Jim's Steaks

3.5 star rating
615 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Sandwiches, Cheesesteaks  [Edit]

400 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Neighborhoods: South Street District, Society Hill
(215) 928-1911
Hours:

Mon-Thu 10 am - 1 am

Fri-Sat 10 am - 3 am

Sun 11 am - 10 pm

Good for Kids:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
No
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Price Range:
$
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
No
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Dive-y, Touristy, Casual
Has TV:
No
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   

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"Hands Down, Jim's beats Pat's and Geno's." (in 64 reviews)
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"I had the Cheesesteak with Whiz and peppers." (in 154 reviews)
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"Extra Wiz, Onions and Provo is my staple sub." (in 59 reviews)
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615 reviews in English

  • Review from Vince V.

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    • 62 friends
    • 71 reviews

    San Diego, CA

    5.0 star rating
    2/9/2012

    Before I knew any better, my first stop in Philly for a cheese steak were the famous tourist traps Pat's and Genos. Jim's may not be as famous world wide, but they easily top their more famous competitors when it comes to making a great cheese steak.

    The steak is finely chopped and well seasoned. Although a little drier and less juicy than I prefer, the steak still retained a lot of flavor despite the fine texture. The fine texture actually made it easier to bite and chew. Not sure if they also chop the mushrooms that fine. I ordered a mushroom cheese steak and couldn't tell if there were mushrooms mixed with the finely chopped meat. Going to have to go back and order another sandwich to confirm, but they get high marks either way.

    Unless you want to hassle with looking for street parking and dealing with a parking meter, I recommend parking at the pay parking lot near the corner of East Passyunk Ave and Bainbridge Street. They even enforce parking meters on Sunday night!

  • Review from Jim L.

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    • 1 review

    Camden, NJ

    4.0 star rating
    2/8/2012

    I hosted a friend from Virginia in my South Jersey home for the weekend.  He refused to drive home without first having his Philly cheesesteak.  I've lived in the Philly area my whole life and when you're from here, you know that you can get a great cheesesteak at your favorite local spot without having to drive into the city.  That being said, visitors to the area are always going to insist on the trendy big name places.  As far as the list of recognizable name places goes, Jim's is easily my favorite and this time around, they did not disappoint.  

    We stepped into the usual long line of cheesesteak enthusiasts and dealt patiently with the 10 minute wait.  I ordered a whiz with fried onions and we went upstairs and sat at a cozy table overlooking bustling South Street and made short work of our bounty.  The sandwich roll was fresh, the steak was perfectly lean and the amount of cheese and fried onions was just perfect enough to be decadent without being sloppy.  In short, a perfectly made sandwich.

    I would recommend eating your sandwich in the upstairs dining room.  It's cozy, clean and has plenty of autographed celebrity face shots to peruse while your enjoying a timeless Philadelphia tradition.  Enjoy.

  • Review from Shameek R.

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    • 19 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Manhattan, NY

    3.0 star rating
    1/31/2012

    A number of folks I know from Philly have mentioned that cheesesteaks from Jim's is pretty good. I'd have to agree...kind of.

    See, I've had cheesesteaks from Geno's. Jim's is better than Geno's.

    But having eaten Jim's cheesesteaks, I've had better than Jim's - in Philly.

    What's nice about Jim's cheesesteaks? Well the location on South Street is pretty convenient. the restaurant's on the corner of 4th street and is pretty accessible. I went on a Tuesday night and had no wait.

    The restaurant's kinda old school. Simple and laid back like an old school diner with tile and chrome. There's an upstairs with lots of signed pictures from famous diners of Jim's.

    Apparently, they serve alcohol. I enjoyed a black cherry soda.

    What's not so nice about Jim's cheesesteaks? THE STEAK.

    It wasn't horrible. It just wasn't as good as people have said - it wasn't "meat-chocolate melting in your mouth". It was actually kind of dry and over-chewy. Perhaps because the place was relatively empty and the meat had been on the griddle too long and lost juice?

    The bread was DELICIOUS.

    The condiments were a mixed bag (onions - yum! / peppers - not so much).

