So I'm going to Philadelphia for the weekend and I've figured that I'll finally breakdown and try a cheesesteak (I think this is one of my first visits during a period of my life when I eat beef).
Any suggestions on where I should go? A friend of mine who was originally / still has family there has suggested Jim's on South Street. Yay, nay?
Nay.
Neigh.
Isn't Gino's the default answer? I have never tried it either.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on August 02, 2012, 02:10:05 PM
Isn't Gino's the default answer? I have never tried it either.
Well her additional advice was - better than Pat's and Gino's. I know I've seen both of those two mentioned on Languish before.
This is just hearsay, but I'm under the impression that Philly is the wrong place to go for a cheesesteak.
The differences between the big guys (Geno's, Pat's, etc.) are trivial. Pick whatever among them. Frankly I think they're overrated, given that cheez wiz is a main ingredient.
IMO the best cheesesteaks are just across the border in Claymont, DE: http://claymontsteakshop.com/
They use <gasp> real cheese.
Can you get a Chicago style cheesesteak?
Cheesesteak is one of those things I tried once and never had again. I think I was in one of the famous places on South Street in Philadelphia, but it's just a badly made sandwich.
Quote from: derspiess on August 02, 2012, 02:16:22 PM
The differences between the big guys (Geno's, Pat's, etc.) are trivial. Pick whatever among them. Frankly I think they're overrated, given that cheez wiz is a main ingredient.
IMO the best cheesesteaks are just across the border in Claymont, DE: http://claymontsteakshop.com/
They use <gasp> real cheese.
I looked up Jim's menu and it says you can get american or provolone.
Quote from: Zanza on August 02, 2012, 02:18:22 PM
Cheesesteak is one of those things I tried once and never had again. I think I was in one of the famous places on South Street in Philadelphia, but it's just a badly made sandwich.
Yeah I did a search on here and you basically made the same post. Didn't help me much on where to go. :D
Quote from: The Brain on August 02, 2012, 02:17:57 PM
Can you get a Chicago style cheesesteak?
Deep dish cheesesteak.
Quote from: garbon on August 02, 2012, 02:19:53 PM
Quote from: derspiess on August 02, 2012, 02:16:22 PM
The differences between the big guys (Geno's, Pat's, etc.) are trivial. Pick whatever among them. Frankly I think they're overrated, given that cheez wiz is a main ingredient.
IMO the best cheesesteaks are just across the border in Claymont, DE: http://claymontsteakshop.com/
They use <gasp> real cheese.
I looked up Jim's menu and it says you can get american or provolone.
Go with that, then. Or pull a John Kerry & ask for swiss :D
Sounds like your friend know what he/she is talking about. I say follow that advice.
That Claymont cheesesteak resembles what you can get at the Capriotti's deli chain (I think also originating in Delaware IIRC). That's the best thing resembling it you can get out West IMO. Yeah, even though it's a chain.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on August 02, 2012, 02:28:18 PM
That Claymont cheesesteak resembles what you can get at the Capriotti's deli chain (I think also originating in Delaware IIRC). That's the best thing resembling it you can get out West IMO. Yeah, even though it's a chain.
Capriotti's is out west now? they were just a small regional chain when I lived in DE.
I really want a Bobbie now. Thanks :angry:
edit: Also, in the 10 years since I've been there, it definitely looks like the Claymont place has remodeled. It was definitely in need of that. I went there as often as I could, but always got it to go.
Quote from: garbon on August 02, 2012, 02:20:27 PM
Quote from: Zanza on August 02, 2012, 02:18:22 PM
Cheesesteak is one of those things I tried once and never had again. I think I was in one of the famous places on South Street in Philadelphia, but it's just a badly made sandwich.
Yeah I did a search on here and you basically made the same post. Didn't help me much on where to go. :D
:lol: At least I am consistent.
