Thread: OT: Best cheesesteak in Phila

"Rusty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:gqe14g$6i4$[email protected]..
> We will be going to Phila in the Summer with a group of people who want to
> try the best cheesesteak. I know there is a big debate between Pat's and
> Geno's -- and many others. Which one is the best? I bet Andy will know.
> Rusty in MD

I went there and ate at one of those - now I don't remember which. Probably
the one that was there first. I'm not a big fan of cheesesteaks, but going
through that old, ethnic community and seeing it look exactly like I had
seen on TV was well worth the trip.

Rusty said...

> We will be going to Phila in the Summer with a group of people who want
> to try the best cheesesteak. I know there is a big debate between Pat's
> and Geno's -- and many others. Which one is the best? I bet Andy will
> know. Rusty in MD


Rusty,

The "best" cheesesteak can be a bit subjective.

There are literally thousands of pizza and steak shops that can make
delicious cheesesteaks.

Two famous and well respected cheesesteak places are Jim's or Tony Luke's.

Jim's uses top round steak on a soft roll and sells beer. Long lines around
the block at times.
When we moved to Philly, my Philly born and raised sis-in-law took us here
first!
http://jimssteaks.com/SouthStreet.html
http://alturl.com/krt

Tony Luke's uses rib eye and a crusty roll and no beer.
http://www.tonylukes.tv/videos/video.asp?id=1170207

Vesuvio's Restaurant & Bar. For a "Best Sandwich in America" cheesesteak
BLT. Filet mignon. Delicious but not a traditional cheesesteak by any
stretch. Don't know if the clientele is straight, gay or mixed, if that
matters.
http://www.vesuvio-online.com/

For awhile, every few years I gave Geno's or Pat's another chance but was
always disappointed. No more.

At the second of the Jim's links (above), that site is a wealth of
everything Philly. Should supply you with days of great information to
read. Also check the theater, museum and concert schedules during your
stay.

Good for you for doing your research well in advance!

Best,

Andy

Andy wrote:
> Rusty said...
>
>> We will be going to Phila in the Summer with a group of people who want
>> to try the best cheesesteak. I know there is a big debate between Pat's
>> and Geno's -- and many others. Which one is the best? I bet Andy will
>> know. Rusty in MD
>
>
> Rusty,
>
> The "best" cheesesteak can be a bit subjective.
>
> There are literally thousands of pizza and steak shops that can make
> delicious cheesesteaks.
>
> Two famous and well respected cheesesteak places are Jim's or Tony Luke's.
>
> Jim's uses top round steak on a soft roll and sells beer. Long lines around
> the block at times.
> When we moved to Philly, my Philly born and raised sis-in-law took us here
> first!
> http://jimssteaks.com/SouthStreet.html
> http://alturl.com/krt
>
> Tony Luke's uses rib eye and a crusty roll and no beer.
> http://www.tonylukes.tv/videos/video.asp?id=1170207
>
> Vesuvio's Restaurant & Bar. For a "Best Sandwich in America" cheesesteak
> BLT. Filet mignon. Delicious but not a traditional cheesesteak by any
> stretch. Don't know if the clientele is straight, gay or mixed, if that
> matters.
> http://www.vesuvio-online.com/
>
> For awhile, every few years I gave Geno's or Pat's another chance but was
> always disappointed. No more.
>
> At the second of the Jim's links (above), that site is a wealth of
> everything Philly. Should supply you with days of great information to
> read. Also check the theater, museum and concert schedules during your
> stay.
>
> Good for you for doing your research well in advance!
>
> Best,
>
> Andy


Thanks, Andy. I knew I could rely on you. I kinda thought Pat's and
Geno's were over hipped and touristy places. I want the favorite of the
locals -- wit whiz.

Rusty in MD

Rusty wrote:
> Andy wrote:
>> Rusty said...
>>
>>> We will be going to Phila in the Summer with a group of people who
>>> want to try the best cheesesteak. I know there is a big debate
>>> between Pat's and Geno's -- and many others. Which one is the best?
>>> I bet Andy will know. Rusty in MD
>>
>>
>> Rusty,
>>
>> The "best" cheesesteak can be a bit subjective.
>>
>> There are literally thousands of pizza and steak shops that can make
>> delicious cheesesteaks.
>>
>> Two famous and well respected cheesesteak places are Jim's or Tony
>> Luke's.
>>
>> Jim's uses top round steak on a soft roll and sells beer. Long lines
>> around the block at times.
>> When we moved to Philly, my Philly born and raised sis-in-law took us
>> here first!
>> http://jimssteaks.com/SouthStreet.html
>> http://alturl.com/krt
>>
>> Tony Luke's uses rib eye and a crusty roll and no beer.
>> http://www.tonylukes.tv/videos/video.asp?id=1170207
>>
>> Vesuvio's Restaurant & Bar. For a "Best Sandwich in America"
>> cheesesteak BLT. Filet mignon. Delicious but not a traditional
>> cheesesteak by any stretch. Don't know if the clientele is straight,
>> gay or mixed, if that matters.
>> http://www.vesuvio-online.com/
>>
>> For awhile, every few years I gave Geno's or Pat's another chance but
>> was always disappointed. No more.
>>
>> At the second of the Jim's links (above), that site is a wealth of
>> everything Philly. Should supply you with days of great information to
>> read. Also check the theater, museum and concert schedules during your
>> stay.
>>
>> Good for you for doing your research well in advance!
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Andy
>
>
> Thanks, Andy. I knew I could rely on you. I kinda thought Pat's and
> Geno's were over hipped and touristy places. I want the favorite of the
> locals -- wit whiz.
>
> Rusty in MD

I agree that the dueling cheesesteak places (Pats/Genos) are more
tourist trap than anything.