    People who wrote there's better cheesesteaks in Philly...I'm going to need you to share where. It doesn't make sense for you to say - go get a cheesesteak from somewhere else...and DON'T provide the somewhere else.

    I will...Larry's cheesesteaks on City Line by St Joes...yeah, I said it, they have arguably the best cheesesteaks I've tasted in Philly.

  • Review from John P.

    Manhattan, NY

    5.0 star rating
    2/6/2012

    My friend from philly took me here for my first cheesesteak in the city, and i haven't found another one that's tasted as good.  I come back here whenever i'm in the area and it never disappoints.

  • Review from Dana Z.

    Alexandria, VA

    4.0 star rating
    1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Jim's is really not my favorite place to get cheesesteaks, but as far as the location, it's the best within walking distance of center city.

    My friend, who had never been to Philly, said she wanted a cheesesteak so we walked down to Jims.  They are a bit soup nazi-ish when ordering so I told her just not to talk :P  The whiz is better than getting provolone here...  Still... 3 stars for the cheesesteaks and an extra for the location.

  • Review from Jason G.

    New York, NY

    5.0 star rating
    2/5/2012

    I prefer taking visitors to Jim's rather than Pat's or Geno's for an authentic Philly cheesesteak, as it's on South Street and close to the historic sites of old city. Usually, the line is long and you have to order according to protocol (don't say you are there for a cheesesteak, they know that much, just tell them what goes on it). Get it with cheese wiz and onions. I like to put a bit of ketchup on mine. There's seating upstairs which is surprisingly available. Every time I've been here, I've been able to sit down. The beer selection is crappy, oh well. They don't have french fries, but you shouldn't want french fries with your cheesesteak. They also have Arctic Splash iced tea, which I remember from summer camp in Philly in my youth.

  • Review from Eileen K.

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    • 3 reviews

    Brigantine, NJ

    4.0 star rating
    2/6/2012

    Can't go wrong with a cheesesteak at Jim's!

  • Review from Tara D.

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    • 8 friends
    • 34 reviews

    Bronx, NY

    5.0 star rating
    2/5/2012

    Ok, I have to firsly admit that I havent had Philly steak anywhere else in Philadelphia so I cant compare it to others.....but everytime I go to philly I have to go here and the food is worth the wait on the line that is always there....Got this time pepper steak with provolone cheese and it was yummy....

  • Review from Cindy E.

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    • 2 reviews

    Elizabethtown, PA

    5.0 star rating
    2/5/2012

    Fantastic cheesesteaks. Even the roll was awesome. And they have beer. What more could you want?

  • Review from Jeff D.

    Stratford, NJ

    1.0 star rating
    1/30/2012

    The WORST OF THE WORST! This place is the like the DMV of restaurants. By avoiding Jim's, you will avoid long lines, terrible service, and a barely edible sandwich. Unfortunately, I cannot think of a positive thing to say about Jim's. If you are going to consume calories on South St, do it at Lorenzo's. You won't get all star service, but at least you will get some decent food.

  • Review from Brittany K.

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    • 41 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    1/23/2012

    Steak sandwich with Wiz and Onions please.

    This place has been my go-to cheesesteak place for years. It may not be as flashy or commonly mentioned as Pat's or Geno's but the people are friendly, the service is FAST and the food is cheap. When I think about cheesesteaks, I think about this cheesesteak.

  • Review from Hilary T.

    Alexandria, VA

    5.0 star rating
    1/4/2012

    My mom almost got into a fight with some visitors from Mexico in this joint.  Read on to see how and why.

    These are the best Cheesesteaks in Philly.  THE BEST.  Don't argue with me on this. Pat's is too greasy.  Gino's is too racist.  The line is worth it.  Just go to Jim's!

    Reasons why it's the best and kicks all other Cheesesteaks' collective asses:

    1) The bread.  Oh sweet Heaven, the bread.  

    2) The beef is INCREDIBLE.  Thin, lean, but juicy and tender all at the same time.  It's like eating meat-ified chocolate that melts in your mouth.

    3) The provolone is excellent.  I don't get the Wiz because I'm not 12 years old.

