To anyone who has ever visited, it will likely come as no surprise that the cheesesteak is among the most iconic foods in Pennsylvania. Now, we have covered where to discover the best cheesesteaks sandwiches outside of Philly, and even shared the cheesesteak Anthony Bourdain considered to to be a “national landmark”. You may have even read our insightful article on alternative cheesesteaks to try in Philadelphia, for those that like the style, but want to switch up the ingredients in the recipe a bit. We have even gone so far as to cover the basics for beginners when it comes to how to order an iconic Philly cheesesteak.
But, what about combining all of that, covering our bases with the final missing puzzle piece? We’re talking about the cheesesteak spots you might miss, the ones without lines wrapped around the block just because every glossy, paid-ad-fueled, touristy guidebook says you should go.
We wanted to shine a light on the lesser-known, far too under-appreciated Philly cheesesteak joints that locals live by, and tell all their friends about on the down low. These are the neighborhood favorites that may not always sparkle among bright-shining headlines, but still serve some serious sandwiches. Behold, 11 of the most criminally underrated cheesesteaks in all of Philadelphia.
Chubby’s Steaks
One local cheesesteak shop that often pops up in convos about overlooked Philadelphia favorites is Chubby’s Steaks. Sitting directly across the street from one of the Philly’s most famed cheesesteak institutions (yes, we’re talking about Dalessandro’s), Chubby’s has spent decades living in its shadow, while quietly winning over locals who insist it deserves equal, if not greater, recognition…