If you can recommend an old-school, classic Philadelphia cheesesteak place for college kids, I would appreciate it.
Nothing new or trendy or fancy, please They will be visiting the usual tourist sites before heading to D.C. The more “local” the better, with some tradition behind it.
Thank you!
john’s roast pork and tony luke’s for cheesesteaks
dinic’s in the reading terminal market for roast pork sandwiches with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe
paesano’s for everything else
I’ve never been, but I saw this post and remembered this Lucky Peach article: http://luckypeach.com/guides/how-to-understand-and-enjoy-cheesesteaks/
Also, my hero ?uestlove’s Top 5 Philly Cheesecake Sandwiches: http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/questloves-philly-cheesesteak-trail
Thanks,. This gives us a definite starting point. I’ve only been twice, and I ate pizza. 
Pat’s (circa 1930s) for Cheese Steak - located smack in the heart of south Philly and across from the more colorful and loud Geno’s. Also need to get the lingo down before ordering: wit, wiz etc etc.
John’s (circa 1930s) for pork sandwich, although their cheesesteak is pretty good too.
Also check out Isgro’s (circa 1904) for terrific old school italian pastries and cookies. Excellent cannoli.
They went to Pat’s. Good call, @Sgee , it was fun and perfect for college kids in the “food is fuel” age group.
I asked for a photo and this is what I got.
Can you tell from this photo that they are not foodies? 
Glad it worked out. Pat’s gets a bad rap as not being a ‘local’ spot, I think it’s pretty good.
Not local? Haven’t they been the 1930’s?
i grew up in philly and never went to pat’s. i would compare it to pink’s in la.
Gotta say, I would have gone to Tony Luke’s based solely on their website’s terrible/awesome photoshopping of the sandwich in his hand.
Pat’s is quite good, not the best, however terrific atmosphere. Give it a shot next time you’re in Philly. Pat’s/John’s/Isgro bang ^2