Cheesesteaks

I did a search for prior posts, but was not happy with what I found.
 
I have to be in Cherry Hill, NJ tomorrow for part of the day.  Therefore easy access to a good [hopefully] classic cheesesteak across the river in Philadelphia.  I have printouts and directions for Geno's, Pat's and Tony Luke's.  I don't intend to sample all three or even two.
 
Out of the three which would you recommend to a person who's last cheese steak experience was a Central PA fake [I hope].  Also, does one family's stand do better with re-heating/travelling?  Two are being brought back home.
 
I appreciate the help.
 
-a

Of those three, Tony Luke's

Get a roast pork italian with rabe as well....this is a lesser known Philly specialty that I think may actually be BETTER than the cheesesteak, and Tony Luke's makes one of the better ones in town

I've been extremely disappointed both times I went to Pats. As far as I'm concerned it's a tourist trap. I've never been to Geno's (nor do I ever intend to go) so I really can't comment.

If you do decide on a cheesteak, my favorite was Lorenzo's in the Italian Market- there's a review here on Roadfood.

Out of those three...definitely Tony Luke's....not at all on Pat's but Geno's is pretty good. I'd listen to wanderingjew...he knows.

Here, check this:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/fb.ashx?m=549833

I'll also go with Tony Luke's, of the three you noted.
 
But my top pick in that area, for both cheesesteaks AND roast pork is John's.  If you get there early enough, get the seeded roll.
 
http://www.johnsroastpork.com/

i like jim's on south street

I'll second John's but get there before 2pm:

http://www.610wip.com/pages/351421.php

CheeseWit


Why travel into Philly when a couple of great cheesesteaks can be had in Cherry Hill?
Chick's Deli and Gaetano's are awesome. Just look them up online.

CheesWit's the man when it comes to cheesesteaks and I wholeheartedly second the nomination for Gaetano's. Always a  must stop for me whenever I'm traveling up the pike but don't have enough time for a detour in Philly.

I have a very serious question.  This is my own edited version of what the OP asked.  I highlighted the most relevant portions of the email for easy reading...

moneypenny27

I did a search for prior posts....
 
I have printouts and directions for Geno's, Pat's and Tony Luke's.  I don't intend to sample all three or even two.
 
Out of the three which would you recommend to a person who's last cheese steak experience was a Central PA fake [I hope]....

Why is it that some people just cannot answer the question that was asked?  I understand that cheesewit and wanderingjew are both (as well as others) just being helpful, but maybe there was a particular reason s/he asked about these three very specific places?  Obviously, there are countless places in and just outside of Philadelphia where one can find an excellent cheesesteak - perhaps even better than the ones being asked about.  But, the question wasn't where one might find the BEST cheesesteak, it was asking which of these three specific places offered the best option.

/today's rant.

To answer the original question, my personal preference would be for Tony Luke's.  I have eaten at Tony Luke's and Geno's, but not Pat's - and echo the sentiments that those above me have posted re: touristy nature of both places.  Honestly, I am not sure that Tony Luke's is any less packed with tourists, but I also know some native south Philadelphians who swear by the place.

I removed my post in response to TTM's.

Probably not a good choice for your first cheesesteak, but for a unique take on the cheesesteak where you don't have to cross the river - Donkey's Place in Camden New Jersey.  Save on the tolls and it's like getting a cheesesteak almost for free.

My turn to rant.  I suggest you avoid the Art Museum, Independence Hall and the Reading Terminal Market.  All are so touristy.  And if tourists go there, they can't have merit. 

Tourists go to Pats but they are way outnumbered by locals.  Not the preppy, foody locals, but the people who grew up in South Philly and the rest of the city.  This is where generations take future generations.  It is also where the cheesesteak started and, for me, at least, that makes the place a must try for any roadfooder, at least once.

I have had great cheesesteaks my past two visits to Pat's.  It's taken over twenty years to do the math, but now I know the secret - hit Pat's when the line is short (not around the building) but when they are serving enough to keep the meat coming fresh off the grill.  Early lunchtime is a good choice.

Geno's is good too.  I prefer Pat's - more south Philly attitude, history, and they don't care what language you speak.

Tony Luke's is great.  But I don't see how anyone can go to Tony Luke's and not order one of their pork sandwiches. 

