The best Cheesesteak

OK, I've been to Pat's, Geno's, Jim's, Tony Lukes and the rest of them, but I want to try something new. I'm a fan of the classic with Whiz and fried onions on an Amoroso roll. Anyone know of a good place in center city Philadelphia that secretly has a winning cheesesteak? I travel a lot to NYC and DC, and maybe there's a classic cheesesteak place there?

Can't help you in NYC or DC, but if you ever get into Connecticut, along I-84 at exit 16, up route 188 in Middlebury is Perrotti's. It's a great place for pizza and calzones ... but they also make an excellent cheesesteak with the onions all hacked up with the beef and buttery mushrooms an option.

Philadelphia cheesesteaks are a poor second place to the great ones served in the New Brunswick - Trenton, New Jersey areas. The keys to a really great sandwich are the beef (ultra thinly sliced ribeye), and the liberal use of oil during cooking. It must be a blend of light olive oil and light vegetable oil. I remember my first ever cheesesteak, at the Freeway Steakhouse in a rundown section of Trenton. I sat at the counter and loved it, but before I was half-way thru, I felt a strong urge, so I ran to the men's room. It was the oil, but I didn't care. I finished the first one and ordered another. I've been in love with them ever since. Try it and see if you agree, and add tomato, grilled onions, mushrooms, salt, pepper and white american cheese. Cheez Whiz is a cheap and easy way to diminish a really great thing!

You got to try Big John's, in South Jersey, on Route 73, just off I 295, on the left side of 73, headed toward the shore (the beach/ocean/etc., for anyone not from the South Jersey/Philly area; headed away from Philly), about a mile down. A bunch of "Best Of" awards for their steaks. They say they cut their own meat, rather than buy it from a vendor.

Great subs/hoagies (not grinders; this is South Jersey), too. The Italian is my favorite.

And Big John's has a "John" theme. The mens' room is the "Elton John" and the ladies' room is the "Olivia Newton John." And the decor is photos of all the famous "Johns" there are -- John Lennon, etc.

(Too many "etc.'s" here.)

And they have a pickle bar and the best South Jersey culture you can find.

WHOA!!! CHECK THAT!!!

It's the Route 70 exit off I 295 for Big John's, NOT 73!!! Sorry -- wrong exit. The rest is still right -- away from Philly on the left. If you get to Syms, you went too far.

On 73 about a mile down in the same direction, away from Philly, there is my favorite sub place, but that's a different story. Sharpest provolone you'll ever meet on a sandwich, and great bread.

Hey, I've tried 'em all in the Philly area. A few places you should try even though they don't make the Cheez Whiz version are:
Leo's on Chester Pike in Delaware County; Mama's in Bala Cynwyd; Bocella's Deli on Eagle Road in Havertown; Chubby's in Roxborough across from Dallesandro's (which is good too).

I was at the place on the corner at South street when Bill Clinton was there. After he left and the crowd cleared, I went in. It was my first Philly Cheese steak. I watched them used the thin sliced steak. It ws a meal. Not much to look at and hardly any place to sit, but they told me that he was the original. I do not know, but it was good and greasy. Neat street also with a lot of shops and pretty close to the Italian Market where the huge cheese blobs hang from the ceiling.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Pat's is KING. I don't know why anyone would want to "try something different". I've tried a bunch around the country (out of necessity), and nothing else even comes close. (Although I maybe should have tried others in Philly besides Geno's, but again, WHY?) Once you've had perfection, you just know it.

Dearfolk,
A fellow who is a native of Philadelphia says he prefers the provolone cheese version with added peppers and onions. Hands down, he reports, the best such sandwich is to be had at Mama's Pizzaria on Belmont Avenue in Bala Cynwyd... across from the huge cemetery out there. He says they've got a weird opening/closing schedule, but a fanatically loyal clientele.
For the "Whiz with" ultra-purist version, he says to try a place out Bustleton Avenue... something like the 6500 block. He doesn't remember the name, but it's a family-owned place as opposed to even the smallest of local chains.
Maybe some of you can clarify this.
Wishing I Had One Right Now, Ort. Carlton in Athens, Georgia.

