View Full Version : Philly Cheese Steaks
Roguish Lawyer
06-12-2005, 18:00
Who makes the best ones? :munchin
I vote Pat's or Jim's.
Roguish Lawyer
06-12-2005, 18:01
Oh, and how do you take yours?
Peppers, onions, mushrooms, provolone.
Roguish Lawyer
06-12-2005, 18:03
It's not the same, but in LA there is Philly West Bar & Grill on Westwood Boulevard. Steaks and hoagies are not bad, and they have all the Philly games on TV.
Try Chickie and Petes. Taken wit (extra cheese) and a side of crab fries.
Roguish Lawyer
06-12-2005, 18:16
Try Chickie and Petes. Taken wit (extra cheese) and a side of crab fries.
OK.
http://www.chickiesandpetes.com/page/page/795382.htm
The first time you try the crab fries, you're mine. Like a crack head, just sign over the car, house and gun collection to me now - save your self the airfare....
Never had (or heard of) crab fries but they sound great. The closest thing we have to a Philly Cheese Steak is Steak Escape and that ain't close.
Goggles Pizano
06-13-2005, 06:19
I was hoping this thread would emerge!
I think Geno's has turned out a better steak than Pat's of late. They seem to be crowded more often even though they are right across the street. I take mine with (kind of plain I know but it's best when your loaded).
Ohhhhhh man crab fries are the bees knees RL! Chickies and Petes before and after an Eagles game is the best. Be sure to train up before you come into that place sporting an opposing team jersey. It could get "sporty". :D
Be sure to train up before you come into that place sporting an opposing team jersey. It could get "sporty". :D
Anything with LA on it will get you tossed out faster than a midget with a harness !
LOL, this thread and the hockey thread remind me to never wear my 'Skins jersey to the Vet - I mean Lincoln Financial Field (which just doesn't sound that imposing).
RL, sorry for the hijack, but if this is the Philly food thread, I have a question.
One of my sisters-in-law is a Philly girl. She raves about a place called Rita's Worder Ice. We finally tried it out in Annapolis, and didn't see what all the hoopla was about. Is this a real deal Philly staple?
Roguish Lawyer
06-13-2005, 10:43
Rita's Worder Ice.
"Water," the word that almost always tells you whether someone is from Philly. (They said "wooter," rhyming with "wood.")
Roguish Lawyer
07-27-2005, 09:06
I am at Chickie's and Pete's in South Philly right now. Just ordered a cheese steak and crab fries. I have my digital camera and will post photos when I get home. :D
Roguish Lawyer
07-27-2005, 09:43
Very good steak, but IMO in Philly's second tier. Not as good as Pat's or Jim's. The bread was a little stale and they don't give you much choice about how you want the steak. Onions or no onions only, no peppers, mushrooms, sauce, cheese wiz, etc. I did like the white cheese sauce and the beef was good.
Crab fries were not that great. Nicely cooked well done, but I'm not crazy about the crab spice which was applied excessively. Cheese sauce was really good. Liked them, but not at all addicted.
...but I'm not crazy about the crab spice which was applied excessively.
Is that like Old Bay seasoning? That stuff can get salty.
Thanks for the review, my mouth is watering...
Roycroft201
07-27-2005, 11:14
LOL, RL ! I doubt there are many sites where one can get a food review, on the spot, between bites. Thanks !
Very good steak, but IMO in Philly's second tier. Not as good as Pat's or Jim's. The bread was a little stale and they don't give you much choice about how you want the steak. Onions or no onions only, no peppers, mushrooms, sauce, cheese wiz, etc. I did like the white cheese sauce and the beef was good.
Crab fries were not that great. Nicely cooked well done, but I'm not crazy about the crab spice which was applied excessively. Cheese sauce was really good. Liked them, but not at all addicted.
Your current left coast gastrointestinal intake of bean sprouts, tofu and glazed seaweed have mutated your taste buds to an all but useless state. "Crab fries not that great" indeed sir ! At another time and date, with a certain other member of said forum in town for a Flyers game, you sir would have been given several hours chained to a Frank Rizzo statue at the bottom of the Delaware River to contemplate your venomous remarks.
magician
07-27-2005, 11:34
I am a transplanted Philadelphian, not bred and born, so I, too, like my cheese steak a little non-standard.
