Growing up just northeast of Philadelphia, Jim's Steaks on South Street was always my absolute favorite cheesesteak. Moving to New England three decades ago meant leaving it behind, so I was incredibly excited for my first visit back. I was devastated to hear they had closed in July of 2022 due to a fire, but stepping inside after their reopening two years later felt like returning home. The classic look and feel upon entering was exactly as I remembered from decades ago. Do not let a crowd deter you! There were about twenty people in line ahead of us, but the legendary Philly efficiency meant our wait was only about five minutes. When it was my turn to order, I went with my standard: "Wiz Wit" (cheese wiz and fried onions) with a side of hot peppers at checkout. While I noticed they now offer a sesame seeded roll option, I chose to stick with the traditional roll for pure nostalgia. Please note that Jim's is a strictly cash only business, so come prepared. We took our food to a table upstairs and I was pleasantly surprised by how much space there is now. There are two rooms facing South Street for prime people watching, plus one super cool artisanal mosaic space flooded with natural light. This breathtaking area is the former Eye's Gallery that was beautifully restored after the fire, and it provides a truly unique backdrop for a meal. As for the cheesesteak, it was exactly as I remembered. It was wonderfully messy, packed with flavor, and utterly delicious. I am so glad that some things never change. Jim's has returned triumphant, and I will definitely be making this a mandatory stop on my next trip back to Philly. read more

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Born and raised in Philadelphia and Jim's is the place to go for a steak sandwich. I'm with wiz but hubby not so much. They rebuilt and made it look just like it did before the damage when you first walk in, referring to the grill area. The rest of the place was redone and made to look better. Quality meat, soft fresh rolls with perfectly grilled onions. read more

Jim's South St - Steak sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The cheese steak is a filling size. I did not think the meat was seasoned very well. Bland really although tender. The service is fast! I asked for help twice and did not feel I was bothering an employee. Gracious for sure. The shop is clean as well as the restroom. $20 with drink and tip. One and done for me. read more

Jim's South St - Outside sign - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The place is simple to find. In town for Athletic Trainer convention... Hungry for a steak sandwich.... The steak sandwich was super delicious. Give it a shot! My wife had heard of it from her toktok. We were hungry and they fixed our hunger! Prices were definitely reasonable for the amount of quality food you get. The steak sandwich was enough to split. The wife and I split a steak sandwich my side with shrooms that was thicker than a baseball wiffle bat! Every bite had me excited to get another bite.... Deliciously paried with a bag of chips I had a Miller lite to warsh it all down. All in all the staff was kick a$$ and the food was bomb in our perspective. We definitely will return. clean and cozy bathrooms. Let me know when you open one in Oklahoma City! Ask for the seasoning pack - you can thank me later. Respectfully, Bryan Yukon Oklahoma read more

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Loved the classic Philly experience. The restaurant was busy and lively with excited folks when we arrived. We had been traveling and were grateful to find a spot that was open late and had lots of seating for our family. We ordered three cheesesteaks. I was very underwhelmed. The meat was under-seasoned and chopped to mush. I could barely taste the whiz. Not terrible, just not great. My husband and son seemed happy enough to eat a cheesesteak but they seemed to agree these weren't the best cheesesteaks. Also, wish they had hot peppers and fountain drinks instead of bottled drinks, though these weren't dealbreakers. Something fun, while we were there, is there's a second floor with some cool mosaics. Worth checking out and getting some fun pictures. read more

Jim's South St - Branded wrapper was a nice touch. - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

CASH ONLY! This place doesn't do cards for payment. The couple ahead of us were not prepared for this. There are multiple ATMs on site, but they were having trouble with their card. Fortunately, someone behind the counter agreed to let them order and pay with DoorDash. There is plenty of seating upstairs, and be sure to take a look around at all of the amazing mosaic tile artwork. Oh, and the cheesesteak sandwiches did not disappoint . Order at the grill, and watch as chopped steak and onions are masterfully combined with cheese sauce and bread to create something beyond a sandwich. Condiments and plenty of napkins are available in all dining areas (you will need plenty of napkins, and that is as it should be) to help you enjoy the juicy cheesy meaty goodness. read more

