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Address and Contact Information
Address: 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 839-8183
Website: https://readingterminalmarket.org/merchant/uncle-gus/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Related Web Results
Uncle Gus’ Steaks – Reading Terminal Market Merchant
One perfect 10-inch Philly cheesesteak: thinly sliced ribeye, melted Cooper Sharp cheese, and your choice of toppings on a seeded roll from Angelo’s Baking …
Uncle Gus’ Steaks is Completely Overrated – Philadelphia Magazine
Eating it doesn’t improve my opinion. Again, there’s nothing at all wrong with it. The meat is unevenly chopped, but I like mine that way. And …
unclegussteaks · Philadelphia, PA – Instagram
Uncle Gus is the image of Angelo’s. Seeded, chopped and cooper sharp. Just like how Carmen’s was the Pats of the market. Now is it pricer than others, yes.
Reviews
J J
We picked up a Philly cheesesteak from Uncle Gus’ and were surprised that there was no line — we got our food in about two minutes, super fast!
We brought it back to the hotel to eat, and the first thing we noticed was the bread. The outside is crispy while the inside stays soft — very different from many cheesesteaks we’ve tried, where the roll can be too soft. This one has a great texture contrast.
The portion of meat was very generous — you definitely feel the steak in every bite. The cheese is fully melted and mixed into the meat, giving it a sticky, gooey texture. It’s a bit heavier than expected, but still satisfying.
A good grab-and-go cheesesteak spot right by Reading Terminal Market.
We’d come back to try more variations.
… moreWe brought it back to the hotel to eat, and the first thing we noticed was the bread. The outside is crispy while the inside stays soft — very different from many cheesesteaks we’ve tried, where the roll can be too soft. This one has a great texture contrast.
The portion of meat was very generous — you definitely feel the steak in every bite. The cheese is fully melted and mixed into the meat, giving it a sticky, gooey texture. It’s a bit heavier than expected, but still satisfying.
A good grab-and-go cheesesteak spot right by Reading Terminal Market.
We’d come back to try more variations.
Antonio Allegretti
Old Uncle Gus’ was incredibly busy. They had to keep asking folks waiting for their food to move back so people could get through the market. This may be why the beef was a smidge tougher than some of the really tender cheesesteaks that I’ve had. What that lacked was honestly made up for by the amazing long hots. How we can’t get these in Florida boggles my mind. It was a great sandwich in an iconic location. Recommend.
… moreTilly N.
Juicy steak sandwich with tender meat and a crispy sesame bun. Simple, flavorful, and very satisfying. Perfect quick bite if you’re craving a classic Philly cheesesteak.
… moreValery T
I haven’t had that much « authentic » philly cheese steaks experience as they’re really not the same in Canada. This one was simply the best ever and i honestly don’t think i could find a better one if i tried. Bread was a little crunchy with nice sesame seeds, Cooper sharp cheddar was so good, the onions were perfectly fried.
… moreEstella Lin
Ordered a cheesesteak sandwich from Uncle Gus and it was extremely salty, to the point that it was inedible. This wasn’t just a strong flavor — the seasoning was completely unbalanced. The bread was good though. Took a few bites and had to throw it away. Very disappointing experience.
… moreIsabel Gonzalez
Out of the seven cheesesteak places I’ve tried in Philly, Uncle Gus’ is easily top three (with Jim’s & O’Brothers). Bread was very crispy and fresh, and I liked how they cooked the steak with the cheese. Fast service & friendly people.
If you’re a tourist looking for a good steak, this is a great option if you’re only going to eat one. (Much better quality than Geno’s or Pat’s)
… moreIf you’re a tourist looking for a good steak, this is a great option if you’re only going to eat one. (Much better quality than Geno’s or Pat’s)
David Bucci
Loved this Cheesesteak. I know there are other favorites in town, but this was a great experience. The woman at the counter recommended the Cooper cheese instead of the whiz, and glad I did. Added mushrooms instead of the onions. Great crunch of the bread, and loved the sesame taste and texture. The steak was a perfect mix with the cheese, and so tender. Will definitely go back.
… moreIlhan Tanir
No Harmony: The Suffocatingly Arid $20+ Steak
It is disheartening to write this, but the $20+ steak and cheese sandwich I received was a significant letdown. Despite the premium price tag—surpassing even DiNic’s or the excellent pastrami at East Side—the quality simply did not justify the cost.
The Bread
Visually, the loaf mimics the famous Angelo’s bread, but the resemblance ends there. The sesame seeds were so pungent they dominated the palate, clashing with the beef rather than complementing it. I personally prefer a more neutral base that allows the steak to shine; here, the bread felt intrusive.
