Alright so I gave Angelo's a 5 star review and stand by that, but my goodness did this unassuming spot in the city market blow me away, I'd recommend the cheesesteak here 10x over Angelo's, as it's frankly the best one that I've ever had! Bread, steak, and cheese were all perfect! I also added onions and mushrooms which paired well and were cooked perfectly. You don't need to make a crazy line to get it either, so I have to say that if you're in Philly and want the absolute best cheesesteak in town, this is the spot! read more

This review is really more about their customer service than the food. I'm just tired of getting derided by the staff every time I order a steak without cheese. They only have two main choices on the menu: steak and cheesesteak. Yet, if you order a steak they will ask you why you don't want any cheese on it and if you simply state that you don't eat cheese they'll still tell you how much better the steak would be if you got cheese on it (probably because it costs $2 more). I've never seen a place so misunderstanding of a person's right not to like a certain kind of food. So I mentioned it to the manager this last time, and he was kind of a dick about it. He said they're so proud of their cheese they want to encourage every customer to choose it regardless of their reason for not wanting it. Well maybe they shouldn't have plain steak listed as one of the only two options available then! I've never been to any other cheesesteak place which offers plain steaks but then questions why you would choose that even though it's part of the menu. Have you ever ordered a hamburger from somewhere and they tell you that you should really just get a cheeseburger instead? Well they've lost my business because I don't need to be chastised every time and have to explain to them why I don't eat cheese. read more

I took a recent trip to Philly and was researching places to get a cheesesteak. I was going to go to Angelo's but it was so hot / humid outside so I decided to eat indoors. Gus's cheesesteak looked like a pretty good option inside Reading Terminal. Upon arrival, I was grateful that this stand didn't have anyone waiting, so I was able to order and receive my food pretty quickly. Everything I read about Gus beforehand had me very excited. I ordered a cheesesteak ($19) with fried onions, got long hots on the side ($2), and got a bottle of coke ($4). Total including tax came out to $27 flat. The cheesesteak was beautiful to unwrap and very aesthetically pleasing. I read that the bread is the same as Angelo's and I love seeded rolls. The cheese was all melted and evenly distributed throughout the steak, so every bite was fully cheesy. They also put a very generous amount of steak in there, so that was appreciated. The first bite was really good and the quality of the bread definitely caught my attention. The meat itself was really solid as well, so no complaints about that. Upon further bites, something I noticed was that the melted cheese on the meat made each bite feel sticky. So it felt like my mouth was drying out as I kept taking more bites. Not sure if this is how Cooper Sharp cheese is in general, but I might've preferred American or Provolone instead. The long hots were ok, but their flavor was too weak to balance out the grease of the steak. So I found the steak a bit disappointing though I still thought it was good overall. The main reason for my low review score is the pricing. I was shocked when I saw my receipt for $27. This is just not acceptable for a casual cheesesteak meal for one person in my opinion. I'm still glad I got to try Gus's steak and look forward to seeing how it stacks up against other cheesesteaks I try in the future. Cheers. read more

See all

What is a trip to Philly without having a Philly cheesesteak! There's multiple stores in Reading Terminal Market that sell cheesesteak, but I think Uncle Gus' is the most famous. They constantly have staff cooking steak with and without cheese, so ordering is more about waiting for them to assemble it for you. They have a dedicated waiting area three steps away from the ordering counter. It's right next to a door to outside, so I'm not sure why that was a good idea. When ordering, my friend asked for "cheesesteak with everything" to capture any toppings they offer. We saw their menu say we can get it with onions. The cashier got confused, because she started telling us that "a cheesesteak doesn't come with anything". We tried asking what we can get with it then. I forgot everything she said but I remembered mushroom and onions. When we said yes to both, she said how it doesn't usually come with mushrooms. When we said no to both, she said how it's common to add onions to get the full experience. She was finally satisfied when we said we'll take onions. At that point, we don't even know if it's included in the price or charged separately, but we wanted onions. Turns out it was complimentary. Next time, we know to say add onions to avoid confusion. I'm conflicted as to how I feel about the sesame on the bun. I appreciate how abundant the sesame seeds are and how it adds a nice toasty flavor. However, I might like the bread more without the small texture and flavor. Appreciate how much meat they gave per sandwich. It was stuffed which makes it feel worth for the price $16. I can't get a clean cross section of the sandwich due to its size. The cheese adds a nice funk to the sandwich, but it makes it heavier. I don't know if I can finish a whole one. I shared the sandwich with a friend. Half wasn't enough to fill me up but my mouth was tired from chewing partially from the size and partially from the chewy bread. The bread wasn't tough but it definitely had a chew. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteak with onion - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

First time visiting the market and it was a good time. The sandwich was very good, from the bread to the cheese. The sesame seed bread was awesome to me. Quick service, easy ordering. There are common area seats and it wasn't too hard for us to find Some open. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Inside the reading market where there are so many good food choices finally settled on the philly cheese steak here. Wish I had waited and gone to some place else. It was hot and came out quickly but was flavorless. Not salted and onion was about the only discernible flavor. I mean I like onions but no other flavor. Served on a sesame hoagie. Meh. I took two bites and left it in the fridge for my brother in law to suffer through the next day. Skip it! Sever quickly and folks friendly. The market is cool to visit. read more

Fantastic! Wow! A very simple menu, cheesesteak with or without onions, with Cooper or Whiz, chips and bottled beverages. They crank the food out here! Seeded crusty roll was artisan quality, creating the perfect roll-to-meat-to-cheese ratio! I felt like I had ordered it with extra cheese, there was so much gooey melted Cooper sharp! Excellent! Don't hesitate to get yourself a steak sandwich from here! read more

See all

When in Philly and you visit the Reading Terminal Market you must stop and visit Uncle Gus's Steaks. Its a step above the famous Gino's and Pat's... in fact, you can skip those places. The cheesesteak is served on freshly baked seeded bread, which is different than other spots. I opted for the cheese, of course, and added fried onions and mushrooms. They get you through the counter fairly quick, and hand you a receipt with your order number. About 5 minutes later my order was up, the anticipation had been killing me! The hardest part of this experience was finding a seat, but luckily we walked all the way to the back of the market and found a stand up table to enjoy this bad boy. Of course, cheesesteaks aren't complete without ketchup and once the final touches were on I tooka bite out of this and I was thoroughly impressed. Extremely flavorful, crunchy bread, not sure you want anything more than that in a sandwich. Real top notch. read more

See all

Move over Jim, Pat, and Geno, Gus is my only steak man in Philly now. It's all about the bread and the Cooper sharp. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteak with onions - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pretty good steak sandwich. Line was long. Sad I couldn't get the bread toasted. Probably one of the better choices in the market. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Solid Philly cheesesteak. A bit of a wait but worth it, get a big sandwich for like $20 bucks. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Philly Cheesesteak - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

You just cannot go wrong at Uncle Gus'. The cheesesteaks... amazing. The staff will gladly hook you up, make sure you stand in the box while you wait, and then deliver you a flavor bomb worth the wait. The market itself is already great and I can spend hours there, so enjoy one of the best sandwiches, in the best bread, in the best city to get them. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Heaven in a bun. - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

First time visiting Philadelphia! I was in town for business and was told I had to check out Reading Terminal Market--and it definitely did not disappoint. There were so many incredible food options, making it hard to choose. I ended up getting a cheesesteak from Uncle Gus's, and it was hands down one of the best I've had. The market was absolutely packed, and there was a long line for cheesesteaks, but despite the crowd, my order came out surprisingly fast. If you're visiting Philly for the first time, Reading Terminal Market is a must-visit. Great atmosphere, amazing food, and a true Philadelphia experience. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Simple cheesesteak sandwich on a sesame roll. There's cheese well-mixed into the beef, and you can add toppings as needed. Service was fast!!! read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Worst steak sandwich I have ever eaten. Go all the way from Atlantic City to buy one. Huge mistake what a waste of time and money.

