Cheesesteak

A Northern Liberties cheesesteak and pizza shop that bakes its own seeded sourdough rolls. The steak is hand-cut, pasture-raised rib-eye, chopped and seared with fried onions and American cheese; ask for a hot pepper on it.

A South 9th Street pizzeria whose cheesesteak became the one people line up for. The seeded roll is baked in-house, the steak is shredded and the cheese is Cooper Sharp. Get there early and be ready to wait outside.

A Roxborough mom-and-pop shop, just up the hill from Manayunk, grilling cheesesteaks since 1960. The fresh-cut rib-eye is chopped fine on the griddle so the onions and cheese get into every bite. Pick American, sharp provolone or Whiz, or ask for all three.