    4) Though the line wraps well around the corner, you at least get to partially wait indoors.  This is welcome when it's cold in the winter, or hot in the summer when my sensitive skin burns faster than a chicken on a rotisserie.

    5) In accordance with #4, they have indoor seating!

    6) They have beer.

    7) The chefs are entertaining, fun-loving, and HY-sterical.

    8) They know how to handle a crowd and long lines.  They're Jim's!

    Oh, you were waiting for the story about my mom, right? Well, as listed in #5, Jim's has indoor seating upstairs, right after a sign that explicitly states that you are NOT allowed to save seats for people in line for food.

    Well, these two "women" (I'm being nice by not referring to them by what they actually are), decided to save not 1, not 2, but THREE tables for their large party, who were not only ordering food downstairs, but were also going to JOHNNY ROCKET'S NEXT DOOR to get milkshakes.  I'll just say this: all 7 of us had finished our food by the time their party arrived, and my mom went APE POOP (again, censoring) on them.  We didn't realistically think that 7 of us could sit together, but 3 members of our party were over 60, one with a bad knee, and these "women" purposely avoided eye contact with us while we mad-dogged them for preventing others from siting.  Oh, and if you're thinking it was because they couldn't speak English and/or read the sign, that wasn't the issue since they told my mom "You should have asked"  when she confronted them.  Total bull.  

    One of the women's teenaged children ending up being the one to apologize to my mom, hushing his own mother in the process.  I hope those people all got shat upon by pigeons later that day.

    The best part was when a nearby exiting party of four 20-something men overheard me shouting something quite rude to these "women," in response to the "You should have asked," they backed me up with an "F Yeah!" (censored).  Everyone had seen their antics, and no one gave them an easy time about it.  Oh sweet, sweet revenge.  In hindsight, we really should have just pulled the tables out from under them...Philly style.

    I know that this story doesn't have much to do with my review of Jim's, but I thought it was still worthwhile to share so that you can be on the outlook for your own version of the seat-stealing "women."  I do wish, however, that they would have had an employee monitoring the seating to prevent fools like these.  That's the only improvement I can suggest.  Otherwise, it's perfection.

  • Review from Kyle M.

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    • 44 reviews

    Hanover, MD

    3.0 star rating
    1/18/2012

    So it was my first trip to Philly, so I had to try a Philly cheesesteak.   I had been told by more than one person to avoid Pat's and Geno's and go to Jim's instead.   So I followed the advice.

    I got a pepper steak with whiz.    The meat was good quality, but honestly lacked any sort of flavor.   A little salt and pepper would have gone a long way!   The rest of the sandwich (peppers, onions, and whiz) were good, and the roll was nice and soft.     I gotta admit, I was a bit disappointed.    I've had better cheeesesteaks in California (check out Big Mike's in El Segundo, http://s3-media1.ak.ye...).

    That said, the experience of waiting in line and seeing the whole operation made up for it a bit.   And I can now say I've had an authentic philly cheesesteak.

  • Review from Daniel H.

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    • 11 reviews

    Baltimore, MD

    4.0 star rating
    1/22/2012

    I had a cheesesteak with american. It was simple, satisfying, and straight to the point.

    The place is divey, but full of character and history. Look at the walls of great pictures!

    Although I'm no connoisseur, I can say it was a darn good sandwich, and I'll definitely go back.

  • Review from Kelsey T.

    New York, NY

    4.0 star rating
    1/4/2012

    As a former resident of Philly, I'd say the winner of the Pat's / Geno's cheesesteak war is... Jim's. Yes, Jim's beats them both. Pat's and Geno's are both decent, but the beef seems to taste better at Jim's. And on top of that, you don't have to take a cab in the middle of nowhere to get to Jim's, which is conveniently located on South Street.

    Don't be put off by the long lines out the door, it moves fast. And I know it's tempting to save seats upstairs while your friends wait in line, but don't worry, the tables turn over fast so do as instructed and wait until you actually have your food to grab seats.  Jim's is the perfect stop for lunch, dinner, a quick snack or a late night bite. If you insist on getting a cheesesteak in Philly, come here.

