Oh Well...I was looking forward for my cheesesteak at Jim's steaks and was disapointed. Ordered the steak with wiz and mushrooms and onions and it was bland. Went a few years back to Geno's and I remembered enjoying that one so much. Oh well next time back to Genos. I also want to try Denicks. I hope I wont be disapointed with that place.

Personally, I think both Jims and Geno's have gotten so big and touristy that the cheesesteaks are rather hho-hum. If you visit again try a place called Uncle Oogies on Oregon Ave. Great pizza and great cheese steaks

Back in the Day (1960's) they didn't use Cheez Whiz. They used sliced provolone. Maybe someone still does.

Cheez Whiz on a cheese steak, like toasted muffaletas or pineapple and ham on pizza, is one of those things that make me feel like the world has gone irreparably downhill.

Geno's offers provolone as does Tony Jr's, either regular or sharp. Tried sharp last time but didn't care for it on a cheesesteak.

Tony Luke's on E. Oregon Avenue is simply the best in town. Stay away from the tourist trap of Geno's and Pat's. Also try their pork sandwich as it's the best!

Ouch !! This is the first negative review I have seen for Jim's. I ate there in 2006 along with Pat's and Geno's and loved Jim's and did not care for the other two.I guess things change. Oh well, the controversy rages on !

We returned a week ago from a long weekend in Philly, and we had Philly cheese steaks for the the first time at Geno's, and we were very disappointed. We did order them with cheese whiz because we had read that is the traditional way. However, I think regardless of what kind of cheese we ordered, we wouldn't have like them. It was very bland; consisted of sliced beef, onions & cheese whiz. We left there wondering what is all the hoopla about Philly Cheese steaks??? Honestly, I think I get a better & tastier steak & cheese grinder from my hometown pizza place. Sorry to say that; hope i didn't offend anyone.

The concierge at our hotel told me she is from south Philly and doesn't care for Geno's or Pat's. She said to go for the experience but that her favorite place to order cheesesteak is Tony Jr's. Everyones taste is different. I am finding it great fun trying all the different places, in search of...

Try Tony Luke's next time for sure (especially if you used to like Jim's)!!

Okay Dokey..I'm going to try Tony Luke's. I also would like to check out the Mutter Museum, but not a place for kids right?

Okay Dokey, the simple fact is that everyone goes to Nathan's on Coney Island for the experience, not the hotdogs. I've eaten their dogs a few times, and man are they bad. However, their Philly cheese stakes are good, and their hamburgers and fries are way better than McD's and Burger King's.
Many places have a rep, but bad food. Too many tourists force me to eat at Subway.

I also heard about Tony Luke's!! Let us know what you think!!

"I also would like to check out the Mutter Museum, but not a place for kids right?"

It depends on how old they are and whether they are science freaks. I found it to be fascinating. There are a number of body parts and fetuses in jars which could scare some children. I think it could be very boring for a kid that doesn't like science.

My teenagers would love the Mutter Museum, but I would not have brought them there as young children.

I live here and do not care for any of those 'famous' cheesesteak places. Ugh! I shudder to think people come from out of town and are encouraged to go to those places. Believe it or not, many of us do not consider cheese whiz the appropriate topping, and we grew up here!

Next time Try Wolf Street Pizza (on Wolf St.) in South Philadelphia, or Criniti's. No there aren't many places to sit, and they don't look like much, but that's a better cheesesteak.

Have been to Philadelphia twice -- tried cheesesteaks (with just onions and whiz at each place) at 9 places over these two trips and liked the version at Jim's best closely followed by Cosmi's Deli, with Pat's and Geno's at the bottom of the heap.

Philly cheesesteak discussions online are often contentious, as are ones about certain other food types, such as NYC pizza, NYC deli, or BBQ in many cities or across regions.

As they say, your mileage may vary.

To address one other spot referenced by the OP, I very much liked the roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and greens at DiNic's (note spelling here) at Reading Terminal Market. This type of sandwich is also a must, as far as I'm concerned.

Not a recommendation, just a comment. DS1 was hospitalized at UPenn following a college accident. Mom flew up to be with him. He and I had cheese steak sandwiches from the hospital cafeteria every day. Outstanding, haven't matched it yet.

But stay away from hospitals!

For those who find cheesesteaks "bland" -- lots of afficianados add hot peppers or hot sauce. I grew up on the original Pat's and loved them with ketchup and salt.

Re: the Mutter Museum ... I initially found it fascinating--and then one of the exhibits made it switch for me to disturbing. I guess doing it the same day as the "Body Worlds" plastinated bodies on the same day was a bit much

For the worst cheese steaks in SE PA - go to Geno's & Pat's. It's terrible that visitors come to So Philly & are fed cheez whiz instead of provolone.....Your best bet is at the Reading Market or almost any corner deli in South Philadelphia. The corner at Passyunk is SO over-rated.

What a horror! Ketchup on a cheese steak? This is right up there with Cheez Whiz which is a horror visited on tourists. It tastes OK to them because they haven't been to a real deli & have been directed to Geno's & Pat's & they don't know any better.

It's a blot on our fair city! IMHO!

A real cheese steak (IMHO) comprises beef, fried onions, cheese (PROVOLONE!!!), & mushrooms - the whole heaped onto an Italian roll of the exact toothsomeness that is somewhere between crusty & resistant --- NOT too crust & certainly NOT too resistant.

But stay clear of Pat's & Geno's --- what a rip-off! That said - keep in mind I'm a WASP of Irish Catholic mixed marriage --- but with STRONG So Philly roots.