After Nearly 2 Years, Iconic Philly Cheesesteak Shop Reopens

You will hear about many other cheesesteak places in Philadelphia, but for many people, the best cheesesteak in Philly is from Jim's Steaks on South Street.

That's why so many people are happy that Jim's Steaks is reopening after almost two years since they had a devastating fire. Jim's reopens at 4 pm on Wednesday.

A Fire Closes a South Street Institution

Jim's Steaks, a popular destination on South Street in Philadelphia since 1976, experienced the blaze on July 29, 2022, that tore through the popular steak house, at 400 South Street, causing smoke to pour from every floor of the four-story structure.

It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the fire that began in the heating and cooling system.

It was immediately clear that reopening Jim's wouldn't be a quick fix, the building would have to be almost completely rebuilt.

In addition to being a sad day for cheesesteak lovers, it brought economic trouble to South Street.

At least four South Street businesses closed during the 21 months Jim's has been closed.

Jim’s South St. Steaks & Hoagies drew about a million unique visitors a year to its corner at Fourth and South Streets, according to the South Street Headhouse District.

The Newly Renovated Jim's South St. Steaks & Hoagies Reopens

The new Jim's Steaks combines the original store with the folk-art store next door owned by artist Isaiah Zagar and his wife, Julia, which was also heavily damaged in the fire. They've relocated down the street.

Jim's South St. Steaks renovations have brought the art store back to life as part of their newly expanded location.

"We've lovingly restored and preserved several of the earliest mosaic works of world-renowned Philadelphia-based artist, Isaiah Zagar (creator of the landmark Philadelphia Magic Gardens)," owner Ken Silver wrote on Facebook. "The transformation of the space is incredible to behold and will endure as one of our proudest endeavors."

Hours for Jim's South St. Steaks

The business will continue as a late-night staple on South Street and will be open until 3:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and until 1:00 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays.