Is it a crime to be Philly's most talked-about new cheesesteak?

 

Philadelphians all know the name Joseph Salvatore "Skinny Joey" Merlino. He was the reputed crime boss of the Philly mob going back to the mid-1990s. Merlino interacted regularly with the media and the public and was known for his many charitable efforts.

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Unfortunately, Merlino was known for other things as well. In 2001, he was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 14 years in prison. He left the joint 10 years later, but what happened after that is unclear. Some say he returned to a life of crime. Others say the Philly Mafia expelled him. Merlino claims he simply retired.

 

All we know for certain is that Joey Merlino is an ambitious, charismatic, and yes, very funny and entertaining fellow. Having paid his debt to society, he is free to pursue an honest living - and pursue it he has, with one of the most exciting new cheesesteak places this city has seen in quite some time.

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Merlino is iconic - a lifelong Philadelphia celeb who loves this city, its sports teams, and its cheesesteaks. So it was that when Skinny Joey's opened its doors in March 2025, one month after the Eagles' triumph in Super Bowl LIX, 10,000 (that is correct - ten thousand) people showed up at the Grand Opening.

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Skinny Joey's cheesesteaks are superb, if not mouth-wateringly perfect - thin-sliced ribeye of the highest quality, your cheese of choice, tasty onions and more, all expertly chopped, seasoned, and served on a legendary Aversa roll (seeded or unseeded). It is Philadelphia cheesesteak artistry at its very best, refined through generations of Italian family cooking.

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But it does not end there. You can also enjoy a succulent chicken cheesesteak, a Florida-style pizza roll, or even perfectly crisped chicken wings with Skinny Joey's signature hot honey sauce, all served with a friendly South Philly smile in clean, bright, modern surroundings.

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As a clever added touch, all sandwiches come wrapped in paper printed with copies of press clippings from Joey Merlino's bad old days.

 

Skinny Joey's is located on Broad Street, sandwiched between the I-76 overpass and a gas station, and just blocks from the stadium area - the ideal spot for a pre-game meal, as more and more Philly sports fans are now discovering. (And yes, you can call in ahead for pickup.)