Travel video guide
Where to Eat in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This guide turns Finding the Best Cheesesteak in Philly! | Asking Philly Locals | $14 vs. $140 Cheesesteak! from Danny Kim into a practical restaurant map with 5 saved spots around South Philadelphia, Bella Vista, and Northeast Philadelphia. The mapped places include a restaurant stop and a sandwich shop. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Danny Kim explored the evolution of the Philly cheese steak by comparing the original version at Pat's with modern local favorites. He discovered that while Pat's offers a solid historical reference, Cafe Carmela’s use of Cooper sharp cheese and seeded rolls provided a superior, more cohesive flavor profile. Ultimately, he learned that for many locals, the best cheese steak is often found at an unassuming neighborhood corner store.
What this map is good for
- Planning an italian restaurant stop or short itinerary in South Philadelphia.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 5 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- John's Roast Pork
Sandwich Shop in 14 E Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148, USA, South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Price level: Cheap
Hours: Hours available - Café Carmela
Italian Restaurant in 2859 Holme Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19152, USA, Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Barclay Prime
Restaurant in 237 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA, Rittenhouse Square, Pennsylvania, United States
Price level: Expensive
Hours: Hours available - Pat's King of Steaks
Steak House in 1237 Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA, South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Angelo's Pizzeria
Pizza Restaurant in 736 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA, Bella Vista, Pennsylvania, United States
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- Pat's Philly cheese steak with whiz wit
- Cafe Carmela Philly cheese steak with Cooper sharp cheese
Experiences captured
- Visited Pat's King of Steaks
- Went behind the scenes in Pat's kitchen
- Interviewed locals about the best cheese steak
- Met with a Philly food expert
- Visited Cafe Carmela in Northeast Philly
- Observed the cheese steak preparation process
- Arrived at John's Roast Pork
Planning notes for Philadelphia
Welcome to Marconi Plaza, a vibrant and historically significant 19-acre urban park that serves as the heart of the Italian American community in South Philadelphia. Background and History Originally established in 1913 and known as Oregon Plaza, this magnificent space was designed with the influence of landscape greats like the Olmsted Brothers and architect Paul Philippe Cret. Its most notable historical role was serving as the majestic grand entrance for the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition.
Must-try foods nearby
- Philly Cheesesteak
An essential South Philly classic, consisting of thinly sliced ribeye steak sizzled on a flat-top grill, served on a long, soft Italian roll. - Roast Pork Sandwich
Considered the true local alternative to the cheesesteak, this Italian-American staple features slices of savory, oven-roasted pork shoulder and its own juices. - Water Ice (Wooder Ice)
Philadelphia's unique version of Italian ice. It is a smooth, non-dairy frozen treat that is blended until creamy and served in traditional flavors like cherry, lemon, or mango. - Pizzaz
A traditional, thick-crusted Italian-American bakery pie unique to the area. Unlike conventional pizza, 'Pizzaz' is typically topped with American cheese. - Italian Hoagie
The Philly term for a submarine sandwich, with the Italian variety featuring a mix of cured Italian meats like prosciutto, capicola, and salami, layered with provolone cheese.
When to go: The best time to visit Marconi Plaza is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) for the most pleasant experience. These months offer mild, comfortable temperatures without the hot.
Local tips
- Recognize the plaza's significance to the local Italian-American community, as it is the historical starting point for the annual Columbus Day Parade.
- Take the Broad Street Line to the Oregon Avenue station for the most direct public transit access, or utilize the generally ample street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.
- Explore both the East and West halves, which are divided by Broad Street, as both sides offer playgrounds and a peaceful green space right near the busy Sports Complex.
What travelers are noticing
- The opening of the park's final phase of renovations, introducing new features like dedicated bocce courts, a lending library, and an open 'civic space' for vendor markets.
- The ongoing attention surrounding the Christopher Columbus Monument and the highly visible Wreath Laying ceremony in October 2025 amidst continued public dialogue.
- Increased use of new park amenities, including outdoor fitness equipment, renovated playgrounds, and communal chess tables from the multi-phase revitalization.
Extra place context
- Pat's King of Steaks® Since 1930
The self-proclaimed 'inventor' of the cheesesteak, Pat's is an absolute South Philly icon located at the famous intersection of 9th and Passyunk, a short distance from the plaza.
food - John's Roast Pork
A legendary, James Beard Award-winning sandwich shop slightly further east in Pennsport, but an essential South Philly culinary destination.
food
Official tourism resource
Visit Philadelphia is the official visitor website for the Greater Philadelphia region, providing travel information, guides, and local attraction details.
Planning questions
What is this video map?
It is a crawlable guide to the mapped places from Finding the Best Cheesesteak in Philly! | Asking Philly Locals | $14 vs. $140 Cheesesteak!, with the creator video, a static map preview, and selected spots from the trip.
Can I save these spots?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save the places, keep planning notes, and revisit the guide from your phone.
Does this replace watching the video?
No. The video remains the source, and the map makes the places easier to scan, compare, and save while planning.
Use it on your trip
Save this restaurant map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.