Trying to determine the best Philly cheesesteak from locals is the equivalent of asking New Yorkers where the best pizza is. You will get 100 different answers from 100 different people. I have tried about 7 different places and still stand by Pat's.

Perhaps he was referring to Steve's "Prince of Steaks" on Bustleton Ave. They do make good cheesesteaks. Mama's is unique and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a version w/provolone.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ort. Carlton.

Dearfolk,
A fellow who is a native of Philadelphia says he prefers the provolone cheese version with added peppers and onions. Hands down, he reports, the best such sandwich is to be had at Mama's Pizzaria on Belmont Avenue in Bala Cynwyd... across from the huge cemetery out there. He says they've got a weird opening/closing schedule, but a fanatically loyal clientele.
For the "Whiz with" ultra-purist version, he says to try a place out Bustleton Avenue... something like the 6500 block. He doesn't remember the name, but it's a family-owned place as opposed to even the smallest of local chains.
Maybe some of you can clarify this.
Wishing I Had One Right Now, Ort. Carlton in Athens, Georgia.

---

Pat's varies a little more than need be, but it's still my favorite too.

Have to disagree on Pat's but it is the center of the cheesesteak universe. I like the meat sliced thinner and a bit more of it than I got at Pat's. The important thing is to find a place that slices their own from a real piece of former cow. And the roll has to have some crust and chewiness to it- structural integrity if you will- to support the contents.

In the Cincinnati area, the Penn Station chain has done a nice take on the Philly specialty. It lacks that streetfood Philly sass; the meat's a little too tender, the bun's a little too tidy, and the interior too modern--hey, we're Ohioans! They also have terrific fresh-squeezed lemonade and a variety of other sandwiches, including a Chicken Teriyaki my co-worker Mike (a.k.a. "The Human Disposal") swears by.

It does seem to be one of those subjectively polarizing subjects. So, identifying the "best" is likely unattainable. I'm not a fan of Cheese Whiz or greasy, oil laden cheesesteaks. Some folks are. I like them a little crispy on the edges, provolone and the roll has a sort of chewy, egg wash sheen to it, not like the usual Amoroso- which I think has become a little to white breadlike of late. Some aren't to picky about the roll but, should be. The places mentioned above are all good, the one in Reading Terminal Market was pretty good. Jim's on South too. A friend points out that the best one you ever had was the one at 2:00 in the morning after the bars close.

I find the "big three"..Pat's, Geno's and Jim's all about equal, all with their own merits. I would love to try some of the others like Mama's, Deleasandro's and some of the others in the Philadelphia area, so I can make a fair evaluation. The White House in AC has a good cheesesteak, even though it's made with provolone. Also, The Dog House in Wilmington DEL has a pretty decent cheesesteak. Out of a 60 mile radius of Philly, forget about it! It's the same reason I don't eat crab cakes away from Maryland. Some foods are just only fit in their native region.

Wanted to give a few more Cheesesteak recommendations:
John's on Snyder Ave. and Weccacoe St. in South Philly;
Tony Luke's on Oregon Ave. in South Philly;
Chink's Steaks 6030 Torresdale Ave. in Northeast Philly;
Sonny's Famous Steaks 216 Market St. in Old City Philly;
Abner's 38th and Chestnut St. Near U of Penn.;
Donkey's Place 1223 Haddon Ave. in Camden, NJ-this one is VERY unique as it uses a round Kaiser roll instead of the customary long Italian roll. This place has an imitation in Manhattan that has been getting a lot of publicity.
As you might tell from my contributions, I'm a big cheesesteak fan. You might also notice that my username here is what you say at Pat's when you want a cheesesteak with fried onions. Gotta' run-so many cheesteak places, so little time!

I managed to veer away from the four-star pizza at[url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=568']Carminuccio's[/url] and have their small cheese steak for lunch today. Excellent! The cheese is provolone, buried underneath the meat. The peppers -- which I always get on a pizza in this place -- have an especially tangy flavor. And the bread, of course, is fresh-baked.

