cheez whiz. I was glad to see that Pat’s doesn’t skimp on meat, judging by the generous portion on the cheesesteak. With the onions and cheez whiz, the cheesesteak overall was hearty, filling and very tasty.
After polishing off the cheesesteak at Pat’s, we walked right over to Geno’s for a cheesesteak comparison. A bit flashier on the outside, Geno’s Steaks has a rich history in Philly as well. Geno’s has been family owned since 1966 and handed down through the generations in the Vento family. 
Geno’s has a similar ordering process to Pat’s – stand in line, indicate with or without onions and what kind of cheese. We also ordered cheese fries with our steak. After opening up the sandwich wrapping, you can see the differences in Geno’s right away – less meat, but jam-packed with flavors from the whiz and onions. The cheese fries were piping hot, delicious and very cheesy!
It’s a tough call on whether Pat’s or Geno’s has a better cheesesteak. However, visiting both institutions is an experience in itself and definitely a must if you’re in Philadelphia.
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