Cheesesteaks
Pat's King of Steaks
Located at the south end of the Italian Market, Pat's was credited with the invention of the original Philly cheesesteak in the 1930s. No indoor seating, but there are tables outside and a park across the street, where people will hang out to eat their steaks.
Geno's Steaks
Opened in 1966, Geno's is situated kitty-corner from rival cheesesteak shop Pat's and has even larger, more garish signs to advertise its location. Owner Joey Vento also uses the store to air his personal views, such as his support for police; there is a small dedication to murdered officer Daniel Faulkner by Mumia Abu-Jamal in 1981 and display cases of police badges from all over the United States. Notably, there is a window sign stating "This is America - When ordering, speak English" which has sparked controversy for being discriminatory to immigrants and tourists. Like Pat's, there are some outdoor tables available.
The most famous Philly cheesesteak shops are located in South Philly. Nearly all of these have been mentioned in travel guides and on national television, so large crowds of tourists are a common sight, and you should expect to wait in long lines, particularly on weekends. As these are all take-out windows, there are no indoor seating available, but some have outdoor seating.
Jim's Steaks
After Pat's and Geno's earned national recognition and fame by being featured on television shows, locals have sworn that it doesn't matter if they were overrun by tourists because Jim's had better cheesesteaks anyway. Of course, now everyone has heard this, and Jim's will have long lines around the corner.
Tony Luke's Old Philly Style Sandwiches
Located under the shadow of I-95, Tony Luke's is popular with locals, and more difficult to get to for tourists without cars. Unlike Pat's, Geno's or Jim's, Tony Luke's offers a much wider variety of cheesesteak types, as well as burgers. Outdoor seating only.
Fine dining
Mamma Maria
Fantastico. Just like sitting down at a table in the owners town of Valle San Giovanni in Abruzzo, Italy.
Marra's
A cozy, family-owned Italian restaurant featuring award-winning pizza in the heart of South Philly's Italian district.
Champps Restaurant Snyder and Delaware Aves American Cuisine
Johnny Chang's Asian Restaurant 2601 S. Broad St. Asian Cuisine
L'Angolo Ristorante 1415 W. Porter St. Italian Cuisine
Popi's Italian Restataurant 3120 S. 20th St. Italian Cuisine
Franco & Luigi's Pizzeria 13th & Tasker Sts. Italian Cuisine
South Philly has quite a few Italian restaurants plus diners and many places to eat.The block of South St. between Front St. and 6th St houses several good eateries worth checking out.
delis/fast food
Chickie's 10th & Federal Sts.
Dmitri's 4th & Catherine Sts.
John's Roast Pork Snyder & Weccacoe Sts
Penrose Diner 20th & Penrose Ave.