I tried all the regulars in Philly,and they're OK, but you guys need to get off the beaten path. Go to the Smith Hotel in Columbia (west of Lancaster) for an outstanding cheesesteak. You'll probably order another to go.

HELP: I'll be driving through the NE on I-95 next month and would love to stop for an authentic steak sub in Philly. My problem is that I don't like cheese on steak. Will I be run out of the shop if I ask for a sub with onions and "no cheese"?

Thanks.......Lee

Just don't ask for a sub. You will be run out of the shop if you ask for a steak sub. Ask for a steak sandwich with fried onions. Or if you go to Pat's, ask for a "steak wit".

quote:

Originally posted by Leemart

HELP: I'll be driving through the NE on I-95 next month and would love to stop for an authentic steak sub in Philly. My problem is that I don't like cheese on steak. Will I be run out of the shop if I ask for a sub with onions and "no cheese"?

Thanks.......Lee

Jim's on South Street is the place I go for cheese steak whenever I'm in Philly

Gaettano's in South Jersey is my all time favorite. I have been to all of the standards, Geno's, Pat's, Jim's and Mama's (my favorite of those) as well as the White House (the greatest CHEESEBURGER sub in the world) but have to say Gaettano's tops all of them. I enjoy, as a poster mentioned, my steak sliced thinner, and Pat's especially cuts their steak thicker than I like. I also find the flavor lacking at both Geno's and Pat's. In the city, my favorite is actually Abner's, which is on Chestnut Street, over by University of Pennsylvania. Also worthy of honorable mention: Di Vello's cordon bleu chicken cheese steak, in Medford NJ, my hometown.

Gaettano's is great. I love Mama's. The White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City is wonderful. I agree with you regarding the thickness of Pat's meat. I wonder if you knew that Abner's in University City is like Jim's. In fact, it was founded by an ex-employee of Jim's. I need to get over to Medford and try Di Vello's. A few friends have been raving about their sandwiches for awhile.

quote:

Originally posted by tamandmik

Gaettano's in South Jersey is my all time favorite. I have been to all of the standards, Geno's, Pat's, Jim's and Mama's (my favorite of those) as well as the White House (the greatest CHEESEBURGER sub in the world) but have to say Gaettano's tops all of them. I enjoy, as a poster mentioned, my steak sliced thinner, and Pat's especially cuts their steak thicker than I like. I also find the flavor lacking at both Geno's and Pat's. In the city, my favorite is actually Abner's, which is on Chestnut Street, over by University of Pennsylvania. Also worthy of honorable mention: Di Vello's cordon bleu chicken cheese steak, in Medford NJ, my hometown.

I'm proud to be a Cheeseburger now. My 100th post was on my favorite topic: cheesesteaks.

Where is Gaettanos?

Hi Signman,

Glad to help you on this. First of all, here is their website: http://www.gaetanosteaks.com/ Their locations are in Willingboro, Marlton, and 6 other locations here. I can only vouch for the 2 restuarants here that I mentioned. I have ordered from the Marlton location primarily, and have on a few occasions stopped by Willingboro. I am happy to report that there is no fall off in quality, the food is indistinguishable at those 2 locations. My favorite: The A1 Steak. As you can see by the menu, there is more offered here than any place of its kind that I have seen. You really can't go wrong with any selection.

quote:

Originally posted by tamandmik

Hi Signman,

Glad to help you on this. First of all, here is their website: http://www.gaetanosteaks.com/ Their locations are in Willingboro, Marlton, and 6 other locations here. I can only vouch for the 2 restuarants here that I mentioned. I have ordered from the Marlton location primarily, and have on a few occasions stopped by Willingboro. I am happy to report that there is no fall off in quality, the food is indistinguishable at those 2 locations. My favorite: The A1 Steak. As you can see by the menu, there is more offered here than any place of its kind that I have seen. You really can't go wrong with any selection.

