Get a “real” Philly Cheessteak sandwich for lunch.  Make sure you get one from a street vendor, or small, corner place…  Those who hail from Philly say there is no substitute, and I agree.  You can always tell a “real & true” Philly Cheesteak if you do the “Two block walk” test…  They put it in a brown or white paper sack..  If by the time you have walked two or three city blocks, the bag is completely transparent from the grease, you have a REAL PHILLY STEAK sand!!!!
 

Well if you want a quintessential Philly cheesesteak then you have to go to Geno’s or Pat’s – the godfathers of philly steaks. Pat’s is said to have invented the thing and Geno’s is right across the street. They’re arch rivals and people kind of choose allegiances as to which they prefer, kind of like the bloods and crips of philly steaks. They in south philly at the corner of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue. However they’re pretty touristy nowdays and most people will tell you that the best steaks are from a little italian place, most likely in their neighborhood. You should try both the Pat’s/Geno’s and a neighborhood place.

You have a choice of cheese. Either wiz, American, or Provolone. All are respectable. At Geno’s/Pat’s you’ll get wiz as default though most neighborhood places will use american. I take the latter simply cause it’s a better cheese.

There’s also ordering etiquette. Steak comes with or without fried onions and so the steaks are said to be “with” or “without”. State your cheese and onion preference – for instance “American without”. In some places in south philly ordering is even more simplified to “I need one with without” meaning Wiz and onions. Also you may want to say “Wit” or “Wid” instead of “With” so that people can understand you. Sauteed mushrooms are also respectable.

Sunskin the REAL test is in the name. If it says “Philly” cheesesteak then you know it’s shit. I once bought an “Real Philly Cheesesteak” in Chicago which turned out to literally be a ribeye steak on a hoagie roll. Even saw “Philadelphia carne con queso” on a menu in Bolivia. Bolivia! The food was real quality and but I was too afraid to try their philly cheesesteak. Oh yea in philly we have hoagies. Not subs or gyros but hoagies. Have an italian hoagie on an Amoroso roll. Any respectable steak place should use Amoroso rolls. There’s something about the water around here that just makes for damn good bread.

Not sure when you’re going but Philly is a great city to catch a baseball game. Citizens Bank Park just went up a couple year ago and is a great throwback style standium – also has an on site Tony Luke’s which makes a great cheesesteak.

Try to resist the urge to run up the steps at the Art Museum. Rocky already did it. So did everyone else before you. It’s not original.

Thank you both! Especially Nadrazi for your help with the “lingo”. Though I’m thinking trying 3 different cheesesteaks in one weekend might cause a heart attack?!

We’re definitely up for a ball game to check out the Cubs/Phillies. But if we shouldn’t run the stairs, just what else SHOULD we do?

Thanks again!