The best cheesesteak I've ever had (and I've had a few of the Philly "classics") was at Philadelphia Cheesesteak Factory on M Street in Washington DC. The owner was from Philly, and he did not use that fucking cheez whiz nonsense. He was the first guy in DC to get the Amoroso rolls fresh daily, and his default cheese was provolone. That location has been closed for 2 years, I think, but they did a hopping business when I was in college. His location was a total shithole, though, and the rent must have been sky high.
Quote from: Maximus on August 02, 2012, 02:24:42 PM
Quote from: garbon on August 02, 2012, 02:19:53 PM
american
Traitors
Might as well be cheez whiz.
I don't know - I've had some pretty tasty American when requested at a deli (compared to what Kraft puts out).
Wolf's Market, 1500 Locust street in Philly.
I liked Tony Luke's.
Best cheesesteaks in Baltimore isn't Captain Harvey's anymore--which is in a shopping center merely a couple hundred yards away from the British landing site in the War of 1812 that resulted in the Battle of North Point--but Hopkins' Carry-Out on E. Monument Street; juicy, cheesy, overstuffed, the kind of sub you need to eat with a fork which leaves you bloated for the next 12 hours.
Quote from: Maximus on August 02, 2012, 02:15:11 PM
This is just hearsay, but I'm under the impression that Philly is the wrong place to go for a cheesesteak.
Them's fighting words, son.
Ok garbo, never fear... your regional lowbrow culinary expert Cal has arrived in the thread. :)
First question: where in Philadelphia will you be?
Also, as has been previously stated, do NOT get cheez wiz on your steak. This is WRONG, period. The only acceptable options are provolone and American, and I prefer the former since American still isn't real cheese.
Haha. I'm going to be at the Westin on South 17th.
Quote from: Caliga on August 02, 2012, 06:38:56 PM
Quote from: Maximus on August 02, 2012, 02:15:11 PM
This is just hearsay, but I'm under the impression that Philly is the wrong place to go for a cheesesteak.
Them's fighting words, son.
Maybe he meant: heresy? :D
Quote from: garbon on August 02, 2012, 06:42:48 PM
Haha. I'm going to be at the Westin on South 17th.
Wolf's Market, 1500 locust. :P
Quote from: garbon on August 02, 2012, 06:42:48 PM
Haha. I'm going to be at the Westin on South 17th.
Ooooh, that's a nice one, too. Bank those Starpoints, sister!
Just making sure, as see no reason to listen to a Bucks County boy who left the area 15 some years ago compared to myself who spent 5 years working in the City. :D
Quote from: garbon on August 02, 2012, 06:42:48 PM
Haha. I'm going to be at the Westin on South 17th.
Good choice. I am a: Starwood Preferred Guest. :cool:
Honestly I don't know Center City all that well re: steak shops. There was a good joint in the Northeast or Fox Chase (forget which) when I was a kid, and my dad found a good one at the place he used to work right by Joe Frazier's old gym (which I think was in Frankford?) Pat's and Geno's are in South Philly.
My favorite places are near where I grew up, which is not a coincidence I'm sure. There's a place called Lee's Hoagie House that is now a regional chain that had great steaks. I see that there's one of those now on Walnut Street, but that's on the other side of the Schuylkill so wouldn't be close to you.
There's another place I like called Steak and Hoagie Factory, which I see is also now a chain (so Cal does have good judgment, you see :cool: ) and there appears to be one of those on Philmont Avenue, but that's nowhere near you either.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 02, 2012, 06:50:05 PM
Ooooh, that's a nice one, too. Bank those Starpoints, sister!
:smoke:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 02, 2012, 06:50:05 PM
Quote from: garbon on August 02, 2012, 06:42:48 PM
Haha. I'm going to be at the Westin on South 17th.
Ooooh, that's a nice one, too. Bank those Starpoints, sister!
The Sofitel around the corner is a nice one.
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 06:51:28 PM
Just making sure, as see no reason to listen to a Bucks County boy who left the area 15 some years ago compared to myself who spent 5 years working in the City. :D
Yes, but I'm an extremely excellent and important individual. I don't know shit about center city eateries tho (which I conceded in the post I just made, you'll see).
