For me, Pat's and Geno's are for when you're closing the bar and want something to eat. The best places I always found for cheesesteaks were the ones on the corner close to the house. As far as what to order, since I'm a big guy, I go for the Double [cheese (doesn't matter what kind)] Wit. Double meat, cheese of some variety which sometimes is Whiz, and Fried onions. Cheesesteak hoagies are good too! As are pizza steaks. To each his own, I guess.
Some of the other good places are Jim's on South Street. Another is Chink's Steaks up on Torresdale Ave. Steve's Prince of Steaks is another good one especially since they opened one up here in the suburbs.
As for someone saying there was a cook-off with Bobby Flay, that was Tony Luke Jr. While he also makes a good cheesesteak, the staple at Tony Luke's is definitely the Roast Pork sandwiches. Roast Pork Italian with broccoli rabe. Delicious!
Another Philadelphia staple is the hoagie. Hands down my personal opinion is that Primo's makes the best hoagies. I heard a guy complain that there was too much meat on one and not enough vegetables. This guy was bigger than me! I couldn't believe it. He's also from the middle of nowhere New York so his opinion on hoagies is null and void.
We also have the soft pretzel issue. While the Philly Soft Pretzel stores make a good pretzel, the best place was the pretzel factory down on Frankford Ave at Dauphin Street. They were a dime a piece when I would buy them (I'm only 26). That's also where you got them to sell them on the corner.
Who knew that I could post something this long just talking about food?! I'm hungry now. See ya.
Mike