I went to the one in Mt Laurel on my way back from Miami to Rhode Island. They were great too

Think I'm gonna' hit the Gaetano's in Marlton this week coming. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. I like Gaetano's much better than Big John's in Cherry Hill.

quote:

Originally posted by tamandmik

Hi Signman,

Glad to help you on this. First of all, here is their website: http://www.gaetanosteaks.com/ Their locations are in Willingboro, Marlton, and 6 other locations here. I can only vouch for the 2 restuarants here that I mentioned. I have ordered from the Marlton location primarily, and have on a few occasions stopped by Willingboro. I am happy to report that there is no fall off in quality, the food is indistinguishable at those 2 locations. My favorite: The A1 Steak. As you can see by the menu, there is more offered here than any place of its kind that I have seen. You really can't go wrong with any selection.

When you go to Gaetano's next time, try the new Italian Cheesesteak, with spinach and aged provolone. You are right about Gaetano's, in my estimation, it blows the established ones in Philly out of the water. I know that's bordering on heresy, but that's what I think.

Last Sunday night my wife and I cheesesteaks that we both thought were among the best we ever had. We were really surprised because we didn't expect anything special. We didn't get them from a place well known for its cheesesteaks or even from an ordinary steak or hoagie shop..We got them at the C-View Tavern on Texas Av. in Cape May, NJ. They were loaded with meat and lots of melted American cheese. The roll wasn't an Amoroso's but it was just about as good.

The last time I was in Philly, a couple of locals dragged me out to South Street for what they told me would be the best cheesesteak I'd ever had. I can't even remember which shop it was (too many years under the belt), but I wasn't impressed. My favorite steak is still Sonia's Kitchen in downtown San Jose, CA of all places. Greasy, but not too wet, with onions, peppers and provolone on fresh bread. The Philly version these fellows subjected me to was dry and overcooked in a county fair sort of way. The walls of the shop were covered with pictures of famous people enjoying these famous sandwiches, although I can't imagine why.
I've traveled all around the country and I'm forever hearing people talk about their "native" foods as superior. For example, after all the hype by transplanted east-coasters, when I had my first Tasty Kake it was a tremendous disappointment. It's a friggin' Zinger, people! Just like my Mom put in my lunchbox in grade school! This is certainly not an "east coast only" affliction, but it seems more prevalent among the fans of Hellman's mayonnaise and Nathan's hot dogs than others.
Sorry, that was a rant. Anyway, I probably just got the ass-end of the meat that night. However, it made me really crave a Sonia's cheesesteak and it made me a little homesick in the process.

My two fave cheesesteak places are Johns on Snyder and Tony Luke's both in Philly.........I really think both places serve a much better product than the two more famous places there.

quote:

Originally posted by capnhank

The last time I was in Philly, a couple of locals dragged me out to South Street for what they told me would be the best cheesesteak I'd ever had. I can't even remember which shop it was (too many years under the belt), but I wasn't impressed. My favorite steak is still Sonia's Kitchen in downtown San Jose, CA of all places. Greasy, but not too wet, with onions, peppers and provolone on fresh bread. The Philly version these fellows subjected me to was dry and overcooked in a county fair sort of way. The walls of the shop were covered with pictures of famous people enjoying these famous sandwiches, although I can't imagine why.
I've traveled all around the country and I'm forever hearing people talk about their "native" foods as superior. For example, after all the hype by transplanted east-coasters, when I had my first Tasty Kake it was a tremendous disappointment. It's a friggin' Zinger, people! Just like my Mom put in my lunchbox in grade school! This is certainly not an "east coast only" affliction, but it seems more prevalent among the fans of Hellman's mayonnaise and Nathan's hot dogs than others.
Sorry, that was a rant. Anyway, I probably just got the ass-end of the meat that night. However, it made me really crave a Sonia's cheesesteak and it made me a little homesick in the process.

All I know is the last time I had a cheesesteak out west, the roll had the consistency of wonder bread, the meat tasted like frozen minute steak and the onions and peppers tasted like they were boiled instead of fried...........It was utterly disgusting

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

Pat's is KING. I don't know why anyone would want to "try something different". I've tried a bunch around the country (out of necessity), and nothing else even comes close. (Although I maybe should have tried others in Philly besides Geno's, but again, WHY?) Once you've had perfection, you just know it.

