Philadelphia, PA - Jim's Steaks Philadelphia’s South Street Cheesesteak Tradition: South Street is one of Philadelphia’s most well known melting pots. Here, visitors and residents, teenagers and adults, preppies and punk rockers, artists and attorneys, all mix happily. The street is always buzzing, no matter if you visit on a Tuesday afternoon or a Friday night.
This diversity makes for an excellent customer base for Jim’s Steaks, South Street’s premier cheesesteak shop. The crowds can often mean an extra-long wait before you actually get to taste one of Jim’s fine cheesesteak sandwiches, as the line at Jim’s often stretches out the front door and around the corner onto Fourth Street.
However, the unbelievable smell of the grill-cooked beef and sizzling onions will assure you that the steaks are worth waiting for and keep you patient and focused on the eventual reward.
Insider’s Tip - If you want to enjoy two famous South Street institutions at once, then you’re a candidate for the Lorenzo’s-Jim’s Challenge, also known as “South Street Sushi.” Marrying Lorenzo’s delicious pizza and Jim’s superb cheesesteaks, the “challenge” is not for the gastronomically timid.
Jim's Steaks:
A Philadelphia Cheesesteak Legacy
Jim's Steaks, a Philadelphia institution synonymous with mouthwatering cheesesteaks, boasts a rich history that dates back to the 1930s. It all began with Jim and Millie, a couple who served sandwiches from their West Philadelphia row home window. In 1939, they transformed their home into Jim's Steaks, offering cheesesteaks, their famous special Italian hoagie, milkshakes, and other Philly favorites.
In the early 1960s, Jim passed the torch to William Proetto and his brother, who continued the tradition of quality and flavor. In 1976, they expanded, bringing Jim's Steaks to the iconic South Street location with its distinctive Art Deco style. This move solidified Jim's as one of Philadelphia's most celebrated cheesesteak destinations.
The Proetto family's dedication to quality remains unwavering, as they continue to operate the original 62nd Street location. The legacy expanded further in 1996 with the opening of a new Jim's Steaks at the Roosevelt Mall in Northeast Philadelphia, bringing their award-winning cheesesteaks and hoagies to a wider audience.
In 1999, Jim's Steaks ventured beyond Philadelphia's borders, opening a location in Springfield, Pennsylvania, at the Stoney Creek Center. This expansion allowed even more people to experience their traditional menu and exciting new additions.
Jim's Steaks isn't just a restaurant; it's a culinary landmark that embodies the spirit of Philadelphia. With its commitment to quality ingredients, time-honored recipes, and a dedication to customer satisfaction, Jim's Steaks continues to be a beloved destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic Philly cheesesteak experience.
The Philly Taco, South Street Sushi, The Lorenzo's and Jim's Challenge - Are you searching for the ultimate Philadelphia frankenfood, look no further, its The Philly Taco. A combination of a Philly cheesesteak and a slice of pizza. The combo gets its origins on South Street, where foodies of all kinds head over to both Jim's Steaks and Lorenzo's Pizza for their steaks and pizza. Just wrap your Jim's steak in your Lorenzo slice, and you just made The Philly Taco or South Street Sushi.
The Best of Philadelphia's Ginormous Foods - Are you searching for enormous foods in Philly? How about The Whale, a 14-pound bagel leviathan brimming with smoked salmon and whitefish salad at Spread Bagelry or the 9-pound superhero sandwich, a pile-up of bacon, pork, and cheese at Jake's Sandwich Board. Finish things off with the Car 23, a trolley-shaped loaf of French toast stuffed with berries and cream cheese at the Trolley Car Diner.
Center City Philadelphia's Cheesesteak Guide - Here in Philly, cheesesteaks are a civic icon, a tourist draw and a cultural obsession. Often imitated around the world, the cheesesteak is rarely duplicated successfully outside of Philadelphia. Here are PhillyBite's and Visit Philly's List of top center city cheesesteak locations.