  • Review from Angel H.

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    • 397 reviews

    Queens, NY

    5.0 star rating
    1/15/2012

    I don't care if this is a tourist trap. This place makes the best cheese steak. Get this - they have vegetarian cheese steak sandwiches. That's right!

    It's been some years since I've visited Philadelphia, but I'll always remember those veggie sandwiches.

  • Review from Yujin K.

    Washington, DC

    2.0 star rating
    12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here

    This was a return visit after three years, and I was curious as to whether my taste-buds had changed during that time.

    The lines are long, but move pretty fast. A jut of the grillmaster's chin let's you know it's your turn to order. One fell swoop spreads the whiz onto your bread, and then your sandwich is piled high with meat, onions, and a choice of toppings you can get for 60 cents extra.

    Whenever I say that I didn't particularly enjoy the cheese steak in Philly, people always say "well, you must have not gone to an authentic cheese steak place." It seems to me that Jim's is pretty authentic, but the sandwich seems pretty flavorless. The meat isn't seasoned, the oil melts most of the cheese off of the bread, dripping yellowish grease from the end of your sandwich until you're left with a soggy piece of bread.

    I thought maybe it's not Jim's, but that I just don't particularly like cheese steaks.  But having experienced better cheese steaks, I would say that regardless of authenticity, there are better tasting cheese steaks out there.

  • Review from Collin S.

    Tampa, FL

    4.0 star rating
    12/15/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I was a bit behind this trip to Philly, as it actually took me about 3 hours after I got off the plane to get a cheese steak. Usually I can make this happen in 30 minutes or less, but stupid rental car morons and work hindered me this time.

    But it was oh so worth the wait. I'm staying in Society Hill this time for a wedding, and Jim's was wide open on a Thursday afternoon. Not having to wait in their often interminable line is always quite choice, as is the steak.

    But since it wasn't busy, I didn't get the best sandwich I've ever had. The meat had been sitting on the flattop a bit too long, and was cooked unevenly. But hell, it's melted cheese on chip steak on an Amaroso roll... you could pour something out of a bottle labeled "Botulism" on my sandwich and I'd still probably wolf it down like I hadn't eaten since Ben Franklin roamed South Street.

    Service was fast and friendly, and the sandwich was still quite good. At some point, I do intend to take the South Street Challenge (Jim's steak wrapped in a slice of pizza) as well. Hopefully while I'm still old enough to digest it properly and without needing emergency surgery.

  • Review from Hana J.

    Fullerton, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Our first time in Philly, and we didn't want to try Pat nor Gino's since we heard less than stellar reviews for each.

    Jim's did well to appease our Philly Cheesesteak cravings at 11pm. The area around it is quite funky, and reminds me a lot of Telegraph Ave in Berkeley.

    I can't proclaim that this was the best cheesesteak we had (since it was the ONLY cheesesteak we had), but it does make a difference that we had it 2 separate times on our 2 day trip to Philly, doesn't it?

  • Review from Marc M.

    Arlington, VA

    3.0 star rating
    1/17/2012 2 photos 1 Check-in Here

    Bland meat, but luckily no line. Hoping to score an "authentic" cheese steak in Philly and was left wondering what all the hype was about. A good sandwich in itself, but nothing to write home about. Probably much better late at night after drinking.

  • Review from Noelle S.

    Newport Beach, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here

    So far, this is my favorite cheesesteak in Philly. I have been to 5 places and have returned here for more.

    First of all, it took me a lot of courage to walk to the restaurant alone but I just want everyone to know that walking in this part of Philly is totally safe and really cool. The streets are filled with people of all types. And when you get to South Street everything just comes alive, this is a really cool street to walk down; so many bars and restaurants.

    I went into Jim's and asked the cook, what's your favorite way to have a cheesesteak? He said "wit onions and wiz and that's it." So that's what this girl did. I ordered a beer to go with it and made my way upstairs. The upstairs is cool, looks out onto the busy street but also has some really neat photos and articles on the walls to enjoy. Lots of celebs have been to Jim's.

    The bread was perfect, soft but not too soft with a lot of chewyness to it. The meat had a nice flavor, not too fatty; just right. The wiz gives it this extra saltiness that I really appreciate and of course the grilled onions tops it off nicely.  There isn't much more to expect from a Philly sandwich and all I can say is let's keep it that way!!

  • Review from John S.

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    • 44 reviews

    Midtown East, Manhattan, NY

    4.0 star rating
    12/27/2011

    Came here on a Sunday night and was told that South Street was "the place to hang out." Not sure what that means because I would think that South Street would be packed as it should be on any given weekend but it was dead. Seems like I came to visit on an off night.

    Anyway, what more can you say about this place? They serve classic Philly cheesesteak and they do it the way it should be done; meat, whiz, and onions on a hero.  Coming from New York, this is definitely better than any of the cheesesteak spots I've been to in the Big Apple.

    Overall, you want a classic cheesesteak, Jim's is where it's at. Don't expect fine dining or a bib tucked in; you come here to get your hands greasy and enjoy a hearty dose of steak that's done right.

  • Review from Brad E.

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    • 143 reviews

    Mukilteo, WA

    4.0 star rating
    12/17/2011

    This was my first philly cheesesteak experience and I was not disappointed.  We got to try with provolone and onions, with provolone and mushrooms, and one with wiz.

    I know that a trailer may be in my future....but the one with wiz was hands down the best of the three.  The salty cheeze whiz went perfectly with the flavor of the meat.  Great sandwich.  The other two sandwiches were also very good.  Meat was flavorful.  Onions were grilled and added something good to my sandwich.  The mushrooms were just ok.  They were not memorable or flavorful.

    Overall, a strong choice for a good sandwich.

  • Review from Erin C.

    Philadelphia, PA

    4.0 star rating
    11/29/2011

    Grew up in south Jersey, have had my share of cheesesteaks but never from Philly. Blasphemy? Whatever. But I couldn't really review a Philly cheesesteak joint without trying any other, I thought.

    I met three good guys in one night: Ken H., Michael F., and Jim. Ordered my cheesesteak with provolone, onions (maybe?), and mushrooms. Had our steaks and snagged a table almost as fast as we wolfed down our food. I say, it was delightful. Too bright inside, but tasty as hell.

    The next day I wondered if it'd been the munchies tainting my taste, but the half I took home was preetty damn good out of the oven.

  • Review from Michael P.

    Philadelphia, PA

    2.0 star rating
    11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Why did I go to Jim's again?

    I  was between bars on south street, and got hungry. I probably should have just waited and gotten better food at the next bar, but I was right there, and figured it would be quick. I guess it had been years since my last visit, and despite my less than favorable memories, I'd been hearing that Jim's was a step above the dueling tourist traps.

    Despite low expectations, I was disappointed. Just another expensive assembly line steak, hastily built from precooked masses of meat and onions. The meat was dry, the provolone plasticky, the onions overcooked, and roll clearly having been sitting out for hours.

    While indoor seating should be a plus, there really isn't much room on the first floor, especially with a passed out drunk in the corner. So instead you have to walk back through the kitchen and go upstairs, or take your steak outside anyway.

    If you want a good steak, go across the street to Ishkibibble's, or Lickety Split, or probably any other place that serve's a cheesesteak. Jim's might actually be the worst in the city.

  • Review from Chris T.

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    • 51 reviews

    Philadelphia, PA

    4.0 star rating
    1/15/2012 2 Check-ins Here

    If you are in South Philly/on South Street and you want a cheesesteak AND some Philly tradition, skip the $hitshow that is PatsandGenos and go to Jim's. Are there better cheesesteaks to be had, even closeby? Yes. Are there places that won't make you feel stupid for wanting Swiss cheese on your steak sandwich, nearby? Sure. But Jim's is REALLY good and the experience of going there is worth something. Plus they have beer.

  • Review from Jenna L.

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    • 284 reviews

    Sunnyvale, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/16/2012

    My favorite cheesesteaks in the city, none of the others were this delicious by a long shot.  They cooked the fresh beef right in the front, and smeared on the delicious Cheese Whiz on that delicious toasted bun, and piled on the carmelized onions.  So freaking good.  I got a cheesesteak with whiz, others in my party got everything on theirs.  Mine was better :)

  • Review from P L.

