6 Unwritten Rules for Ordering a Cheesesteak That Pennsylvanians Expect Everyone to Know

Don’t ask for Swiss on your cheesesteak, and don’t ask for it medium rare.

Pennsylvanians have a way of doing things at the counter, and first-timers find out when it’s their turn.

Here are the unwritten rules for ordering a cheesesteak that Pennsylvanians expect everyone to know.

1. Deciding Before the Counter

Visit Philadelphia’s cheesesteak guide says many Philly spots have a particular way to order that keeps the lines moving.

Before you get to the counter, settle which cheese you want and whether you want onions.

Lines are long.

Patience is tested.

Geno’s Steaks agrees in a 2020 blog post, calling it great etiquette to know how to order before you’re at the window.

2. Naming Your Cheese

You name the cheese first when you order a cheesesteak, “whiz” or otherwise.

If you’re ordering a pizza steak or a cheesesteak hoagie, mention that before the cheese, since those often come with standard topping options.

Pat’s King of Steaks lists Cheez Whiz, provolone, American and Cooper Sharp among its choices on its homepage.

Its steps put onions first and cheese second.

Geno’s Steaks names provolone, American and whiz in its blog post.

A 2024 Inquirer explainer says Cooper Sharp is popular with sandwich shop owners.

Cooper Sharp costs more than most other deli American cheeses.

Angelo’s owner has called it his cheese of choice.

3. Saying Wit or Witout

Once you’ve chosen your cheese and onions, you can convey a cheesesteak order in shorthand, Visit Philadelphia says.

Cheesesteak onions get one word.

It’s “wit” for with and “witout” for without.

For example, Cheez Whiz with onions is a “Whiz wit.”

In the Inquirer’s 2021 guide, “a cheesesteak wit” means onions and “a cheesesteak witout” means none.

You can say “with onions” or “without onions” instead.

4. Skipping Swiss and Doneness

You shouldn't ask for Swiss when you order a cheesesteak, the Inquirer's guide says.

The same goes for rare, medium rare and medium.

All cheesesteaks are well-done.

5. Cash in Hand

You'll want your money ready when you order a cheesesteak.

The line at Pat's King of Steaks moves quickly so it's best to be prepared.

Cash is king at Pat's.

Pat's adds a credit card surcharge.

Visit Philadelphia's 2026 guide lists Steve's Prince of Steaks and Angelo's Pizzeria as cash-only.

6. Ending With Here or to Go

You finish a cheesesteak order by saying "here" or "to go."

Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop gives you both choices, a diner booth or a Girard Avenue takeout window.

From that window, you can carry your order to the neighboring bring-your-own-food bar Garage.

Geno's Steaks says you can dine in at its corner location.

Geno's First-Timer Advice

Geno's Steaks tells first-time cheesesteak customers who don't dislike onions to try them, since fried onions aren't overpowering.

You shouldn't shy away from trying Whiz if you haven't had it.

Combine your cheese and onion choices into one phrase.

One example is "provolone with."

Toppings

Ketchup, mushrooms, mayo, sweet peppers and Italian long hots are common cheesesteak toppings.

Bell peppers aren't the usual choice, so you may want sweet peppers instead.

Other toppings you want go by their regular names if the shop has them.

The Inquirer's 2024 explainer leaves ketchup and mayo to you.

Windows and Registers

At Pat's King of Steaks, you order a cheesesteak by itself at the first window, then your fries and drinks at the second.

Steve's Prince of Steaks splits its two service windows the same way, with steaks at one and sides and beverages at the other.

If you're at a shop where the ordering counter and the register are separate, move quickly from one to the other so the next customer can order.

Ordering After Dark

Pat's King of Steaks lists itself as open 24/7 on its homepage, so you can order a cheesesteak at any hour.

Geno's Steaks says it serves cheesesteaks around the clock, seven days a week.

You can order from Geno's for delivery through UberEats, DoorDash and GrubHub.

Visit Philadelphia's 2026 guide says Jim's South Street has a takeout window open till 1 a.m. on weekends.

At SQ Philip's Steaks, there's a 24-hour walk-up window with no seating.

Sit-Down or Walk-Up

Chubby's Steaks serves cheesesteaks at a diner counter with a full bar, just across the street from Dalessandro's.

Visit Philadelphia says you'll usually wait less at Chubby's.

Tony and Nick's Steaks has picnic tables along its covered sidewalk if you'd rather eat outside.

Jim's South Street offers twice its previous seating since its remodel.

Ishkabibble's runs two South Street shops with the same menu, one with plentiful seating and an older walk-up window near 4th Street.

The line at the Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop takeout window on Girard Avenue is often dozens deep on weekends.

Shop-by-Shop Exceptions

If you order a cheesesteak at John's Roast Pork, pick a cheese other than Whiz, since the shop has a no-whiz policy.

Chubby's goes easy on the Whiz.

Visit Philadelphia describes the ordering at Sonny's Famous Steaks as pressure-free and casual, with a gluten-free roll available by request.

Ishkabibble's serves a traditional steak with the beef cut into chunks, rather than shredded or sliced.