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Categories: Sandwiches, Beaches
Neighborhood: PennsportMon-Fri. 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Being a Yelper first(and a tourist second) I knew I had to try a steak shop off the beaten path. Forget the popular tourist cheesesteak shops- I wanna try the steak that the people of Philly love most!
Enter John's Roast Pork and I'm immediately in another world. You've got people shouting orders- Roast porks and steaks flying off the grill left and right- a line of cattle(customers) patiently waiting the next round of orders. It's controlled chaos and it's what you(Philly Yelpers) led me to. Thanks.
Honestly, I loved John's cheesesteak! It was HUGE, meaty, cheesy- the works. It was on a sesame seed roll, which was a bonus. This is definitely a MAN'S cheesesteak lol.
Of all the steaks I tried in Philly- this one was up there as one of the best. I'm a fan- 4 stars.
People thought this was:
My favorite place for cheesesteaks in Philly. Always served fresh off the grill. Staff takes down your order and everything you want on it. It'll take about ten minutes to make, but it's worth it.
Delicious sesame seed rolls, melted cheese throughout the entire sandwich, a lot of meat, served hot!
Only downside is the operating hours. Open only Mon-Fri from 6:45 AM to 3:00 PM. But they stop taking grill orders at 2:30. Seriously? You need to really find some free time in your schedule to make it here. Actually, maybe that's a good thing. If this place was open weekends and late night, I would be the fattest person you know...
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Stopped here for lunch last week. The line didn't seem that long, but it definitely took a bit and was one of the longest cheesesteak lines I've ever waited in. I ordered a cheesesteak with sharp provolone and onions. I'm a whiz steak guy, but I wanted to try a different cheese that day and at John's. Man, was that steak good. The cheese was nice and gooey, the steak was tasty, and the bread was delicious! Asides from the bomb that later hit my stomach, I enjoyed that steak a lot. If i'm ever looking for a non-whiz steak, I'll be heading to John's.
..that roast pork also looked fantastic...I'll be back for that...
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I must have gone to a different John's Roast Pork, because I sure don't get it.
First of all, if you have a normal job, good luck getting there at all. Their hours have to be the worst of any food venue I've ever been to. Luckily, I had a day off and could rush over to it before it closed at 3. When a place says open til 3, you'd expect to be able to order food until 3. Unfortunately I got there at 2:45, which is a bad, since they turn off their grills at 2:30. Apparently the staff is too lazy to work a second past 3pm so they have to clean up ASAP. Anyway, we were stuck ordering a roast beef and a roast pork sandwich.
The sandwiches became extremely soggy in the 30 seconds it took to walk from the cashier to the table, so I could not tell you about the bread quality. As for the meat, it was average and tasted of salt and MSG, like an industrial au jus mix paste. Just very salty and very wet. The onions were just diced raw onions, and the hot peppers were just banana peppers. Even the hot sauce was pretty standard, like a generic Tabasco (people can hate on Pat's all they want but their hot dried peppers and hot sauce are far superior to any other cheesesteak competitor).
All in all, this was a pretty average place, not bad, but certainly not deserving of the raving reviews I see here. I did not get to try the cheesesteak due to the grill being turned off, but I doubt I'll be back to try it. With their bad hours and odd location, good luck to anyone with a normal job. Until they adopt a change of pace, this is little more than an OK place to spend your unemployment check.
People thought this was:
Like that it's a local, family joint, don't mind the soup-nazi ordering style, hate the hours.
But, honestly, this review is about the food. And I have to sum it up with a simple, "Meh". I didn't try the cheesesteak and instead went for their roast pork and roast beef. The pork was dry and way over-seasoned. The salt and spices were beating me over the head, not complimenting the pork.
The roast beef, on the other hand, was completely tasteless. I went with mild prov, so as to enjoy the taste of the beef, but was instead left with no flavor. If I'd got sharp prov, that's probably all I would have tasted.
I've definitely tried more places than I've reviewed here, but for favorites, I have to go with Nick's for beef and DeNic's for pork. John's just didn't impress me in any way, and the hours make it hard to accommodate a revisit.
People thought this was:
I moved out of Pennsport earlier this year, and one of the biggest regrets I have about leaving the neighborhood is being seperated from this eatery. Johns Roast Pork is, hands down, the best cheesesteak I have ever eaten.
