Philadelphia, PA - If you're looking for a great challenge, consider joining the Philadelphia Guy That Ate 1,000 Cheesesteak on his Adventure. In 2018, Jim Pappas set out on a mission to eat as many cheesesteaks as possible. The goal began at 250 and eventually expanded to 500 and then 800. By the end of last year, he had consumed eight hundred cheesesteaks, and on January 13th, 2022, at The West End Boat Club in Essington, PA, he will officially reach his 1,000th different Cheesesteak.
The Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventures 1000th Cheesesteak
After a divorce and Leukemia diagnosis, Jim Pappas started to search for Philadelphia's best cheesesteak restaurants. His desire to find the best one in the city grew, and he even made a Best of Cheesesteak list, published each year in PhillyBite Magazine. As he reached his first major milestone of 250 cheesesteaks in April 2019, he promised himself he would get 500 by the end of the year.
After years of racking up awards, Pappas began to look for new ways to grow his love of cheesesteaks. He sought out restaurants where he could eat cheesesteaks in different styles and flavors. He also sought out new places to find cheesesteaks and beer and even met people who had never met him before. While he's still unsure about his long-term plan, he's happy with what he's done so far and is looking forward to continuing the journey.
His quest has become a cult in the city. Since it began, Jim has been featured on FOX29 and in several national media outlets. While he isn't yet ready to retire, he's already happy with what he's done and has a plan to expand his reach even further. The ultimate goal of his Adventure is to make Philadelphia the go-to source for all things cheesesteaks.
PhillyBite Magazine and The Philadelphia Cheesesteak Aventure host The March Cheesesteak Madness Competition. Where 64 of the region's best cheesesteak shops enter the competition each year.
While Pappas's ultimate goal is to reach 1,000 Different cheesesteaks, the good news is it looks like he will achieve his goal, and we're pretty sure Jim will up the bar maybe 2,000?
Jim Pappas' Cheesesteak Adventure
For many people, Jim Pappas' cheesesteak adventure began as a hobby and eventually grew into a full-blown business. Today, he continues to strive for the perfect Cheesesteak and is open to suggestions and advice from the community. The success of his venture has landed him in national media outlets, including FOX29, Food & Wine, and PhillyBite Magazine. Jim is also a regular contributor to PhillyBite.
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Joy Franklin
Food and Event Writer
My joy is aimed at food and foodie lovers. I enjoy covering trends, issues, and all things Philly
