I love Pappa Geno's. Their Philly cheesesteak sandwiches are delicious. So are their french fries.

This is the only legit Philly Cheesesteak joint in Houston. Located in a run down strip center, you better plan your lunch accordingly because the line here gets quite long. The menu is pretty basic, 9 or so types of Phillys and a few side options. I usually go for one of the smothered options (beware they are messy). If you find yourself in The Heights for lunch and want something unique and amazing - go to Papa Genos trust me - it's better than the ice cream man on a hot summer day! read more

My husband is from Philly - this is basically where he gets his fix. I prefer the chicken Philly myself OR take it up a notch and test your arteries with the Philly cheese fries. Yes, you're reading that correctly a cheesesteak on top of fries. Amen papa Geno's amen. Now if only you were open on Sundays for the Eagles games during football season our life here in Houston would be complete. read more

Dirty restrooms. Dirty carpet (there's probably slime in the ice machine - and the kitchen can't be much better). 4.5 stars? You Yelper's need to stop drinking the Kool-Aid. I've had better cheesesteaks in the mall Food Court. You give this place 4-5 stars and Charley's 3 stars when they have a superior product. read more

It's all about the bread. Take it from a girl who moved here from New Orleans--when it comes to the regional sandwich, the key is getting the right bread. And they bring it in direct from New York. This place knocks it out of the park on the sandwiches alone. #1 on the menu is the Papa Geno's Steak & Cheese. The provolone is a perfect gooey consistency, and coats the delicious steak and onion mash on that pillowy bread...it makes your mouth water. The #2 is more classic Philly, with Cheez Whiz instead of the provolone. As much as I love man's answer to natural cheese, it is a clear #2 when compared to the former sandwich. The Cheese Whiz is too fluid for my tastes...I'll let the Philly-stines keep the product sales up. Scientifically speaking: Papa Geno's Provolone (melted) Viscocity = 100 cP Cheez Whiz (melted) Viscocity = 0.1 cP I had the cheese fries, which were a little lackluster. The server at the counter flipped my fries over when she handed them to me, making the inside of my bag a nice neon orange. Unfortunately, denuded of the magical elixir, the leftover Whiz coating turned into shellac. The fries looked like a piece of modern art. #1 Cheese Steak! read more

Friggin good Philly cheesesteaks, easily the best that I have had in Houston, hands down. The components that really take these cheesesteaks to the next level is the dense filling that is full of meat and cheese (they def do not skimp), and the delicious bread- oh man, crispy, but soft, it holds up well to the heavy filling without getting soggy. Both times that I have been, I have ordered my cheesesteak "wit wiz", which is what I personally recommend. Can you please tell me why processed cheese so delicious?? Nom nom. The cheesesteak is large enough to fill you up by itself, but if you are craving some sides I would go with the cheese fries or fries with gravy. The fried mushrooms were meh. The only downside is that you'll definitely feel fatty the next day. Real fatty. read more

I've now officially been to Pappa Geno's twice and it is still the best cheese steak I've had in Houston! Super fresh bread, piping hot steak, melty provolone cheese and the option to add mushrooms, onions and brown gravy to my sammy makes this lady very happy! It is also a must to get the fries with brown gravy, because gravy makes everything that much better! You will get messy, you might not eat it all (yay for leftovers at 2am) and you might have to wait a bit....but it is soooooo worth it! Note: This review was written during the 30 minutes before my lunch break. Now I am very sad because I only have a turkey sandwich in my lunch kit. read more

I've been waiting a long time for someone in town to give us a glimpse of a true philly. What took you so long Papa Geno??? The cans of cheese whiz behind the counter seemed to glow as the girlfriend and I walked in to order. First off, these things are beasts. . . very authentic. Papa Geno's philly's will devastate the mild-stomached. Approach with caution, but be prepared to be left in an altered state when finished. . . or to pass out. It's an exhausting experience. I've made my fair way around Philly's in Philly and Papa Geno has got it right. The key difference is the spiciness of the meat here. The seasoning is unlike any Philly I've had. It's a good thing--makes it a Houston original! There's more on the menu, but I suspect it'll take me a while to get back to it--I'm still kinda tired from our first trip to Papa Geno's read more

