Why This Philadelphia Cheesesteak Shop Is Considered Pennsylvania’s Best By Locals
Philadelphia has built its reputation on cheesesteaks, and Angelo’s Pizzeria in South Philly at 736 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, has earned a spot at the top of locals’ lists.
Each sandwich overflows with perfectly cooked steak, melted cheese, and fresh bread that hits just the right balance of soft and crusty.
Regulars swear by the flavor, the portions, and the way every bite feels like a true Philly experience.
In Pennsylvania, cheesesteaks aren’t just food; they’re a point of pride, and Angelo’s proves why sometimes the simplest combination of ingredients can create a legendary, must-try meal.
Sarcone’s Bakery Rolls Make All the Difference
Angelo’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to bread.
They source their rolls from Sarcone’s Bakery, located just a few doors down on 9th Street, and those sesame seed beauties are generations in the making.
The crust delivers a satisfying crunch on the outside while staying pillowy soft inside.
That texture contrast is what separates a good cheesesteak from a legendary one.
Regulars know the roll makes or breaks the entire sandwich.
When you bite into an Angelo’s cheesesteak, the bread doesn’t fall apart or get soggy, even after sitting in a paper bag during a walk home.
Sarcone’s has perfected their recipe over decades, and the flavor baked into those rolls from years of tradition shows in every bite.
The partnership between these two South Philly institutions creates something neither could achieve alone.
Cooper Sharp Cheese Creates Perfect Melt
Forget the Whiz versus provolone debate for a moment. Angelo’s offers Cooper Sharp, and locals swear by it for good reason.
This creamy, tangy cheese melts into every crevice of chopped steak and fried onions, creating a cohesive bite that holds the sandwich together.
You won’t find dry spots or cheese that slides off in one rubbery sheet.
Cooper Sharp has a sharper flavor profile than standard American cheese but stays creamier than aged provolone.
It strikes that perfect middle ground that makes each bite taste as good as the first.
Reviews consistently mention how the cheese ratio feels just right, never overpowering the beef but present enough to taste in every mouthful.
When your sandwich arrives and you unwrap it, you’ll see that beautiful cheese blend coating everything evenly.
Cash Only Policy Keeps Things Old School
Walking into Angelo’s means stepping back to a time before payment apps and credit card readers. They only accept cash, period.
This isn’t about being difficult. It’s about speed, efficiency, and maintaining the neighborhood feel that makes South Philly special.
Cash transactions move faster during rush times when lines stretch down the block. There’s no waiting for card readers to process or dealing with declined payments that slow everything down.
Locals come prepared with bills in hand, ready to order and move. First timers sometimes get caught off guard, but ATMs are nearby and the lesson sticks for the return visit.
The cash only approach also connects Angelo’s to Philadelphia’s cheesesteak tradition, where legendary spots like the original corner stands operated the same way for decades.
Text Message System Manages the Crowd
Angelo’s figured out how to handle massive crowds without turning their small space into chaos. When you walk in, you enter your phone number and name on a screen before ordering.
After placing your order, you’re free to step outside or browse nearby shops. No hovering by the counter or blocking the doorway while twenty people wait behind you.
They text you when your food is ready, usually within 10 to 20 minutes depending on what you ordered. You come back, pay, grab your bag, and go.
This system keeps the ordering line moving fast while preventing the pickup area from becoming a bottleneck.
It’s brilliant in its simplicity and shows how a neighborhood spot adapted to handle tourist level crowds.
First time visitors often comment on how surprisingly smooth the process feels despite the packed house.
Grandma Pie Rivals the Cheesesteaks
People travel to 736 S 9th St for cheesesteaks but leave raving about the Grandma Pie. This thin crust Sicilian style pizza has earned its own cult following.
The crust gets cooked to crispy perfection with an airy texture that shouldn’t be possible at that thickness.
Cheese goes on top with a savory sauce that lets quality ingredients shine without competing for attention.
Regulars often order both a cheesesteak and a Grandma Pie because choosing between them feels impossible.