Jim's South St - We each had a wiz wit, and they were awesome! - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Super duper disappointing. There is absolutely no seasoning, no flavor, nothing interesting at all about the cheesesteaks here. I was baffled as many locals told me this is one of the main spots to try. When you walk in you see all of the celebrity photos on the wall like Kobe Bryant. I was the first person to enter the restaurant on a Saturday morning. I ordered a $13.49 cheesesteak on provolone. It took a maybe at most 5-10 minutes for the cheesesteak to be ready. This location is cash only. I sat down at a table and started eating the cheesesteak. I get better cheesesteaks in Tampa, Florida, than this one. I guess I don't understand how this spot is remotely famous or lauded. read more

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Jim's was a highly recommended spot for a famous cheesesteak. There was a bit of a line but it moved quickly. You get to watch them cooking the cheesesteaks as you order your food, then you go find your own seat. I tried the cheesesteak with provolone. It was good, but I was expecting a little more flavor or more melted cheese. Someone else in our group ordered the cheesesteak with cheese whiz and that looked delicious. They are cash only, but there is an ATM inside. It was definitely worth a visit! read more

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Just because the people are so nice ... The steak as lost its luster - rivaling on the bottom of the bread and not mixed in ? The sauce on too ? Really ? It's for the tourists . Now. I do like the remodel. Lots of seating upstairs and then little ante rooms with high tables no chairs - It's convenient - a great view of south street and the staff are really nice - so yes I'll be back- read more

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Good cheesesteaks Friendly , welcoming staff Cozy , clean atmosphere Always stop by when visiting Philly read more

Jim's South St - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Cash only! Had a great cheesesteak here! We added provolone and spicy peppers to the our sandwich. they cook it right in front of you. The rolls are perfect vehicles to contain the beef and the fixings. The restaurant is clean, has lots of beautiful mosaic art, from the magic garden. The AC was on, get rid of that after walking around all day. We're going to Angelo's on Wednesday. Wonder how Jim's compares! read more

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Excellent cheesesteak. Very friendly staff. They cook it right in front of you. I had mine with whiz and it was delicious. Seems like the people complaining about the blandness had theirs with provolone and I think that explains it. Provolone is very bland and I specifically sought this place out because they have whiz. The outside of the building is really cool and some original mosaics inside. Cash only. There are several signs and an ATM. read more

Jim's South St - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This was my first official Philly cheesesteak. Jim's was recommended by a coworker. I'll just say I was VERY UNDERWHELMED by my cheesesteak. I ordered with provolone and peppers and I saw the food being cooked. I was excited. But bit into a VERY BLAND sandwich. Maybe these sandwiches taste better with the whiz, but that's not anything I eat. The food was well prepared but tasted like nothing. Second, they only take cash...in 2026. Needless to say this wasn't conveyed to me in advance and I was ready to check out (with a debit card) when I found out Jim's is cash only. Of course they have an ATM right there, with all the associated fees, which is some BS. Will not be returning nor taking recommendations from coworkers anymore. read more

Jim's South St - Cheesesteak - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here for dinner and had a fantastic experience. Service was awesome, food was ready very fast and employees were super nice. Food was incredible. I got a cheesesteak with fried onions, whiz, and sweet peppers. So so good and a great portion. Reasonably priced as well in my opinion. Definitely recommend! read more

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awesome steaks, seeded or plain rolls, cash only but there are atm's or you can order through doordash for pickup. lots of seating.

