Onions on cheesesteak

WJ's cheesesteak trip report got me wondering:

How essential to a cheesesteak are the onions? I'm pretty picky about when, where, and how I like onions and on sandwiches generally doesn't appeal to me; WJ mentioned they were "fried to death" at 1 place and that's probably the only way I'd be interested in them.

So is it possible to have a good cheesesteak with just the meat and cheese, and no or very few onions?

Brad

Oh I think onions would be essential...They add a flavor that would be missing otherwise...You need the taste...I guess,if you enjoy the sandwich without them...what you don't miss won't hurt you, afterall...but as for me..give me those onions!

Probably--but that is not how I take it. "With" only.

I suppose if you don't care for onions, a cheesesteak without them is perfectly acceptable.

Wit and wit extra, but cook them well. Raw onions are for burgers. Come to think of it, cooked onions are good on burgers, too. hmmmm...raw onions are for chili.

I was wondering the same thing. I am not an onion fan and I wasn't sure if the onions could be separated from the meat, or were they cooked together.

Brad,

Most places here in Philly and probably the entire Northeast part of the country will fry up the onions pretty good. My issue is- how thick are the onion slices, Lorenzo's literally hacks the meat and onions together while on the grill, so the onion slices are really small and therefore enjoy a more thorough frying.

My worst cheesesteak award still goes the piece of garbage served to me at the Puyallup Fair in suburban Seattle.

Hey Brad ~ What about skip the onions and get mushrooms and peppers instead?

[quote
My worst cheesesteak award still goes the piece of garbage served to me at the Puyallup Fair in suburban Seattle.


What possessed you to get a cheesesteak in Seattle??

quote:

Originally posted by Slim Strummer

[quote
My worst cheesesteak award still goes the piece of garbage served to me at the Puyallup Fair in suburban Seattle.

What possessed you to get a cheesesteak in Seattle??


It was 1994, I was living there and I was curious
all I can say is BIG MISTAKE- that was the first and last cheesesteak I ever had in Seattle.

It is a must!-but too many onions are a bad thing-I like chopped onions better than sliced-they don't pull out of the sandwich like sliced onions do.

Listen, onions are not essential. The essential elements are the meat, roll, and cheese in that order. I put those elements in that order because close to 50% of people in Philly order a steak sandwich and the other half order a cheesesteak.

If you like fried onions, then I wholeheartedly recommend doing so. There are those that order raw onions on their cheesesteaks or steak sandwiches.

Cheesesteaks are all about personal tastes. Whatever you like in that sandwich will become your preferred version.

For me, if there are no grilled onions I'm not eating it.

I have to figure if the first rule is that one has to specify onions or no onions, than it's OK not to have them. If you are onion-phobic, leave them off.

Me, I would ask for "wit". I love onions.

Leaving the meat or cheese off is a definite no-no.

I also like the grilled onions, but I do prefer them chopped up very fine, similar to what Lorenzo's does according to wanderingjew.

Onions are an essential part of the cheesesteak experience for me. I do like them cooked until soft and browned. Raw onions don’t belong on a cheesesteak.

While we are on the topic, provolone or cheez whiz, please. No mushrooms required, but occasionally I do enjoy both grilled sweet peppers or hot banana peppers added on.

I don’t agree with those who want them dressed further with mayo, pizza sauce, etc.

St. Louis guy:

Seems to me a pizza steak is simply a different sandwich than a cheesesteak. I like each, but consider it inelegant to characterize a pizza steak as a sheesesteak.

And, "whiz wit" seems to me to be the only way to go with a cheesesteak.

Onions,Green Peppers,Cheeze Whiz,and Mushrooms all belong. Jalapenos are very good also but I just dont like Banana Peppers on anything.Especially when they are cooked....Russ

I don't think I've had a cheesesteak without fried onions since I was a teen. I'm in my early 40s now. I'm pretty sure I'd feel like the sandwich was missing a key ingredient were I to have one without them.

Definitely must have onions. Come to think of it, anything I make or order is going to have onions, lots of onions if onions are an option. Raw, grilled, fried, chopped, minced, sliced, powder, or however, I'll eat them.