From the moment you walk into Johns, you know you're in for a treat. The atmosphere is quaint and unpretentious like other more well-known Philly steak joints. Now and again you might find a tourist who was tipped off and somehow found their way down to this section of town. However, by and large, the customers in line are comprised of city workers, dock workers, white collar suits, and people from the neighborhood.
And that's what you get treated like here -- like you're from the neighborhood. The family and crew that run this multi-generational shop treat you as if you were a member of the family. I have never had a bad experience at Johns, and I have been here probably 20-30 times since last summer.
All items are made per order. There's no 10 lbs. of precooked meat on the grill here. That being stated, be prepared to wait if there is a line ahead of you. It's worth it though. My favorite is a mushroom steak with grilled onions and sharp. Grab a drink and some Tastykake Krimpets for deserts, and you're all set!
Not in the mood for a steak or just don't want to wait? No problem. Skip the line and go for the namesake, the roast pork sandwich. Heaven! It's marinated in a special recipe, and you get lots of it. Like the cheesesteak, the large roast pork is served on a long roll with sesame seeds. Too good for words. Or go for breakfast and get a scrapple and egg sandwich.
The only downside is the hours of operation. It makes it a bit cumbersome sometimes. But if I have the afternoon free and 45 minutes to spare on SEPTA, you know where I'll be. Johns Roast Pork!
I cringe every time I see yet ANOTHER cheesesteak or roast pork review on yelp claiming to be the best. When my friend suggested John's because it had so many great reviews on here, I was hesitant about going. Turns out, it is actually worth the trip to the sketchy building down in South Philly near IKEA/TARGET.
The roast pork with provolone is wonderful. It has a great peppercorn flavor and the meat is juicy. I'm a big fan of "secret family recipes passed down over generations" and this place is no different. While it's a small shack (that sometimes you don't even realize is there), has short hours, and not the most variety in its menu, the food has great taste and a lot of history. I will definitely be back to sample more of their menu.
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James Beard award. Do I need to say more?
Ok, fine. It's awesome, plain and simple. The roast pork and the cheesesteak are ridiculously good. The hot roast beef was good, but not on the same level as the other two. The M-F only hours mean it's hard to get there, but it's worth the wait.
Definitely one of Philly's hidden gems.
People thought this was:
5 star roast pork in a 2 star location
...
Pro:
-PHENOMENAL roast pork - broccoli rabe, with provolone
better than tony luke's (which I also like, but getting a bit too commercialized)
-Their cheesesteak is also pretty good, but my feel on cheesesteaks is "mehh", so check out other reviewers' take on it
Con:
-Dumpy location, literally on the wrong side of the railroad tracks
-very short hours, hard to get out of work to get a sandwich before they close at 2pm. Helpful if you were already in the neighborhood for another reason, like if you spent the morning at Club Risque nearby... I mean, the IKEA
People thought this was:
Instead of getting a steak which consists of mostly void space and little steak at some of the big names in South Philly I prefer John's steak with provolone on a crisp sesame seed roll. This is the only steak I know of in town where they actually give you enough meat to be satisfied. The sesame seed roll adds a lot of texture and flavor to the sandwhich.
The roast pork, plain, is even better than the steak. Breakfast sandwiches are a good way to get something on the run in the morning.
If you are looking for a real steak John's Roast Pork is definitely worth going a little out of your way.
Not many people know this but there was a short little addition to the end of the Philadelphia City Charter that stated that within the realm of industrial factories, enveloped in the smell of the delaware river and overshadowed by huge big box stores must exist the best place to get a pork sandwich within the confides of Philadelphia.
It's good to know that that promise still hasn't been broken.
Everything about this place is unique. The hours are sparse, the meat is the most flavorful you will find, and the rolls are one of a kind. The first thing you will notice about this place are the crazy hours. The open very early in the morning and are close up at 3. They are also only open Monday-Friday. Once you actually get a chance to get down there, you will quickly realize it was worth the wait. The lines move in groups as they fill the room up, take everyone's order, and then ship them out.
The meat is hands down the most flavorful that I've ever had. It certainly has a little kick to it. The roll is also unique as I have yet to see any other shop use a sesame roll.
This place is a close second to Chink's in my book. John's Roast Pork belongs in the highest echelon of cheesteak places right next to Chink's. It may be a hassle to get to John's but it is well worth the effot.
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As you drive up, your hopes are high, "this better be good since you dragged me all the way out here"... As you walk into the "Soup Nazi" style ordering assembly line, you think, smells awesome, it better be good...