Ordered: Cheese Steak w Whiz, Onions, & Sweet Peppers (~$16) 20oz Soda Bottle (~$3) Chips (~$1) Aya's take: Whenever I'm in town, I have to get a classic Philly cheesesteak and since I haven't tried this local favorite, I knew I had to give it a try. Jim's has a retro, diner feel that feels super relaxed. You walk in and order at the counter where they're grilling. The beauty of it is 1) they're made to order, and 2) they're highly customizable. We got our Cheese Steak with Whiz, Onions, & Sweet Peppers. The bread was super soft and the ratio of meat & toppings was spot on. The steak was also well-seasoned and wasn't chopped too finely which I prefer so you can actually taste the steak. The Chips & Soda Bottle made it feel like a complete meal although I wish they had some fries to go with it. I can see why this is a classic spot! read more

Jim's South St - Cheese Steak w Whiz, Onions, & Sweet Peppers (~$16), 20oz Soda Bottle (~$3), Chips (~$1), & Pickles (free) - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As a visitor to the city, I understand and was excited to experience the hype around THE Philly Cheesesteak. And I know there is probably a definitive ranking of the best ones in the city and it's unclear where this one falls. But all hype aside, I wasn't impressed. First, the meat was chopped really finely (more than usual) and pre-cooking on grill before we even got there. This means the meat was tough and dried out despite them sprinkling some water on it tor "refresh" before putting on sandwich bread. The meat was also underseasoned. Luckily they had seasoning packets to add a little flavor to the sandwich because without it, I probably wouldn't have finished the sub. I would recommend you talk to locals and/or keep looking at other options. read more

As the first-time visitor to Philadelphia, I was able to sample 2 local favorite cheesesteak joints. Jim's or Angelo's? Whichever you choose, it's going to be better than either the more touristy Pat's or Geno's. My personal preference is Angelo's. I got a hybrid cheesesteak from Jims - a hot sandwich with lettuce, tomato and onion with provolone cheese in a soft long roll. They chop up the steak really fine so it's like eating ground beef, and I'm not a fan of that. I prefer Angelo's thin-sliced steaks and slightly crunchy toasted sesame seed roll. Parking is somewhat easier at Jim's. read more

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Heard this was a local favorite and glad we popped in here vs. Pat's or Geno's! The Cheesesteak is relatively mild in seasoning, which allows you to add condiments to your own liking - they have mayo, ketchup, hot sauce, relish, St Lucifer spice, but I'd recommend adding the spicy brown mustard and Texas Hot Pete hot sauce. The roll was super soft but had a nice bounce/chew to it that paired well with the juicy beef and caramelized onions. We also got hot peppers on the side - you can get either in the sandwich or on the side. There's plenty of seating, including upstairs with a beautiful mural by the Isaiah Zagar. Would love to have a hoagie next time! read more

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I was attending a convention in Philly and during a panel several people brought up Jim's as THE place to get a good cheesesteak. Now, I am sure there are other places to do this that get just as much enthusiasm and when I find out what they are I'll happily try them as well. I figured for my first Philly Cheesesteak I'd go with something several locals endorsed! As the name suggests, Jim's is located in the colorful South Street area and I loved it. As a native New Yorker, I got similar vibes to the West Village of the 90's (that's a plus in my book). Jim's used to be part of the Jim's Steaks chain (founded in 1939) but in 2011 ownership changed and it eventually became Jim's South Street. Jim's looks very new on the outside because it was rebuilt in 2024 after a fire in 2022. It has a fun, retro look on the outside, like a classic diner and the interior is very clean and organized looking. When you walk in, you immediately get on line and order at a counter. The sandwich is passed down to someone who can give you add-ons like peppers before it is wrapped up and handed to you (once you pay, of course). Service was...okay. The guys making the sandwiches looked annoyed to be there and barely acknowledged me as I ordered. The lady who cut my sandwich was okay but the third lady gave me a bit of an attitude. Oddly, when I explained to her this was my first visit, she then brightened up. It was weird. This place is cash only so have it ready. I had my cheesesteak with wiz and peppers, which are cooked in with the meat. They did not hold back on the meat or wiz. You definitely would not be leaving hungry if you eat here. The sandwich tasted good. There was nothing mind blowing about it, but I enjoyed it. The bread was nice and soft, the meat was cooked well and had good texture and the flavor was good and savory. I would definitely go back to Jim's if I had any friends who wanted to check it out for the first time, but I won't be making a special trip by myself. read more

