Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop

This is a local cheesesteak spot close to my house and we have been meaning to give it a try. I loved the old time vibes in the restaurant. I didn’t get a milkshake but I wish I would have bc they had the old classic milkshake makers from the 60s/70s. Fries were hot and fresh and good. Cheesesteaks were also very good and everyone was happy! Will def come back. It doesn’t top my favorite cheesesteak spot in the city but it’s very good and I liked the 6 vs 10 inch option on size too!! My sister and step mom really enjoyed the pickle/pepper bar too.

Ummmm 🤨, this was nasty and dry !!! I want a refund . I went by all the reviews and they had good reviews and the restaurant was full of people and seem like they all enjoyed your cheesesteak but i didn’t enjoy my cheesesteak at all . I don’t know if it was rush or something but it was wasn’t good at all . Feel like i was cheated out of $37 !!! All down the drain i threw the cheesesteak away before i choked on it . Oh yeah the French fries were really good though

I wish we caught our waitresses’ name but that was the best service I’ve ever experienced with dining in somewhere! The food was phenomenal and our waitress was so sweet and attentive. Our driver Carlos recommended this spot for the best cheesesteaks and milkshakes in Philly and he wasn’t playing; they were incredible. Will be back next time we’re in the city!!

A fun throwback to a 1950s diner. Joe's Steaks & Soda Shop has been in Fishtown for over 75 years. It is larger than you think, but service was quick and very friendly. You have the option of dine-in or ordering out. We ordered a Philly cheesesteak and a cheeseburger with a side of fries, a cherry Coke, and a strawberry milkshake. There was an order of rigatoni I could not resist taking a picture of. It was generous and looked delicous. Loved the side of pickles and marinated veggies! Would recommend if you are in Fishtown.

Love, love, love this place! Can’t remember how we found it but we came back again. My wife is a vegetarian and they have wonderful options for her, which automatically makes it high on our list! Their cheesesteak is just awesome and I wish I could bring it home with me. My wife and daughter also split a vegan milkshake which was super awesome. We had the most incredible waitress, she was super nice and very attentive. The space itself is super nostalgic And awesome to sit and eat at. Cannot say enough good things about this place!

I love this place so much. I’m vegetarian and the vegan Philly is amazing. Absolutely ask for the hot peppers. I love their milkshakes. The service is always really nice. The most recent time I went I had Maria and they were so kind and attentive even though the entire restaurant was full. This place never misses in my opinion. I n

This place was SO great! Old school 1950's small diner style joint with GREAT FOOD on the outskirts of downtown Philly. Service was wonderful, food came fast, & was delicious. Prices were very reasonable for a big city. Portion sizes were decent. Authentic Philly cheese steak with gluten free & dairy free options as well! Celiac daughter & I were SO happy to have a real Philly cheese steak - gluten free! The Old Bay fries were great, too. So glad we stopped here on our way out. We left very satisfied. 5 stars!

First visit to a Joe's outside of Torresdale, and this one keeps all the charm of the original. Reasonably full for a Saturday afternoon, but we were seated immediately and ordered quickly - I mean, you're getting a cheesesteak, it's just a matter of how large. The full size is a bit pricier these days, close to $14, but it's big and it's stuffed. I went with Cooper Sharp instead of Wiz, having heard no end of opinionated online people swear by it, plus of course wit onions. Our steaks arrived quickly, fresh and hot, plenty of cheese melted into the reasonably-chopped steak pieces, all on a thick roll with the right amount of chew and resistance. Such great seasoning on the steak here! Don't sleep on a side of fries, and absolutely get the pickles (on the side); the hot (pepperoncini) peppers add a little bite to the affair. as well. Service was just like the original, and the friendly, inviting atmosphere really adds to the experience. I'm just such a big fan!

I needed an old school, no frills, hot and fresh cheese steak. Joe's was exactly what the doctor did not order, but it was comforting! The diner vibe was cool, the all female staff was so cooler, and the food was amazing! They have a gluten free menu, and that roll was carefully sourced. It's the best gf hoagie roll I've had.

