Beyond the Cheesesteak:
8 Must-Try Foods in Philadelphia

The iconic cheesesteak, which Pat Olivieri created back in 1930, might be Philadelphia’s claim to fame. But this food lover’s paradise serves up an amazing variety of must-try dishes beyond this legendary sandwich.

Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks draw thousands with their famous rivalry. The city’s food scene has other gems too. Many locals call the Italian-American roast pork sandwich the city’s true signature dish. The food adventures don’t stop there. You’ll find distinctively twisted soft pretzels and “wooder ice” – a frozen treat loved by locals at nearly 100 Rita’s locations.

Primo Hoagies’ 40+ shops across the region serve up their famous sandwiches. Your Philadelphia charter bus journey should make time for traditional breakfast scrapple and the unique room-temperature tomato pie. These dishes showcase the city’s blend of Pennsylvania Dutch and Italian-American heritage.

Cheesesteak: The Iconic Philly Staple

Nothing says Philadelphia quite like the humble yet legendary cheesesteak. This iconic sandwich is such a big part of the city’s culture that many Philadelphia charter bus companies run special food tours around it.

Classic Ingredients And Variations

A real Philadelphia cheesesteak needs just three things: paper-thin ribeye beef, melted cheese, and a long, soft roll. Making one that tastes authentic means paying attention to specific ingredients. The meat needs to be ribeye steak sliced paper-thin, which lets the marbled fat melt while cooking and creates tender bites. Cooks use a flat spatula to chop or scramble the beef on a lightly oiled griddle at medium heat.

The sandwich’s foundation is a soft hoagie roll, and Amoroso rolls are the traditional pick. These local bakery rolls are “long, soft, and slightly salted” and they’re perfect for holding all the juicy filling. Some people say the roll “can make or break the sandwich”.

The cheese choice sparks one of Philadelphia’s most heated food debates. Three options stand out in the authentic cheesesteak world:

• Cheez Whiz – The classic choice, especially at tourist spots like Pat’s, where it outsells American cheese by a ratio of eight or ten to one
• White American cheese – Mild flavor that melts perfectly
• Provolone – Self-described “aficionados” love its sharp taste

Cooper Sharp, a creamy aged cheddar-based processed cheese, is getting more popular these days. People love it because it’s “sharper and creamier than ordinary American cheese”.

A classic cheesesteak usually comes with sautéed onions. Philadelphians order them “wit” or “witout” onions. Bell peppers, mushrooms, and ketchup are fine too. Real cheesesteaks never come with lettuce or tomato.

Over the years, creative versions have popped up. Chicken cheesesteaks started at Ishkabibble’s on South Street back in the 1980s. You’ll find pizza steaks topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella, and even vegan options that use seitan or mushrooms instead of beef.

Top Places to Try It

Your Philadelphia charter bus trip should definitely include stops at legendary cheesesteak spots. Pat’s King of Steaks invented the sandwich, and their rivalry with Geno’s Steaks draws tourists. Local favorites go way beyond these famous spots.

John’s Roast Pork in South Philadelphia ranks among the city’s finest. They pile “12 ounces of juicy and exceedingly flavorful chopped beef” on crusty Carangi Bakery rolls. People say it’s “the only one of the big-name old-school steak shops that still lives up to its reputation”.

Angelo’s Pizzeria in South Philadelphia became a top spot for cheesesteak lovers. Their house-baked rolls are something special – they’re “more like something I’d expect to be served to open a meal at an upscale restaurant than any other steak roll”.

Dalessandro’s in Roxborough wins fans with its “finely chopped rib-eye” and perfectly “cheese mixed in just right”. Many locals call it “the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia”.

Jim’s Steaks serves up cheesesteaks with “seasoned ribeye, cooper sharp, and grilled onions” at their West Philadelphia and South Street spots. Some say it captures “the essence of West Philly in an Amoroso roll”.

Woodrow’s offers something different with their mix of “shaved rib-eye, house-made truffle Whiz, caramelized onions, and cherry-pepper mayo”. Barclay Prime takes it upscale with a luxury version featuring “hand-cut Wagyu with black truffle, foie gras, fried onions and Cooper sharp cheese”.

Planning your Philadelphia food adventure by charter bus should include stops in South Philly, Roxborough, and West Philadelphia to check out these iconic spots. Many bus companies offer custom food tours with stops at several famous cheesesteak shops. You can taste-test your way through the city without dealing with parking or navigation hassles.

Roast Pork Sandwich: A Local Favorite

Ask any Philadelphian about their favorite sandwich, and they’ll tell you a secret: the roast pork sandwich beats its famous cousin, the cheesesteak. This juicy creation packed with flavor comes from the city’s Italian-American roots. It became a Philadelphia staple in the early 20th century.

What Makes It Different from Cheesesteak

The roast pork sandwich stands apart from the cheesesteak’s thin beef slices. It features juicy, slow-roasted pork marinated in Italian herbs and spices. Paper-thin slices of pork stay moist in their juices before landing on a crusty Italian roll. Locals love this rich flavor profile more than the “tough, gray, fatty meat” you might find in tourist-trap cheesesteaks.