Originally posted by Russ Jackson

Onions,Green Peppers,Cheeze Whiz,and Mushrooms all belong. Jalapenos are very good also but I just dont like Banana Peppers on anything.Especially when they are cooked....Russ




RJ-Green pepper belong on a Italian sausage sandwich not a cheesesteak. Mushrooms as well-not traditional.

I dont know-it all sounds good to me...but right now I am so hungry I could eat my hand!!!

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

quote:

Originally posted by Slim Strummer

[quote
My worst cheesesteak award still goes the piece of garbage served to me at the Puyallup Fair in suburban Seattle.

What possessed you to get a cheesesteak in Seattle??

It was 1994, I was living there and I was curious
all I can say is BIG MISTAKE- that was the first and last cheesesteak I ever had in Seattle.


Not sure if Puyallup is considered a suburb of Seattle since I grew up a few cities away but I have to agree that back in the 90's I think I tried the same thing and it was no where near what a proper Cheese Steak should be I had to get the taste out with a swiss Earthquake burger!

quote:

Originally posted by mikez629

Originally posted by Russ Jackson

Onions,Green Peppers,Cheeze Whiz,and Mushrooms all belong. Jalapenos are very good also but I just dont like Banana Peppers on anything.Especially when they are cooked....Russ




RJ-Green pepper belong on a Italian sausage sandwich not a cheesesteak. Mushrooms as well-not traditional.

I agree but if I make them at home I always put Jalapenos on them. Jalapenos belong on everything...Russ

Wow, lots of interesting ideas...

I don't know where I'd find a cheesesteak here in Madison/southern WI, but if I could I think I'd like it wit if the onions are chopped small and well cooked, otherwise witout. Top it with provolone cheese, please, and maybe some mushrooms if they're available. No peppers or anything else, thanks.

There's gotta be someplace around here that makes a passable version...

Brad

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Jackson

Onions,Green Peppers,Cheeze Whiz,and Mushrooms all belong. Jalapenos are very good also but I just dont like Banana Peppers on anything.Especially when they are cooked....Russ

Seriously, why?

quote:

Originally posted by Brad_Olson

Wow, lots of interesting ideas...

I don't know where I'd find a cheesesteak here in Madison/southern WI, but if I could I think I'd like it wit if the onions are chopped small and well cooked, otherwise witout. Top it with provolone cheese, please, and maybe some mushrooms if they're available. No peppers or anything else, thanks.

There's gotta be someplace around here that makes a passable version...

Brad

Brad: A couple years ago I had a very good version (for outside of the Philly area mind you) at The Philly Way on South 2nd St. in Milwaukee. The owner, Dave London, is from Philadelphia and knows what makes a good cheesesteak. He uses Amoroso's rolls. He even has Tastykakes!

Try it - it's really a good cheesesteak. Let me know what you think.

And, there's Chubby's Cheesesteaks 2232 N. Oakland Ave. Milwaukee. Rolls made by a local baker. My sources tell me that Chubby's is pretty good. Please try one there and give me a report. Thanks!!

According to[url='http://411.yellowpages.com/name/Milwaukee-WI/philly?from=411com&search_mode=all&search_terms=philly']this 411.com search[/url] there are 3 Milwaukee businesses with "Philly" in the name:

The Philly Way on S. 2nd St.
A Taste of Philly on N. Teutonia Ave.
A Taste of Philly on W. Burleigh St.

These would all be 90 minutes or more from me but maybe some of the Milwaukee locals would be interested.

Unfortunately there are no "Philly" businesses in Madison...

Brad

Brad: What about these? Big Red's Steaks- did they ever open?
Supreme Pizza
Charley's Grilled Subs
Ians Pizza (ianspizza.com)

These are ALL in Madison, WI

Cheesewit-thanks for the tips in MIlw.Never knew about the cheesewit places.Now I am on a mission and will report back....good fodder for my writings...

quote:

Originally posted by annpeeples

Cheesewit-thanks for the tips in MIlw.Never knew about the cheesewit places.Now I am on a mission and will report back....good fodder for my writings...

You're welcome! I want full reports!! Enjoy yourself!