Food My brother who's a local brought us to this place as his recommendation of where locals get their Philly Cheesesteaks. I got a small (6") cheesesteak with cheese whiz and an order of old bay fries for the table. The sandwich itself was pretty good. Nice tender beef complemented by the onions and cheese made for nice bites all the way. The bread itself i feel i could have been toasted a bit more in my opinion. The old bay fries were perfect in my opinion. Perfectly cooked and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It was perfectly seasoned with old bay seasoning and a good dipping sauce of cheez whiz was the perfect accompaniment Service/Ambiance You walk in and you are greeted with this old diner style restaurant vibe with perfect view of the people in kitchen cooking up the cheesesteak. Our server was nice and we got food pretty quickly so would definitely come back here

Came here during rush house to pick up some cheese steaks to go. My friend recommended this place a while back and I was in the area for another event so I decided to try it out for dinner. I ordered on the phone ahead of time 2 cheesesteaks with mushrooms and fried onions. It came out to over $30 which I feel is average these days for a cheesesteaks. I arrived paid and left with the goods. I brought it home and noticed first thing that the bread was very thick. The steak itself is okay but didn't have any flavor. You can tell the cheese is just melted on top (we got Cooper sharp) instead of mixed together with the meat. The mushrooms and fried onions added flavor to the cheese steaks but overall it was underwhelming compared to other cheese steaks in the area. I ended up just eating the meat out of it since I didn't care for the bread. Eh don't understand the hype of this place but worth a try.

This has been my favorite place to get Philly cheesesteaks so far! The diner feels cozy and has ample seating. Came on a Saturday night and didn't have to wait. We shared a cheesesteak with onions and American cheese. Personally, I love a lot of cheese on my cheesesteaks and think that next time I would get it with cheese whiz instead of American. The old bay fries were great.

I know everyone has their favorite cheesesteak spot but this one is up there for me. Normally I just go with American wit but tonight I did it a little different. I got a cheesesteak hoagie wit and yes I put mayo in it. It his the spot so good. My other half got American wit onions and mushrooms. Fries on the side which came out piping hot and crispy. Brought a small cheesesteak, fries and a milkshake home for the picky kid and he ate all of it.

It is an excellent place for burgers, cheesesteaks, and fries! I like their burger a lot; it always comes out how I want it. Also, for my pickle lovers, you will love it here because they have a pickle bar. There are booths on the left/right side of the restaurant and a long table in the middle, which can accommodate large groups. It is located in a busy corner of Frankford and can get a little busy at night/weekends. Their service is not fast, so if you're starving, then you might get a little hangry.

Of all eight we tried during our two day trip, Joe's tops it for the best cheesesteak in Philly. We shared a small provolone and onion cheesesteak and it was beyond perfect. It is an old soda shop with wonderful seating although it is a smaller place and quite busy on a Monday mid afternoon. We drank an egg cream and a strawberry old fashioned soda that were also amazing. The prices are very reasonable and our waitress for dining in was extremely friendly and the service was fast. The music is all wonderful too. We look forward to returning!

We went to a few places for a cheesesteak while visiting Philly, and Joe's were by far, the best! The place is cozy, our server was so friendly and on the ball, and the food was incredible. We were served quickly, and they brought a bowl of peppers and pickles to add to our sandwiches. The cheesesteak was hot, cheese was melted and the quality of the beef was fantastic. The fries came out piping hot and you had the option to have old bay seasoning and cheese to dip them in. What a delicious meal!

Great food, expensive for vegetarians. Sadly the veg meat one is double the price of any other on the menu, and its the only thing that keeps us from going back. Our waitress was super sweet and friendly. The vibes of the place feel like a small town diner except for the insane line outside waiting for pick up orders. Its a great spot for tourists and locals alike.

Excellent cheesesteak here. The bread is soft without being too soggy, the meat is tender without being too fatty, they are generous with onions and cheese. Service is quick and friendly, the staff seem genuinely happy to work there. And the pickle bar is definitely worth a visit (or two)! The prices are very reasonable and it is BYOB. Would definitely come back!

Been here twice now and it is without a doubt my go to place for a cheesesteak. Each time we've been able to be seated right away. The staff is friendly but very busy. It's nice that you get a re-fill on your soda but the cheesesteaks are great. Not trying to be some high end cheesesteak. The mushrooms are marinated and very tasty. The fries are your typical fries but be aware the small is pretty big.

Steaks very great! Stuffed to the brim of the bread! And the handmade sodas were delish. Only con: Wish they provided cut up cherry peppers for the sandwiches I had to cut my own at the table lol Leslie our service was AMAZING. Super sweet, and pleasant. Very professional and attentive to every table. Girlfriend was hustling! 10 out of 10!

Came here on a Saturday for lunch around noon and the place had a few full tables, but otherwise it was relatively quiet. We were seated quickly and had our orders in within a few minutes as the menu was pretty short and it was easy to choose what we wanted. Food came out quickly and tasted super fresh - great fries, good seasoning and super crispy. The smoothie was delicious and while really sweet, I enjoyed it a lot next to the savory main dishes. The sandwich was quite large and probably lne of the best cheesesteaks I've had - I don't eat it often, but when in Philly, you have to try it! I found Joe's to be clean, fairly priced, and just overall a great stop to try a classic. Nothing super fancy, just an awesome sandwich and kind service. Thanks, Joe's! I'd definitely recommend this spot and come back if I'm ever in the area again!

We stopped for a cheesesteak while visiting Philly. We also had a milkshake which was good but no milkshake straws. The cheesecakes were delicious and fresh. The rolls were so fresh and soft also. The waitress was very nice! The fries were hot! We would go back!

Amazing Philly cheesesteaks!! Cute old fashion diner vibes, with quick and great customer service. Normally greeted by a friendly staff member immediately when you walk in through the door unless its super busy. Seating is up to you so you can grab a booth or table of your liking. There are two small unisex bathrooms towards the back. Everything on their menu is delicious so you can't really go wrong. My go-to is usually the steak, egg (over easy) & cheese wiz with a side of fries. Their fries are super crispy and tasty. If you want to try their old bay fries, they are so flavorful but beware it can be super salty when they over season it. Don't forget to ask them for pickles and peppers if that's your thing. They use to have a condiments bar towards the back but the pandemic changed a lot of how things use to be.

Called in for a large pickup order of 9 cheesesteaks. Person on the phone was very courteous and easy to talk to. Order was ready at the designated pickup time they provided. Packaging was great. Provided all the condiments we requested. As for the cheesesteak itself, it probably didn't help that quality suffered from being in transit. Cheesesteaks are definitely best eaten fresh. However, I was pretty underwhelmed with the amount (or lack of) of meat in the cheesesteak. The bread was nice and fluffy, but the meat:bread ratio was pretty low. I hardly tasted the meat and felt like I was just eating bread with cheese. I'll pass on getting a cheesesteak from here again.

Gosh this cheesesteak was sooo good!!! I got the steak, egg, & cheese whiz with onions and every bite was so flavorful and juicy! I got the 10inch which I did not finish in one sitting. This size can definitely be shared between 2 people. The staff was nice, I also loved the interior decor of the place, it reminded me of a cute vintage diner. Totally loved my cheesesteak and would not hesitate to come back!

FIRE!!!!!!! Go here!!! So good!!!!!! Omg I want to go here again. And again. And AGAIN! Eat everyday.

Mmm. Philly cheese steak is on point. Yes, get the cheese whiz, that's the way the locals do it.

Great food and service. I ordered the chicken cheesesteak and the cheese was warm, gooey, and hearty. My table of 4 ordered large fries for the table and we were blown away by the taste and portion size. We ended up taking most of the fries to-go. The fries were crispy, perfectly salted, and paired exceptionally well with the cheesesteak. Joe's has a unique selection of beverages and I decided to try the Black & White Egg Cream which reminded me of a float. The drink tasted like a carbonated milkshake and was exceptional. The food was brought out quickly and the restaurant has a cute diner feel. I definitely recommend visiting Joe's.

Visited Joe's with a group of 6. We all had steak sandwiches, and different fries. We loved it. Not greasy, thicker type of steak super good, not chopped like steak.ums. real steak tips very flavory. The chicken búfalo fries were a bit hit. The old bay fries was my fav. The fountain soda floats brought back some memories. So good!! Nice n clean spot. Friendly service. Plenty of street parking.

This place is great!! Loved the family-friendly atmosphere and it was definitely a crowd pleaser. The staff is friendly and fast! Shout out to MARIA, our server who was extra friendly and super efficient! We tried a few different shakes, all yummy. Id definitely recommend the Shake of the Month, whatever it happens to be! Joe's Cheesesteak is up there in the running for the best. Pork sandwich also highly recommended and there is a Great black bean burger patty and Texas toast grilled cheese for the non-meat eaters! Love that they offer lots of sides, we got extra a banana peppers and side of Whiz with our fried, and my daughter said Best.Fries.In.Philly!!! Lol.

The cheesesteaks were delicious as were the old bay fries. We ordered a small which was enough for the both of us. Our server was very sweet and gave us a large variety of pickled peppers to eat with our cheesesteaks.

A great late night bite. Cute old fashioned diner aesthetic, with fast service. It was exactly what we were looking for. May not be THE best cheesesteak we have ever had, but it was better than anything you can get in NyC.

Food is consistently good, service is friendly, and I'm a big fan of the retro-diner-y interior. Can't say their cheesesteak is the best in Philly but I do think the quality/prices/ambiance is enough to satisfy any hungry Philadelphian and impress the out-of-towners. Love the mix of vegan options and milkshakes too!

Best cheesesteak I've had in Philly. No frills diner vibe with fast service. We went on a Friday for lunch and didn't have to wait, but I'm sure it gets really busy, so plan accordingly! The peppers on the side are really tangy and delicious

Really fun & cute place. Has an old diner feel, small with cute booths. Service was excellent! We got a table right away at about 8pm on a Friday night. It was messy but the lady asked us to get up so she could clean it properly. Which was kind of her & much appreciated. The server answered our questions & was helpful. I have never had a cheesesteak before. It was good, but I think I was expecting a bolder flavor?? I got mine w provolone & grilled onions. The bread was very good. I asked for a knife to cut mine & the lady swept my sandwich away to slice it in half for me. I like that there's no trays or plates for the sandwich- really cuts down on waste & water needs for plates! We ordered a large fry, probably enough for 4 people, we only had 2. :) Loved the bowl of house made pickles & banana peppers. Really went well with the sandwich- which, for me, helped make the flavors pop a bit. Got egg creams too, which I love & feel like are (sadly) just an East Coast thing? I wonder why. I would definitely go again. There were several things that sounded good on the menu. Joe's was recommend by Philly natives that I was at a conference with. All of them said go here vs Geno's or the other place. I'll have to try those next trip as this one was brief.

Detailed Review: Cheese Steak w/ Cheese Wiz: 3.5/5 The best part about it is the cheese. They also give a bowl of jalapenos, pickles and banana peppers that I put into it. The meat was fine but kind of dry and the bread was as well. Large Cheese Fries: 3/5 Cheese comes on the side only. The fries were fine. But again it's all about the cheese Small Old Bay Fries: 4/5 I'm a big fan of Old Bay so when I smelled it while walking through the door I knew I had to get them. Again the fries themselves were fine. But the cheese is the highlight. Overall, the inside of this place is really cute and the customer service was great. The star of the show is the CHEESE. Dip everything in it and you're good to go

The first thing I noticed when I walked in is that this shop reminds me of a diner. Though their menu isn't as comprehensive since the specialty is in the cheesesteaks. I got a large cheesesteak with whiz and onions then also got cheesesteak fries. The order also came with some pickles and peppers. The cheesesteak fries were okay, classic crinkle cut with the thinly sliced beef and cheese on top. However, the cheesesteak was juicy and flavorful. If you asked me if I would like adding cheese whiz to my cheesesteak before trying this, I was really hesitant. However, I am a fan now. The cheese whiz just melts and blends in with the fillings on the sub. The bread is toasted but soft on the inside. The thinly sliced beef with the onions and cheese whiz work perfectly together. Then the side of pickles and peppers is a nice added touch. Really good cheesesteak.