This sandwich shop is located in the Reading market. We waited for the large cheesesteak sandwich. The meat and cheese was delicious bread was fresh. Just be aware the bun has sesame seeds and it is strong. No place to sit down. Even the police like these cheesesteaks. read more

I mean. Delicious. I came for an early dinner for the classic cheesesteak with onions and was not disappointed. Service was very quick and the storefront looked clean and authentic old school Philly. My first Philly cheesesteak did not disappoint!! It was $20, but they loaded it up with so much meat, cheese, and onions that it could definitely be split between two meals or people. Overall: a little pricey but must try if you're in Philly for the first time. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteak with cheese and onions - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The uncle does it right. I wanna make him my uncle. The steak sandwiches are really, really good. I wish I lived closer.

The market is fun and a must stop if in the city. You can't go wrong with any of the spots but Uncle Gus has some delicious cheesesteaks. The employees are friendly despite the demanding crowds. The market is a lot to take in very colorful and crowded but fun read more

See all

We went to the location in Reading Terminal Market - I'll be honest - I wanted to try one of the other well known cheesesteak places but we just didn't have time. I thought this one was going to be just "ok" because of its location but I was pleasantly surprised. It's huge, flavorful and yes, pricey at nearly 20$ for meat, onions and cheese. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - 1/2 of one sandwich - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I only heard of Copper Sharp two years ago and I'm not surprised that it quickly reached #3 on Billboard's Top 40 cheese chart. With the assertive flavor and top-quartile meltability I applaud Uncle Gus' for a taking a stand. The sandwich is all mixed together, there's not a massive cheese lake. I do prefer a large and possibly messy cheese area. I can't say which is the "right" method and accept that this preference may be considered a touristy sin on the level of toasting bagels. read more

Hefty philly cheese steak! Service was very quick despite a crowded pickup area. The sandwich itself was slightly on the salty side.

My daughter and I found ourselves in Philadelphia before a visit to temple university. She mentioned that we had never had an official Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia. We looked up reviews, and uncle Gus's caught our eye. The service was fast and we did not feel rushed when we placed our order. The cheesesteak was amazing! The cheese was nicely, melted it and the fried onions added a nice kick to the sub. The servers were friendly and the booth was inviting. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteak with Cooper cheese and fried onions - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This was so delicious! This was my first Philly cheesesteak ever and it was a great one. The bread is so soft and had the perfect crunch with sesame seeds. The meat itself is juicy and the sauce was so solid. I had such a great experience and would definitely come again if I'm in the area! read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

I visit Philly often, and one thing I always do is search for great cheesesteaks. I had heard this place was worth trying, so I decided to give it a shot. The meat itself was good, but it needed more seasoning and flavor. I asked if they could toast the roll, but I was told they didn't do that and that it wasn't necessary. I respectfully disagree -- the bread tasted stale, dense, and almost cardboard-like. A properly toasted roll would have made a big difference. I also ordered a side of fries, which unfortunately tasted like they had been sitting under a heat lamp for hours rather than freshly prepared. Compared to the many outstanding cheesesteak spots throughout Philly, there are far better options available. I spent $26 and left disappointed, not only with the food but also with the overall service experience. ** I was just corrected by the (business manager or Yelp reviewer for this place) that they don't sell fries, and they are right! I asked for them but they didn't offer them. I received a bag of chips instead. Regardless, the SERVICE SUCKS and the food was MEH. Your bread WAS TERRIBLE. I won't return. read more

I was visiting and wanted a real Philly cheesesteak. The sign gave two choices - Cooper Sharp or Whiz with the option of adding onions, mushrooms and cherry peppers. I ordered the Cooper Sharp at the woman behind the counter's suggestion. It was good, but it also little thick and overpowering for my tastes. An a-ok sandwich, but I was expecting more. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Eating a Philly cheese steak in Philly is a prerequisite. Eating at Gus' to sample said cheese steak is also a must. While I think my days of craving such a rich sandwich are over, I still think that it was perfectly executed. Being in the Market East building, it represents what markets should represent in the US. It is an amazing representation of the sandwich and an iconic location for both tourists and locals to enjoy - although I assume the locals don't imbibe on the weekends. With it being just a stall in the market, you jump in line to order your sandos, pay, then wait (sometimes several minutes) to pick up your number on the side. The steak sandos are all made fresh and they are piping hot and wrapped when you pick it up. Finding a spot to sit on a Saturday is often difficult task, but not impossible. My wife and I were able to find a location toward the back of the market, where we enjoyed the classic Philly cheese steak (just cheese) and the steak sandwich with peppers. First bite was amazing, the bun is perfectly selected for the steak, with both the sturdiness and the flavor to compliment the messiness of the sandwich. The steak was piping hot, and deliciously decadent. After trading many bites, the conclusion was that the steak and peppers were the winner, but the cheese steak was no slouch. read more