This review is for the airport location. Super greasy and gross. Customer service was meh. Wouldn't go back. read more

Jim's South St - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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11/2025 Rating: 3.5 RESTAURANT: The restaurant is located right in the middle of the busy and touristy area of Philly. Street parking only. The building is several floors high. All the action happens on the first floor and more seating are available upstairs including restrooms. And as you dine, you can jam with the music playing throughout. Waiting in line was not too bad that day. But the smoke from the cooking area is just everywhere and right infront of you as you wait and so there is no getting away from smelling like a cheesesteak for the rest of the day. LOL. SERVICE: Service was good and fast. The chefs ask you want and how you want your sandwich, so as you wait in that line, make sure you are ready. They prepare your sandwich right in-front of you and they do it fast. They only take cash, but I think there was an ATM machine inside (if I remeber correctly). Let the cashier know what else you want as far as fries, chips, desserts and drinks. Everyone was pretty cool. They know that they get many tourist so they like to keep it moving. FOOD: We ordered a classic with onions and cheese wiz. The bread a nice and soft. It did not feel bulky and heavy in my stomach which I really like. The meat was well seasoned and its so fresh and warm that the cheese just melted through. This was our first legit philly cheesesteak and so we can't compare it with anything else. And although the it was delicious, I did not experience like the mind-blown, WOW moment that I was searching for. I will come back and try it with provolone next time. This was definitely a checked off one item in my bucket list. Overall, this was a nice experience. Price point seems fair, and remember...ash only. But it did inspired me to come back and further try other cheesesteaks in the area, especially the one with Cooper white cheese. read more

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If you're looking for the best cheesesteak in town(skip the hype around Geno's & the other nearby spots)Jim's South Steak takes the crown! Every bite here hits the perfect balance of tender, flavorful,juicy steak & melty oozing cheese wiz all tucked into fresh,soft bread. It's clear why this place is the best in my opinion! Hands down, Jim's South Steak delivers the cheesesteak experience you've been craving. It's also a cool experience b/c you see the chefs cooking your cheesesteak through a see through glass. There is also cool decor. They had more pics & autographs on the walls but unfortunately there was a fire a little while ago. Employees are ok for what it is. There's a lot of hustle & bustle going on! P.S. Be prepared & bring cash unless you want to pay an atm fee. Jimmy's is cash only! read more

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Stopped by Jim's South St. after it was recommended by both a coworker and a friend. The staff was friendly and welcoming right away, and our food came out pretty fast which is always a plus. My girl and I shared a cheesesteak with mushrooms and onions. Overall it was good. Not the best cheesesteak I have ever had, but still solid and satisfying. One small letdown was the mushrooms, which looked more like canned mushrooms than fresh. They do have a chili powder on the side you can add to your sandwich, which was a cool touch and helped give the cheesesteak a little extra kick and uniqueness. The place itself feels well run and very clean with an old school Motown diner vibe. The bathrooms were surprisingly updated and spotless, which honestly says a lot about an establishment. All in all, Jim's South St. is a dependable stop on South Street with good service, a clean space, and a solid cheesesteak. Worth checking out, especially if you are in the area. read more

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Visiting Philly & had to get a cheesesteak! Service was great with recommendations as this was our first time here. Beautiful mirror rooms! *CASH ONLY read more

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Line was long and the faces of the patrons reflected the excitement and anticipation everyone was feeling as we stood together waiting to place our orders. The place was clean and folks were friendly. For me, it was my first time having a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia, PA, so my excitement may have been more than those around me. The prices were surprisingly reasonable and they have diet cherry soda! I was so excited, until I took a bite and then I looked at my friend. She was already on her way to the condiment station to doctor her half of our split cheesesteak. I personally think the meat was not seasoned because there was just no flavor. The reviews say otherwise but I can only speak on my personal experience...which was just ok. It was underwhelming for me and I would not go back. read more