For two people we got 2 cheesesteaks, cheesecake fries, and two shakes. It was over $70. I got a chicken Philly which I threw away after 3 bites. I couldn't stomach how dry the chicken was. It was terrible. It turned to chicken paste in my mouth. Then I tried the fries. I threw those away after a few bites as well. The fries basically had the consistency of mashed potatoes under a pile of steak meat. It was boring and bland and a waste of money. ​

Who needs Pats or Genos when there is Joes!? These cheesesteaks were so good. Came with a group of 8 and everybody loved it!

Gotta give Joe's major props for introducing vegan options in this Philly Cheesesteak institution. Very forward-thinking! And delicious!!! Thank you for an incredible experience! I'll be back next time I'm in Philly!

One of the best cheesesteaks I've had in Philly. Get the beef or chicken cheesesteak with whiz and onions. The meat tastes fresh, juicy and not overly oily or fatty. It's on a busy street corner, but definitely worth the visit. The staff have always been very kind when I have visited.

Lady at front desk with glasses did not know customer service. Will not be returning again unfortunately.

Located behind an unassuming storefront at a rather busy intersection, this shop was recommended by a neighborhood antique/thrift store proprietor. Takeout/pickup window does steady business, and the small dining area looks like it can comfortably accommodate 35-40 people at booths or free standing tables. The space is reminiscent of a diner and looks a tad dated, but it's well maintained and clean. The staff are friendly, and the service is quick. The menu is rather basic; it focuses on several things it does well. My companion and I both ordered the same thing: small Philly cheesesteaks (6" v. 10" for a large) with American cheese and onion. We shared a large order of fries, and my companion ordered a classic chocolate milk shake. It was plenty of food. We didn't plan to eat lunch here, but it was a great find.

I was missing cheese on my cheesesteak... I ordered a large cheesesteak with cheese whiz, fried onions, lettuce and tomatoes from the take out window on a Saturday night. There was no line and there was a short wait for the food. I got back, opened my sandwich and there was NO cheese. Very disappointing. Without any cheese, it was pretty dry. Meat is seasoned decent. Maybe I'll try again if I'm in the area

Stopped by on a Friday night. Ordered the hot sausage, cheese steak , & cheese fries. Everything was delicious. One of the best cheesesteaks in philly. Took a little while to get food but other than that, everything was great.

Wasn't the first choice on my list, but that's okay. I'm glad we came!! Small little place. No parking nearby, but there is paid parking over by the underpass. Is that way you call them in Philly? Idk.. by the bridge. Anyway, I got a philly with provolone, daughter got the philly burger, husband got the philly with sausage, and I forgot what son had. When I think of cheez whiz, I think of that nasty stuff from the spray bottle. Ugh. I'm sure it's different though? We got a side of whiz with our fries and I was instantly mad that I didn't get whiz on my sandwich. It was good and tasted nothing like what I thought. Good sandwich, even better with whiz. The philly burger was good as well. Burger plus cheesesteak with whiz and cheese on it.

The most delicious cheesesteaks on the planet. That accolade means something because I was a chef at high-end restaurants. I always get American cheese and grilled onions on the side. The fries are also yummy. The shakes are not sweet enough for me but other people love them. Feel free to try their other menu items because everything is fresh and made with top notch ingredients. The prices are high, the service cranky and slow, the traffic always congested, and the neighborhood bad if improving. But Joe's is one of the few Philly cheesesteak joints that is worth the suffering.