Grilled onions, definitely, and mushrooms, certainly, with mayonnaise. And a touch of ketchup. I do not mix mushrooms and peppers. I may substitute grilled green peppers for the mushrooms, and hold the ketchup. When I am really hungry, I will have them cut up and mix some bacon in there. Killer sandwich, either way.
I cannot remember the name of this place that made them.....it was down in South Philly, and it was famous among the denizens. The line always stretched out the front door. It was worth the wait. I will have to ask Desafiamos. I went there the first time with my former father-in-law, and we had to wait while the wiseguys had theirs made. No problem. They had an entire crew there, all large brutes named Vito and Tiny and Ralph in black leather jackets, and big black cars parked out front. Render unto Caesar, and all that, was my philosophy. Anytime any of us were in the neighborhood, we automatically stopped and picked up a couple of sandwiches. Many times we sat down to dinner, and voila, someone produced a plate with sandwiches from this joint. It was just understood. If you were nearby, you stopped. They went fast.
I am also partial to the Italian pork sandwiches made at the Italian Club. They grill onions and peppers, and they always use fresh Italian bread. I am shocked, frankly, that Chickie and Pete's served stale bread. That is one of the secrets: fresh bread, fresh ingredients, grilled on an old grill, preferably by an Italian chick in a white "wife beater" tank top with hairy armpits, so that she can sweat all over everything.
Maybe they could tell that you were an attorney.
;)
Oh, yeah. About Rita's.
It is a kid thing, I think. Folks there grow up on Rita's water ice. I can take it or leave it, myself. Mostly I leave it. The thing that Rita's has that is killer is the custard. They have plain vanilla custard.....it is smooth, silky, and spectacular. I used to get one at least once or twice a week, even in the winter.
Trip_Wire (RIP)
07-27-2005, 12:00
It's been awhile since I had a Philly steak in Philly; however, I have had a few in my AO and decided they were not anywhere near the sandwich served in Philly!
I do like jalapeno peppers and lots of onions on mine! :munchin
Roguish Lawyer
07-27-2005, 16:26
Your current left coast gastrointestinal intake of bean sprouts, tofu and glazed seaweed have mutated your taste buds to an all but useless state. "Crab fries not that great" indeed sir ! At another time and date, with a certain other member of said forum in town for a Flyers game, you sir would have been given several hours chained to a Frank Rizzo statue at the bottom of the Delaware River to contemplate your venomous remarks.
LMAO! My Dad has an autographed photo of Frank Rizzo that I intend to inherit. He apparently personally escorted my mother away from the middle of a gang fight when she was a schoolteacher in a bad part of the city and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I prefer chili fries.
Oh, yeah. About Rita's.
It is a kid thing, I think. Folks there grow up on Rita's water ice. I can take it or leave it, myself. Mostly I leave it. The thing that Rita's has that is killer is the custard. They have plain vanilla custard.....it is smooth, silky, and spectacular. I used to get one at least once or twice a week, even in the winter.
Thanks, magician. We tried the custard as well, and I agree, much better than the ice. IIRC it packs a flavor punch, more intense than vanilla ice cream.
Roguish Lawyer
07-28-2005, 15:09
I went to Rita's today down the shore. It was the best water ice I have ever tasted. I did not see Magician's post before I went, or I would have tried the custard too. Maybe on the way back to the airport tomorrow.
Oh, I took pictures. The chick at the counter thought that was pretty odd, and I had to explain myself. LMAO
Roguish Lawyer
07-28-2005, 15:10
My cousin's husband says the best steaks are made at Steve's, which is near Abington. I'll have to try them on of these days. I also was reminded of another place where I like the steaks -- Larry's off City Line near Overbrook HS.
Pats, Chuckies, Chickies, Jims, whatever....
The best Philly Cheese Steak can be bought in downtown Columbus (Ohio) at Pannini's.
The Reaper
07-28-2005, 17:11
Oh, I took pictures. The chick at the counter thought that was pretty odd, and I had to explain myself. LMAO
What creative story did you use?
TR
Endorphin Rush
07-28-2005, 19:42
No, no, no...the best steaks in Philly can be found at Tony Luke's. I think it's at 2nd and Oregon Avenue (I know exactly how to get there...never had to memorize the address). I've been to Pat's and Geno's and both are good, but, neither compare to Tony Luke's. And, if you make it there, try the pork sandwich too. Yes, in the same visit, you won't regret it.
"Yo, I'll have a Provolone cheesesteak wit."
Endorphin Rush
07-28-2005, 19:55
RL,
I know this is a little departure from cheese steaks, but, if you're gonna be in the area for a while, get the relatives to take you to DiCostanza's. It's located on Market Street (State Route 452) about a block south of I-95, in Boothwyn, Pa.. They are the (almost) undisputed originator of the hoagie, otherwise known as a submarine or hero sandwich anywhere else. The printed history of the "hoagie", plastered upon the walls for all to read while awaiting their italian masterpiece to be made, makes the trip all the more interesting.
magician
07-29-2005, 00:06
oh, man.
check this out: http://www.bestcheesesteaks.com/ .
I don't remember the name, but there's a place we always go that's about 1/2 block from NAVICP (Naval Inventory Control Point) on Robbins Avenue.
Roguish Lawyer
07-29-2005, 06:08
I don't remember the name, but there's a place we always go that's about 1/2 block from NAVICP (Naval Inventory Control Point) on Robbins Avenue.
Oh, of course, the NAVICP. Easy for me to find, I'm sure. LMAO. ;)
TR, nothing creative. Told her some friends told me to try the stuff and I wanted proof that I had done so.
The Reaper
07-29-2005, 09:08
TR, nothing creative. Told her some friends told me to try the stuff and I wanted proof that I had done so.
Opportunity missed. :D
TR
Oh, of course, the NAVICP. Easy for me to find, I'm sure. LMAO. ;)
TR, nothing creative. Told her some friends told me to try the stuff and I wanted proof that I had done so.
Hey! I told you it was on Robbins Avenue...just stand at the front gate and look for the line. :D
Goggles Pizano
07-29-2005, 13:25
Pats, Chuckies, Chickies, Jims, whatever....
The best Philly Cheese Steak can be bought in downtown Columbus (Ohio) at Pannini's.
BAH! No self respecting, Philly loving, soul would savour a cheesesteak created outside the city and it's suburban area, NO ONE! :p I demand you return your mebership card!
Roguish Lawyer
08-09-2005, 02:21
Sorry no pictures yet. Been very busy. I know you're all desperately waiting for photos of crab fries and water ice. ;)
Roguish Lawyer
08-09-2005, 02:31
oh, man.
check this out: http://www.bestcheesesteaks.com/ .
Missed this when I was in town and just saw it. Wow. All of the places I've talked about are reviewed, plus one in Orange County here whose name I couldn't remember. Philly's Best on Brookhurst (not far at all from Surefire). Best steaks I've had in CA, although obviously not the real thing. They do import their ingredients (including bread, which is key) from Philly, and you can tell the difference. Not a bad imitation.
Great find, M.
Roguish Lawyer
08-22-2005, 20:19
Photos of Cheese Steak and Crab Fries at Chickie's and Pete's.
Roguish Lawyer
08-22-2005, 20:20
And Rita's Water Ice:
Roguish Lawyer
10-26-2006, 21:53
I was hoping this thread would emerge!
I think Geno's has turned out a better steak than Pat's of late. They seem to be crowded more often even though they are right across the street. I take mine with (kind of plain I know but it's best when your loaded).
I am having a steak at Geno's right now. I like Pat's a lot better. But maybe I need to go have one of those too, to be certain.
After all, it takes a lot of calories to maintain this body . . .
Roguish Lawyer
10-27-2006, 21:23
I did not go to Pat's because (a) I was not sufficiently hungry, and (b) a cop pulled up near my illegally parked car, so I throught departure was a good strategy.
I nevertheless invite my Philly friends to join me and my cousins at Chickie and Pete's near the Linc at 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday) to watch the USC Trojans destroy the Oregon State Beavers. Beers and crab fries are on me. PM me if you want my cell phone number and don't already have it.
