Cuisine: Cheesesteaks
April 29, 2007
Pat’s: 1237 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Geno’s: 1219 S 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: 215-468-1546 (Pat’s), 215-389-0659 (Geno’s)
Websites: www.patskingofsteaks.com, www.genosteaks.com
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Cheesesteak with Onions and Provolone ($7)
Cheesesteak with Onions and Cheez Whiz ($7)
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While there are definitely superior cheesesteaks to be eaten in Philadelphia (Try Donny’s at The Grill at Swarthmore College), it’s Pat and Geno who get the most press and accolades due to their hilarious rivalry and close proximity.
GASTRONOMYBLOG.com 
Interesting. I’ve only had my cheesteaks wit’ wiz, but my official taste test a couple years ago put Pat on top, mainly because the product was massive and sloppy–more meat than Geno’s, lots of whiz.
I don’t think it’s a fair test- provolone sucks, so obviously it’s not going to be as good of a sandwich. i think you should go back to Pat’s, order a cheese wiz wit, and then realize why: there’s always a line, people drive hundreds of miles to go, and I’m obsessed.
I am definately a Genos fan because pats philly was as bland as the faded red tables.
A few weeks back, a friend and I conducted a similar taste test. We went for the true apples-to-apples comparison, each ordering a Provolone Wit, regular fries, and a soft drink. We then split the portions and got busy chowing down. The outcome: we both agreed that Geno’s had the better cheesesteak overall. The meat was juicier, the cheese more flavorful, and the bread fresher. However, there is a yin to this yang: the fries from Pat’s were much better than the pathetic soggy effort from Geno’s. So, if you have true cajones and a craving for culinary excellence, I’d recommend first picking up your cheesesteak from Geno’s and then walking over to Pat’s to grab your fries, or vice versa. Just be forewarned that there may be some fireworks at your second stop.
I thought Pat and Geno’s were both good. But it was the Broccoli Rabe Cheese Steaks at Tony Luke’s that make me dream of my next trip to South Philly.
No offense, but what the hell does broccoli have to do with Philly Ceesesteaks?
Thank you, Loren, whoever you are. Tony Luke’s special cheese steak is the only acceptable one. In fact, it is delicious.
Through my four years at Swarthmore, I was always confused by cheesesteaks. The concept is good, and I’m not a food snob, but god is cheese whiz disgusting. You’d think the product would have evolved. I think there’s a fine line between authenticity and adaptability. America’s come a long way since cheese whiz, so I don’t know why people still hold on to such strange ideals when it comes to their cheesesteaks. That said, I agree about Geno’s over Pat’s!
“…I’m not a food snob…”
Jon, you don’t seriously believe this, do you?!
Peter Baker says:
Cathy, I was just trying to see if Ajia has a website (because I need another part-time job (besides City Paper) in Philly this summer and kind of wanted to work there haha), and instead I was routed to your food blog. I ended up reading your Pats vs. Geno’s coverage, and here’s my two cents.
Both Pat’s and Geno’s make a pretty horrible cheesesteak, at least relative to
1) Sonny’s: best hand’s down
2) Tony Luke’s (annoying, but good)
3) Jim’s (touristy, but still far superior to P and G)
4) Steaks on south (too small, but good)
5) many other places in the suburbs that don’t really count I guess
6) the vegan steak at that place on 7th street, can’t remember the name, which definitely doesn’t really count.
If you look on my facebook profile, you can see a short movie about me doing the Jim’s / Lorenzo’s challenge
Sweet blog,
peter
screw pats and genos. delesandros has the best steak
screw south philly altogether. northeast philly is where its at!!!! steves prince of steaks all day!!!
A day ago I went to geno’s and got a whiz wit. then I went to pats and got a whiz wit and I compared them in their different qualities. taste and the way they looked.
pats had the cheese on top geno’s had the cheese on the bottom. pat’s got cheese on my face but geno’s cheese dripped out.Both cheeses were the same The meat on pat’s was chopped and the meat on geno’s was sliced. so sometimes I pulled sliced meat without bread or cheese where as at Pats that didn’t happen. The meat was more tender at Genos but i LIKED how at Pats in every bit i got everything. aLSO PAT’S HAD WAY MORE MEAT. I tasted the meat more and I liked how it filled me up more. geno’s the meat was not consistent throughout the sandwich. Pat’s meat was better. Geno’s bread was saltier than PATS MAYBE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I TASTED THE BREAD MORE AT GENOS BECAUSE THE LACK OF MEAT. Pats rolls were softer. Pats bread was better. Genos had more onions so I liked genos onions better. Genos was warm while pats was hot so I liked that.
Overall: Pats is better than Genos. More meat same price and better bread.
genos…
less meat…less fat ( a plus)…less flavor…less value
pat’s
more meat…nothing but fat…more flavor you couldn’r chew, let alone swallow…no value
frankly I’m shocked at what they served… let alone what people think is good.
I’ll not go back to either place..and my quest for a truly nice lean, tasty, and packed sandwich for $ 8.75 will continue.
We know what’s guaranteed, however be advised…both “steak” sandwiches are not worthy. Be warned before you plunk down 17.00-18.00 bucks for 2 of these.
Trust me…
Bert
Went to PHilly for the first time this past weekend. Made my way down to Geno’s and Pat’s to taste the famous cheesesteaks. To say that I was disappointed would be a huge understatement. Hype baby, all Hype. These sandwiches sucked!!! – Both were bland and the meat was a rubbery as as the sole of an old chuck taylor shoe. As I told my much disappointed wife and children, these were just the best of a very bad sandwich. The owners of these joints are laughing all the way to bank on the back of stupid tourists. In fact, I asked about 10 people on the street and they could not even tell me how to get there – trust me, they were not tourists – they were locals.
To Geno and Pat, good on ya! You have the whole country duped.
btw – the wit and without schtick is classic. What a wonderful marketing job. I only wish I could come up with a gimmick like this.
You guys are ALL delusional – LOL! … Gooey Louie’s in Pennsport Plaza makes the best cheesesteaks, hoagies, corn beef specials, pretty ,much ALL their sandwiches …HANDS DOWN! They taste great and you get more than your money’s worth with hefty portions of meat. The guys are very friendly and personable and your food is ready when they say it will be if you’ve called ahead of time to pick up your order.
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