I will add two other places to try:

George's on 9th just below Christian in the Italian market (they also
have other great sandwiches with pork, tripe and veal).

http://myfoxphilly.cityvoter.com/geo...shop/biz/48024


And if you happen to be up in NE Philly try Steve's prince of steaks:

http://www.hollyeats.com/StevesSteaks.htm

Rusty said...

> Thanks, Andy. I knew I could rely on you. I kinda thought Pat's and
> Geno's were over hipped and touristy places. I want the favorite of the
> locals -- wit whiz.


Rusty,

You're welcome. My pleasure. Thanks for asking.

On a related note... during one of my first visits to Philly for my niece's
wedding (after having my sis-in-law's first-rate cheesesteaks with American
cheese), we stopped into "Moriarties" (a cozy Irish pub on Walnut St. in
center city). I ordered a cheesesteak and beer.

When it arrived I saw it was covered with orange goo.

I looked across the table at my wife and asked her "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS
****???"

She burst out laughing!!!

Welcome to cheez-whiz!!!

Best,

Andy

"Rusty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:gqe14g$6i4$[email protected]..
> We will be going to Phila in the Summer with a group of people who want to
> try the best cheesesteak. I know there is a big debate between Pat's and
> Geno's -- and many others. Which one is the best? I bet Andy will know.
> Rusty in MD

I've been out of Philly for too long to recommend a good one, but Pat's &
Geno's are mediocre at best. Big tourist attraction but you can do better.

George said...

> Rusty wrote:
>> Andy wrote:
>>> Rusty said...
>>>
>>>> We will be going to Phila in the Summer with a group of people who
>>>> want to try the best cheesesteak. I know there is a big debate
>>>> between Pat's and Geno's -- and many others. Which one is the best?
>>>> I bet Andy will know. Rusty in MD
>>>
>>>
>>> Rusty,
>>>
>>> The "best" cheesesteak can be a bit subjective.
>>>
>>> There are literally thousands of pizza and steak shops that can make
>>> delicious cheesesteaks.
>>>
>>> Two famous and well respected cheesesteak places are Jim's or Tony
>>> Luke's.
>>>
>>> Jim's uses top round steak on a soft roll and sells beer. Long lines
>>> around the block at times.
>>> When we moved to Philly, my Philly born and raised sis-in-law took us
>>> here first!
>>> http://jimssteaks.com/SouthStreet.html
>>> http://alturl.com/krt
>>>
>>> Tony Luke's uses rib eye and a crusty roll and no beer.
>>> http://www.tonylukes.tv/videos/video.asp?id=1170207
>>>
>>> Vesuvio's Restaurant & Bar. For a "Best Sandwich in America"
>>> cheesesteak BLT. Filet mignon. Delicious but not a traditional
>>> cheesesteak by any stretch. Don't know if the clientele is straight,
>>> gay or mixed, if that matters.
>>> http://www.vesuvio-online.com/
>>>
>>> For awhile, every few years I gave Geno's or Pat's another chance but
>>> was always disappointed. No more.
>>>
>>> At the second of the Jim's links (above), that site is a wealth of
>>> everything Philly. Should supply you with days of great information to
>>> read. Also check the theater, museum and concert schedules during your
>>> stay.
>>>
>>> Good for you for doing your research well in advance!
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Andy
>>
>>
>> Thanks, Andy. I knew I could rely on you. I kinda thought Pat's and
>> Geno's were over hipped and touristy places. I want the favorite of the
>> locals -- wit whiz.
>>
>> Rusty in MD
>
> I agree that the dueling cheesesteak places (Pats/Genos) are more
> tourist trap than anything.
>
> I will add two other places to try:
>
> George's on 9th just below Christian in the Italian market (they also
> have other great sandwiches with pork, tripe and veal).
>
> http://myfoxphilly.cityvoter.com/geo...shop/biz/48024
>
>
> And if you happen to be up in NE Philly try Steve's prince of steaks:
>
> http://www.hollyeats.com/StevesSteaks.htm


Also good stuff!

George won't steer you wrong!!!

If you like pho, there's Pho 76. George turned me onto it years ago. It's
great stuff!!! 12th and Washington Ave (iirc). A compact Vietnamese strip
mall restaurant just around the corner from Pat's/Geno's/Italian market.

They even noticed my ineptness with chop sticks and offered me a fork. I
could've been there for days. I was embarrassed yet grateful at the same
time!!!

Best,

Andy

In article <gqe6va$ot4$[email protected]>,
Rusty <[email protected]> wrote:

> Thanks, Andy. I knew I could rely on you. I kinda thought Pat's and
> Geno's were over hipped and touristy places. I want the favorite of the
> locals -- wit whiz.

The favorite of the locals is the local neighborhood pizza shop. In the
neighborhood where I grew up (Northeast Philly), I like Steve Prince of
Steaks and Gearo's. Gearo's is a full service restaurant. Steve's is
take out only with a small counter where you can stand and eat your
cheesesteak.

Pat's and Geno's aren't bad at all, but they aren't the best either. In
that area, I like Jim's better. In University City, I like Abner's.

On Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:05:41 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> "Rusty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:gqe14g$6i4$[email protected]..
>> We will be going to Phila in the Summer with a group of people who want to
>> try the best cheesesteak. I know there is a big debate between Pat's and
>> Geno's -- and many others. Which one is the best? I bet Andy will know.
>> Rusty in MD
>
> I've been out of Philly for too long to recommend a good one, but Pat's &
> Geno's are mediocre at best. Big tourist attraction but you can do better.

i had one at pat's (when in rome and all that ****), and i was pretty
unimpressed as well. i'd had as good or better in d.c. (and worse and much
worse too, of course).

your pal,
blake