Shank's Original Uptown

My top 3 cheesesteak spot Shank’s Original. I visited Shank’s on a Tuesday afternoon for lunch. There was a couple people there which was great because they were able to turn around our food quickly. I got a steak with extra American. They slipped up and gave me onions on it even though I asked for no onions (it happens, no big deal). Overall a top tier roll for the steak which is a great combination with the Cooper Sharp American cheese. Very creamy cheese just the way I like it. The cheese fries are delicious as well. You can’t go wrong at Shank’s in Philadelphia. It’s a great place to enjoy lunch on the water and relax.

TLDR: Super convenient location for your on-the-go cheesesteak fix. Try the "Philly Special", which is a cheesesteak with scrapple fries mixed in! Vibe: 5/5. Located literally right off I-95 near South Philly on the Delaware River, Shanks is an excellent choice for those passing through Philly in need of a quick cheesesteak. The restaurant itself is a stand, with a few outside bar tables and a counter to dine at. Parking is free and ample, with plenty of room on the side of the street near the stand. The stand butts up directly to the Delaware River, so you can sit and enjoy your food on the water. Service: 5/5. The staff and overall operation at Shanks is great! On the Sunday I visited, I placed my order on my phone via their website and it was ready in about 15 minutes after confirmation. When I got to Shanks, the order was hot, ready and bagged up waiting for me. The staff was very friendly and punctual in getting me my order and making sure I had everything I needed to enjoy my lunch. No complaints here! Food: 5/5. SOLID example of a cheesesteak in a town littered with them. Pricing is also very reasonable, with a foot long sub coming in around $12. For our Sunday lunch, we ordered a regular cheesesteak wiz wit, a side of fries and onion rings, and their "Philly Special" sub which consists of their regular wiz wit cheesesteak but topped with scrapple fries. Let it be known, the "Philly Special" at Shanks is the way to go. This is the first time I have had scrapple mixed in with a cheesesteak, but it certainly won't be the last. The spiced, unique flavor of the pork scrapple adds a little more umami to the ribeye. Paired with the wiz and fried onions, this is just a heavenly combination. Shanks also uses seeded hard buns, which was the perfect vessel for the heavy handedness of the meat. The original cheesesteak was also tasty in it's own rite and can stand toe to toe with any of the top contenders in the Philly cheesesteak scene. Fries and rings were also tasty, though need to be enjoyed immediately to avoid sogginess. Overall, if you are looking for a unique take on the Philly steak, definitely give the "Philly Special" at Shanks a try!

Being from Chicago, I know good food. I've always heard of "Philly cheesesteaks". I had totally no interest. I was on vacation and driving through Pennsylvania and decided to try one. I make the most AWESOME decisions. I stopped at Shank's Original. Why? I did it because it didn't appear touristy and to be a chain. Simple is always better. The damned sandwich was delicious! I have no other way to say it. The employees were also very friendly. The bread was soft and warm. The Steak was great quality. PLUS, I got to feed some birds and sit by some sort of river. I recommend everyone try this place. If I ever return to Philadelphia I will visit Shank's Original again.

It's a small, quaint little spot right off of the main road. It's easy to get in and out. Plenty of parking. Spots to sit and eat. The sandwiches were big and filled well. Delicious flavor! I'm not a fan of chunks of chicken for a Buffalo Chicken Cheese steak, but they were at least small enough to enjoy. The cheese steak, my friend had looked amazing! I plan to get that next time. The motz sticks were good, just generic motz sticks. The fries were thin, and we liked them. They have a great menu! I can't wait to try more!