Quote from: Caliga on August 02, 2012, 06:54:12 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 06:51:28 PM
Just making sure, as see no reason to listen to a Bucks County boy who left the area 15 some years ago compared to myself who spent 5 years working in the City. :D
I don't know shit about center city eateries tho (which I conceded in the post I just made, you'll see).
It was noted, yeah I spent all my working time in Center City/ South Philly with the rare shoot over in West Philly.
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 06:56:27 PM
the rare shoot over in West Philly.
Spike Lee movie? :)
There's also a few very cool old bookshops right up the street (east?) from the main Public Library building, the kind of artsy-fartsy ones that have great sidewalk sales; you can always manage to trip over a hard-to-find paperback in those places.
books? ok, Grandpa. :yuk:
Cal - I'm just going down for fun, so I doubt that I'll just be anchored to where I'm staying. :P
And Kat, thanks - I'm just gathering all different opinions.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 02, 2012, 06:59:02 PM
There's also a few very cool old bookshops right up the street (east?) from the main Public Library building, the kind of artsy-fartsy ones that have great sidewalk sales; you can always manage to trip over a hard-to-find paperback in those places.
Used books are my great weakness. :blush:
Quote from: Caliga on August 02, 2012, 06:51:48 PM
Good choice. I am a: Starwood Preferred Guest. :cool:
Hilton Honors FTW :angry:
I think I'll stop at Capriotti's on the way home...
Quote from: derspiess on August 02, 2012, 07:03:02 PM
Hilton Honors FTW :angry:
There's a Westin right across the street (and by street I really mean like an alley) from my Chicago office, so it'd be silly for me to stay anywhere else. That said, I have to go up next week and the Westin was sold out... my lazyass admin didn't call and yell at them to make room for me anyway, but instead booked me at The Amalfi. Only four stars, and no goddamn SPG points. :mad:
Quote from: derspiess on August 02, 2012, 07:03:02 PM
Quote from: Caliga on August 02, 2012, 06:51:48 PM
Good choice. I am a: Starwood Preferred Guest. :cool:
Hilton Honors FTW :angry:
Fuck them. So many sub-par hiltons these days and they were (are?) super quick to suspend your membership.
I'm kinda partial to the Omni as they are super nice from day 1 of being a member. Was sold out when I booked my hotel today though...-_-
Also, the Westin I usually stay at smells weird. It smells like they are perfurming the air with some woodlike scent. :hmm:
Because I want my main man garbo to have an outstanding cheesesteak experience I checked with my brother, who lives in Brookhaven, Delaware County (south of Philly).
He recommends:
Wit or Witout Cheesesteaks, in Brookhaven
Jim's on Sout Schtreet
Tony Luke's on Oregon Avenue at Front St
Quote from: Caliga on August 02, 2012, 07:19:59 PM
Because I want my main man garbo to have an outstanding cheesesteak experience I checked with my brother, who lives in Brookhaven, Delaware County (south of Philly).
He recommends:
Tony Luke's on Oregon Avenue at Front St
Huh. ED PREVAILS.
Quote from: Caliga on August 02, 2012, 07:19:59 PM
Wit or Witout Cheesesteaks,
How charmingly Filthadelphian.
My brother spelled it "Tony Luc's" but I'm sure he's talking about the same place.... and my bro lives outside of, and works in, Philadelphia right now and has for like a decade so I think he gets dibs over katmai. He's also fatter than katmai these days I'm sure. :)
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 02, 2012, 07:24:03 PM
Quote from: Caliga on August 02, 2012, 07:19:59 PM
Wit or Witout Cheesesteaks,
How charmingly Filthadelphian.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbite-prod.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F08%2Ffat-mac.jpg&hash=7d0a0f7c0d200f94d4c6b914d74f16ff7e82c429)
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 07:23:41 PM
Huh. ED PREVAILS.
I don't think I'll go there. They opened a location near my friend's place in Wildwood Crest, so I could just top there.
Looks like I might go to Jim's (2 recs!) and then if I get rowdy maybe Kat's place as a followup on Sunday.
Remember: ORDER IN ENGLISH. :Embarrass:
Best part of Pat's and Geno's was the people watching. :)
We filmed at Jim's with M. Night. :ph34r:
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 07:32:03 PM
We filmed at Jim's with M. Night. :ph34r:
NAME DROPPER
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 03:27:18 PM
I liked Tony Luke's.
Tony Luke's? Seriously? I hope you at least went across the street and ate in TL's, instead of standing around the tourist trap, catching the lovely scenery of South Philly and the I95 overpass...
Quote from: Caliga on August 02, 2012, 07:26:31 PM
My brother spelled it "Tony Luc's" but I'm sure he's talking about the same place.... and my bro lives outside of, and works in, Philadelphia right now and has for like a decade so I think he gets dibs over katmai. He's also fatter than katmai these days I'm sure. :)
Nay. It's Tony Luke's. It's a divey little stand-outside lunch counter almost directly under I95 by the Walt Whitman bridge. Went there because a friend decided he felt like name-dropping and wanted to go. He stood in line, while the rest of us went across the street and were at least able to sit with the same freaking sandwiches they were making across the street.
If you like Tony Luke's, you might as well hit one of the cheesesteak carts peppered around Market Street- they're nigh indistinguishable from each other. (I happen to like some of the cheesesteak carts; especially the guy that parks by the Academy of Natural Sciences- he gives you a huge, awesome sandwich for $7, and his personal game of "guess the toppings" is kind of entertaining).
You know who, don't play coy with me!
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 08:41:15 PM
You know who, don't play coy with me!
If you are talking about horseface, then yes.
If somebody else, no.
Sarah Palin, Frenchy. :rolleyes:
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 02, 2012, 08:46:42 PM
Sarah Palin, Frenchy. :rolleyes:
Pfft. I've shook her hand. Big deal. :rolleyes:
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 08:42:24 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 08:41:15 PM
You know who, don't play coy with me!
If you are talking about horseface, then yes.
If somebody else, no.
Horse face?
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 08:52:15 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 08:42:24 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 08:41:15 PM
You know who, don't play coy with me!
If you are talking about horseface, then yes.
If somebody else, no.
Horse face?
Sarah Jessica Parker. I thought you was leaving out the Jessica.
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 08:53:45 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 08:52:15 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 08:42:24 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 08:41:15 PM
You know who, don't play coy with me!
If you are talking about horseface, then yes.
If somebody else, no.
Horse face?
Sarah Jessica Parker. I thought you was leaving out the Jessica.
He ain't that faux-classy.
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 08:53:45 PM
Sarah Jessica Parker. I thought you was leaving out the Jessica.
:lol:
No haven't met her.
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 08:55:04 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 08:53:45 PM
Sarah Jessica Parker. I thought you was leaving out the Jessica.
:lol:
No haven't met her.
You are to punch her in the snout if you do.
Since i seem to be stuck in Reality rut, odds are slim atm.
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 09:00:17 PM
Since i seem to be stuck in Reality rut, odds are slim atm.
If you ever work on that 'Sons of Guns' show, punch ALL of them in the nuts. Including the daughter.
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 09:02:42 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 09:00:17 PM
Since i seem to be stuck in Reality rut, odds are slim atm.
If you ever work on that 'Sons of Guns' show, punch ALL of them in the nuts. Including the daughter.
Trust me when it comes to reality tv "stars" the list of whom I don't want to punch is very, very short.
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 09:04:19 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 09:02:42 PM
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 09:00:17 PM
Since i seem to be stuck in Reality rut, odds are slim atm.
If you ever work on that 'Sons of Guns' show, punch ALL of them in the nuts. Including the daughter.
Trust me when it comes to reality tv "stars" the list of whom I don't want to punch is very, very short.
