Cheesesteak Showdown: Jason Kelce vs. Fletcher Cox — Who Wins Philly’s Ultimate Food Fight?

In Philadelphia, where football is religion and cheesesteaks are sacred, two Eagles legends have taken their rivalry to a whole new level—not on the field, but at the grill. Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox, beloved icons of the green-and-white faithful, may have retired from the NFL, but the debate over their cheesesteak loyalties is just heating up.

Fletcher Cox, the 6’4”, 310-pound defensive juggernaut, has long made it known where his heart (and stomach) lies: John’s Roast Pork. Tucked away in South Philly, John’s is known among locals as a cheesesteak temple. Cox’s loyalty to John’s became national news in 2022 when the Eagles sent him 35 cheesesteaks from Philly’s Finest as a thank-you for a huge win over the Dallas Cowboys. His reaction? A heartfelt post on X: “Philly knows how to love.” The message wasn’t just about food—it was about a bond with the city that embraced him for 12 dominant seasons.

On the other side of the cheesesteak turf war is Jason Kelce, the 6’3” center who anchored the Eagles’ offensive line for 13 seasons and bled Philly pride in every snap. Kelce is a Pat’s King of Steaks loyalist, staying true to one of the city’s most iconic and tourist-friendly cheesesteak spots. During an episode of the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Travis, Kelce jokingly admitted he considered trying Jalen Hurts’ custom cheesesteak order—Cooper Sharp cheese, fried onions, and mayo—but ultimately stuck to his traditional roots. “I’m old-school Philly,” Kelce quipped. “Cheez Whiz or provolone—no mayo in my book.”

That brings us to the wildcard: Jalen Hurts. Though not a contestant in this particular showdown, the Eagles quarterback stirred up the cheesesteak conversation in 2023 by sharing his preferred order. Cooper Sharp? Mayo? Fried onions? His unorthodox combo sparked online debates and divided Philly’s food scene. Some hailed it as “elite taste,” while others scoffed at the lack of Cheez Whiz. Even Kelce couldn’t ignore it—but not even Hurts’ influence could sway him.

So, who wins the cheesesteak crown—Cox with his deep-rooted love for John’s or Kelce with his undying loyalty to Pat’s?

Ask 10 Philadelphians, and you’ll get 10 different answers. But here’s the truth: both men represent different sides of the same Philly coin. Cox’s quiet devotion to underrated, no-frills perfection mirrors his gritty, powerful playing style. Kelce’s animated defense of a classic Philly institution reflects his loud, passionate leadership.

In the end, there’s no loser in a cheesesteak battle this Philly—only hungry fans with full hearts and grease-stained fingers. Whether you’re team John’s, team Pat’s, or curious about Hurts’ new-wave cheesesteak game, one thing’s certain: in Philly, football and food will always be one delicious tradition. Fly, Eagles, Fly!