Jim's South St.

"Jim’s is back, baby. The retro counter-service spot on South Street is better than ever after being closed for two years following a fire. But the line around the block remains thanks to the delicious cheesesteaks and hoagies. All are served on a soft, buttery roll, and are generously packed with tender ribeye or quality cold cuts. You can get both for under $15 at the cash only spot (with an ATM on site). Bring a beach chair for the wait, and leave with one beautiful, meaty sandwich." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"When this South Street spot reopened after a fire, the clouds parted, babies stopped crying, and traffic on I-76 cleared. The experience at Jim’s 2.0 remains the same: ribeye and onions sizzle, people in line still argue over whiz versus american, and the walls still have photos of celebrities and presidents. (As a bonus, there's a newly uncovered Isaiah Zagar mosaic.) Sure, you can get a hoagie here, but you don’t. And while Jim’s doesn’t make our favorite cheesesteak in the city, it is the most quintessentially Philly." - alison kessler, candis mclean

"Don’t call it a comeback — but after a fire shut down operations for a few years, this iconic cheesesteak spot is better than ever. Come to this cash-only establishment where their hearty cheesesteaks (their pizza steak option is notable) continue to be sold without fried foods since 1939." - Ernest Owens, Eater Staff

"When it comes to cheesesteak fame, Jim’s South Street is right up there with Pat’s and Geno’s. While the latter two have no business being on this guide, Jim’s does: their sub-$15 steak layers quality diced ribeye on a long buttery roll, and the melted cooper sharp is just as gooey as orange-y whiz usually gets. When this cash-only spot first reopened after a fire shut them down in 2022, we waited 90 minutes for a cheesesteak. And it was worth it. But maybe bring a beach chair and a friend to pass the time—there's usually a long line on weekends." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"Getting this beloved place back is like randomly finding $100 in an old pair of jeans—if the bill was a gooey, beefy cheesesteak. Jim’s is back on South Street serving up cheesesteaks and hoagies. Expect a line.  We checked out Jim's South St. and added it to our Hit List." - candis mclean, alison kessler