I've been to Geno's and Pat's before on previous visits to Philly and wanted to try something new. To be honest, I was not super impressed with either of the aforementioned, so I really did some research this time around. The internet led me to Sonny's, which was our first cheesesteak of the trip. It ended up being the best cheesesteak that we had on the trip. We had a cheesesteak with onions and cheeze whiz. The meat was really good quality, very tender, and super flavorful. This really hit the spot - we had been thinking of cheesesteaks for a few weeks! There's plenty of seating inside and when we were there around 5pm, we had no wait at all. read more

This place had a solid cheesesteak and quick service. We had a group of 6 and all got our food faster than expected The cheesesteak was good but I'd recommend getting some extra cheese. Comes with a lot of meat The fries were a bit bland in my opinion but they were very hot and were a solid combo smothered in ketchup w the cheesesteak. Walking down the street after eating here though, I saw two other places that i'd probably try before going back read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Front entrance - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Our first stop in Philadelphia. A coworker who lives in Philly recommended Sonnys as one of the top options outside of Ginos and Pats. We got one with cheez whiz and one with provolone. While the whiz is the classic version, we thought it was a tad too salty. The provolone was much better in my opinion. Each sandwich were around $17. I'm no expert on Philly sandwiches but they were pretty good. read more

See all

Delicious!! The cooper sharp American cheese is to die for. Definitely getting extra cheese next time. I ordered online and it was ready when i got there. Surprisingly no line at 1pm on a weekday. read more

See all

Recommended by several people we decided to give it a try during our Philly visit. We ordered the cheesesteak with provolone, mushrooms, and peppers with a side of fries. Delicious! read more

See all

Cheese steak sandwich was the best I ever ate. Plenty of beef , advertised as rib, tasty bun, sweet peppers, and cheese wiz. Food definitely rated five stars. Down side was the cleanliness of the restaurant which is old and probably difficult to keep clean. Also, they automatically added a 20% tip on top of the food and taxes. That is a lot for an order at the counter take out. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheese Steak - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Good cheesesteak but I got with the provolone and would recommend with whiz instead. Rookie mistake but my son loved his- we ordered the fries too which were ok. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteak with provolone - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Was in Philly for a work training and a friend and I wanted to get out for some lunch. Since we were walking, and since we wanted a cheesesteak, Sonny's was our choice. There was a bit of a line when we got there, but not bad, maybe. 5 minute wait to order. We both ordered a cheesesteak with provolone, but I also got onions and mushrooms (at least I think I had mushrooms). Food came out quick and hot and delicious! Great Philly 'feel' here and we sat at the counter against the wall. I've eaten a lot of cheesesteaks in Philly and this one was pretty good. I'd definitely come back if I was in the area. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

My daughter and I were visiting in town and found Sonny's. The cook was quick and the food was amazing! Small restaurant space, but conveniently located in the downtown area. The cashier was nice and patiently helped us while we decided what we wanted. My daughter wants to come back for their simple, yet delicious cheesesteaks. read more

See all

Out of the three cheesesteaks on market street this is the best one. The cheesesteak with cheese whiz is amazing. The service was super fast, and the inside of the restaurant is alright, but I would just come here for the food. read more

