New Cheesesteak Tour Bus Offers Unique Take on the Famed Sandwich


Via Shutterstock

Via Shutterstock

If you’re a Philly resident, you might be skeptical of yet another cheesesteak “thing” popping up in the city. But Nina Keyes-Reid, founder of the Philly Cheesesteak Tour, may be on to something.

“Our focus is Philly Pride,” Keyes-Reid says. “It’s about Philly food, Philly facts, and Philly fun.” The new tour, which has a second soft-launch on June 28th and an official “grand opening,” so to speak, on July 11th, takes hungry riders to a variety of iconic Philly sightseeing locations and ties in cheesesteaks to tell a unique food-centric story of Philadelphia.

Guests are taken to five Philly cheesesteak restaurants, including one vegan option, and are able to sample from each sandwich joint. “The tour’s main stops are at Campo’s, Jim’s, Pat’s, Geno’s, and Govinda’s,” she says. “We have Ishkabibble’s, Steve’s Prince of Steaks, Shanks and John’s Roast Pork as alternatives.” Also, for those who want to get a taste of Philly history but aren’t too crazy about the cheesesteak, other Philly-loved fare, like Tastykakes, soft pretzels, and drinks will be available for tasting, too.

Proceeds from the bus tour benefit various local charities that benefit children and families. So far, the tour is contributing to Big Brother’s Big Sisters of Southeast PA and the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia. “My goal is to have a ‘Charity of the Month’ to bring awareness to the needs of the children, youth and families of Philadelphia,” adds Keyes-Reid.

The tour runs pretty much every Saturday and Sunday starting at 1:15 pm, and costs $69.96 per person. The big cheesesteak bus launches from 1 North Independence Mall, a great place to start off a tour of the city. Tickets and more information can be found here.