Getting back to tourists and I'm guilty of this too.  If you don't live in Philadelphia or the burbs, you are a tourist.  And if all of you non-tourist tourists keeping heading to Tony Lukes to avoid yourselves, pretty soon Tony Luke's will be so touristry you'll have to head to some place like Wawa to avoid the tourists.

moneypenny27


I did a search for prior posts, but was not happy with what I found.
 
I have to be in Cherry Hill, NJ tomorrow for part of the day.  Therefore easy access to a good [hopefully] classic cheesesteak across the river in Philadelphia.  I have printouts and directions for Geno's, Pat's and Tony Luke's.  I don't intend to sample all three or even two.
 
Out of the three which would you recommend to a person who's last cheese steak experience was a Central PA fake [I hope].  Also, does one family's stand do better with re-heating/travelling?  Two are being brought back home.
 
I appreciate the help.
 
-a

moneypenny27: In response to your question about traveling, just tell them (any of the three you named) that you need two of them "to travel". They'll wrap the sandwiches well. Just be aware that in general, cheesesteaks in their finished form don't do well traveling over an hour. The roll tends to get mushy.

So if I don't want to be one of those dreaded tourists I guess I would be better off going down the road a mile in Tonka Bay, MN to Joey Nova's Delicatessen and having a cheesesteak there.

So seriously, what is everyone's hangup about tourists going to these places?

Davydd


So if I don't want to be one of those dreaded tourists I guess I would be better off going down the road a mile in Tonka Bay, MN to Joey Nova's Delicatessen and having a cheesesteak there.

So seriously, what is everyone's hangup about tourists going to these places?

 
Davydd

It has nothing to do with tourists going there...and I believe the difference between
TOURISTY  and TOURIST TRAP have been explained before
For example
 
Durgin Park is the epitomy of Boston roadfood- wreaking of character, and even more  amazing food. Supposedly tourists go there (although I''ve yet to see any) but it is far from what I would consider a tourist trap.
 
Katz's Deli- one of maybe 3 or 4 classic Kosher Deli's left in  Manhattan- great Jewish Soul Food- touristy?- yes, TOURIST TRAP????- NO
 
Pat's- in Philly- the first time I went- I was talking to a bunch of people in line with me- I was living in Pittsburgh- 300 miles away and I actually lived the closest to Pats. Both times I went to Pats- the few scraps of meat was cold and dry, the onions were cold and there was maybe 3 drops of whiz on the sandwich- it was nasty- twice over a 5 year period. In fact I was actually scolded by the inkeeper at the bed and breakfast I was staying at, for going there.  So, yes, because of the QUALITY of my sandwich BOTH times I visited over a 5 year gap, I consider it a tourist trap.

Because sometimes the quality of touristy places doesn't match the expectation of a famous place that has lost its roots.  Because frequently there are huge lines of clueless people wandering around.   It's not always valid though.  I don't go to Pat's or Geno's due to the latter and due to the fact I don't like their style of cheesesteak as much as I do others, not because I think they are bad.  Pat's and Geno's are best experienced very late on a warm summer night, regardless of whether you prefer them or not.
It's wonderful.

Folks answer a different question than asked because they might believe that the inquirer might not be aware of other options.  Also, there was a little known internet law passed right around the time of the invention of the discussion board that states that any threads regarding cheesesteaks and hoagies are and always will be wide open free for alls.  Each and every time.

CheeseWit


I removed my post in response to TTM's.

CW, I didn't mean to imply for a second that anything should be removed.  In all honesty, I probably shouldn't have singled out your post, inasmuch as you did give the OP advice that might have been more convenient, given what s/he outlined at the top. 

I just see it a lot on these forums - moreso than on others that I frequent.  This obviously didn't just come from seeing this one post with these answers.  When someone asks for "one meal" in Shelbyville (for example) and folks respond with a list of ten restaurants - half of which are nowhere near Shelbyville.  It smacks of the sentiment of "I don't care what you want to know, but this is what I want to tell you..."

RC51Mike
Folks answer a different question than asked because they might believe that the inquirer might not be aware of other options. 

And, this is the other usual scenario that I played out in my own head.  "I know what you asked, but you don't know what you're talking about, so let me tell you something about what you don't know..."  Again, if you go back and read the original post, you will see that s/he said that they did a search, narrowed their field down to three choices, mapped out those specific choices, and wanted input about which of those choices might be their best bet.  Any response offered that didn't include a recommendation from one or any of those three places was most likely just noise.

