Geno's Steaks and the cheesesteak line jokes

Geno's Steaks, opened by Joey Vento in 1966, sits directly across from Pat's and is famous for its neon signage and high-profile location at the intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue. The side-by-side placement of Geno's and Pat's has spawned many local jokes about tourists choosing which line to join and the perceived differences between the sandwiches. The rivalry has been frequently referenced in local media and guides as a quintessential Philadelphia joke topic. Both establishments remain major tourist draws in South Philadelphia.