See all

I'm no Philly cheesesteak expert though I hafta say their cheesesteaks are legit yumm! Came by on a Saturday afternoon in mid-August to grab a couple sandwiches to go, and the entire market was a synthesized traffic jam of locals and tourists. The line at Uncle Gus' peaked at about 20 people deep, not to mention another 20 people waiting around an approx rectangular 10 ft by 5 ft space next to their stall that was demarcated uniquely as their own crowded waiting area. Man they were super busy! The steam from the grill clouded up their prep area--they were that slammed (see my pic of the grill). It took about 10 minutes to order and 10 minutes to wait for 2 cheesesteaks ($18 each plus extra for toppings). I was told by a Philly native that you need to wait a little bit of time instead of eating it right away, so the flavors can meld together more. Dunno about the veracity of that claim though I waited 45 minutes since we went to a BYO food wine garden (review to come for that later) to meet up with some others, so we didn't eat our sandwiches right away. With my first bite I was hooked--the sliced meat was juicy, aided by the mild cheese which had melted and acted almost like a slather of sauce enveloping the meat. The mushrooms (+$2) were well cooked, the long hots (+$2) added a little kick, just enough to break up the heaviness. Caramelized onions off the grill were fabulous to add a bit of sweetness. The roll was perfectly toasted, hefty enough to hold the generous serving of thinly sliced beef, fluffy and chewy on the interior but also with a crisp crust that doesn't scrape the roof of your mouth when you go in for that big satisfying bite. Appreciated that the sandwich wasn't too salty. Didn't have much interaction with the staff, though could see they were pumping out those cheesesteaks as quickly as possible. Who knows when my next Philly cheesesteak experience will be, but I know it'll be hard to top this one! read more

See all

If you find yourself within 50 miles of the Reading Terminal Market I recommend you take the time to go and get a cheese steak from Uncle Gus' They make their own seeded rolls which have the perfect level of toast on the outside to give you a crunch. Get the cooper sharp cheese and long hots. The sandwich is moist from the cheese mixed with the steak and the hots give it the right extra spice. I was born and raised in Philly and have never had a cheese steak as good as this one. I've been twice in the last 12 months. I had the second one just to make sure the first wasn't just a fluke and it was not. Both were the best ever. The line can be long at times, but the wait is not. read more

See all

Another staple when visiting Philly are the cheesesteaks. Uncle Gus' Steaks is located in the Reading Terminal. The sesame bread makes the sandwich. It's crispy, soft, and the right amount of chewy. The combination of steak, fried onions, and mushrooms are perfection. Satisfying every single bite and simply chef's kiss. Definitely a must if you are doing a food tour. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteak with mushrooms - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

We stayed across from Reading Terminal on a recent visit... dangerous! As Uncle Gus's was literally across the street. We had it twice... it was superb. A perfect conglomeration of beef and cooper sharp, onions fried, and a roll that stood up to a generously filled sandwich. We grabbed another before we departed for the airport. They kindly double wrapped it to help keep it warm... when we ate it at the airport prior to departure, it was still amazing!! No complaints at whatsoever! read more

See all

Stopped by Uncle Gus for a cheesesteak while visiting Philadelphia. The steak itself was excellent--well-seasoned, flavorful, and cooked just right. You can tell they use quality meat. Unfortunately, the bread kept this sandwich from being great. The roll was much too tough, making it difficult to bite through and taking away from what was otherwise a very good cheesesteak. In Philly, the bread is just as important as the meat, and this roll didn't live up to the filling. If they switched to a softer, fresher roll, this could easily be a 5-star sandwich. As it stands, the meat earns high marks, but the bread holds it back. read more