O YEAH, it's that good. the bread is SO GOOD, sesame seeds on the bun, great cheese steak! Steak's alone get a 5, I can even given slack on location/appearance, but hours are the only thing that bring this place down.....
I want on right now!
Sometimes I think there a rule among Philly sandwich shops. The better they are, the less frequently they are allowed to be open. The 24 hour tourist traps are pretty bad, and at the other end of the spectrum, you have John's
You pretty much have to live or work in South Philly to get a chance to go to John's, because they keep bankers hours. And when they say they close at 3, they mean 3 is when the bread is usually gone, so don't think you can sneak in a 2:40, I've been there late as they started surveying the line to figure out who would get the last roll. Despite a lot of praise from all corners, John's remains largely off the beaten path, with much longer lines at the other cheesesteak institutions.
That being said, if you ever have a weekday off, you need to get here. Both the cheesesteaks and the roast pork sandwiches vie for the title of best in the city. The rolls are fantastic, lightly seeded with a good thick crust and a light but not spongy breadiness. The pork is perfectly seasoned and nicely juicy. As a bonus, most of the people in line are waiting for a cheesesteak, so you can jump to the front for a roast pork and other non grilled items. Definitely get the pork with sharp provolone and spinach, its really is a marriage made in heaven.
The cheesesteaks are cooked to order on a big griddle. Unlike the assembly lines of Passyunk avenue, cheese whiz is verboten here, provolone is the cheese of choice, and they expertly melt it into the meat. Their menu has a good variety of cheesesteak offerings, including chicken cheesesteaks, but I prefer to keep to the classic. They also make cold hoagies, but the point is the hot sandwiches.
Like any great steak shop, they have no indoor seating and limited outdoor seating. The building itself is on an island between some railroad tracks, the strip malls on Snyder ave, and an imposing factory. It makes a great place to grab lunch while shopping along Delaware ave, as it is right between the Target and the Ikea down there.
People thought this was:
Should give it a four since one needs to take a day off of work to get a sandwich. But the pork is just too good to knock it down. Closing at 3pm and no weekend hours is tough.
A lot of people are waiting for the grill and cheesesteaks so don't let the line fool you if you want a roast pork. You can usually get in and out pretty quickly.
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Zoomed through most of NJ in 2 hours, got a little bit lost and frustrated when I thought maybe my GPS was trying to keep on my diet and away this legendary Philly Cheesesteak, but ultimately made it.
This trip was more of an impulse mission to revolutionize my tastebuds more than anything else. I didn't worship the cheesesteak just yet. But when I saw this little isolated temple of cheesesteak, I knew that things would never be the same again.
I sat in the car with a friend and the aroma of cheesesteak filled the car and the windows fogged up. It was the gustatory equivalent of an expensive, talented, and seedy hooker in a parking lot. Because the sandwich didn't come cheap either, at $9. But was it worth it? Yes. Do I also have some residual guilt? Yes. Will I repeat? Probably.
People thought this was:
Large Pork with Sharp. Easy to order. Delicious to eat. The large sandwiches come on Sarcone's bread which is one of my favorite things in the entire world.
Amongst the gluttony of fat-drenched, artery-clogging cheesesteak spots throughout the city of Philadelphia, John's is by far the best. Though I've never actually had a cheesesteak from here, the roast pork sandwich with extra juice and provolone is delicious and is much tastier than any cheesesteak you'll find anywhere in the city.
The only problem with John's is that they have very limited hours of operation and cater almost exclusively to the workweek lunch crowd. So, if you're a tourist, this spot probably won't be open when you want to go unless you go on a Friday afternoon.
Also, be ready to wait in a decent sized line and there's a good chance you'll be eating standing up.
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There is no better place in the country that has a better cheesesteak (fried onions, extra american and mayo). The roll is perfection. The Meat is perfection. The Cheese is....well you get it. The roast pork italian is light years ahead of Tony Luke's and the beef and cheese is just as tasty. There is absolutely zero you could complain about with this place.
Today I ordered a pork sandwich with onions and provolone cheese. I ordered it around 11am and drove home to eat it. I could have sat outside to eat since it was warm out. I never had it with spinach but some day I will.
I had a roast beef sandwich some time back and was satisfied.
A nice hefty sandwich that can fill me up overflowing with meat at it's best. Quick service, good location. I wish they stayed open a bit later though.
My boyfriend laughs at the happy pig. Why is he happy when he's about to get butchered!
I think it's funny how people has a huge dispute "Which is better, Pat's or Genos" Well neither of them won the chesse steak contest. John's did. Of course, it's all about personal taste.
Pork on!
People thought this was:
This is hands down the best steak Philly has to offer. For the best results order your steak with sharp provolone and fried onions. The steak is full of flavor. The meat is tender and juicy. Also, the bread is hard and sturdy..a perfect home for a cheese steak. Just go and try a steak...stop waiting in a line at Pat's or Genos..unless you are wasted and its 3 in the morning.
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Went here again with my cousin and her boyfriend. I think I like the sharp provolone more than mild. Also, I noticed the steak is not chopped super fine like some places. It helps everything stick together a bit better.
I love that every sandwich is made fresh, they don't have a pile of precooked meat sitting around.
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My boyfriend and I went to John's Roast Pork on a Friday afternoon because we have heard so much… Read more »
Great Roast Pork and even better cheesesteaks. Better than the usual tourist spots.
Long lines at lunch. Last time, smelled like utter sh!t outside and inside..but the food was worth the wait. The food is great, cook is cool and attentive. I'd go a little early to beat the lines.
Go with the Provo, With. You won't regret it.
Hits the spot! One of the first places I found when I moved to Philly.. out of the way, Yes.. but perfect little joint tucked away around the big box retailers and highway life down by the Delaware... You gotta check it out.. Eat right there under the awning, along the roads where the shoppers zoom by... enter the past, enter your future... John's!! the roast pork is the jawn for sure!
John's Roast Pork is down the street from Ikea. It is open something like 4 hours a day (That's an estimate. Probably hyperbolic, because I don't remember the exact hours.) Being near Ikea is a positive, good place to walk off what you ate wrong. The delicious food makes up for the lack of time it is open.
I ordered a cheesesteak without. The staff there seems kind of imposing at first, but I found them to be really friendly and ready to make a joke at any time. It's a small shop so you get to hear everyone's business. Which is enjoyable if you are nosy. And, who isn't?
The cheese steak itself is delicious. They use good meat and cheese to make a delightful lunchtime experience. One special thing about John's is their rolls. The rolls have seeds on them to create an almost nutty taste in the sandwich. Don't take that the wrong way! It is still delicious, but probably different than any sandwich you have had before. That difference, in my opinion, makes this place special. I can't pick out a favorite cheesesteak - that's a fool's errand. So, I cannot say that John's is the best. I can say that it is a great sandwich with that little something special that sets it apart.
I love cheesesteaks too much to allow myself to try their other sandwiches. But, if I lived next door perhaps I would. Because, all of the other sandwiches look excellent as well.
People thought this was:
If your mouth is up for the roll challenge, then this is cheesesteak heaven. John's cooked to order cheesesteaks have to be on visit to really compare the giants in Philadelphia.
My standard order for compare, cheesesteak, American, fried onions. I ask for a "long hot" Italian pepper on the side when I go here.
The steak here will be absolutely volcanic in heat when you first get it, so be careful as you sink your teeth into that first bite. But, oh...what joy.
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John's has a tasty cheesesteak. Their cheesesteaks really have allot of cheese, so if you like a ton of cheese mixed in with your cheesesteak this is the place for you.
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I go to Philly from San Francisco two or three times a year at least. One of the first things I do is go to John's. If it's morning I have the Italian egg sandwich with egg and spicey Italian sausage. If I don't get there until midday it's the "steak with onions, sweet peppers, sharp provolone cheese and hot sauce. When it's time to leave, I stop by for a steak sandwich to take on the flight with an extra one for someone back home. The service is always fast and efficient. If I'm getting ready for my flight, I call and tell them a time that I'll be there and it's always ready.
If your going to Philly or live in Philly, go to John's anytime between 7:00 AM and 2:30 PM.
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Got a roast pork sandwich with sharp prov and spinach. It was pretty good.
Thoughts;
Bread was good, it had its own flavor that actually came through which doesn't happen a lot.
Not a fan of spinach, it was kind of bland. Rabe not offered.
Good portion for an OK price.
Cheese steaks looked great, might have to try one later.
People thought this was:
One of the view places that not only lives up to the hype, but exceeds it.
I am a whiz fan, through and through. I usually dont get a cheesesteak if they dont offer whiz, but I heard so much...
I waited in line for 45 minutes, but I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!
The staff is so super nice.
I really wanted to try the roast pork, but I had come for a cheesesteak, so that's what I got.
American with friend onions.
Without a doubt the most flavorful meat without the strings of fat! The cheese was thoroughly mixed. There wasnt a single bite that was gooey cheesey goodness.
My only problem,,,Too big. After the first half, I wanted just a little bit more and half way through the second half, my tummy was full, but it was so good, I forced myself to finish.
Needless to say, I didnt eat anything else the rest of the day!
Side Note: If you need to have whiz, try Sonny's at 3rd and Market
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It doesn't get much better than John's. The cheese steaks, roast pork, and roast beef are massive but it's worth putting the whole thing away. When it comes to breakfast why not add egg to a cheese steak and be full for the rest of the day or grab some scrapple if thats your thing. Get there early or call ahead because I've seen the line pretty long for a place that fits 20 people UNcomfortably.
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New favorite cheesesteak in Philly. Kind of out of the way (for me anyway), but worth the trip. The atmosphere is incredibly "dive" - you're basically sitting next to a factory/warehouse - but that kind of adds to the appeal for me. The rolls they use are perfect, and the meat was plentiful and chunky (not minced like at some other places). You can only get American or Provolone cheese - no whiz here. I go American all the way. Also, It's cash only but they have an ATM inside.
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Forget Jim's, Geno's or any other place. John's Roast Pork is the ONLY place to get a cheese steak. I only wish we had found this place sooner before moving away.
They are only open M-F until 3pm but if you can make it over you will not be disappointed. The sandwich is huge and they are not skimpy when it comes to the cheese!
My only complaint is that they were never open when I really wanted one so we had to settle for Tony Luke's which is a good second choice if you can't get to John's.
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This Place has not only the best Porkroast, but the best cheesesteak in south philly! Just think about it makes my mouth drip. This place has the most amazing food in the world. Breakfast or lunch (if im awake) I could go their everyday. Not so good for dinner seeing as they close early. Word to the wise thoug if you dont like screaming or being rushed dont go here! Dont get me wrong the employees are nice but very loud. The lines are fast paced and you are expected to keep up woth them. Prices arent bad, cleanliness, compared to where its located isn't that bad either. This place gets an a in my book.
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John's simply has the juiciest, most flavorful, most perfectly prepared cheesesteaks in the known world. The delicious meat is sliced the perfect width, the cheese distribution is even and right, and the sesame-seed bread brings it all together in a way that can make a grown man cry. I've tasted the rest. Nothing else comes close. And that's probably why John's was recognized by James Beard.
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4.5 stars Yelp? Are you kidding me? John's Roast Pork deserves infinate out of five stars! To continue my cheesesteak crusade, I want to pay homage to John's. JRP does a cheesesteak right. If you disagree, your opinion is vapid and dumb. Infact, you'll probably never read this because you're too busy taking pictures outside of Geno's. Anyway--close your eyes if you will, and picture a modest little shack in the middle of an industrial meets stripmall wasteland. It's narrow inside, and folks seem familiar with the assembly line-esque routine required to order their lunch. This stand is home to John's Roast Pork. You can't judge a book by it's cover (or hours). John's makes the best cheesesteak I'll ever eat. It's a larger sandwhich served on a delicious hollowed out sesame seed roll. The meat is flavored with the family's recipe and it oozes sharp provolone cheese (or American or any other cheese).Their roast pork sandwhich is supposedly just as delicious. John's does have obscure hours. They open around 7a.m. and close around 3. They only have outdoor seating, so eating in your car is always a good backup plan. If you're feeling adventurious and want only the best, head to John's.
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My favorite Philly cheesesteak. They have this bread, like no other cheesesteak shop. Wonderful.
You need not ask for extra cheese. It comes out plenty cheesy.
I do want to try the roast pork sometime though.
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This is it. Anything else and your selling yourself short of the Philly experience. The only question is whether you get the roast pork or the cheese steak. Sure the provolone, quality of meat, and the bread are grade A. The broccoli rabe and the juicy grease is what makes this a James Beard winner.
Not the most convenient adventure to if your using public transit, but its the only place I will get a cheese steak...unless I'm trashed and Jim's is nearby. Hey, its hard being faithful.
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The lines are pretty long but I expected it from a place with sandwiches this good. I was visiting my aunt who lives near Philly and needed to get a cheesesteak before I left. We came here and got three cheesesteaks, one for each of us and another to bring back for my uncle. So good when its fresh. My uncle wasn't as impressed since he had to reheat his at home. Gotta eat it right when you get it! I'm craving some now..
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Philadelphia, PA
Category: Sandwiches
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Roxborough
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Pennsport
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Italian Market
Category: Delis
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