GENO'S
THE ARCHRIVAL
In the beginning, there was Pat's. And then Joey Vento said, "Let there be a challenger." And in 1966 there was Geno's Steaks. And it was good. Very, very good.
The intersection of 9th and Passyunk (which Google now refers to as "Philly Cheesesteak Square") is presided over by Pat's and Geno's, the two titans of cheesesteakdom. It is the center, the very beating heart, of the cheesesteak universe. And it is here that Philadelphians ponder the city's great existential question: "Pat's or Geno's?"
Geno's fans think they know the answer. At Geno's, the lights are brighter, the signs are larger, the orange-themed decor is cooler, and the vast celebrity photo gallery is more illustrious. Geno's even has a private room with a celebrity dining booth! When Monday Night Football features a shot of Eagles fans enjoying cheesesteaks, where are they enjoying them? Geno's, of course. Most importantly, the taste of a Geno's steak speaks for itself. As far as Geno's fans are concerned, Geno's is the ultimate Philly cheesesteak experience.
Founder Joey Vento caused a stir some years back when Geno's displayed a sign that said, "This is America. When ordering, SPEAK ENGLISH." Joey passed away in 2011 and the sign is no longer there. But Joey's son Geno (who arrived after Geno's Steaks was founded) now carries on his father's passion for honoring America, praising Philadelphia's (and the nation's) police officers and firefighters, and serving up thousands of awesome steaks every day, around the clock.
GENO'S STEAKS
1219 South 9th Street (9th & Passyunk)
(215) 389-0659