Very good. Great stop for a cheesesteak downtown (especially for giving authentic experience to tourists on a quick sojourn). Line up at the counter on the black tape. Cooper sharp or whiz, onions or no onions. Additional toppings available, as well as chips and drinks. Line moves quickly. Then move to the yellow tape box and try to not have a panic attack as you get squished and continually get yelled at to get in the box! I waited about ten minutes from the time I ordered. Bread is a highlight -- very crispy and seeded. The amount of cheese was excellent! The meat was a little overly chewy, but otherwise it was well done. I would have liked some ketchup and a single napkin in the bag would have been nice with a $20 steak. Overall, a great addition to the terminal. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Menu - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

The Best Cheesesteak EXPERIENCE!! I finally made it to Uncle Gus' Steaks. It was a top tier cheesesteak. I got a beer from Molly Malloy's. Plenty of dessert options in Reading Terminal Market! By far, best cheesesteak experience in Philadelphia. Plus, we made a new friend! read more

Traditional? No. Delicious? Holy mother of God! For the sake of full disclosure I did not come to Redding Terminal Market for a cheesesteak. My plan had been a roast pork sandwich from my favorite place in town. However, by the time I got to the market, my roast pork place had closed for the day. Gah! I didn't even want a cheesesteak. Getting one in the midst of all the options inside the market felt like a copout. And there was a lot about Uncle Gus' that filled me with a deep amount of suspicion. But I was curious. A cheesesteak with sharp cheddar? Welp, consider me converted. Gorgeous fried onions. Toasty sesame seeds on a beautifully crusty roll. Cheese melted into ever nook and cranny of chopped shaved beef, all of which was packed into the roll so it resembled something like a meat torpedo. The thing is glorious. It's also huge. In part I think I would have been happier splitting this monster with someone, but I polished off the whole thing and then took a mighty long walk. Considering this cheesesteak to be a meal for two might help one swallow the almost $20 it will set you back. But food has gotten more expensive. I get that. And good food is worth every penny. I have no regrets. I'd do it again if I were in the market for a cheesesteak, especially if I had a partner in crime to eat the other half. At the end of the day I'm still team roast pork over cheesesteaks, but despite the liberties Uncle Gus has taken with the form, the product there is exceptional. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - The meat torpedo - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

While visiting Philadelphia we chose to eat at Uncle Gus's for our second Philly Cheesesteak here. I got the steak sandwich with Cooper Cheese. The sandwich was very large with lots of meat and a whole lot of cheese and man was it messy. I could have just ordered half of this. While I really liked the bread and the meat, I thought there was just way to much cheese, it Overwhelmed the meat. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Philly Cheesesteak with Cooper Cheese - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In my tour to find the best Philly cheesesteak, I dropped by uncle Gus'. This place was amazing. I ordered mine with mushrooms and cherry peppers. The mix was wonderful and the toasted sesame bread was ideal for soaking up the juices. As an aside, they do not offer a vegetarian option, but I won't hold that against them. Service was friendly and food came out quickly. Definitely swing by here for a sample of some of the best that Philly has to offer. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This was sooo good! The moment I took a bite it was like omg! I really liked the bread they used too. It added more flavor. It's located inside the Reading Market. Service is fast as I believe there are only 2 cheesesteak options and you can choose between hot peppers and sweet peppers. They call your number out and you're off with your delicious sandwich. Cool place. I highly recommend if you're looking for the best Philly cheesesteak in Philly read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Philly cheesesteaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Solid Philly cheesesteak with cooper sharp cheese. I didn't get the onions but wanted to give them a try. Next time... read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I got a cheesesteak with cooper sharp, mushrooms, and no onions (4.5/5); it was really good! The bread was nice and crunchy, and the seeds added to the crunch. The mushrooms further enhanced the flavor of the sandwich, which melted in my mouth. The service was incredibly fast (5/5); they do a great job of making the sandwiches very quick. read more

Uncle Gus' Steaks - Cheesesteak with cooper sharp, mushrooms, and no onions (4.25/5) - Cheesesteaks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania