Pat's King of Steaks ★ 4.5
Pat's King of Steaks in Philadelphia is the 1930 founder of the cheesesteak at 9th and Passyunk, an 11-dollar sandwich and one of the cheapest big-city food rituals you can do.
Try: Philly cheesesteak
Eat well in Philadelphia for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Cheap eats worth seeking out
Tommy DiNic's ★ 4.7
Tommy DiNic's in Philadelphia is the Reading Terminal Market counter that won America's best sandwich in 2013, a roast pork with rabe and sharp provolone for under 13 dollars.
Try: Roast pork sandwich
Pho 75 ★ 4.5
Pho 75 in Philadelphia is the Washington Avenue Vietnamese counter where a full bowl of beef pho with bean sprouts, basil and lime lands for under 13 dollars.
Try: Beef pho
Banh Mi Cali ★ 4.3
Banh Mi Cali in Philadelphia is the Chinatown banh mi counter at 9th and Arch, a six-dollar Vietnamese baguette sandwich that is the city's best one-bill lunch.
Try: Banh mi
Dim Sum Garden ★ 4.5
Dim Sum Garden in Philadelphia is chef Shizhou Da's Chinatown soup-dumpling room on Race Street, with a basket of xiao long bao for 8 dollars and noodle plates under 12.
Try: Xiao long bao
Kabobeesh ★ 4.4
Kabobeesh in Philadelphia is the University City halal Pakistani-Indian counter on Chestnut, with charcoal kebabs and biryani plates for 12 dollars and a quick service window.
Try: Chicken biryani
Tony Luke's ★ 4.6
Tony Luke's in Philadelphia is the 1992 South Philly counter on Oregon Ave with a 12-dollar roast pork Italian, the locals' answer to the cheesesteak tourist queue.
Try: Roast pork Italian
Sarcone's Bakery ★ 4.7
Sarcone's Bakery in Philadelphia is the 1918 Italian Market brick-oven bakery on South 9th, with tomato pie by the square for 4 dollars and a queue every morning.
Try: Tomato pie by the square
Beiler's Doughnuts ★ 4.6
Beiler's Doughnuts in Philadelphia is the Pennsylvania Dutch Reading Terminal Market bakery since 1984, with hand-cut yeasted doughnuts for 3 dollars and the longest morning queue.
Try: Hand-cut yeasted doughnut
Center City Pretzel Co. ★ 4.4
Center City Pretzel Co. in Philadelphia is the South Philly pretzel bakery on Washington Avenue, baking hand-twisted figure-eight pretzels round the clock for a dollar each.
Try: Soft pretzel with mustard
Budget Eats in Philadelphia, FAQ
When is the best time to eat in Philadelphia?
Peak food season in Philadelphia is year-round.
What time do people eat in Philadelphia?
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
How does tipping work in Philadelphia?
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
What is the one dish to try in Philadelphia?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Philadelphia rewards trust.