See all

During a recent trip to Philadelphia I set out on a mission to try some of the most highly rated cheesesteaks. Sonny's Famous steaks ended up on my list and I have to say that it was my favorite one! After spending a few hours at the Museum of the American Revolution, I had worked up quite the appetite. I figured a cheesesteak would satisfy my cravings. When you walk into this joint you're greeted with a straightforward operation. I was fortunate to avoid a long line and was able to order fairly quickly. I ended up going with a cheesesteak with onions, sweet peppers, and Cooper Sharp. My order came out promptly. I decided to pair the steak with some of the hot peppers near their soda fountain which ended up being a very nice touch. So how was the sandwich? While not the largest I had in Philly, it was extremely well made. The meat was seasoned, juicy, and hot. The Cooper Sharp cheese also paired excellently with the meat and made for the perfect melty combo. The steak at Sonny's was the most flavorful I had in the city and I think it stands in contrast to some of the more lightly seasoned offerings you might find elsewhere. The bread was relatively soft and chewy which provided a good consistency for each bite. Overall, I'd give this spot top marks. You'll get an excellent sandwich quickly for a reasonable price. They also accept card here. Check them out if you're in the area of the Liberty Bell/Independence Hall! read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteak with, Cooper Sharp and Sweet Peppers . - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This was my first Philly cheesesteak on my cheesesteak tour and it set a great standard to start. We ordered and got sandwich pretty quickly. There are a couple tables and counters for seating with quick turnaround time. We ordered the Ribeye Cheesesteak with Cheese Whiz and Grilled Onions ($14.48). It's a pretty simple menu with a burger and chicken sandwich too, which is good if you're feeling something different. The cheesesteak was good with tender meat and soft bread. We only wish there was more cheese whiz spread all over the sandwich, but it's pretty good overall. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Ribeye Cheesesteak with Cheese Whiz and Grilled Onions. - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Cheese Steak was so f***in good I would so eat there again and again until I burst from being too full

My friends and I were basically on a cheesesteak crawl all day and this was our first stop! Pros: - Not a long wait - Good sandwich: tasty and tender meat, good bread - Funny decor - Inside table seating Cons: - Sandwich didn't have much cheese whiz - Not many topping options - Smaller portion for the price point read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Im still looking for the best Philly Cheesesteak. So many cliche name will pop up claiming to be the best.. So here I am at Sonnys. It wast packed for a hot Saturday afternoon. The employees are all nice and friendly unlike Genos or Pats. I get a Philly cheese steak with mayo,sweet peppers Cooper cheese and provolone. The bun was good. Im glad this place doesn't have seeded buns.. 4 stars because the meat is not seasoned.. you gotta add a bit more s/p or some Lawrys seasoning salt. I like my cheese to be evenly melted, not having clumps of cheese at the ends... The dining area has two long communal tables and table tops. Bathrooms were clean. Overall I'll get it a 7. They are still better than Genos and Pats. They are very generous with the meat portions. I'll definitely give them another try in the future. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - My philly cheesesteak. - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

First time is here from California! This small restaurant was everything and more! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the employees who were very nice. The restaurant can get a little bit busy, and when it's busy, it's packed. And the seats are limited, I'd recommend someone saving a seat, and then another person placing the order. Now, the cheese sticks from this place, we're unimaginable! If we are ever in the city again, we will definitely be coming here again! By far the best cheesesteaks we've ever had ! read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Philly Cheesesteaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

First time in Philly was advised to go to Sonny's for a good Philly Cheesesteak and they did not disappoint. I ordered three fully loaded Philly Cheesesteaks to take back home to California! read more

We were looking for the best Philly Cheesesteak while in Philadelphia. I finally determined it is impossible. After consuming 3, they were so different from each other, I am not sure how you determine which is best or original etc.. However, I did really like this one. I got it with onions and Cooper Cheese. I thought the meat could have been seasoned just a little more, and include a little more cheese. I did eat the entire sandwich which was a first. The fries were also perfectly done. Price was very fair. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Philly Cheesesteak with Cooper Cheese - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The cashier was rude and ripped me off. Do not order the burger. It was plain and undercooked.

