I went to Philly just to settle the Geno's vs. Pat's debate. I got both with whiz, peppers, and onions. What I liked about Geno's was they put the whiz on the bread so it stayed on the sandwich, unlike Pat's, where it ended up mostly on the paper. Both are tasty, but a little salt and pepper wouldn't hurt. Pat's onion and peppers were way better than Geno's. Geno's meat was thinly sliced whole pieces of steak, while Pat's was chopped. Both were good, but I leaned more towards Geno's because it was super tender. I walked around checking out other people's food before ordering, and Pat's fries looked a little too light for me, so I got fries and a drink from Geno's. Overall, both are great, and you won't be disappointed with either. Neither offers half sizes, so you have to get a whole sandwich. I guess they don't want taste testers. My overall winner would be Geno's. Slightly more bang for your buck. But if the wind blows east, I totally get why some would say Pat's. Try both!!
Like so many others, I ventured here because of the hype. I was THOROUGHLY disappointed.
First, customer service was just nonexistent. I’ve received warm & friendly welcomes pretty much everywhere I’ve gone in Philly. Not here. Woman that took my order was rude—no greeting, no nothing. She sat and talked for a few minutes to the cook while I was waiting at the window. When she was ready, I received a “what do you want.” Ok, let that one slide. I then asked for a bag for my fries (they’re served in a cup with a fork) and I can hear the cook yelling “she don’t need no bag.” Sir, 🙄😒
Second, the food. You could go to Jersey Mike’s in ANY state (I’ve gone to several) & have a better tasting Philly. Geno’s had ZERO flavor. NONE. Onions and peppers were overcooked—super soggy. This place was an absolute miss for me. I will say, the steak used is a quite fresh but that’s about all the positivity they’ll get from me.
The $25 spent was just not worth the money. & why the fries and cheesesteaks are ordered at separate windows is beyond me.
Very congested area w/no parking.
5
Welcome to the cradle of liberty — Philadelphia 🇺🇸✨
This city is packed with history… and mouthwatering food battles you just can’t ignore 🔥
The moment we arrived, we dove straight into the ultimate Philly Cheesesteak showdown — two legendary rivals facing off across the street 👀
🥩 Geno’s Steaks vs Pat’s King of Steaks
📍Located at a lively street corner in South Philly, both spots are bursting with sizzling aromas and hungry crowds.
Geno’s Steaks
✨ The vibe is bright, bold, and full of energy.
Their cheese sauce is thick, rich, and generously poured — just the way I like it. The beef is slightly salty, but the overall flavor has more depth and character.
💡 Personally, I’m Team Geno’s! It’s cheesier, creamier, and simply more satisfying 😋🧀
1
I went to place the order 4 cheesesteak everything they do wrong and messy after that charge me more for xtra mushroom peppers and cheese i paid for 4 cheesesteak for $80 with I ask for xtra but not in there n also cut all for half but only 1 have done the 3 no and separate 2 in separate bags but everything in 1 bag after I get home everything look soggy and sauce all over bag n in my car too bag got ripped off then I call them he told me he did everything right and put me on hold without tell me for hold how rude is that with customers service then I call them back they don’t pick up phone. what kind business they r serving to people I will never never come back again and not recommend to anyone I know for this Geno’s cheesesteak . I hope people check their foods before u bring home because I don’t r think this day people care about their services anymore and nasty attitude when u call them let they know what wrong r right anymore ? 👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿
5
During my three-day stay in Philadelphia, I made it my mission to eat as many cheesesteaks as humanly possible. My plan included visiting at least one of the two legendary rivals: Geno’s or Pat’s. I chose Geno’s, arriving around 5:30 PM on a crisp January evening just as the sun was setting. This followed a wonderful day of sightseeing at historic landmarks like Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and the Museum of the American Revolution.
The Experience
Because there was no line, my order was ready in just a few minutes. I ordered a cheesesteak with provolone and onions.
The Bread & Meat: I loved the bread—it was fresh and held up well. The steak was sliced thick and was quite substantial.
The Texture: The sandwich was juicy without being greasy or dripping in oil. There was plenty of meat, yet it wasn't dry or difficult to eat.
The Atmosphere: As is common with famous Philly sandwich spots, the staff can feel a bit intimidating. I felt that if I asked for salt or pepper, they might judge me for "not knowing" how a real steak should taste! I also wanted to experience the sandwich exactly as it’s traditionally served.
The Verdict
I did find that the sandwich needed a bit of salt and pepper. Unfortunately, I didn't see any on the outdoor tables, and I only noticed the garnish station (which had pickled peppers and other toppings) as I was leaving.
Final Verdict: This is a solid, reliable sandwich. If this shop were near my house, I would eat there in a heartbeat. It’s a decent cheesesteak with high-quality meat, though I wouldn't necessarily call it "extraordinary" compared to the massive hype. Is it the best in the city? I’ll have to try a few more legendary spots before I can say for sure.
