Pat's all day. Well really, all night. Because Pat's is best enjoyed at 2:30AM after you left the bar. Genos is best enjoyed never because they're xenophobic a-holes.
If it's daytime though, I'm going to John's Roast Pork. That's the home of the best game changer you'll ever have.
Remember, yes, but I was never there. I do remember the legend of Bookbinders soup though!
I can get suitable steak sandwiches in the 'burbs. Heard all about Dalessandro's for years. Went there. No different than what I grew up with. When I'm in town, pork sandwiches at Dinicks in Reading Terminal, Tony Luke's, or Talk of the Town. Otherwise, chicken cutlet hoagie at Tony Luke's. For a real Philly feel, park in the median lane on Oregon when going to Tony's. I've done that with tourists who are blown away.
Don't forget Nick's Roast Beef.
Bookie's (Old Original) was a tourist trap. Over priced meals. Waiters were a tad surly. Found out later they were union. But man, did you ever get a gigantic slice of cake for dessert.
Just one man's opinions after working in Center City for 20 years.