The classic roast pork sandwich has four main parts:

• Roast Pork – Rich seasoning of Italian herbs like thyme, rosemary, garlic, oregano, and peppers, slow-roasted to perfection
• Sharp Provolone – Aged, tangy Italian provolone that adds a sharp bite, not the mild deli stuff
• Broccoli Rabe or Spinach – Sautéed with garlic and olive oil to balance the rich meat with a bitter kick
• Italian Roll – A crusty shell hiding a soft center that soaks up all the pork’s juices

These elements come together to create what many call “not just a well-balanced sandwich, but a perfect sandwich.” The mix of juicy pork, bitter greens, and tangy cheese creates more depth than a regular cheesesteak.

The roast pork sandwich’s history goes back before the cheesesteak in Philadelphia. Domenico Bucci, who came from Abruzzo, Italy, started selling the original version around 1918-1930. His creation became a Philadelphia favorite long before Pat Olivieri invented the first cheesesteak.

Best Spots for Roast Pork

Several spots have become skilled at making the perfect roast pork sandwich. Your Philadelphia food journey should hit at least one of these iconic places: DiNic’s Roast Pork in Reading Terminal Market stands out as the city’s most famous spot. Their sandwich comes with thin-sliced pork, bright broccoli rabe, and sharp provolone. A splash of gravy brings it all together. Food tours often stop here.

John’s Roast Pork in South Philadelphia claims to be “the home of the original roast pork sandwich” with almost 100 years of history. They use spinach instead of broccoli rabe on a seeded long roll. The meat is “impeccably seasoned and boldly porky,” with just enough juice to keep it moist.

Tony Luke’s lets you pick between broccoli rabe or spinach on their sandwich. They use their own “secret blend of herbs and spices” that gives the pork its unique taste. Both greens work great here.

George’s Sandwich Shop in the Italian Market does things differently. They serve “big, melting chunks of roasted pork shoulder” instead of thin slices. One customer said it’s like meat that’s been “left to marinate in its own fatty juices.”

Porco’s Porchetteria puts a creative spin on tradition with options like their “Philly Sammy” – complete with cracklings, rapini pesto, and shaved sharp provolone. Food tours focusing on these spots show how popular the sandwich has become. Visitors who come looking for cheesesteaks often leave as roast pork converts. They understand why many locals call this Philadelphia’s real signature sandwich.

A Philadelphia charter bus rental from Metropolitan Shuttle is a great way to get between these famous spots. You can try different versions of this local favorite without dealing with city parking hassles.

Philadelphia’s food scene goes way beyond its world-famous cheesesteak. The city’s food identity is a mixture of flavors that generations of immigrants, state-of-the-art cooking, and treasured traditions have shaped over time.

Each famous Philadelphia food has its own story to tell about the city’s heritage. Roast pork sandwiches bring amazing flavors while soft pretzels stand out with their unique rectangular shape. Water ice helps beat the summer heat and scrapple brings Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast traditions to the table. Hoagies show how Italian-American flavors spread through Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. The tomato pie proves that simple ingredients can become local favorites.

These signature foods mean much more than just good eating – they paint a picture of Philadelphia’s cultural diversity. Tasting these authentic dishes helps you connect with the city’s history in a way that historical landmarks alone can’t match. While other American cities chase passing food trends, Philadelphia stays true to its food roots while welcoming new ideas.

Your next visit to the City of Brotherly Love should take you beyond tourist spots. Head into neighborhood bakeries, corner sandwich shops, and local markets where authentic Philadelphia foods still thrive today. You can search for the perfect hoagie, compare roast pork to cheesesteak, or enjoy a Butterscotch Krimpet with morning coffee. Philadelphia gives food lovers unique flavors they won’t find anywhere else.

FAQs

Q1. What is Philadelphia’s most iconic food besides cheesesteaks? 

While cheesesteaks are famous, many locals consider the roast pork sandwich to be Philadelphia’s true signature dish. It features slow-roasted pork, sharp provolone, and broccoli rabe on a crusty Italian roll.

Q2. Where can I find the best hoagies in Philadelphia? 

Some top spots for authentic Philadelphia hoagies include Primo Hoagies, Sarcone’s Deli, and Angelo’s Pizzeria. These places are known for their quality ingredients, freshly baked rolls, and traditional preparation methods.

Q3. What makes Philadelphia soft pretzels unique? 

Philadelphia soft pretzels have a distinctive squashed figure-eight shape and a chewier texture compared to other pretzels. They’re a daily staple for many Philadelphians and can be found at numerous bakeries and street vendors throughout the city.

Q4. What is water ice and where can I try it in Philadelphia? 

Water ice is a frozen dessert similar to Italian ice but with a smoother texture. It’s a Philadelphia summer staple. Popular places to try it include John’s Water Ice, Pop’s Homemade Italian Ice, and Rita’s Water Ice, which has multiple locations across the city.

Q5. Are there any unique breakfast foods I should try in Philadelphia? 

Scrapple is a traditional breakfast meat in Philadelphia with Pennsylvania Dutch origins. It’s made from pork trimmings and cornmeal, formed into a loaf, then sliced and fried. You can try it at places like Dutch Eating Place in Reading Terminal Market or Stockyard Sandwich Co.