The pizza holds up during the wait and travels well if you’re taking it somewhere else to eat.
Reviews frequently mention this pie specifically by name, with some visitors claiming it’s the best pizza crust they’ve ever tasted. That’s high praise in a city that takes its pizza seriously.
Upside Down Pizza Shows Creative Mastery
Angelo’s flips tradition on its head with their Upside Down Pizza, and somehow it works perfectly.
Sauce goes on top of the cheese instead of underneath, creating a completely different eating experience.
The thicker Sicilian style crust stays light and airy despite its size. It’s dense enough to support the toppings but never feels heavy or doughy in your mouth.
This style lets you taste the sauce more prominently with each bite while the cheese melts into the crust below.
Some pizzas come with ricotta, caramelized onions, and Mike’s Hot Honey for a sweet and savory combination that surprises first timers.
Locals debate whether they prefer the Grandma or the Upside Down, which says everything about the quality of both.
Either way, you’re getting pizza made by people who understand dough fermentation and proper baking techniques.
Location in Italian Market Neighborhood
Angelo’s sits right in the heart of South Philadelphia’s Italian Market area at 736 S 9th St. This isn’t some suburban strip mall location trying to fake authenticity.
The neighborhood surrounding the shop has been serving Philadelphia for generations. You can feel the history in the narrow streets, the row houses, and the family owned businesses that line the block.
Sarcone’s Bakery is literally a few doors down.
Other Italian specialty shops, delis, and restaurants create an atmosphere that tourists travel across the country to experience.
When you visit Angelo’s, you’re not just getting a cheesesteak. You’re stepping into a living piece of Philadelphia culture that locals have protected and preserved.
The location matters because authenticity can’t be manufactured. It has to be earned through decades of serving a community that knows the difference between real and fake.
Lines Around the Block Mean Quality
You’ll rarely find Angelo’s empty. Lines stretch down the block most days, especially during lunch and dinner rushes on weekends.
Locals see this as proof of quality rather than a reason to complain. When a spot consistently draws crowds in a city full of cheesesteak options, that tells you everything you need to know.
The wait rarely exceeds 30 minutes from ordering to pickup, even when it looks intimidating from outside.
The system moves efficiently and most people spend their wait time exploring the neighborhood or chatting with other customers.
First time visitors often arrive expecting tourist trap mediocrity based on the hype. Then they taste the food and understand why people willingly wait.
Nobody’s faking enthusiasm when they’re standing in the cold or rain for a sandwich. That’s Philadelphia loyalty earned through consistency and quality.
Beats Tourist Trap Competitors
Reviews constantly compare Angelo’s favorably to Geno’s and Pat’s, the two most famous cheesesteak spots that tourists flock to. Locals know better.
While those neon lit corners serve decent sandwiches, Angelo’s focuses on quality over flash. There’s no gimmicky rivalry or photo op appeal, just exceptional food made right.
The meat tastes more tender and flavorful. The bread comes from a real bakery instead of mass production.
The cheese melts properly and gets distributed throughout the sandwich. These details separate good from great.
Visitors who try both tourist spots and Angelo’s almost universally rank Angelo’s higher.
Some drive from New York specifically after researching which spot locals actually eat at instead of where tour buses stop.
Philadelphia takes its cheesesteak reputation seriously, and the locals have spoken clearly about where they spend their money.
Operating Hours and Takeout Only Format
Angelo’s operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM, staying closed Monday and Tuesday. This schedule lets them maintain quality and give staff proper rest.
There’s no dining room with tables and waiters. You order, you wait, you take your food somewhere else to eat.
Most people walk to nearby Montrose Street where there’s an open eating area with seating. Others take their bags home or back to hotels.
The takeout only format keeps prices reasonable and operations focused. They’re not paying for extra square footage, servers, or the overhead that comes with table service.
This approach also means your sandwich gets wrapped properly and stays hot during transport.
The bread somehow avoids getting soggy even after sitting in the bag for 20 minutes, which seems like magic until you remember how good those Sarcone’s rolls are.