Hey Bushie.......sorry to ruin your day but you must try the two places that I wrote on before you make your final decision. In my humble opinion, Geno's is not "perfection"!

Well, thanks a lot, Katie! My day was going PERFECT up till now!

Actually, I meant that Pat's is perfection. I tried Geno's once, then went back to Pat's.

That being said, I admittedly never gave anywhere else a chance. On my first trip to Philly years ago, I ate at Pat's and it was one of the most heavenly tastes I've ever experienced. Thus my statement about "why try anything else". I've eaten at Pat's about 10 times over the years.

I'm already making plans to swing up to Philly next summer, and barring some major change of events, I'll be able to sample some of the other places.

CheeseWit has promised to take us on a "cheesesteak tour", and I am certain I will leave a better person! Thanks for the tips!

In Kansas City(just east of KU Med center) d'Bronx makes the real deal, #33 on the menu.LOADED thin sliced tender beef on great bread with onions, peppers any your choice of cheese. The place is run by a transplanted New York family. Their pizza is awesome.

I'll admit that I really only know the big 3 in Philly: Pat's, Geno's and Jim's. For my money, Jim's completely blows away the other two in landslide proportions. That said, I know others who say the same for Pat's versus Jim's. That's what makes Roadfood -- and life, I suppose -- so fun. There's no such thing as the "right" or "wrong" answer. Except for Jim's vs. Pat's, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew
All I know is the last time I had a cheesesteak out west, the roll had the consistency of wonder bread, the meat tasted like frozen minute steak and the onions and peppers tasted like they were boiled instead of fried...........It was utterly disgusting

Touche!
I've had those, too. Sounds like the one I had in Philly, except the bread was stale rather than squishy. I guess every coast has its bad food.

I finally made it on over to Chick's in Cherry Hill about 2 weeks ago. I have to say that Gaetano's still has the throne. As for Pat's and Geno's, not even in the same stratosphere as Gaetano's. Chick's comes pretty close, but Gaetano's is still the best. Mama's in Bala Cynwyd also edges out Chick's.

Originally posted by Sundancer7

I was at the place on the corner at South street when Bill Clinton was there. After he left and the crowd cleared, I went in. It was my first Philly Cheese steak. I watched them used the thin sliced steak. It ws a meal. Not much to look at and hardly any place to sit, but they told me that he was the original. I do not know, but it was good and greasy. Neat street also with a lot of shops and pretty close to the Italian Market where the huge cheese blobs hang from the ceiling.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Your description sounds like Jim's.

Cubs Fan

Nobody will ever beat Pat's or Geno's after spending four years in Philly attending college. I literally ate 150 -200 steaks averaging one a week Closest thing I can get where I live in South Florida is steaks from Jon Smith Subs. Meat and hoagie roll is exact but they use provolone instead of Whiz. Pretty close Pat's cheese steak sandwich can also be found at Jenkinson's in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ during the summer season.

Craig,

Where is Jon Smith Subs. Sounds like my kind of place. At Pat's my order is for Provy wit.

quote:

Originally posted by chezkatie

My two fave cheesesteak places are Johns on Snyder and Tony Luke's both in Philly.........I really think both places serve a much better product than the two more famous places there.

I've never had a Cheesesteak at Tony Luke's because I can never get myself to order anything but the Roast Pork Italienne. No matter how hard I try, whenever I get to the front of the line, the same order comes out -- it's soooo good!

My lament about John's is even sadder -- I never get to eat there because it's not open on the weekend! I'm seriously considering a day off just to try their Roast Pork, which some say is better than Tony Luke's! (Although that's hard to imagine!)

For Cheesesteaks, my current fave is still Steve's (the one on Bustleton), especially since they opened the 24-hour drive-through Krispy Kreme around the corner on Cottman.

Once again the age-old argument of which cheesesteak is best. It is an argument of personal preference. Some like cheese whiz on their steak, others prefer provolone or american cheese. Some like the meat chopped while others like the meat left in wafer thin slices. There are wonderful purveyors of every style in the Philly area. I have tried them all and continue to search out the new "best cheesesteaks".

