Jim's South St. — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Jim's South St. is a chain of philly cheese steak restaurants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They're whipping up some classic Philly's in a retro dinner atmosphere with a fast casual feel. When you walk in you're immediately hit with the smell of fresh cooked beef on the flattop as the cooks make your Philly's to order. They don't have dine in currently but have a couple of tables outside that you can stand at and eat. The atmosphere is cool because when you walk in there is a wall to your left of famous and infamous people who have tried Jim's and left their blessings. You can also walk right up to the cooks and order with them while they make orders. The service here was fine but they're a little crazy about social distancing and have security making sure people are standing in their designated spots as soon as you walk in. It all loses its meaning though because when they direct you to get in line to order you're 1 foot away from the people in front of you ordering because of the way their line is set up. Seemed a little too strict and doesn't make sense. The food was good but wasn't having me jumping for joy. There are a lot of places to have Philly's in Philadelphia so it really just depends on your preference and how you like yours made, but we came here from a recommendation.

My wife and I ordered the classic philly cheese steak with cheese wiz and she got hers with extra American cheese. Their hoagies are soft and they smear cheese wiz on the bun first before adding finely chopped steak on the sandwich and they ask if you would like onions added for free as well. You can add mushrooms and peppers for $1.25 more which was a little steep for a few veggies in my sub so we decided to skip that. We did get the onions though. The top off your sandwich with more cheese wiz and wrap them tightly in a paper wrap. We got some Herr's potato chips to accompany the subs. Upon opening up our sandwiches you can tell they were packed with meat which I appreciated. The meat was tender and juicy and slightly greasy and with every bite there was some juices coming out my sandwich. It really soaks into the bread and paper though so it'll be messy! We needed quite a bit of napkins but weren't given any in our bag. Thank goodness we had some with us. I was sad that they put the wiz on top because when we opened our Philly's most of it was on the paper. My wife and I were also slightly disappointed because it wasn't as cheesy as we thought it was going to be and she even got extra cheese but you could hardly taste it. Tasted more like a philly steak with some cheese rather than a philly cheesesteak. The chips were really good as I've never had Herr's before and the BBQ chips were rockin'!

Overall, it's a decent philly place and like I said, it's all about preference but we weren't blown away with it. It was still tasty and a fun experience to have as our first philly in Philadelphia.

Food - 3.5 ⭐ Service - 4 ⭐ Atmosphere - 5 ⭐ Overall - 4 ⭐

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Jimmy's Steaks, located on South Street in Philadelphia, is a well-regarded spot for those seeking a classic Philly cheesesteak experience. Known for its no-frills approach and focus on quality, Jimmy's delivers a satisfying sandwich that captures the essence of Philadelphia’s most famous culinary offering.

The cheesesteak itself is a hearty combination of thinly sliced, tender beef, melted cheese, and a soft yet slightly toasted roll. The beef is juicy and flavorful, perfectly cooked with just the right balance of tenderness and slight caramelization on the edges. The cheese, often American or provolone, melts into the meat, creating a gooey, indulgent experience.

One of the standout features of Jimmy's is the bread. It’s fresh, soft, and absorbs just enough of the juices from the meat without becoming soggy. It's a classic Philly roll, adding to the authenticity of the experience.

While Jimmy's does offer a variety of options, such as adding onions, peppers, or mushrooms, the simplicity of a plain cheesesteak is where the restaurant shines. The flavors meld together in a satisfying and filling sandwich that many consider one of the best on South Street.

In terms of atmosphere, Jimmy’s Steaks is a no-nonsense, casual spot that’s great for grabbing a quick, delicious bite. Service is quick, and while it may not have the same level of polish as some of the more tourist-focused places, it has a local, authentic charm.

Overall, Jimmy's Steaks on South Street is a must-visit for cheesesteak enthusiasts. It delivers on flavor, quality, and authenticity, making it a reliable choice for those looking for a true Philly...

I hope this is met with the understanding that I am 64-year-old Philadelphia who started coming into town as a 15-year-older on public transportation for Jim's steaks at 4th and South. During the years, my formidable years it was such a treat to venture in town to eat three or four cheesesteaks in one sitting. When I was a kid and very athletic that wasn't a problem and there's sandwiches were $3.50 each! A little different these days. Anyway when my favorite cheesesteak shop closed as a result of fire I was heartbroken and was so encouraged when I found out they were reopening. Since Jim's has reopened, I believe the only thing that has remained the same on my steak sandwich are the onions. I remember these onions from the '70s, there's still the same. I believe everything else has been altered and I'm devastated. I believe the meat is not the same and the rolls, which were Amoroso I believe aren't the same being used and again I'm devastated. For the novice, for the tourist for the person who doesn't give a damn it's a good sandwich and worth the experience. I'm an old-timer and bullish I live around the corner from Dalessandras, yuck never... and I travel to New York for cheeseburgers... I'm very particular. Someone recommended Donkeys in Camden.... THAT REFERENCE ISN'T A FRIEND ANYMORE! I was so looking forward to the return of this operation but after 3 visits I believe that was my last,...