Texture and Dryness
The most frustrating aspect was the texture of the meat. It was suffocatingly arid and surprisingly lumpy, lacking any of the succulence or “melt” one expects from a high-end Philly steak. While the portion was generous, the beef felt desiccated and unrefined, making it physically difficult to swallow without a beverage. I usually avoid drinking mid-meal to focus on the flavor profile, but this was a struggle to get down.
Lack of Harmony
Despite the abundance of meat, onions, and hot peppers, the components felt disjointed rather than unified. Unlike the juicy, well-balanced sandwiches at Geno’s, this felt like a collection of separate, dry ingredients that failed to harmonize.
Final Verdict: Perhaps arriving at 5:30 PM just before closing meant I missed the peak window, but this was the only sandwich of my three-day trip that truly disappointed. If I received such a let down sandwich because of the timing, was it my fault? If they cannot serve an ideal sandwich after a certain hour, perhaps they should close their store at that ‘certain’ hour not to fail customers.
For a $20+ investment, the result was a fragmented, parched, and ultimately lackluster experience that was hard to swallow. Ugh.
Adding insult to injury, this was the only sandwich in my three-day stay that caused all-night stomach reflux. Between the lumpy texture and the digestive aftermath, it’s clear that something was fundamentally off with this meal.
… moreIt is disheartening to write this, but the $20+ steak and cheese sandwich I received was a significant letdown. Despite the premium price tag—surpassing even DiNic’s or the excellent pastrami at East Side—the quality simply did not justify the cost.
The Bread
Visually, the loaf mimics the famous Angelo’s bread, but the resemblance ends there. The sesame seeds were so pungent they dominated the palate, clashing with the beef rather than complementing it. I personally prefer a more neutral base that allows the steak to shine; here, the bread felt intrusive.
Texture and Dryness
The most frustrating aspect was the texture of the meat. It was suffocatingly arid and surprisingly lumpy, lacking any of the succulence or “melt” one expects from a high-end Philly steak. While the portion was generous, the beef felt desiccated and unrefined, making it physically difficult to swallow without a beverage. I usually avoid drinking mid-meal to focus on the flavor profile, but this was a struggle to get down.
Lack of Harmony
Despite the abundance of meat, onions, and hot peppers, the components felt disjointed rather than unified. Unlike the juicy, well-balanced sandwiches at Geno’s, this felt like a collection of separate, dry ingredients that failed to harmonize.
Final Verdict: Perhaps arriving at 5:30 PM just before closing meant I missed the peak window, but this was the only sandwich of my three-day trip that truly disappointed. If I received such a let down sandwich because of the timing, was it my fault? If they cannot serve an ideal sandwich after a certain hour, perhaps they should close their store at that ‘certain’ hour not to fail customers.
For a $20+ investment, the result was a fragmented, parched, and ultimately lackluster experience that was hard to swallow. Ugh.
Adding insult to injury, this was the only sandwich in my three-day stay that caused all-night stomach reflux. Between the lumpy texture and the digestive aftermath, it’s clear that something was fundamentally off with this meal.
Francisco Simón Verger
We stopped by Uncle Gus Steak for their Philly cheesesteak, and the place was buzzing with people, which already felt like a good sign. They prepare everything right in front of you in an open kitchen, which adds to the experience—you can see the fresh ingredients and the care they put into every sandwich.
One of the standout details is that they don’t use ground steak; instead, they use knife-cut steak, which gives the meat a much better texture and flavor. The bread was also excellent—soft on the inside, with just the right amount of chew. You can add peppers and onions, which take the sandwich to the next level.
The Philly cheesesteak itself was super tasty—rich, savory, and very satisfying. It’s definitely on the heavier side, so maybe not something you’d have every day, but it’s absolutely worth trying at least once. The price is on the higher end, but given the quality and flavor, it felt justified. Overall, a great spot if you’re craving a proper cheesesteak.
… moreOne of the standout details is that they don’t use ground steak; instead, they use knife-cut steak, which gives the meat a much better texture and flavor. The bread was also excellent—soft on the inside, with just the right amount of chew. You can add peppers and onions, which take the sandwich to the next level.
The Philly cheesesteak itself was super tasty—rich, savory, and very satisfying. It’s definitely on the heavier side, so maybe not something you’d have every day, but it’s absolutely worth trying at least once. The price is on the higher end, but given the quality and flavor, it felt justified. Overall, a great spot if you’re craving a proper cheesesteak.
Paul
Stopped in Philly to grab a cheese steak and walk around the city for a few hours and this place definitely hit the spot. The line was quick and smooth and after ordering I waited for 10 minutes which wasn’t too bad relative to how crowded it was. It is $20 including tax but it could feed 2 people or 1 person 2 meals.
… more