S, eat your heart out, buddy!!! :D
Roguish Lawyer
10-28-2006, 17:06
Well, I had a great time at C and P's. Great crab, shrimp and baby lobster tails. And I liked the crab fries too.
Two major complaints:
1. They were not able to put on the SC game, which is going poorly.
2. Does no one chew in this town? Went to three places before I could buy a can. Went to put in a dip and I notice it's REALLY dry. Back of the can says "Guaranteed fresh until Sep 18 2004."
:rolleyes:
Goggles Pizano
10-29-2006, 12:10
Well, I had a great time at C and P's. Great crab, shrimp and baby lobster tails. And I liked the crab fries too.
Two major complaints:
1. They were not able to put on the SC game, which is going poorly.
2. Does no one chew in this town? Went to three places before I could buy a can. Went to put in a dip and I notice it's REALLY dry. Back of the can says "Guaranteed fresh until Sep 18 2004."
:rolleyes:
Mayor Street just passed the anti smoking law so you might see that change soon.
Roguish Lawyer
08-31-2007, 18:27
Bumping this in the hope that Tom Kelly will offer his thoughts on this important subject.
x-factor
08-31-2007, 19:09
My wife is from outside of Philly. Her sister still lives there and is the family cheesesteak expert. She says Pat's and Gino's have devolved into tourist traps and the sandwiches are much better at the lesser known spots.
I've been to Rita's...its pretty good. (I struggled with the yankee pronounciation too.) Magic is right though, everyone swears by the gelato.
If anyone is ever down in Miami (at SOCSOUTH maybe?) looking for a good (non-Cuban) sandwich, try HUNGRY BEAR accross the street from Miami-Dade Community College in Kendall. A highlight of my childhood...mmmmmm.
There used to be a hole in the wall place called Gooey Louies's...not sure if it's still there. Geno's is pretty good too...but being from NC, I'm probably a much better judge of barbeque.
As a professionally classic trained French chef (Estages in four 3 star Michelin restaurants) and as a chef owner of one of the top restaurants in NY/NJ for the past 30 years, I can, with authority state the following: The very best authentic cheese stake is not made in South Philly, but rather in Pt. Pleasant NJ. At a place, belive it or not, called Pats. On Rt. 88. Although, I do miss the ambiance of the neighborhood, Philly when it comes to food, is much like it teams, eternally hopeful…
Team Sergeant
10-27-2007, 10:00
As a professionally classic trained French chef (Estages in four 3 star Michelin restaurants) and as a chef owner of one of the top restaurants in NY/NJ for the past 30 years, I can, with authority state the following: The very best authentic cheese stake is not made in South Philly, but rather in Pt. Pleasant NJ. At a place, belive it or not, called Pats. On Rt. 88. Although, I do miss the ambiance of the neighborhood, Philly when it comes to food, is much like it teams, eternally hopeful…
We've got FBI agents, College Professors, Physicians, SEALS, Physicist’s, English teachers etc it’s about time we got a real Chef!
Welcome aboard Penn.
Team Sergeant
Thanks TS!!! Now when you read November's Issue of Esquire... I'm one of the 20 New best, I expect to see and serve those in the AO.
Congrats! Here's the list for those who are curious.
http://www.esquire.com/features/best-new-restaurants-2007/restaurants2007
magician
04-16-2008, 09:47
Rereading this thread.
Tony Lukes. That was the place in Philly. I have not been there in five years, but it slayed Gino's and Pat's at the time, which were definitely devolving into tourist traps.
Still no place to get a cheese steak in Bangkok.
There are Subway franchises, which are weak imitations of those in the states. You have to triple-size the meat to get a weak sandwich going, and there is no squeeze cheese, so you will not be able to wrestle a roast beef sandwich into a pale imitation of a cheese steak.
Ah, well.
For those of you in Philly, enjoy.
:)
All I have to say is:
"Steak, Wiz, Wit"
Pats is the best bar none.
2018commo
04-17-2008, 19:09
Captian Harveys, bar none.
In Dundalk, under the Bridge Hon, with a Natie Boh. These subs have been shipped all over the world. I have taken a cooler of them to Orlando, to an unnamed motor coach outfit...
K-pow chime in, you have been there.