I have offered anyone who cares to, a cheesesteak tour. We will go to a good number of shops and taste the various differences. You will understand the subtle nuances that only a cheesesteak aficianado can reveal.

quote:

Originally posted by CheeseWit
. . . I have offered anyone who cares to, a cheesesteak tour. We will go to a good number of shops and taste the various differences. You will understand the subtle nuances that only a cheeseteak aficianado can reveal.

I would happily join you for such a trek. I'm still relatively new to the area and I'm sure there are places I had no idea existed. Your insight will only add to my enjoyment!

For lunch today, I sampled Manhattan's new cheesesteak place, called Carl's Steaks. Its model is closer to Jim's than Pat's or Geno's (i.e., chopped rather than sliced steak).

I am far from an expert. The above places are the only ones I've ever been to, except for another Manhattan cheesesteak place in Times Square called Philly's Cheesesteak (clever, huh?) But, I liked Carl's well enough to go back. Certainly better than Philly's, for my money. The place still feels "new," so we'll see if it improves. The guy preparing the meat didn't seem as fluid or automatic as the folks in Philadelphia, that's for sure.

This guy Carl argues -- convincingly -- that the bread is key. Most knowledgable people I know say the same thing. That said, I didn't find that the bread integrated as well with the meat, cheese and onions as I would have liked. But, again, it wasn't bad, and the place is still new. It's not Philadelphia, but at least it's physically closer to me.

By the way, I'll share the following anecdote, for what it's worth: the man preparing the cheesesteak wore a latex glove on one hand; the other was ungloved. Yet, he consistently handled all food products with the ungloved hand, while holding the spatula in the gloved one.

Phil, thanks for the quick review of Carl's. I heard about the place but hadn't read anything about it.

Chumley, get in touch with me through email and we'll try to arrange a day for the tour. Bushie is coming up from Texas in the summer. If you want to wait until then, we're going to hit as many places as our stomachs, budgets, and wives will allow!

quote:

Originally posted by Chumley

quote:

Originally posted by CheeseWit
. . . I have offered anyone who cares to, a cheesesteak tour. We will go to a good number of shops and taste the various differences. You will understand the subtle nuances that only a cheeseteak aficianado can reveal.

I would happily join you for such a trek. I'm still relatively new to the area and I'm sure there are places I had no idea existed. Your insight will only add to my enjoyment!

As someone posted above, the absolute best cheesesteak is one eaten at 2:00AM after the bars close. With that as a criteria, I suggest that
Mr. D's in Wildwood NJ makes the best cheesesteak.

quote:

Originally posted by bigguy

OK, I've been to Pat's, Geno's, Jim's, Tony Lukes and the rest of them, but I want to try something new. I'm a fan of the classic with Whiz and fried onions on an Amoroso roll. Anyone know of a good place in center city Philadelphia that secretly has a winning cheesesteak? I travel a lot to NYC and DC, and maybe there's a classic cheesesteak place there?

Take the word of a DC native who has looked. THERE IS NO GOOD CHEESESTEAK IN DC!!!

Milwaukee denizens, rejoice! You can finally get a decent cheesesteak sandwich in Milwaukee! I've only been to Philly once, and had only three cheesesteak sandwiches while I was there, so I can't really comment on how one compares to the others, or how they compare to those from Philadelphia Way in Milwaukee. I can say that the man that opened and runs Philadelphia Way spent four years at Pat's in Philadelphia, so they are probably similar to the sandwiches served there: chopped steak wit or witout onions, your choice of Whiz, American, provalone or cheddar, and hot or sweet peppers and mushrooms available. They are easily the most authentic cheesesteak sandwiches to hit this town.

The owner moved to Milwaukee a few years ago and, earlier this year, desperate for a good cheesesteak sandwich, opened this place on south 2nd Street. He also serves a variety of hoagies (heaven forbid you call them "subs") and chili, although I haven't tasted any of those yet.