Here again in Philly, two months later. Continuing our quest for the best cheesesteak. We've now had 5 from 5 different spots. Yes, that's a lot of cheese! We will pay for it later. Anyways, I'm officially calling it number 1 for Sonny's Famous! I can't point to one thing that is a standout on this sandwich. It's just all around good, every key ingredient well balanced. Make sure you get the Whiz! Service was quick. It was a packed house but we found a spot to scarf it down. There are enough tables and standing ledges. It definitely cozy! read more

Loved the simple decor and how quiet it was for a 1PM lunch! Service was super friendly and I need to go back for a cheesesteak because the burger was absolutely delicious. Definitely worth your time! read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheeseburger - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I had a day to kill in downtown Philly so decided to get a cheesesteak. Sonny's had excellent reviews and was within walking distance. So here is another excellent review. The folks at the counter were very nice and helpful and the food was delicious. Highly recommended. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteak with everything and a side of onion rings - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I went to a day trip to Philly. We were looking for a place to try the famous cheesesteaks and found this place near the independence hall and the bell... The place itself is a bit crowed, you will be lucky to find a table to eat. When we were looking at the prices we realized that in cash is about three dollars cheaper per item so be ready to use the ATM that the restaurant provides or use cash instead so it it cheaper! For the quality of the cheesesteaks: it was very dry, it had half cheese and the other half barely had cheese; I don't know how the traditional is supposed to taste but I believe that this was not the perfect one. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Philly Cheesesteak - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philly you have to have a cheesesteak right. So we tried the original and it didn't disappoint BUT then we had the best in Philadelphia. If you want to have a religious experience eating a cheesesteak this is the place to go. The staff is incredibly friendly and greet you as you walk in. The best part was they have gluten free rolls. Like real rolls regular size cheesesteak rolls. And the bread was soft and delicious. We are coming back to the area for the 250th anniversary celebration and we will definitely be eating here again. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

You won't find Sonny's on many lists of Cheesesteaks to try in Philly but you should. This is a solid traditional and delicious cheesesteak. High quality meat on fluffy bread. Not normally wiz guy but I love it here. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteak, Wiz and onions - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I really liked Sonny's. The steak was high quality and the fries were great. I've had it before and it was just as good as last time. The weather was bad so we got lucky and it wasn't busy. The inside is quaint but they also have outdoor seats. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteak with fries. - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

First time eating a Philly cheesesteak so I wasn't sure what to expect! I appreciated that the bread was crispy with a nice crust, the ratio of cheese (I got provolone) to meat was perfect. I kind of expected the meat to be super oily, but to my relief it wasn't; however I would've liked some sort of sauce or gravy to make it more flavorful. Fast casual environment that seems to be busy but especially packed during peak hours! read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We dropped by Sonny's in the midst of our history walk through downtown Philadelphia. We entered and there was lots of bar stool seating. And some tables located in the back by the drink stations. The 3 staff working were super friendly and patient as this was our 1st time here. They were fairly busy for 2pm in the afternoon. The menu was simple. Philly Cheesesteak, onion rings, Hot dogs, Variety of Hamburgers, chicken tenders and several more Fry options. Hubby ordered the famous cheesesteak that's chopped from ribeye meat. I wanted the famous grilled cheese. It was no longer available on the menu. I ordered the 5 Mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce. Alese ordered the cheese fries. We sat and watched them prepare the orders. The food was hot, no doubt. Hubby's cheesesteak didn't contain any green peppers. Alese's cheesy fries were okay. My mozzarella sticks were more breaded crust than cheese. The marinara sauce was just crushed tomatoes. It was $36 and disappointing. Luckily. We were just looking for something to hold us over til dinner. read more

See all

Quick stop off in Philly for the first time. Was directed to this restaurant by a local for a cheesesteak sandwich. It doesn't disappoint. Nice little place with great staff. read more

See all

Always make our cheesesteak stops as we visit Philly annually. This time we were able to try Sonny's and it held up well with the best of them. Nice busy spot serving great cheesesteaks with all the ooey and gooey ness that's makes a great Philly cheesesteak with the right bread! French fries are a great addition to the meal and better than most places if not the best. Lots of seating inside and outside with also bar top standing area to eat as well. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - French fries with cheese - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Be super careful when you come here and pay with card. The female cashier(who looks like she hates her job) will try to automatically add a tip and make the screen disappear before you can choose no tip and if you just tap without looking at the total, they will get you. The cheese steak is very mediocre and there is nothing special at all. Definitely do not recommend read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Mediocre food - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A quick walk from the liberty bell, independence hall, and other historic sites. Onion rings were crispy and fried to order. Loaded cheesesteak came with sweet peppers, mushrooms and onions with choice of cheese. Service was friendly and quick. There were tables inside and outside for dining. read more

