The War on Cheesesteaks
South Philly. A corner. Two warriors staring each other down across a street. On one side Pat’s King of Steaks, and on the other (about a half block down), Geno’s Steaks. YouTube either of these magical names and you’ll be tummy-deep in the ongoing cheesesteak war. Die-hard foodies battling over cheese whiz, wit onions or without, the crispiness of the bun in relation to the cuts of the meat. Yes, this is a topic I can spend an inordinate amount of time discussing. Because I've been to that corner. And I indulged.
To those who haven’t been to Philly, or ever tried a cheesesteak, I dedicate the above photo.
Thought I was going to declare a winner? Ha - no chance. I’m hungry, not crazy. All I'll say is that when it comes to cheesesteaks, a dirty grill equals more flavor.
Any Philly readers out there - who’s winning the war? Let’s hear it, and let me know what other local spots are places we should all be at now.
Category
Yummy Stuff
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23 comments
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The first time I visited my friends in PA, we did a day trip to Philly to get me my first authentic Philly Cheese steak. I had never had one before (being a Born and raised AZ boy, and I have to admit they sounded gross at first). My friends took me to Pat's and I had a life changing cheese steak. I was hooked. I have never had one like it again. Pat's was yumtastic! -
nonono if you want an incredible cheeseteak from philly, the one time ive been there was when my family drove through to get back home from Virginia, go to Tony Lukes. they have so many options and its delicious. i suggest get one with Cheese Wiz. no matter how gross it sounds, its delicious.
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You gotta go to Tony Lukes! The steaks blow away Pats and Genos but take my word for it and get a Roast Pork Italiano with broccoli rabe. The best sandwich in Philly...hands down. -
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Philly's own Questlove had this to say about the matter: @jaketapper @ElizabethBanks NO LOVE for either of them. I don't like propaganda steaks.
He also said: Neither! Tony Lukes or Cosmi's! RT @GBasch: @ElizabethBanks ask @questlove about Pats or Geno's I'm sure he can shed some light on it. -
Pats uses cheezewhiz (order "wit whiz") and Genos uses provolone so that's the big difference IMHO. There are a ton of places in the Philly subburbs that are just as good (or even better at times). BTW: wasn't there a scene from "Invincible" filmed at Pat's?
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Tony Lukes is definitely my favorite in Philly. My favorite in South Jersey (where I'm from) has to be Gaetano's. Lots of chopped up meat, big sesame seed roll. Next time you're in NYC, make sure you go to Shorty's. Very good Philly cheesesteaks! -
i'm a big fan of geno's. i think it's because that's where we'd always go when i was a kid and we were down at the stadium for something. so geno's is memory food. all this cheesesteak talk makes me want to visit my parents this weekend
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Of the well known tourist spots, Tony Luke's reigns supreme. But for locals, it depends on what part of the city you're in. If you're in the Stadium area and it's before 2:30, John's Roast Pork has won numerous city awards. Some of its chief competition comes from the Northeast from places like Steve's Prince of Steaks and especially Grey Lodge Pub and the unfortunately named Chink's. If you're in Old City, Sonny's is by far the winner over local rival Campo's. On South Street, Jim's is a classic, but one block east is a superior steak at Steaks On South. And in the Reading Terminal, make sure you stop by Spataro's.
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John's Roast Pork makes the best cheesesteak you will EVER eat, and the cheesesteak isn't even the best thing they make. Their downfall/secret-to-their-success is that they are only open M-F 7am-3pm so that a family member with knowledge of the "secret" recipes is always on the premises. Oh, and they won a James Beard Award in 2006. -
I heard Pats is better than Geno's. But, I have NEVER been to either so I have no idea. Enjoy. -
Most Philly natives usually don't go to either Pat's or Geno's.
I've had both, and they don't compare to Phillip's. :D
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/21/256223/restaurant/South-Philadelphia/Philips-Steaks-Philadelphia -
Tony Luke's... best cheesesteaks. Pat's wins between these two, but Tony Luke's bakes the rolls on location, which makes all of the difference.
As for other places, Philly pretzels are amazing. One spot, Center City Pretzel Co., open from midnight until noon. If you go at midnight, you open the door to the aroma of fresh pretzels, the warmth of the ovens, and it's just like heaven. -
A great Philly diner is the Silk City Diner on Spring Garden, complete with black velvet topless artwork! Continental has 2 locations downtown, and is an upscale diner with family style (sharing) portions. Great cocktails, and I recommend at least one order of potato sticks. Also some great beer halls with brats, if you like...
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The dirty grill is the secret to any great cheesesteak or burger. All that carmelized flavor...
I know it'll never happen but I wish In'n'Out would go national! My first intro to them was working on a charity event for the Inner City games and Jon Lovitz serenaded me with their theme song. Having literally just moved to LA, I didn't have a clue what he was talking about. Then I got my lunch from the In'n'Out catering truck. Oh. My. God! So THAT'S what all the fuss was about!
Never eaten in Philly but I'd go with the Cheese Whiz on a sub like that. -
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