We'll be attending a wedding in Philly this weekend, staying at the Ritz Carlton. Hope to have at least one meal of cheese steak or hoagie and also to take some deli home. Recommendation for great places near the Ritz much appreciated! (Is Lee's still good for hoagies? Is there one convenient to where we'll be?)

For a quick answer, you might want to check on chowhound.com. Do a search on the PA board.

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried that site, but for some reason found it difficult to use.

Try egullet.com - they have a PA board that is great. A lot of the people there are involved in the restaurant business in Philadelphia, and they really know where the good places are.

The king of cheesesteaks is "Pat's Steaks." That's the original and although some people say that competitors are even better, I think you've got to go to Pat's. It's near the Italian Market which I bet you'll enjoy, as well. It's maybe a 5 - 10 minute drive from the Center City area.

The best Jewish-style deli's tend to be in NE area of the city -- and that's not close to Center City. But I bet you'll find great hoagies in the Italian market area.

I also strongly suggest browsing the Reading Terminal Market (it's walking distance from your hotel) for wonderful Amish, Italian, and other specialties.

Have a great time in my home town!

This is total hoagie heresy, but no matter many different hoagies I tried during my years in Philly, I always went back to Wawa (the one off Rittenhouse Square) for a premium turkey hoagie with mayonnaise.
Re cheesesteaks, I went to Jim's, because a) I usually went late at night with a date and b) I was living around the corner.

No respectable hoagie has mayo. It has to be oil.
Oh, oh. I've started another Whiz thread.

Birdie's right about the oil. And, of course, there's no such thing as a "turkey" hoagie. Wawa makes excellent sandwiches, but....

Well, I *said* it was hoagie heresy. But it's what I like!

Wawa????? Aiiee ...

The battle is between Pat's and Jim's, both in the Italian Market area.

Just wanted to report that we went to Famous Delicatessen for lunch. Nothing could be better. It's on 4th street, just off South. As good as anything I've had in New York. Skipped the hoagies this time.