Jim's Steaks

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400 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

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(215) 928-1911
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Jim's Steaks - Philadelphia, PA
Jim's Steaks - Philadelphia, PA
Jim's Steaks - Philadelphia, PA
Reviews
( 48 )
( 31 )
( 5 )
( 9 )
( 11 )

Best

I have tried Pat's and Geno's, and let me tell you...they are JUNK compared to Jim's!!! Even with the traffic of South Street and hunt for a parking spot do not stop us from g...

Worst

To tell you the truth, I can't really tell the difference between Pat's, Geno's, Jim's, whoever's cheese steaks... but, I do know that the two times I went to Jim's I came out of ...

Eat at Jim's, nuff said 11/6/2008

Best meat + best buns + best technique = Jim's. If you want to look like a total douche, get the Cheese Whiz which the other places prefer because they're too lazy. Stick with the American. Pros: Best steaks in town Cons: LIMITED seating and long lines on Saturdays more
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Yo, gimme a 'steak with cheese and I'd like a beer with it. Any place to sit here? 7/29/2008

I've long held that the only place to get a good Philadelphia cheesesteak is in Philly itself. For some reason you just can't get one of these elsewhere. Jim's has the reputation and you won't be disappointed. Having said that, seating is very limited and there are people who will line up well outside the door to get their hands (and mouth) on one of their 'steaks. I like cheesesteaks. I've eaten cheesteaks. Cheesesteaks are a friend of my stomach. But... I'd never wait more than 10 minutes to get one and that includes Jim's. But, if you have to go to the place, I guess you have to do what you have to do. There's very little seating, the cooks are Northeast fast and rude so be ready for that if you're from Kansas sports fans. Otherwise, get ready for a great Philadelphia cheesesteak! Pros: A great, classic Philly 'steak Cons: Can be a long line, limited seating. Upstairs seating is singularly dirty and charmless. more
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One secret revealed - it's their BREAD that helps great steaks be even greater. 7/25/2008

Great steak sandwiches, and don't be put off by the hustle and bustle. Nobody ever explains that part of the Jim's cheesteak mystique is the bread they use, custom-baked for Jim's in South Philadelphia. The long lines that occasionally snake out the door onto South Street are, after all, people voting for this place -- and who clearly believe it's worth the wait. It IS. Funky decor. Go upstairs with your order and grab one of the tables by the front window and you can munch while watching the activities on South and 4th Streets. The staff can be brusque if you are first in line but don't know what you want, or if you don't have your money ready to pay after you they hand you the tray with your order on it. But they mean well - they're just really busy because this place, if you seek a great Philadelphia cheesesteak, is THE PLACE TO GET IT. Pros: Most likely the best cheesesteak available in Philadelphia or anywhere Cons: If hustle and bustle bothers you, try off-hour visit. The place is often packed but turnover is rapid and the food's worth it.. more
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Jim's - THE WINNER!!!! 4/14/2008

For 30 years I wanted to go to Philly & find the best Cheese Steak. Finally making it there this spring, myself and a coworker decided to visit the 3 most popular haunts in walking distance from our hotel downtown. We decided to hike to Geno's, Pat's and Jim's. Pros: Awesome Steak (wit wiz), nice view (&scenery) of South St from upstairs, Beer! Cons: Slightly Rude Help, pricey for size (but worth it). more
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South Street Staple 4/13/2008

When folks think of Philadelphia, they think of cheesesteaks. South Street is a frequent meeting place when... more
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South Street Staple 4/13/2008

Batona Provided by Partner
When folks think of Philadelphia, they think of cheesesteaks. South Street is a frequent meeting place when I am in the city and folks want to eat... more
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Wawa Has Better Sammiches 3/9/2008

Don't listen to the people giving this place four or five stars. It's garbage and the people who work there are miserable. If I want to get yelled at by people serving me food I'll commit a crime and go to jail instead. Oh, the cheesesteaks that people rave about? A big, fat, meh. Cons: Miserable employees, mediocre cheesesteaks. more
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Best Cheese-steaks in Philly 12/17/2007

I've tried both Pat's and Geno's and Jim's beats them hands down, the cheese-steaks are that much better. Service is likely to be a bit brusque, but as far as I'm concerned that is understandable given the giant line and continuous stream of customers who trail through the place every night. There is a seating area upstairs which is pretty utilitarian but serviceable. Overall, Jim's definitely wins for deliciousness. Pros: Best Cheesesteak Cons: Long lines more
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Baaad service...ok cheese steak 10/15/2007

