Jake's Steaks was started by a Philly native who has a goal to provide the best tasting cheesesteaks in or out of Philadelphia . It is a good sign when half the people at Jake's Steaks joint are from Philly. For the unenlightened, a cheesesteak consists of a heap of shredded beef and onion, tossed on a griddle, piled onto a uniquely chewy but tender Amoroso roll imported from Philadelphia and topped with Cheese Whiz, which melts into the sandwich.

Jake's is tucked away on a residential block, but that doesn't stop local from popping in for a beer at the eight-seat bar or grabbing a table in the small but bright space, complete with a wallpapered photo of Philly's boathouse row on the Schuylkill River.