I had to try it. I just had to, even though I knew it woould be terrible. It was the McDonald's McPhilly Cheesesteak. Aside from mentioning the fact that it had mayonnaise, I will say only that Philadelphia ought to sue McDonald's for defamation, and customers ought to sue for fraud.

Just got back last night from an overnight visit to Philadelphia with some friends for my wife's birthday (ate at Le Bec Fin which, while certainly not roadfood, was an incredible experience). Had the opportunity to eat at Jim's twice -- a few hours before Saturday's dinner, and on the way home to New York yesterday. Wonderful, as always, but there's something about the essence of the cheesesteak that adheres itself to you and your clothes --especially when you're forced to wait in line near the exhaust fans. Our wives complained the entire way home.

quote:

Originally posted by capnhank

The last time I was in Philly, a couple of locals dragged me out to South Street for what they told me would be the best cheesesteak I'd ever had. I can't even remember which shop it was (too many years under the belt), but I wasn't impressed. My favorite steak is still Sonia's Kitchen in downtown San Jose, CA of all places. Greasy, but not too wet, with onions, peppers and provolone on fresh bread. The Philly version these fellows subjected me to was dry and overcooked in a county fair sort of way. The walls of the shop were covered with pictures of famous people enjoying these famous sandwiches, although I can't imagine why.
I've traveled all around the country and I'm forever hearing people talk about their "native" foods as superior. For example, after all the hype by transplanted east-coasters, when I had my first Tasty Kake it was a tremendous disappointment. It's a friggin' Zinger, people! Just like my Mom put in my lunchbox in grade school! This is certainly not an "east coast only" affliction, but it seems more prevalent among the fans of Hellman's mayonnaise and Nathan's hot dogs than others.
Sorry, that was a rant. Anyway, I probably just got the ass-end of the meat that night. However, it made me really crave a Sonia's cheesesteak and it made me a little homesick in the process.

Sonia's!! Yess!!! The only problem with this place was its hours, which I guess never worried them since they were located right across from San Jose State University. But what a great steak sandwich. Always worth a luncheon detour ....

Huzzah! Vindication!
A couple of years ago they opened an Amato's right across the street (next to Togo's), but it closed down very quickly. Yes, the hours are tricky, but nobody can compete.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

I had to try it. I just had to, even though I knew it woould be terrible. It was the McDonald's McPhilly Cheesesteak. Aside from mentioning the fact that it had mayonnaise, I will say only that Philadelphia ought to sue McDonald's for defamation, and customers ought to sue for fraud.

Jack in the Box tried a CheeseSteak Sandwich out here in California. I took one bite then took it back. I asked for a full refund and left.
I wonder why they even try?

quote:

Originally posted by capnhank

The last time I was in Philly, a couple of locals dragged me out to South Street for what they told me would be the best cheesesteak I'd ever had. I can't even remember which shop it was (too many years under the belt), but I wasn't impressed. My favorite steak is still Sonia's Kitchen in downtown San Jose, CA of all places. Greasy, but not too wet, with onions, peppers and provolone on fresh bread. The Philly version these fellows subjected me to was dry and overcooked in a county fair sort of way. The walls of the shop were covered with pictures of famous people enjoying these famous sandwiches, although I can't imagine why.
I've traveled all around the country and I'm forever hearing people talk about their "native" foods as superior. For example, after all the hype by transplanted east-coasters, when I had my first Tasty Kake it was a tremendous disappointment. It's a friggin' Zinger, people! Just like my Mom put in my lunchbox in grade school! This is certainly not an "east coast only" affliction, but it seems more prevalent among the fans of Hellman's mayonnaise and Nathan's hot dogs than others.
Sorry, that was a rant. Anyway, I probably just got the ass-end of the meat that night. However, it made me really crave a Sonia's cheesesteak and it made me a little homesick in the process.

Sorry, Just registered for you. Tastykakes are one of the best commercially made snack cakes. As for cheesesteaks it sounds as though you don't know your as* from a hole in the ground !!!!!!!!!!!
bye the way i registered just for you !!!!!!!