The cheese steak was good. But wt really bothered me was the service. It was a a big black guy cooking and treated me and my friend visiting from Europe like craap. His attitude overshadowed the whole experience. He was also cooking with no gloves and touching our food with his unclipped and dirty fingernails. All I know is that, its customers that keep that place open, they should at least be polite and grateful for that. BAAD service, think again before going....... more
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Hand's Down Winner! 9/17/2007

Had a taste off this summer between Pat's, Geno's, and Jim's, and Jim's won with 5 of the 7 votes. Jim's has the most flavor, best rolls, and best service of all three. And you can't beat the South Street scene. Viva la Jim's!! Pros: Taste, Service, Atmosphere Cons: DON'T GO AT LUNCHTIME (you'll starve to death before you can order), Cheesesteaks are not date food more
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The Best Philly Cheesesteak 7/24/2007

Having grown up in South Philly, I have tasted nearly every cheesesteak in town. Hands down, Jim's on South Street is by far , THE BEST. I know, I know I'm suppose to say Pat's Steaks or Geno's. But, I feel that Jim's is ( so sorry Frankie) , not only the best quality steak, but also the least greasiest. Pros: The best tasting steak sandwich around Cons: hard to park more
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Very Disappointing 6/26/2007

Maybe I'm missing something, but my first taste of a Jim's cheesesteak was very disappointing. I'm no expert, but I've tasted Tony Luke's, Pat's, and Geno's, and this didn't come close. Tony Luke's will leave you wanting more. Jim's will leave you saying ""That was OK, but I could have gone to (fill in the blank)."" Maybe I was there on a bad night, because the service wasn't that rude, either. And as far as real Philly atmosphere, those other places have attitude. Jim's has tourists who don't know any better. Pros: Given the alternatives, none that I can think of. No wait, the rolls are really good. Cons: It's on South Street. more
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maybe not the best but at least real 6/12/2007

Yes, you can certainly find just as good or better at any number of corner places in the city. And you won't have to deal with the long lines or the lack of seating, But - at least they make a real steak sandwich, They chop and scramble the dhip steak so that you can eat it. (unlike the ridiculous Pat and Gino frauds). Pros: real enough more
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mmmmm cheez whiz 6/1/2007

I recently went to Philadelphia and made it a mission to find my favorite cheesesteak. I went to 5 different places in a week and nothing came close to Jim's. I was blown away. Definitely the absolute best cheesesteak I've ever had. I made sure to get one last taste right before I left. What I liked better about it was that the beef seemed of better quality and was sliced thinner. The meat was also a lot juicier and more flavorful. The onions were also cooked just right. Some of the other places either barely cooked them or others cooked them until they were mush. I wouldn't change a thing about Jim's, except maybe I wish they were in NYC. Pros: best cheesesteak you'll ever have more
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that's steak 2/26/2007

As one of the heralded possesives of Philly cheesesteak royalty (Pat's, Geno's, Dalessandro's... heck,... more
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that's steak 2/26/2007

modoshi Provided by Partner
As one of the heralded possesives of Philly cheesesteak royalty (Pat's, Geno's, Dalessandro's... heck, there are a million cheesesteak places named... more
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Pretty bad 12/26/2006

Unless you are the type who likes dry, gristly steaks in a tourist-trap type of atmosphere, Jim's Steaks should not be one of your destinations. There's not much positive to say here, unless you like looking at photos on the wall, because that's about all the place has going for it. Philly has much better options as far as cheesesteaks go...do yourself a favor and head elsewhere! more
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O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D 12/4/2006

My first ever ""real"" philly cheesesteak experience occured during my visit to the city last week. I went to Jim's based on it's ""Best Of' award and was somewhat dissappointed. I can't say that the sandwich was bad but it certainly did not live up to the life-long hype. I only wish I had enough time to try a different restaurnat before I left town. I am desperate to experience the delicious philly Cheesesteak I have always heard about. Pros: ""Best of Cheesesteaks"" Winner Cons: Not all that... more
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Best cheesesteak in Philly 11/20/2006

Jim's is the best! Even better than Gino's or Pat's. Not to mention nicer staff (even if rudeness is part of the experience) more
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Best steaks ever 8/28/2006

Every time I go to Jims Steaks on 400 South Street,Pa I always go there to have a great steak sandwich and when I bring a friend he raves about it too.I live in Kansas City,Mo and visit Pa.quite frequently.I`ll be there Sept.th to the 13th,2006 and I promise I`l have my steak sandwich..at least 4 times..Dave more
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Menu for Jim's Steaks


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Editorial

  • In Short
    This Philadelphia institution is considered a front-runner in the great cheesesteak debate. That's why customers line up on its noxiously sanitized sidewalks at all hours. The...

  • 6/19/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Saturday From 10:00 AM To 03:00 AM Sunday From 12:00 PM To 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Center City East, Center City
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