Roguish Lawyer
06-11-2009, 13:41
No, no, no...the best steaks in Philly can be found at Tony Luke's. I think it's at 2nd and Oregon Avenue (I know exactly how to get there...never had to memorize the address). I've been to Pat's and Geno's and both are good, but, neither compare to Tony Luke's. And, if you make it there, try the pork sandwich too. Yes, in the same visit, you won't regret it.
"Yo, I'll have a Provolone cheesesteak wit."
I just finished eating at Tony Luke's. It's at Oregon and Front. Had a Steak Italian with provolone, mushrooms, hot peppers and broccoli rabe. It was terrific, definitely in the same league as Pat's and maybe better. The wife and kids liked it too!
Yo RL, gueatum wit rravy or what?
Roguish Lawyer
06-11-2009, 14:41
Yo RL, gueatum wit rravy or what?
LOL
just came across this thread...
All this talk about Philly Cheesteaks reminds me of... well, cheesestakes but...
Perogies.
...and Quoits (don't try to eat those tho..)
MMMmm..philly cheese steaks! I think the best one I ever had was a lil place in Hoboken, I think it was called Phil's but don't quote me on it. It was a favorite place of the Chairman of Board! Penn, do you know the place?
Quartz_MJC
06-12-2009, 09:25
Pat's and Gino's have devolved but still good. My subjective opinion, the best cheese steak sandwich is just outside Philly. The place is Phil and Jim's in Parkside on Edgemont Ave.
greenberetTFS
06-12-2009, 09:56
Thanks TS!!! Now when you read November's Issue of Esquire... I'm one of the 20 New best, I expect to see and serve those in the AO.
Penn,
Congrats,Great to see that your in the top 20 New Best....... :D Next trip I take to NYC to visit one of my kids(Their all over 40+ years old,but still my kids) We will absolutely stop in to see you...... :) What is your address and where can I park that is near you? ;)
GB TFS :munchin
dirtyshirt
06-12-2009, 19:16
Originally from Philly.
To me:
Pats is the best cheeseSteaks.
Rita's has the BEST water-Ice.
Mike Schmidts (the "classic" Phillies 3rd baseman) has the best Hoagies (and not bad steaks).
Its been years, but I think the Mike Schmidts I went to was on 2nd street pike (?)
Roguish Lawyer
09-04-2009, 18:16
Just tried the Roast Pork and Provolone sandwich at Tony Luke's. Good, but the steaks are much better IMO.
I recently had a meeting north of Baltimore. We finished right before lunch, and I sat in my car for a minute thinking about driving up to Philly for a cheese steak. But I was a coward and drove back to my office instead.
Most places in South Jersey.:lifter
hypereclipse21
11-01-2009, 19:07
Originally from the Philly area.
Best steaks: Tony Luke's, Pat's. (Yo, wiz wit. Or wiz witout, depends on the day/mood.)
Water (wooder) ice: Rita's, Pop's.
Crab fries are unreal.
Buffalo chicken cheesesteaks are also native to the region. I haven't seen them done the way they do them in South Jersey or Philly anywhere else in the country. Delicious.
Then you have Philly soft pretzels. Also unique and delicious.
Finally, Franklin Fountain is the place to go for ice cream. Market st. I like to go with the mint chip. The marshmallow they use is incredible.
Since the Philles are winning I can't resist
I haven't seen them done the way they do them in South Jersey or Philly anywhere else in the country. Delicious.
I know this makes sense to you...you're from Phiily' giaeatyet?
Originally from the Philly area.
Best steaks: Tony Luke's, Pat's. (Yo, wiz wit. Or wiz witout, depends on the day/mood.)
Water (wooder) ice: Rita's, Pop's.
Crab fries are unreal.
Buffalo chicken cheesesteaks are also native to the region. I haven't seen them done the way they do them in South Jersey or Philly anywhere else in the country. Delicious.
Then you have Philly soft pretzels. Also unique and delicious.
Finally, Franklin Fountain is the place to go for ice cream. Market st. I like to go with the mint chip. The marshmallow they use is incredible.
Finally, someone who understands!
Pats is the way to go. As for water ice, I used to be a fan of Gezzi's.