Chick's Deli
906 Township Ln Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-3141 (856) 429-2022

Won best of philly a few years ago.

Tony Luke's is wonderful!  I love the  roast pork  rabe sandwich  but my son  always has to have the cheesesteak!

 I wanted the Philadelphia "experience".  That is why it is limited.
 
I thank everyone for their input.
 
I will try to be as unobtrusive a tourist as possible. 
With regard to Holly Moore's post, my first college roomate tried to tell me that WaWa was a Deli.....

Steves prince of steaks on bustleton!! its awesome love it love it!!and just as close i think!!

TJ Jackson


Of those three, Tony Luke's

Get a roast pork italian with rabe as well....this is a lesser known Philly specialty that I think may actually be BETTER than the cheesesteak, and Tony Luke's makes one of the better ones in town

agreed!! also DaNic's in the terminal market makes a pretty darn good one last time i was there!

well, you don't need to go to philly to get a fabulous cheesesteak!!!
 
since you'll already be in cherry hill, just go to lou's steaks & pizza in fairview village (a section of camden).

address is 2999 Mount Ephraim Ave and the phone is (856) 962-9287.  it's located right on the corner of collings avenue and mount ephraim ave (which is also route 168, aka black horse pike). 

dunno what part of cherry hill you'll be in...if taking 38 west, take 130 south until you get to collings avenue and make a left and it's a couple blocks.  if you miss collings ave, just turn at the black horse pike and backtrack to collings ave. 

if you can take cuthbert blvd from cherry hill, follow that south to haddon ave, make a right and then follow to collings and make a left and take that down.

lou's has much better steaks than any place in philly!! 

rpalmer1


Chick's Deli
906 Township Ln Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-3141 (856) 429-2022

Won best of philly a few years ago.

Yes, go to CHICK'S DELI !! No need to cross over the bridge into Philly!
(only if you can find the extra time, perhaps for a 2nd sandwich another day/meal)
 
Chick's was the best cheesesteak I've ever had !  (thus far)
(although I have'nt been to nearly as many as our Roadfood.com guru , Wandering Jew..!
He posted a great Trip Report once, all about Philly cheesesteaks!

Big John's is right in Cherry Hill.  I haven't been there in a while, but I know their cheesesteaks are very good.

http://www.bigjohns.com/

Hey TTM, take a look at the posts after your last post. All but one, and that was from the original poster, talk of other places to go. I removed mine because you were correct. I feel the same way as you do about people not answering the original poster and I was guilty of doing the one thing I hate.

The posters after your post disregarded everything discussed. One gives cheesesteak props to a member who defers to yours truly. EVERYONE has their own agenda and favorite members and that's why I no longer post at the rate I used to.

CheeseWit


Hey TTM, take a look at the posts after your last post. All but one, and that was from the original poster, talk of other places to go. I removed mine because you were correct. I feel the same way as you do about people not answering the original poster and I was guilty of doing the one thing I hate.

The posters after your post disregarded everything discussed. One gives cheesesteak props to a member who defers to yours truly. EVERYONE has their own agenda and favorite members and that's why I no longer post at the rate I used to.

 
This is too funny. I think part of it is that some posters (obviously) don't read through the entire thread.

moneypenny27, let us know which one you end up eating at and how you rate it...I'd like to know how this all shakes down :)

Chick's Cold Cuts is the best of any mentioned and it's in CHNJ. Tony Luke's is your second best option.

Is this what Billy Joe Royal was singin' about?

CheeseWit


Hey TTM, take a look at the posts after your last post. All but one, and that was from the original poster, talk of other places to go. I removed mine because you were correct. I feel the same way as you do about people not answering the original poster and I was guilty of doing the one thing I hate.

The posters after your post disregarded everything discussed. One gives cheesesteak props to a member who defers to yours truly. EVERYONE has their own agenda and favorite members and that's why I no longer post at the rate I used to.

you are right im guilty also!! sorry!! i like tony lukes... done

CheeseWit


Hey TTM, take a look at the posts after your last post. All but one, and that was from the original poster, talk of other places to go. I removed mine because you were correct. I feel the same way as you do about people not answering the original poster and I was guilty of doing the one thing I hate.

The posters after your post disregarded everything discussed. One gives cheesesteak props to a member who defers to yours truly. EVERYONE has their own agenda and favorite members and that's why I no longer post at the rate I used to.

that's why I make it a point to ONLY comment on things I know nothing about.