The bottom line on the cheesesteak: chopped meat (generally beef steak, but I prefer chicken), cheese (some like cheez whiz, but I like white American or Provolone), fried onions (sometimes), and peppers (no thanks) on a toasted hoagie roll. Some folks like ketchup, mayo, and other condiments on it. They generally cost between $3 and $6. You have your "originators"--Pat's and Geno's: both located on Passyunk Ave. in South Philadelphia. Truth be told, I think Pat's sucks! Geno's is okay, but I've had better. There is also Ishkabibble's--home of the original chicken cheese steak. Quite a tasty staple. In supermarkets here in the US, you will find Steak-Umms and the Philly Steak, or you'll have fast-food restaurants that offer some god-awful sandwich that calls itself a Philly Steak sandwich...but it will NEVER compare with a cheesesteak off the streets of Philadelphia.
You will find cheesesteak eateries on street corners, all along South Street, all throughout the city and suburbs of Philadelphia. Quite frankly, it could very well be the most popular food staple in Philadelphia, although soft pretzels and Tastykakes are up there as well.
It probably sounds so silly to the non-Philadelphian, and probably moreso to a non-American. But there is just something about the taste of one--for me, it is pure bliss. Probably the best cheesesteak I've ever had is from Philip's in South Philadelphia, although Pizza Fresh in NE Philadelphia makes a fantastic Chicken Cordon Bleu Steak.
It is probably one of the most unhealthy foods you could ever put into your body. Our Mayor, John Street, had a "vegetarian" cheesesteak from Geno's once, to which the owner of Geno's called it "sex without the orgasm." But the cheesesteak is so worth taking a day or two off your life.
Jag, as I offered Hubris Boy, I'd send you one from Philip's if it would make a trip. It'd be a hell of a lot tougher to send to you one though--Hubris only lives 90 miles away, you live about 11,000 miles away.