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    • 76 reviews

    Ardmore, PA

    2.0 star rating
    2/2/2012

    Decent steak.  What their steaks lack in terms of flavor and tenderness, they make up for with size.  I suspect those folks who rate Jim's highly have never been to John's Roast Pork in South Philly or Barry's in Roxborough.  Now those are great steaks.

  • Review from Harry E.

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    • 45 reviews

    Philadelphia, PA

    5.0 star rating
    1/16/2012

    Best steaks in Philly!!! Screw Pats and Genos, Jim knows whats up! Any time I'm near south street I pop in and grab a steak with provolone, onions and a diet Dr. Pepper. Can't beat it!

  • Review from Greg P.

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    • 52 reviews

    New York, NY

    3.0 star rating
    11/10/2011

    We visited Philly for a day or two trip and stopped over at Jim's Steaks for one of their much anticipated cheesesteaks.

    One good thing about the massively long line and massively long wait, is that you can stare at the countless celebrity pictures and autographs. They go back like 20-30-more years so it's interesting.

    But really you can also practice how you are going to order your sandwich.  Say this five times fast: "Steak wizz with"

    I actually got the mushroom one, forgot what it was called, but the less syllables you use the better I guess :P

    In the end, I'll say I was a touch underwhelmed with the sandwich, as I think I can make a pretty kick-ass cheesesteak with some steakums, and better textured onions, peppers, etc. Mine was kind of overcooked also. But for the experience, go at least once, it's fun!

  • Review from Kent C.

    Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY

    3.0 star rating
    1/2/2012

    I really like this place because they don't usually have ridiculous lines and the cheesesteaks taste pretty good, but then again they have a low grade cut of meat that they use, that makes the meat pretty chewy, and not only that, they are very skimpy on the meat.

  • Review from Rizwan A.

    Philadelphia, PA

    3.0 star rating
    11/3/2011

    It's a cheesesteak place pretty much like any other. Perfect steaks for the price. Can't beat them. Some of the best in philly and also within walking distance for pretty much anyone in center city.

    Service is mildly abrasive but fast and efficient. Sometimes this creates a bit of a compromise on the quality of the steaks but if you come here a few times you'll come out ahead more often than not, and usually that equals a pretty good cheesesteak. The workers aren't exactly the friendliest or the most attentive to your needs but in the end, taste of the food here makes it worth it anyway.

    The place itself is cool and has some neat pictures on the wall. If you're lucky to grab one of the few seats inside you can hang out and check those out.

    Don't come here if you're looking for a fancy restaurant style cheesesteak. If you don't eat cart food, these types of places probably aren't for you.

    They are open pretty late and get a lot of customers so at least there's a good turnover of ingredients and keeps everything fresh.

    Just remember- cash only, sucka.

  • Review from Stacy Y.

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    9/30/2011

    Listen, I'm from Chicago...We have Kuma's and Hot Doug's. People wait 2+ hours for a burger or hot dog, respectively. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into visiting Jim's and I'm glad I gave it a try!

    But you go because you MUST try these places. They have a wait and draw tourists for a reason as a local specialty.

    In Chicago we have a place, Philly's Best, that I first discovered 10 years ago and it was love at first bite. That was my first introduction to a Philly Cheesesteak. A sandwich epiphany of sorts. My taste buds were all like...now THAT'S a steak sandwich!!!

    Of course when I found out I was heading to Philly...cheesesteaks were on my mind. I hoped to try all 3 tourist traps during the weekend, but due to convenience and a time crunch...Jim's was the winner and only cheesesteak I tried while in Philly.

    When I arrived on a Sunday afternoon, the line was only 2 people out the door. By the time I was able to order, the line extended down the block. I was lucky that I had good timing. After a 20 minute wait we were able to order our sandwiches.

    At Philly's Best I always get my cheesesteak with American cheese. I had to do the same at Jim's, that was the control group combo :)

    My sandwich was good. It was pretty much what I was expecting. I really liked the bread (much softer than the imitations we have in the Windy City), but I would have liked my onions a little more well done.  

