When I wrote my first article about cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, I received several recommendations about other places to visit. Last year, I attempted to go to all of them. I came close, but Jim’s Steaks on South Street was closed due to a fire. Jim’s has now reopened and I am happy to report that they have some of the best cheesesteaks in Philly.

There are several Jim’s Steaks in Philadelphia. While they share a history, they are currently not managed by the same owners.

The first Jim’s Steaks opened in West Philly at 431 North 62nd Street way back in 1939. That date is still on the sign. William Proetto and his brother bought this location in 1966. Proetto opened the South Street location in 1976. That location is now owned by Ken Silver, son of one of the original owners (a business partner of Proetto?). The South Street building was gutted in a fire in 2022, closing Jim’s Steaks for almost 2 years. It reopened in May 2024.

The Menu

As you would expect, cheesesteaks dominate the menu. Jim’s has 10 varieties ranging from Steak Sandwich to Maxine’s Meatless. Other varieties include Pizza Steak, Mushroom Steak, Ham & Egg, and Cheese & Egg. Cheese options are Whiz, American, or Provolone. Extras of any of the ingredients can be added. Other add-ons are Lettuce and Tomatoes.

In addition to the cheesesteaks, Jim’s has a small selection of Hoagies. Sodas include all thePepsi products and two boutique brands: Yoo Hoo and Dr. Brown’s (a regional soda with origins in New York City). A small selection of domestic and imported beers is also available.

The Wait

We arrived at Jim’s Steaks in the middle of the afternoon. There was a long line, almost going out the door. (I imagine it must be longer at lunch time.) But the line moved quickly. Jim’s has a very efficient assembly line : one person cooks the meat, one person assembles the sandwiches (which are customized), one wraps and slices, and one taking payment. The time from when we entered the building to when we got our order was a little over 10 minutes.

The Cheesesteaks

The first thing I noticed about the cheesesteaks is that they are freshly made. The steak is cooked right in front of you. It does not spend a lot of time sitting on the grill. This freshness is noticeable in the final product. The steak forms the heart of the sandwich and you get plenty. The cheese is put in the bottom of the bun, then the steak, and then any toppings. If you get Whiz, an additional amount will be poured on top.

I ordered a Pepper Steak sandwich with Whiz. Given a choice of peppers, I decided on sweet peppers. One of my companions also got a Pepper Steak, but with provolone, a pepper mix, and lettuce. My other companion had a cheesesteak with provolone and onions. The cheese quickly melted into the steak, causing the flavors to blend. The bun, while not the largest I’ve seen, is still quite large. Eating the whole sandwich makes for a filling meal. Overall, the freshness of the ingredients and the quality of the steak make this a great steak sandwich, right up there with my past winners Joe’s Steaks and Steve’s Prince of Steaks. Jim’s is easily the best cheesesteak in downtown Philadelphia.

The ambience

Jim’s Steaks is situated in two buildings, one with a very different ambience than the other. The building on the left is where you place your order and it has a modern, industrial vibe. The building on the right contains most of the eating area and is eclectically decorated with mosaic tile.

It turns out that prior to the 2022 fire, the right building contained the Eye’s Gallery. After the fire, Jim’s owner Ken Silver acquired the art gallery building. With updated building codes, he needed more space for a dining area. He decided to keep the original decor of the gallery. References to the gallery can be found throughout. Isiah, the name of one of the art gallery’s founders, can be seen in many of the mosaics. Additionally, the whole area is illuminated with natural lighting. Light comes in through side windows and skylights and is reflected throughout the interior by mirrors. The look is phenomenal and provides a fantastic ambience.

Final thoughts

With great food, quick service, and a fantastic ambience, Jim’s South Street is one of the best places in Philadelphia to get a cheesesteak. I’m glad it has reopened and kept the historic character of the buildings. Conveniently located in downtown Philadelphia, it is a must visit place for any cheesesteak aficionado.