Both of the facilities you mention are nothing more than tourist traps. If you want a great “authentic” Philly Cheesesteak, just walk a few blocks over to 8th and Dickenson where you will find a little corner deli called Cosmi’s. There you will find the Holy Grail of Philly Cheesteaks. No long lines just a great meal. I guarantee, once you try one, you will probably only go to Pat’s or Geno’s when Cosmi’s is closed.

Pat’s? Not a chance. Geno’s. Never.

Those visiting the city are conned into believing they are the places to get a cheesesteak. If visitors stopped going to the shops, I bet both would be out of business very quickly.

I was born and raised here. Want a real cheesesteak? Go to a local shop and get one. The same holds true with a pizza. And try to find a shop using Amoroso rolls.

For my take on the controversy, see a page I posted at http://www.scoop0901.net//PhillyBlog/go-we.htm.

Cheers from Philly.

Scoop, just for the record, I went to a local place downtown called Munchie’s Cafe before hitting Pat’s and Geno’s. Tourist traps that they are, I still thought Pat’s made a pretty good steak sandwich.

I was just back in Philly visiting and took a friend to Pat’s and Geno’s to compare. I have to say I was disappointed in Pat’s. The place was dirty. The workers ignored the guy in front of us and then us. It wasn’t what I remembered growing up in South Philly with Joe and Banana’s running the place. Pat’s really went downhill. I highly recommend Geno’s all of the way. The place was clean, the food was better and the service was fast. I do have to agree with one thing. They are nothing but tourist traps. You can get a great cheesesteak at any corner joint in South Philly.

I can definitely say in my opinion, Genos has it all over Pats. The guys at genos are alot more friendly, its cleaner, the bread is alot better, and the sandwich itself has better flavor. I will stick with Genos!

Pat’s all the way. I was born 2 blocks away and moved but still come to Pat’s every weekend. Geno’s only has the lights and the sports team but Pats’s is where the family is. The steack is chopped so good, and not in clumps like Geno’s. Pat’s was closed on Easter and Geno’s was opened. I sat in front of Pat’s for half an hour deciding whether or not I should get a “misteak” from Geno’s and decided to order pizza and come back the next. If your looking for lights and sports jerseys go to Geno’s But if your looking for quality steaks and family, go to Pat’s.

I just came back from Philly and my friend who is from the area took me to Pat’s. LOVED IT! He is a local so I took his advice on where to get the best, and he says Pat’s. But you have to order it Wit of course and grab a birch beer to wash it down.

This isn’t a fair test. It looks like you got a steak from Geno’s with white cheese… you gotta have it with the whiz! You have to get a regular “whiz wit” from Geno’s and the same from Pat’s to have an equal test. When I visited Philly I did the test, and I was REALLY let down by Pat’s. It’s dirty, the people are rude, the steak was bland and too much of it, and the whole sandwhich just didn’t really have any flavor. Geno’s was my EASY favorite. So much so I ate another from Geno’s the next day!

Oh it’s Pat’s all the way.
Although cleanliness is not really happening over there, there is no misteak about it.
Although Geno’s and Jim’s try to compare, stick with an original. Some good things don’t need to be changed!

Geno’s is the way to go