The Vitals:
the spot: Jim’s South Street 400 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
the eats: Cheesesteak
the bucks: $13.49 (cash only)
the full nelson: a quintessential late night Philly cheesesteak experience
Jim’s South Street is the late night cheesesteak experience I’ve been needing and I didn’t even know it. I’ve been coming to Philadelphia annually for almost 20 years and somehow never made it to South Street till now.
It’s a late night scene, akin to say Bourbon Street in New Orleans, though the crowds have thinned in recent years. After an early dinner and a few beers for dessert, I found myself on South Street and ready for my fourth meal.
Cue Jim’s South Street.
A fire a few years back put Jim’s South Street on ice for a few years. They reopened in May of 2024 so I consider my timing fortuitous but I’ll take all the late night eats luck I can get.
Back in the day I would have advocated for Provolone on my cheesesteak at all costs. It strikes me as the more sophisticated choice because it’s, well more sophisticated than American cheese or cheese whiz.
But this was a late night cheesesteak experience, and being in a scenario strikingly different from my other cheesesteak experiences, namely John’s Roast Pork(featured on Cheap Eats), I was open to suggestions.
“Get it with Whiz and American” the gentleman behind the grill told me. I happily accepted the suggestion and took it a step further and added cherry peppers, a popular spicy pickled condiment at Philly Hoagie and steak joints. Late night cheesesteak bliss was unlocked:
My late night cheesesteak experience at Jim’s South Street checked every box. Ooey gooey meaty cheesy deliciousness that only Whiz and American cheese can provide. And the cherry peppers added just enough heat and tang to take me over the finish line.
Jim’s South Street is a late night cheesesteak right of passage for any student of the game.
@alikhaneats Jim’s South St. A late night cheesesteak experience. Stumbled into this place while wandering down south street at midnight. Did it up with whiz and American cheese and spicy cherry peppers. Working on a blog post about this spot now. Highly suggest you adding this to your cheesesteak list when in the city of brotherly love. #alikhaneats #philadelphia #cheesesteaks #foodtiktok
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