    I don't have much to compare Jim's to, but as a tourist with few cheesesteak experiences under my belt...I'm happy I tried Jim's. If you're a n00b like me, I recommend doing the same.

    Dear Philly: I promise I'll try more places next time I am in town!

  • Review from Whitney W.

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    • 4 reviews

    Washington, DC

    2.0 star rating
    1/8/2012

    Traveled to Philly just for the cheesestakes and was so disappointed. I waited in line for an hour for a cheesestake that lacked flavor and seasoning. It was just ok... something you can get at your local carryout. Not impressed

  • Review from Robert J.

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    • 11 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    1.0 star rating
    10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Well clearly this long running establishment has one thing going for it?  Its in the heart of tourist city right on south street with long lines around the corner.  A philly cheese steak is one of the most desirable pleasures for anyone.  There are people who travel thousands of miles to taste one.
    However sometimes running on your established name can often mean your running out of time.  Jims is a good draw for far away tourists but for me and brotherly love locals its not worth the taste.  A word of advice don't read too much into the web reviews...

  • Review from Monica O.

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    • 271 friends
    • 114 reviews

    Philadelphia, PA

    2.0 star rating
    10/2/2011

    I'm a Philly native and have never eaten here, so I wanted to see what all the hype was about. After a night out on South Street, a cheesesteak from Jim's was the food of choice to help curb our imminent hangovers.

    The line of course after the clubs let out is ridic, so it took about a good 20-25 mins just to get to the fron to order and then another 5-10 to have it made. I got a cheesesteak with fried onions and mushrooms and after a bite or two I realized I really didn't care texturally for whatever cut of steak they use and the mushrooms and cheese were surprisingly bland. And the nerve of this chump of a cheesesteak to cost me a pretty penny!

    This goes to show that you mustn't always believe the hype. I'd stack the cheesesteak I normally get from a few regular pizzerias in the city against ANY more well-known cheesesteak place! (i.e.: Jim's, Pat's, Geno's, etc.)

  • Review from L T.

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    • 2 friends
    • 36 reviews

    Poway, CA

    4.0 star rating
    11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Good sandwich-maybe the hype got to me cuz I didnt think it was anything to write home about.. Had whiz and onions ...tasty

    Others had peppers whiz onions- a'ight.. And one just amer - good

    Just came to say I had it! Couldn't go to Philly and not stop into Jim's!

  • Review from Sylvia M.

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    • 21 friends
    • 135 reviews

    Philadelphia, PA

    3.0 star rating
    10/4/2011

    1. It's a good cheesesteak, not going to lie.

    2. The line is not worth it. I feel bad for tourists.

    3. My first time I stood in line and when I left I had to wash my clothing because the cheesesteak smell was IN my clothing.

    4. Indoor dining, upstairs a plus. Who wants to sit outside when it's chilly and the weathers changing like today...

    5. I felt unbelievably pressured to order quickly my first time around... I don't like that feeling.

    6. only 3 stars because I've had better for cheaper.

  • Review from William R.

    Orlando, FL

    3.0 star rating
    10/25/2011

    Remember when you were a kid and you would tell your Mom you were going to Franklin Mills but you would really end up in front of Zipperhead smoking cigarettes and dreaming of the day you could get your first Tattoo? Yeah, me too.

    One place we would always end up was Jim's. There always seemed
    To be a line but it moved quickly, partly because the guys that worked there were like drill instructors. We would always head right for the upstairs seating because teenagers aren't just gonna sit with all the squares downstairs, duh!

    The food is solid, not but the best but certainly not the worst. Its also something to experience if your from out of town. Be prepared to order because the guys demand perfection in line flow dynamics. If  you don't want to wait in line but wanna try Jim's, there is one on Bustleton ave in the Northeast that never has a crazy line.

  • Review from Joey P K.

    Manhattan, NY

    5.0 star rating
    10/11/2011 1 photo 1 Check-in Here

    Everybody comes here to compare it to Pat's and Geno's.

    I just come here to eat delicious cheesesteaks on South St.

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