Jim's South St - Half (split) cheesesteak with added lettuce and tomato, side of hot peppers, bbq chips and diet Dr. Browns Cherry soda - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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We headed over for a late lunch on a Saturday at around 3 pm and there was a pretty long line even at this time. Their menu is pretty straightforward where you order at the grill with which sandwich you want and they make it in front of you, asking if you want to modify anything. The line moved pretty fast, it was cash only and they had a decent amount of seating in the upstairs area which was nice. Cheesesteak with provolone - The size was pretty decent for two people to share. The cheesesteak was a little bland even with the cheese melted nicely and the onions were caramelized well, the meat was the dominating ingredient in it and very flavorless. We added some seasoning and the meat was too overpowering for us to enjoy it. From the longer lines to the lack of flavor in our cheesesteak, not sure we would come back for another one. read more

Jim's South St - Cheesesteak w/ provolone - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Flew from San Diego to give this a try! As soon as I walked in, the smell amplified my hunger! The service was very fast. I asked for their most popular and that's what I got. The Cheesesteak was delicious! The grilled onions were a sweet addition to the steak! Worth the 4 hour flight! read more

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Wow. So disappointed. Came here for the iconic Philly Cheesesteak and instead got quite easily one of the most flavorless sandwiches I've ever bitten into. This was like eating low-sodium hospital food, or chewing on a mouthful of eraser tips. It wasn't just missing something; it was missing everything. Line wasn't too long on this Eagles Sunday, which probably was a red flag. But really, everything is cooked quickly so the line moves pretty fast. But "cooking" is a relative term here. All that meat - already fried up - just gets piled to the side and sits there. So all the cook is doing is just grabbing meat from said pile and heating up your flavorless sandwich made up of dry, flavorless steak bits. And the bread is super tough and chewy and not crisped at all. Every bite takes a bit of effort. The only saving grace here are the prices. But you really get what you pay for. read more

Jim's South St - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Jim's South St is a Philly classic for a reason. The cheesesteaks are consistently delicious, packed with flavor, and made exactly the way you want them. The meat is tender, the bread is fresh, and every bite reminds you why this spot has such a strong reputation. The line moves quickly and the staff keeps things efficient even when it's busy, which I always appreciate. The atmosphere has that authentic Philly feel that makes the experience even better whether you're stopping by for a quick bite or bringing friends from out of town. If you want a solid, reliable cheesesteak that never disappoints, Jim's is definitely worth the visit. A true staple that keeps people coming back again and again. read more

I see why it's famous. The experience was amazing. Be sure to bring cash. We sat upstairs with a nice view. I'd go here everyday if I lived near. You have to go try it for yourself. read more

Jim's South St - Philly Cheese Steak - Whiz - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jim's is a must for me every time I'm in Philly. The South Street energy, the history, and watching the steaks hit the grill right in front of you never gets old. I go cheesesteak with onions and extra whiz, and it always delivers. Tender chopped steak, gooey cheese in every bite, and bread that holds it all together without falling apart. Portions are solid, and it hits that classic, no frills Philly comfort spot. It can get crowded, and the flavor can vary a little depending on the rush, but it is still a staple stop and part of the full Philly food experience for me. read more

After trying 5 different Philly cheesesteaks, this was the clear winner. When we arrived, there was a line around the corner, but it was cool to be able to watch them cook and make the sandwiches through the windows and glass dividers. The amount of meat they are cooking is insane, but they've got a nice assembly line going. We ordered the Cheesesteak with Cheese Whiz ($13.49) with Peppers ($1). You can also get some additional hot peppers on the side too, which was perfect. Once you got your order, there's some dining tables on the first and second floor. The second floor is actually quite spacious with some fun mosaic mirror tiles throughout. There is plenty of seating and the space is clean. As soon as we opened up the sandwich, you can see the cheesy goodness slathered all over. It's a messy sandwich, but seriously the best Philly cheesesteak in my book. It's flavorful, tender, cheesy, and just perfect. I love that they slather cheese whiz between the bread and on top of the cheesesteak too, so you get a well-coated and cheesy sandwich. We were pretty much licking the wrapper because we wanted to savor every bite. I wish I could re-experience this again as my first cheesesteak. Definitely my #1 cheesesteak in Philly. Note that it's cash only though! read more

