Cheesesteak, Philadelphia

This sandwich of sliced steak and melted cheese on a long roll is a Philly classic, said to have its roots in a 1930s hot dog variant. Its purveyors are subject to plenty of “best of” ratings, including this 2014 GQ survey. Now served all across the city and the continent, variants include your choice of cheese—provolone, American and Cheez Whiz are common offerings—and toppings include fried onions, mushrooms, peppers, ketchup, mayonnaise and hot sauce. If you’re feeling really daring, shake things up with a chicken or even a vegetarian cheesesteak. The latter, with a tasty mélange of fried vegetables in place of the steak, is now sold at By George! in the famous Reading Terminal Market, worth a visit for more than just its sandwiches.