Take a cab.

Pat’s may not be the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia (my pick is Steve’s Prince of Steaks in the vast, mysterious Northeast), but it is the scariest and the most authentic. Scariest in that you never know what’s going to set off the order taker (a cross between Rhoda from Cheers and the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld). Try asking for your steak sandwich medium rare. Follow that up by ordering a coke from the same person who takes your sandwich order. One or both should do it. Genuine South Philly attitude / abuse. As to authentic – it’s where the cheesesteak started. You’ll be standing in line with 3rd and 4th generation Pat’s steaks eaters. Start at Pat’s and then try the others.

Two of the best hoagies in the City are within a few blocks of Pat’s. Chickie’s Deli on Federal between 10th and 11th and Sarcone’s Deli at 9th and Fitzwater. You’ll walk the Italian Market getting from Pat’s to Sarcone’s.