See all

Had a great meal here while catching the sites in the historical part of town. It's just 3 short blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. If you are looking for an authentic Philly Cheese Steak experience, this is it. We had the works, which included sweet peppers, mushrooms and grilled onions. They have cheez-whiz or provolone, and they even have gluten free buns. Cash, card they take both. Limited seating inside but there is some seating outside as well. The staff was great and you will definitely enjoy your sandwich. Would eat here again for sure. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

We don't celebrate Mothers Day. Instead, we go to Philly to eat cheesesteaks at whatever supposedly famous shops are open on a Sunday, that aren't cash only. This is our second year of our new tradition, and we managed to try three new shops: Ishkibble's II, Sonny's, and Woodrow's. sadly, Sonny's just didn't measure up. The meat is cut large, and is tough. And they only put cheese on one side of the roll, so the sandwich is quite dry. In my overall scale, I would put Sonny's down with Pat's and Geno's. Places that I'm glad that I tried, because I want to try them all, but not one that I would recommend when there are so many other options. The restaurant has plenty of seating and a lovely atmosphere. Employees are kind and helpful. The quality of meat is my main issue. It's just too toothy. read more

See all

Solid. Trying every single cheesesteak in town while I'm here. Quick. No line. 4pm. Tuesday. Grab and go. Wit wiz. Good people nice place. read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stopped in for a Philly cheese steak sandwich. We ordered steak, provolone cheese, grilled onion, and mushrooms. It was absolutely delicious! They use a high quality of meat. Their staff is very friendly, fast and efficient. read more

Big fan of cheesesteak - the provolone was a bit light today, but still superb. With fries, the total was around $17 which is not too shabby! Next time, I'll try the cheese whiz next time! Sweet service and places to sit inside! Cheers! read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - Fries - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

This sandwich was massive! It was worth every bite and delicious! I am glad that my husband convinced me to walk the extra block to this place. When we arrived, it was not super crowded and they were quite literally cranking out the sandwiches. The young lady behind the counter was happy to answer any questions, and even offered some tips on how she likes to take her cheesesteak. I landed on the regular Philly with provolone. Hindsight is always 2020, I probably should have just gotten it the way it's supposed to be, but I digress. My sandwich was massive and it's pictured. It took me almost 20 minutes to eat the whole thing. I was determined it was delicious and I knew I most likely would not be eating again that day, this Sandwhich kept me full from 1pm until bedtime. This was a great treat after some sightseeing highly recommend this place. I also recommend going with patience , because as we were seated, the line pretty much started wrapping around the store. However, that's the sign of a great local spot to eat! read more

Sonny's Famous Steaks - My Philly cheese steak - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Introduced by a local friend. Love this place. great cheesesteak and fries. A traveller's must. read more

See all

I first went to Sonny's about 10 years ago, back when the cheesesteaks were the stuff of legend. Juicy, tender meat, slathered in cheese wiz like it owed the sandwich money--every bite was pure Philly heaven. I seriously considered running across the street to the drug store for some Ziploc bags so I could smuggle a few home like they were rare artifacts. Fast forward to 2025... and oof. The magic's gone. The meat was dry, like it had just come from a steak history museum, and the cheese? Barely there. Unless you pay extra, in which case you get what used to be the regular amount. I shouldn't have to financially negotiate for a reasonable cheese experience at a place known for cheesesteaks. Still, the staff was nice, the place was clean, and it looks like the cheesesteak of my memories... but this time, I didn't need Ziplocs--I just needed a bottle of water to help me chew it dow read more