No shit. When I watched Hardcore Pawn, I had flashbacks to bail bonds. Fucking fruity ass family businesses.
Be sure to beat one with the boom mike if you ever meet one, Josh.
Heh, the producer who i just worked with on Coast Guard Alaska had just finished on that show.
Quote from: katmai on August 02, 2012, 09:23:32 PM
Heh, the producer who i just worked with on Coast Guard Alaska had just finished on that show.
If the father were shorter, added about 15 years, and got rid of the ponytail, he would be a spitting image of my old boss. Jeans and leather jacket everywhere.
Actually, my old boss was more like Uncle Lewis in
Christmas Vacation, come to think of it. Cigar and all. :lol:
Gotta love $50/day valet. :D
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 02, 2012, 03:27:18 PM
I liked Tony Luke's.
Didn't read any further in the thread, but I agree. At Delaware and Oregon, lots of parking. Also, Jim's Roast Pork (behind a chemical factory at Delaware and Snyder), but they have old-fashioned hours (like 5:00am to 3:00pm weekdays, no weekends).
I think American is actually best; in my experience, provolone tends to congeal too quickly.
Sharp provolone with greens on a roast pork sandwich, however, is fantastic. This is actually the Philadelphia sandwich that I would recommend. Tony Luke's has good examples of these also.
HA! Suck it Banana!
You recommended a chain - hurrah? :P
There was a great cheesesteak place at 7th and Dickinson in South Philly...the name is escaping me right now. Take the 47 bus down 8th St.
Katmai's rec is good for Center City... also I think they opened up a Shank's outpost near your hotel that was really good, though I may have only had the roast pork. DiNic's in Reading Terminal Market also has good roast pork.
A bus? Err..
Quote from: garbon on August 03, 2012, 09:57:32 PM
A bus? Err..
That bus was my lifeline, dammit. :mad: I think I even made The Larch take it when he came to Philadelphia. :D
It's Cosmi's Deli, 8th and Dickinson. http://www.yelp.com/biz/cosmis-deli-philadelphia
A short cab ride from Center City. Or a 10-15 minute walk through the heart of South Philly from the Tasker-Morris stop on the BSL.
Syt's attempt at something similar to cheesesteak.
Thinly sliced beef (not near as thin as recipes demand, but I couldn't be assed), onions, mushrooms - marinated in sweet honey bbq sauce and spices over night.
Sauteed the stuff on medium heat.
Freshly baked, wonderfully soft Italian ciabatta bread - sliced in the middle top and bottom clad in provolone cheese that melts because the bread is still hot.
Filled with meat/onion/mushroom gunk (little juice).
Verdict:
Taste: 3.5/5
Ease of preparation: 4.5/5.
Did you use ribeye? I think that's the cheesesteak cut.
And I think you would be better off flash frying it on high rather than sauteeing it.
Though I guess an Austrian butcher might be stymied by a request for ribeye.
So went to Jim's on South Street and 4th. Crazy big line outside. Got wild and had cheese whizzed as well as American. Was pretty tasty though think I should have got the lettuce and tomato. Without that was kinda like a salt lick..so nearly died when saw man throw salt on his! :D
Other random thoughts:
-South Street area seemed like taking neighborhoods of Brooklyn (i.e. Bushwick, Williamsburg, Caroll Gardens, and BedStuy) and blending them together.
-All the little alleyways are creepy at night.
-Patco stations feel like a great place to get mugged. Pardon trains feel like a great place to get a disease.
-Duchamp room at art museum is amazing! Brancusi/Mondrian's room ain't bad either.
That's cheese whiz, kindle! <_<
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 04, 2012, 04:30:31 PM
Did you use ribeye? I think that's the cheesesteak cut.
And I think you would be better off flash frying it on high rather than sauteeing it.
N, I didn't - I used "normal" lean beef. I think the supermarket butcher should have ribeye; I'll need to check.
Good point about the flash frying vs. sauteeing.