YES! YES! YES! Pappa Geno's is the ultimate celebration of the Philly cheese steak...arguably my favorite hot sandwich of all time (with the reuben trailing right behind). The shop is small and simple proudly displaying Sam's Club size tubs of Cheese Whiz, Geno's most prized condiment, at the counter. They offer an assortment of hot sandwiches and a few sides ( fries, fried mushrooms, etc), but I knew exactly what I came for: glorious, thinly shaved slices of beef, grilled onions, shrooms (add 50 cents - but you gotta), and of course, cheese whiz.Don't get it twisted, I've never been to Philly, and have never experienced the real deal sandwich of brotherly love, but I do know they rock that cheese whiz and I wanted in. Having been a Texadelphia fan since high school, it was hard to resist the swiss, but I wanted authenticity.....and it was awesome. I took that piping hot beauty of a sandwich to go (after a breezy 5 minute wait) and could not wait to get into it. Verdict: Thank goodness I don't have thin walls, or my neighbors would be convinced something else was going down in my apartment.... ....every bite evoked a "hmmmmmmmmmm" and an "ooooooh"..... ....I'm utterly smitten. Geno's philly is what heaven must be like. The smooth mushrooms blended beautifully with the sweet and slippery grilled onions. Meanwhile the steak was cooked to perfection with cheese whiz dancing throughout the sandwich all held together with bread that may as well have been created by G-d himself. YES! YES! YES! I think you get the point. Know before you go: This is definitely more of a takeout place, but they do have a few tables if you can't manage making the drive home. Lastly, come with an empty stomach....this guy is HUGE (no side required). read more

Pretty impressive that Pappa Geno's hasn't gotten anything less than a 3* review on Yelp. And those that gave it 3* must be pretty frickin' out of their minds. So I've done the mecca to Pat's and Geno's for the authentic Philly cheesesteak, but if we're being honest, the first thing that pops into my mind when you say Philly are those greasy heart attacks I'd eat all the time at UT's Jester first floor dining. Good times. Let's just say that Pappa Geno's is significantly better than that. The bread is wicked good, and that's just the starting point. I'm drooling thinking about the wicked philly, stuffed chock full of a spicy pepper mix (think Potbelly). Top it off with some of their squeeze bottle hot sauce and I'm in tongue-tingling heaven. The steak is greasily good (chicken is also an option), the cheese melts in your mouth, and OHMYGOD the bread. It has to be butter-oil griddled goodness. The gravy fries get lots of love on Yelp, but the sandwich is a heart attack in itself, so I've never indulged. Definitely not an every day meal, but in the mood for a stomach-filling food coma, you can't do much better than Pappa Geno's. The stark orange decor and counter diner feel are just the cherries on top. read more

In Houston this probably as good as it gets for Philly cheese steaks. For just under $7 dollars you get a monster of a sandwich. Pappa Geno's is small so get there early and I wouldn't show up with more than 4 people, because seating will be an issue. The interior is truly forgettable, whats up with orange checkered tile, but the tile is not the reason I'm at Pappa Geno's. After you place your order at the counter have a seat and your philly will be brought out to you. I've been to Pappa Geno's a few times, but I've only tried #2 Philly Style Steak and Cheese and the #3 Wicked Philly. In the words of Sergio S. "Go with the Cheese Whiz", huge fan. But being from Texas, I like a little more kick to my food. My favorite philly is Wicked, it's the same as #1 topped off with spicy peppers in olive oil. And finally an order wouldn't be complete without an order of fries topped off with gravy. I have my co-workers craving Pappa Geno's now, I see many more visits in the future. read more

Okay, remember The Smiths song? Girlfriend in a coma, I know I know - it's serious Girlfriend in a coma, I know I know - it's really serious Yeah, she's not my girlfriend but she was totally in a food coma here! You will be too! Seating sucks -- so does parking. Hey, its ITL :) go figure! magical! We split a #2 with fries :) she's still in a coma. I hope she survives. read more

First things first: From ages 18-27 I lived in Philly. I'm 29 now, so those memories aren't far removed. I know quite a bit about cheesesteaks (like how most people from Philly wouldn't compare ANY cheesesteak to Geno's or Pat's or even Jim's, rather they would compare it to their neighborhood cheesesteak spot). Now that those details are out of the way, the sandwich you get a Pappa Geno's is much like the other "Philly cheese steaks" you find around Houston: Not even close. Here's the deal: They go the idea right. The meat and cheese were mixed together perfectly, they didn't ask if I wanted extra garbage on there like tomatoes, and they were cool when I said no mayo. And the people were very nice. The problem is that the sandwich was too nice. It didn't have that Philly stank on it. It was missing a type of swagger that comes on even the worst of cheesesteaks in Philly. Not to mention the roll wasn't right. It was too soft on the outside and the flavor wasn't right. So based on the way the rating system is set up, it seems fair that I rate Pappa Geno's as 2 stars: Meh. I've experienced better. read more

Hot off the grill at what feels like 200 degrees F. I found myself caught between huffing and puffing and burning my mouth to try the Philly sandwich in front of me. Good things are worth the wait and In this case, worth waiting 'til they cool down The imported toasted Philadelphia hoagie works as a food vessel carrying a molten hot filling with white onions, white american cheese, beef, and (surprisingly!) mayo. The white onions are transparent and uniform. The meat is thin, tender, and dusted with black pepper Though mayo may seem like nontraditional ingredient the mayo definitely contributes to the creaminess and salinity of the sandwich. After the first few bites, I knew I was tasting the best Philly sandwich in Houston. This is better than: Philly Connection, Katz Deli, Texadelphia, and Jake's Philly Steaks by a Texas mile. This gooey cheesy philly sandwich will be singed into your taste bud memory and you will come to crave this unique sandwich. Eater Beware! ;o) Every time the craving hits, I click my shoes together and repeat "There's no place like Papa Genos." And I am on my way to Philly paradise! read more

Yummy! Just outright yummy! This is a prime example of so bad for you but sooooooo good food. It's not really bad for you unless you are obsessing on calories but just put that out of your mind when you come here. Live a little and enjoy! The Philly cheesesteak I had was most excellent in taste with the crusty, toasty bread, tender beef, perfectly grilled onions, cheese, delicious green bell peppers and that scary concoction called Cheez Whiz.. Chemical cheese product or not, the Philly cheesesteak just isn't the same without Cheez Whiz.. The menu offers items from the Philly cheesesteak to burgers to chicken sandwiches. They also have fries, and a choice of fries with gravy. The onion rings I had were decent. You know I'm going to go against my rules of healthy food for a sandwich here and you should, too. It's so worth it. Service here is fast and the employees are cheerful. The place is on the small side and tables are set up for 2 or else counter seating on stools. It isn't about ambiance here but it's clean and cleanliness is important. I really enjoyed my VERY filling meal here and I know I will be back. read more

Pappa Geno's - Philly cheesesteak, hoagies, chicken and burgers - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Hands down the best cheesesteaks in town. I've been to Philadelphia and had cheese steaks at their best restaurants and Papa is the closest 2 authenticity you can get. read more

IF at any point during the consumption of a cheesesteak you can actually use your hands to pick up and hold the sandwich AND IF what you are holding is recognizable to an observer outside the restaurant as a sandwich THEN you are not eating a cheesesteak, but some sorry facsimile that is unfit to bear the name. this place does it right. greasy, gooey, sloppy, awesome, crazy unhealthy, but amazing. the portions are huge, the atmosphere is just right - 50's diner style; order at the register; sit at the bar. get yours with mushrooms and onions and you're set for the day. read more

Ooooo Good. This place is right around he corner from my place and it is ridiculously amazing. It's such a tiny whole in the wall in the middle of what seems like no where, but it is worth whatever your drive may be. The Pappa Geno cheese steak is amazing. The day we went I was trying to "eat healthy" so I opted for the the Hot Italian Hoagie, which was also really good. But my husband had the cheese steak and he let me have a bite, I was immediately regretting not ordering that...."eating healthy" be damned next time! It's melt in your mouth good. It's so good, that words won't do it justice. It's one of those things that all I can say is, go there, trust me. read more

Dear Diet, I'm really, really sorry that I've neglected you. I lapsed again at Pappa Geno's, but it was totally worth it. I mean, I kind of listened to my inner diet when I got chicken instead of beef, right? Well, I might have had a bite of my boyfriend's cheesesteak... Sorry (kind of), Me This place is just simple, straight-forward bad for you food that is oh, so good for your soul. It hit the spot during the recent cold snap when my body yearned for something to tank my diet. I got the spiced up version of the sandwich and it was fantastic! I'd highly recommend the chicken philly done up "wicked" style, but I'd hold the mayo the next time I go. I'm a big fan of mayo, but this was glopped on, so not my fave. The atmosphere was old school diner style with a bunch of counter seating and some tables off to the side. This place is by no means fancy, but will definitely make you feel incredibly satisfied...if not a bit guilty. read more

Went here for a late lunch after seeing them mentioned on the houstonpress.com. I was a little hesitant after trying cheese steaks around the city, but the Houston Press usually doesn't lead me wrong. The place was mostly empty (probably because it was after the lunch rush) and my order was promptly taken. As I mentioned, I've had cheesesteaks from various restaurants in the city, including Texadelphia, Lenny's and Philly Cheesesteak Company, but not many places offer a sandwich with CheezWiz. This was a welcome change and was very delicious. The meat and cheese blissfully united in a flood of hot, savory deliciousness, and it certainly satisfied my desire a tasty sandwich. The bread was good as well, and I liked that it didn't completely crumble when I bit or get super soggy. The fries were good as well. The staff seemed nice and they talked to two guys in the place a lot. Even though they didn't talk to me on a personal level like these guys, I'm moderately sure they would have talked to me too if we had something to talk about. Prices are decent, and I ended up spending $11 for lunch. I usually avoid spending over $7 or $8 for lunch, but this place was worth it. FYI: this place is pretty small... or should I say cozy... so just be prepared for that it you come during a peak time. read more

Is it normal to cry after eating a sandwich? I'm going to be honest. I was not expecting much when I road up to this place. Surely, there was some sort of mistake with the reviews. This place was near a gas station and was slightly bigger than a master bedroom. I actually almost decided to go somewhere else but something about this place was calling out to me. So I decided to walk in. They have a ton of things on their menu. I thought this was going to be a place like rasing canes. I was going to see philly cheesesteak fries and soda. But no, there are so many styles to choose from. Me never even been to philly decided I needed to try the original cheese steak. Do you know what its like for your taste buds to orgasm? Eat this sandwich. The meat is completely drenched in this cheese sauce that is to die for. Eating it alone made my heart skip a beat in more ways than one. Seeing that I have to keep a somewhat average figure, I told myself not to come back more than once a month. But believe me if I lived down the road from this place I would make a trip here every week. The sandwich is so hot so mind your tongue. I had to learn this the hard way. I bit into it and the flavor was so good but I did the weird thing keep your mouth completely open as if you are catching flies while you puff little steam balls out of the mouth you are searing off. This act is totally worth this sandwich. This place looks so homely but can dish out some amazing sandwiches. The best part is this sandwich is so inexpensive I could slap someone. The people were nice and fast. Seating may be a little limited so do some research on peak times before you go. People, this place deserves your business and you deserve a tasty sandwich that will make you feel oh so good. Go visit Pappa Geno's or you will be robbing yourself of a great classic. read more

Foodgasm alert! I dream about Pappa Geno's. All the time. My waist line will curse them, but my heart can never be truly mad since I've found such deliciousness. Yes, the restaurant lives up to all the hype. The cheesesteaks are amazing. The kind where the oozing, greasy goodness is so addicting that you'll literally pick up the tiny pieces of meat off the plate and gobble it up with your fingers. The portions are decently sized--meaning they're actually pretty big, but they're so delicious that you won't stop until it is all gone. I generally get the cheesesteak on Texas toast which is just a tiny bit smaller, but just as delicious. That being said, I generally get that because I steal a few bites off of the hubby's #2 which comes on their amazing bread (which is supposedly flown in from NY everyday). Haven't bothered with the burgers or fries yet, but everything is made to order and piping hot. The owners are always there and super nice. The interior is a hideous orange checked thing, but in way with charm that only a little diner like this can have. There is very little seating, so plan on taking your food to go if you head over there during lunch time. For those of you who like to stay ITL, I definitely recommend the drive--it is well worth it! read more

Very very good steak sandwich. I am from Chicago and I must say i travel to Philadelphia regularly and are the steaks 100 times. This is pretty much it only thing no Cherry peppers or cherry juice. Go check it out. read more

Location: small corner shop in itty bitty strip center. Most people to go because the seating is limted. Extra parking available but separated by a curb. Service: prompt and polite. Ambience: local joint with steady business. Decor is bright orange and white tiles. Food: Delicious. I've been several times and the food is consistently fabulous. The bread is fresh and toasted. I like the philly cheese steak with cheese whiz while my husband likes the philly cheese steak with provolone cheese. Word of warning the philly cheese steak with provolone cheese comes with mayo so if you don't like that you'll need to ask for without. The steak meat is chopped fine and mixed well with grilled onions and seasoned with pepper. It's a nice sized sandwich that is at least 8 inches I'd estimate. My favorite philly cheese steak joint in Houston! read more

It was a good cheesesteak. However, a couple of points drop the star rating. First, there's not that much meat in the sandwiches. I'm used to them overloading it. Second, the cheese and/or gravy depending on what you get is way too much compared to the meat and some bites are too salty. Given the high ratings, I'm definitely willing to give it a second chance and hoping I can change my mind. read more

Since I've never been to Philly, I don't know what a "real" Philly cheesesteak is supposed to be; however, I know meat, I know cheese and I know bread. When you throw these three magical ingredients together, you should end up with a magical sandwich. I've eaten more than my fair share of cheesesteaks in Houston, and I've never been that impressed. I've had good ones in Pittsburgh and Austin, and I even thought Jake's was pretty good (years and years ago). I'm not going to get all descriptive of the sandwich. I'm just going to say this is the one in Houston to get. Flavor, flavor, flavor. read more

Glad I decided to give this place a try. My wife and I were near the area and were struggling to decide what to eat for dinner (a common problem among couples I presume). We finally decided to try a cheese steak from Pappa Geno's. The place is in a shopping strip next to a gas station, but don't let the deter you from stopping by. The two young girls attending the counter were extremely nice and patient with us while we decided what to order. We ordered a Wicked Philly and fries with gravy on the side since we were taking it to-go. No regrets! The peppers on the cheese steak gave it a good kick and the brown gravy accompanied the fries well. The gravy was slightly saltier than what I would have preferred, but that didn't stop me from eating the whole thing. The cheese steak is close to a foot long, so it can easily be split among two people. The bread was soft and held together very well. Pros: Tasty cheese steak, good gravy, nice staff, fast service. Cons: Decor is nice, but gives an outdated 60s feel. Fries were not that impressive, so get it with the gravy. Can be pricey, but affordable if you split a cheese steak. read more

Growing up in the Philly area, I know a good cheesesteak when I find one. Down here in Texas, there is the good, the bad and the ugly. Pappa Geno's is the best cheesesteak I have had in the Lone Star State, maybe since the last time I was in Philadelphia and went to the "real" Geno's in south Philly. They use the real Italian peppers and, besides the regular cheese, they have Cheese-Whiz too! Now all they need are Tastykakes for dessert and I will think I'm back on Kensington Ave stitting on a stoop saying "Yo!" read more

Location is part of a small strip center with a Phillips 66, nail salon and cash advance place. How diverse! I love the orange and white checkered decoration. It's different, a little cheesy, but the place was really clean. As you walk in, the menu is right smack in front of you. The lady at the counter is nice, pretty cool and chill for even when it gets busy. I ordered the Philly #1 which is beef, provolone and onions. I also ordered the Chicken #1, which is shaved chicken, provolone and onions. I figured I needed some veggies so I added green bell peppers and mushrooms to both orders. The cost is .50 per addition. We also ordered the gravy fries. My entire order was Take out. Note to self and to others- tell them to put the gravy on the side...it totally soaked my delicious fries! Everything was good. I could tell that they used a steak house seasoning on chicken...I can just tell...but it made it taste good. I could have used more cheese on the chicken. As for the cheeseteak....it was super delicious. The bread still had texture, it kept its shape while it held a bunch of meat and cheese at the same time. The beef was good, but I was totally missing the fat from a regular ribeye cut. But it totally satisfied my craving. Our food was still hot when we got home and we enjoyed it very much. The fries were really authentic to Philly. It looks like battered fries, almost. We walked in and ordered togo and our order was ready in about 10 minutes max. My hub and I will definitely go here again....we'll try it wit whiz next time!! read more

Favorite cheese steaks in Houston. And the people that own and run the place give exceptional customer service. I highly recommend this location! read more

Yowzer, the subs here are great! We got a chicken philly sub and a traditional Philly cheesesteak sub and both tasted wonderful. The bread was soft and mixed well with the meat. We enjoyed eating our subs and the only thing was that the cheese fries were okay, but not as good as the subs. In the future I'd just stick to the sub, as that was where the great taste truly was. Glad we stopped in and we agree with the great Yelp reviews! read more

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PG's is definitely the best place to get an authentic style Philly cheesesteak. They do it just right with perfectly seasoned and cooked chopped beef splattered with a healthy serving of "cheese-whiz." For those of you that don't like the true experience, you can sub provolone (I think) for the cheese whiz. They also have a spicy, pepper filled version of the sandwich called the "Wicked Philly," which is my personal favorite. You may also see me with a side of chili-cheese fries... all delicious. BOTTOM LINE: Best cheesesteak sandwich in Houston, methinks. read more

I love their sandwiches! I even tried their chicken tenders and they were great too! Great customer service and they are pretty quick! I will definitely be back! read more

The fat person in me LOVES LOVES LOVES this place...LOVES. Now, if you are prepared to feel like a fat slug after then you will be happy. I think it's the freaky philly I get every time, but not sure. At, first I was questioning cheese whiz and gravy on my philly but never again. That shit is delish. Oh but don't do the gravy fries. It's expensive overall and it's brown gravy. I prefer white gravy on fries. read more

While not a connoisseur of cheesesteaks myself, I have several friends who profess to be and of all the cheesesteak restaurants in the city, this has been deemed the best. I recently went for lunch with a couple buddies who showed me the ropes. Pretty standard as far as cheesesteaks go and the Whiz is plentiful. Order at the counter and then brought to your table. Nothing fancy, but just what you want from a good cheesesteak. read more

Allow me to begin by explaining my cheesesteak prowess. I'm an avid Philadelphia sports fan. Dawkins and Roenick are my heroes. I've watched the Rocky franchise 753 times. I'm a blue collar, bring your lunch pail to work, run the damn football and play lights out defense kind of guy. I've tasted the best that philly has to offer: Pats, Geno's, Jim's, Tony Luke's, and Dalessandro's. This establishment serves up one of the best steaks I've ever had. Provolone steak wit is all you need in my opinion, but there are more exotic offers to tempt you with. If you're feeling dangerous, which I often do, order the disco fries that come with wiz and brown gravy. If CAndy Reid ever came to eat here, he would eat the whole restaurant. That fat walrus would gobble up the food, kitchen, and even the staff! Make sure you check this place out. read more

This place is a total dive.....think fast food joint in an abandoned-looking shopping strip next door to a gas station/liquor store. But the cheese steaks are amAzing! And huge! Order a #2 (with cheez whiz) so you get the authentic Philly experience and don't feel guilty that you love it for all its deliciousness. Next time I will order the philly fries so that I can have the cheese steak experience and fries without the bread getting in my way :) read more

The two ladies working behind the counter today were so nice and welcoming. I ordered papa Geno's cheesesteak and added green peppers and extra cheese. Oh. My. Gosh. It was everything I've been craving and more. The bread was toasty but soft on the inside. The steak was the perfect texture. The onions and peppers soft and delicious. And sooo much cheeeese. The hot sauce on the table was the perfect condiment. I can't believe I had never come across this business before. Absolute best cheesesteak I've had by far. I cannot wait to go back. And yes, even my 9 month old son loved the tiny bites I gave him read more

Pappa Geno's - Just HALF of the #1 extra cheese and peppers added - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

I really want to like this place more than three stars. Sometimes when we go, the cheesesteaks can't be beat. Other times they have not been as good. Perhaps over time they will get to be more consistent. I love that they have brown gravy. The fries are good and the onion rings are ok. Their other sides like fried cheese are terrible. I think they have a lot of potential, so I'm going to give them time before giving up. read more

Pappa Geno's has a decent cheese steak. Personally I liked their chicken philly better and the fries were a highlight for me. If you choose to go, make sure that you go hungry and get the fries, they give you a LOT of food. The staff is friendly and the food comes out quickly. read more