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***cash only *** You can tell this is a local/tourist favorite, with lines non stop and lines moving smoothly. Everything is streamlined super well. There's lots of extra room upstairs. I've been here 10 years ago before they had renovated (after a fire recently, or quasi-recently, apparently). I must say that this time it wasn't as good as I remember it. I thought back then it was the best thing I've ever tasted... Philly cheese steak with whiz, onions, mayo, mushrooms. This time, it was yummy, but not as great as I remember it. It was fun watching the two cooks cut up the sliced, cooked beef into minced meat, but I'm just wondering whether it would have been more satisfying if they had left the meat sliced and not minced. I've made this stop because i thought it was an important stop in Philly, but i think i will skip it next time I'm in town. There are many options. I am game to try something new. read more

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Great food Lots of seating Cash only The staff is friendly and the cheesesteaks had lots of options for you to customize read more

Solid Philly Cheese Steak with Whiz and Peppers. I thoroughly enjoyed it! This place is cash only so make sure to bring cash! read more

Jim's South St - Cheese Steak - Whiz, American or Provolone - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The best cheesesteaks in Philly without question. The meat is very tasty and they have the best cheese wiz in the country. Forget Gino's, Pat's, Tiny Luke's or Ishkabibbles. They don't hold a candle to this spot. Also get the grilled onions and cherry peppers you can't go wrong. The cooks and servers are friendly as well always come here when I'm in town. Don't forget the Dr Browns Black Cherry Soda as it goes perfectly with the sandwich. read more

Jim's South St - Cheesesteak with onions, mushrooms and peppers ! - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My friends and I were on a cheesesteak crawl all day and this was our 2nd stop! Pros: - You get to watch them making it while waiting in line - Lots of seating inside - Restrooms - Beautiful art installations - AMAZING sandwich: lots of cheese whiz, many options for toppings, good ratio of meat, flavorful Cons: - A bit of a wait - Cash only Overall, this was our FAVORITE cheesesteak of the day. I wanted to throw up my sandwich and eat it up again like King Neptune in Spongebob Squarepants because it was so good. read more

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Jim's South St lives up to the hype. The cheesesteak was packed with flavor and the bread had that perfect crunch on the outside while staying soft inside. The steak was juicy and tender with just the right amount of seasoning, and the melted cheese tied it all together in the best way. The sandwich came out hot and fresh, and you could tell the crew knows what they are doing. Service was quick and friendly even with the line moving steady, and the energy of the place added to the whole Philly experience. If you are craving an authentic cheesesteak, this spot should be on your list. Worth every bite. read more

Jim's South St - When the bread crunch meets melty cheese perfection - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jim's is a well known restaurant located on South Street in Philadelphia! It also has our favorite Philly cheesesteaks! If you are every visiting Philly, everyone knows there are select places to get cheesesteaks from and we vote Jim's as #1! We always order, in Philly terms: "cheesesteak whiz witout" ( which translates to a cheesesteak with whiz, no grilled onions.) Jim's is such a classic and we love that when we go early, it isn't so crowded with people, but we get the same service as if it was super crazy busy! They recently just re-opened from a fire that had happened, so it's a lot bigger now with even more seating options downstairs and upstairs! We also appreciate how clean it is here! The cheesesteak is perfect in our opinion. Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to the best, but here's why we love it from Jim's: 1. The Roll: The roll is so supreme and its the perfect crispiness, softness, doughy goodness to wrap around the goodness of what's in a cheesesteak! 2. The Whiz: The whiz doesn't taste cheap, its liquid gold for us! 3. The Steak: The steak is shaved pieces that they cook fresh once you order. It is then chopped up into smaller pieces which creates that "melt in your mouth" kind of bite. Overall, the taste of this sandwich as a whole is #1 for us! You can definitely tell they put love into every since sandwich they make and they still use quality ingredients which you can taste! We are already looking forward to our next one! read more

Jim's South St - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania