Chef-owner James Nardone runs Elma on East Girard Avenue as a seven-table tasting menu BYOB and hosts “Third Sunday” monthly pop-ups featuring quintessential Philly sandwiches like cheesesteaks and other hot sandwich varieties. The cheesesteak pop-ups have become so popular, often selling hundreds in a few hours, that Nardone debuted Palace Steaks as an outpost. Folks line up for rib-eye steaks with toppings like long hot peppers, truffles, and shredded Cooper Sharp cheese on a hollowed out Sarcone’s Bakery’s seeded roll. This is not the cheesesteak you grew up on.
10. Paffuto
1009 S. 8th St.
Simplicity and quality are the name of the game at Paffuto. Though pricier than most, Paffuto’s cheesesteak stays true to its Italian-American roots with chunky curls of ribeye, melted Cooper Sharp, crisp onions, and house-made hot sauce on a toasted Sarcone’s Bakery hoagie roll. Coupled with a maritozzo doughnut stuffed with whipped cream and sprinkled with powdered sugar as a sweet treat, there’s no better lunch meal.
11. Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks
3020 S. Broad St.
Heading down to the stadiums for a game? Consider Skinny Joey’s your newest spot for a pre- or post-game cheesesteak fix. Podcaster-turned-restaurateur Joseph Merlino wasn’t afraid to throw his name in the hat as a cheesesteak maker; he’s got 10 hits on the menu: Plain, hoagie-style, pizza with mozzarella and pizza sauce, buffalo chicken-style, and more. For a newcomer on the scene, Skinny Joey’s is impressively living up to the hype.
12. Ishkabibble’s I & II
517 South St., 337 South St.
South Street likes to flex its cheesesteak history—case in point: There are two Ishkabibble’s within a few blocks of each other. Open since 1979, these are local favorites that popularized the chicken cheesesteak with your choice of American, provolone, or Whiz. They also serve up other creative renditions like their namesake with mushrooms, American, sweet peppers, pizza sauce, and onions. Wash them both down with their famous Gremlin: half grape soda and half lemonade—trust us.
13. Uncle Gus’ Steaks
1136 Arch St.
