Pat’s vs. Geno’s Philly Cheesesteak Battle

Few food battles are more famous than Pat’s and Geno’s.
Pat’s was founded in 1930 and is credited with inventing the cheesesteak.
Geno’s opened up across the street from Pat’s in 1966.
One of these cheesesteaks is way better than the other.

Cardinals-Cubs, Coke-Pepsi, East Coast-West Coast, Pat’s-Geno’s, these are America’s most famous rivalries. These aren’t hard choices. It’s just that some people have bad taste.

Pat’s and Geno’s are located in South Philadelphia just across the street from each other. Pat’s King of Steaks was founded in 1930 and it was there that Pat Olivieri is credited with inventing the cheesesteak. Joey Vento opened Geno’s Steaks across the street from Pat’s in 1966. He later named his son, who now owns the place, after the restaurant. Usually, it’s the other way around.

The most classic cheesesteak in Philadelphia is Whiz-wit, Cheese Whiz with onions. There are some simple differences between Pat’s and Geno’s classic steaks. Pat’s chops their steak and Geno’s slices it. Geno’s puts their onions and cheese on the bottom and Pat’s put the onion and cheese on the top.

The end result is that Pat’s steak is the clear winner. The chopped steak beats the sliced steak. The cheese and onion on top is much better than on the bottom. And the bread at Pat’s wins over Geno’s too. In every way the original is the way to go.

Now there are some who would say not to go to Pat’s or Geno’s, that they are just tourist traps. Locals probably don’t go to Pat’s and Geno’s very often, but they probably don’t go to see the Liberty Bell either. Pat’s King of Steaks is an important part of food history and still delicious. It is worth a visit. But the naysayers are half right, skip Geno’s.