Girard Avenue was a happening place on the recent early Spring Sunday afternoon. Tons of brunchers, strollers and local color artists, making for a near carnival atmosphere. While on principle I don't do brunch, my son and I were certainly up for a great cheesesteak, and Joe's Steaks & Soda Shop was the perfect place to scratch that itch. Surprisingly, it was more crowded at the walk up window than inside, so we found a table near the front and settled in with the laminated menu handed us by the smiling cashier. Not that we needed it, because we knew what we wanted - cheesesteaks, fries, ginger ale and vanilla shake (not partial mint flavored Shamrock Shakes, the special flavor of the month). Sonny ordered the large steak wit wiz, and me the small steak wit provolone and mushrooms, van shake. We split the taters. They were a mouthful and a half. Boy devoured his beautiful overloaded torpedo in less time than it took me to work through one half as big. The beef was chopped, well grilled and nearly a half pound of meat. The extra cost mushrooms were succulent and shone atop the mountain of ingredients from their time with hot steel and olive oil. The provolone was more subtle than the wiz, allowing the beef, onions and shrooms to carry the rich flavors directly to my pleasure centers. Loved it! Young man didn't come up for air until the last morsel was safely in his belly. Shortcomings were hard to find, but truth be told the shake was less than stellar. It was not completely blended in the tall glass, so there wasn't thick delicious coolness all the way to the bottom. Def not worth the nearly $8 price. So, next time I skip that, and focus exclusively on their showstopper steaks. Was it worthwhile otherwise? Absatively, posilutely! Just being there on Girard Avenue and part of the festivities was major entertainment. The delicious grub made it a doubly excellent moment. 4.5 STARS (To account for the shake.) The steaks were 5x5!

Very popular cheesesteak location with lots of people queued up either waiting to order or pick-up. We tried their traditional Philly cheesesteaks with Provolone, mushrooms, fried onions and other free toppings that came on the side. Very hefty subs packed with meat and flavor! I think it is slightly lacking if you eat it without the condiments. Also got the orange creamsicle milkshake and it tastes just like the popsicles from my childhood! We waited about 25min for our order and the cheesesteaks were about $15/each, which means it's not a super cheap eat, but it's very filling. Went next door to Weckerly's for ice cream while we waited :)

This is now the third time ordering where we had missing/incorrect items. The milkshakes were basically milk consistency. Cheesesteak was greasy. Went to the OG on Torresdale Ave for years, it's like night and day between the two stores. Seems like nobody cares in Fishtown. RIP CHINKS!!

This place was awesome! We were visiting CHOP and got the recommendation from one of the nurses. Personally I'm not a big beef cheesesteak person so I was PUMPED to see they had chicken options. We both got smalls and the wiz on the side and it was awesome! As you can see stuffed to the brim, came with a side of pickles and banana peppers - love. Service was fast and food was awesome. So glad we stopped by!

This place is the bee's knees. The cheesesteak starts with a deliciously soft, yet firm bun enveloping a good portion of well seasoned, generously portioned meat, all slathered with ooey gooey golden creamy whiz which has to be home made cause it was bangin. This is a contender for the best cheesesteak I've ever had. At a good value too! Oh, and do yourself a favor and get the crab fries. YUM.

Joe's Philly Cheesesteak is a beacon of authenticity in a world filled with imitations. With its rustic ambiance and the irresistible scent of grilling steak and caramelizing onions, you're transported straight to the heart of Philadelphia. The cheesesteak itself is a symphony of flavors, from the perfectly seasoned steak to the harmonious blend of cheese and sautéed onions, all enveloped in a crispy-yet-chewy bread. Beyond the culinary marvel of their main dish, Joe's offers a delightful array of sides that complement the experience. What truly stands out, however, is the impeccable service. Warm, prompt, and genuine, the staff ensures that every visit is memorable. If you're seeking a genuine Philly cheesesteak experience, Joe's is the place to be.

Amazing service; friendly and incredibly responsive and helpful if you eat inside. Food was decent. The steak cheesesteak is way better than the chicken. The milkshake and fries were great. Next time I'd make sure to either choose cheese wiz or put it on the sandwich. I messed up by doing provalone. I'd also like to try their burger.

This is the spot to go for some cheap, nice juicy Philly cheesesteak!!! The bun may not have been as good as Jim's South St, but the meat is definitely there!! Juicy and delicious!! Yum!! $8 for a regular cheesesteak!

I went with my son to Joes because they have a vegan steak on their menu. My son went in and they were out of seitan. He did the best he could to rectify it and get me lunch. We got home and I unwrapped my sandwich to find fried onions. That's it! WTF. If you don't know how to make a decent vegan steak sandwich then don't advertise you make them. I've never had such a pathetic sandwich. I mean worse then a portobello sandwich/burger or lettuce and tomato sandwich. No thanks.

One of the best Philly cheesesteaks to try when in town. They are always consistent and solid.