Uncle Gus' Steaks — Restaurant in Philadelphia

When most people think of Philly cheesesteaks, two names usually pop up first: Geno’s and Pat’s.

They’re iconic. They’re tourist-heavy. And sure, they’ve got history.

But if you’re looking for a sandwich that feels like Philly and tastes like someone actually cared—Uncle Gus’s Cheesesteaks is the move.

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What Sets Uncle Gus’s Apart? • The Bread This is the game-changer. Most places serve decent rolls. Uncle Gus’s? The bread is soft yet sturdy, with the perfect crust-to-chew ratio. It holds the meat and juices without falling apart, but never overpowers. • Cheese Options: Cooper Sharp Wiz While cheese wiz might be the classic, Cooper sharp cheese takes the flavor to another level. It melts beautifully into the steak, giving you that creamy bite without the artificial tang. Bonus: They’ll gladly swap it in if you ask. That kind of flexibility? Rare. • Meat Quality Thin-sliced, juicy, and seasoned right. No dry or chewy nonsense. You get flavor in every bite. • Local Vibe No flashing neon signs or long tourist lines. Just good food served by people who know what they’re doing.

If you’re in Philly and want a cheesesteak that goes beyond the checklist of “meat + cheese + roll,” Uncle Gus’s delivers something that feels personal.

You don’t just get a sandwich—you get a Philly experience without the crowd.

Question for You: Are you chasing tradition, or are you chasing taste? Because Uncle Gus’s just might change what you think a...

Looking for a solid cheesesteak spot and you are at Reading Terminal, go to Uncle Gus'! This establishment was started by people who are responsible for DiNic's, Pearl's Oyster Bar, AND Angelo's Pizza! With a leading cast like this, there are a LOT of expectations.

This is definitely a no-frills spot. You line up, order your cheesesteak, wait, get it, find a seat, and feast! The pricing can be seen to be a little higher than other typical cheesesteak spots, but the convenience if it being very near to the convention center and fact that it is in a somewhat touristy spot makes sense.

As for the cheesesteak, I tried their cheesesteak with Cooper Sharp cheese. The bread they use is the same as Angelo's, which I will say sells one of my favorite cheesesteaks in Philly. The cheesesteak itself tastes pretty good too! I will say they should look to slice up the steak a bit more, as it can be tougher to eat with the larger pieces where it would require extra chewing and a messier experience.

Overall, this is another great option and due to that, be prepared to wait during peak times. I suggest that you order here immediately upon coming into Reading Terminal and then browse the area and maybe get a snack/appetizer to pass the time until your...

I ended up at Uncle Gus' in Reading Terminal Market because of the great reviews. When I saw the size of the sandwiches, I hesitated a bit—it looked massive. I asked the woman at the counter if they offered half portions, and although she checked with her colleagues and said no, she went out of her way to point out two or three other places in the market where I might find smaller cheesesteaks. She didn’t have to do that, and I really appreciated how kind and patient she was.

In the end, I decided to go for the full sandwich here—and I’m so glad I did.

The cheesesteak was packed with tender, flavorful beef, perfectly melted cheese, and sweet grilled onions. Everything came together so well. The bread was a standout: slightly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, with sesame seeds on top that added a really nice extra layer of flavor. It soaked up the juices without falling apart.

It was definitely a big portion—I couldn’t finish the whole thing in one sitting—but it held up well as leftovers later.

For a first cheesesteak experience, I couldn’t have asked for better. Great sandwich, and even better service. Highly recommend for first-timers like me—just...