Philly Cheese Steak

Watched a pretty funny show on Travel Channel about a contest between two rather famous (according to the show anyway) places in Philly that make the best cheese steaks. Since some of you guys are near there is one really better than the other? Is it really that big of a deal? I mean is just a cheese steak. Anybody ever been to one or the other?

Pat's vs Tony Luke's....

http://www.travelchannel.com/Places_Trips/Destinations/North_America/United_States/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/philly-cheesesteak

In Philadelphia, there is NO BIGGER DEAL than determining who has the best steak!

But there is a big Problem in that the places that are famous, such as Pat's, don't make the best steak. I've had Pat's and racist Geno's and both are sub-par. Jim's on South does a better one and I'm sure there are places in the northeast that are better. I always preferred Dalessandro's in Roxborough but they are under new management and this is always a concern. Both Wolf and I favor Pudge's of Blue Bell but this is a suburban location so the city folk will dismiss it.

Well I may be heading up that way in the fall so where should I go for the best in your opinion?

Sorry for my late edit. Where will you be staying?

Everyone in Philly has an opinion on this topic and discussions can become quite, um, spirited. I can't say I've ever been to Tony Luke's but I have three or four places I prefer above others. I will admit to have done a taste test between the long-standing rivals Pat's and Gino's (I preferred Pat's).

I judge the sandwich on several levels: appearance, flavor of meat, the bun, quantity *if you skimp, you suck!) and price. Oh, anything that is called a "Philly steak sandwich", sold outside the general area of Philly, is a pale imitation. Sometimes so bad that I've been tempted to take a torch to the place. However, I did train one place in Atlantic Beach to make a decent steak sandwich, and Dallas has a place that has an acceptable substitute.

I'm with Wolf and UT voting for Pudge's for my favorite western suburban location.

Undertoad;742333 wrote:

Sorry for my late edit. Where will you be staying?

Not sure yet. My bro-in-law lives in Jersey and I owe him a visit. We hope to make it up this fall when the weather cools off. Visit a few days in D.C. and then head up that way.

Here's sport's talk judges and listeners results.

Glen’s Top 10:

#1 John’s Roast Pork
#2 Steve’s
#3 Chink’s
#4 Talk of the Town
#5 Grey Lodge Pub
#6 Slack’s Hoagie Shack
#7 Sonny’s
#8 Tony Luke’s
#9 White House
#10 Dalessandro’s

The Ultimate Cheesesteak Challenge ended with a “playoff round” at Paddy Whack’s Irish Pub on South Street, featuring the Top 6. John’s Roast Pork won both the “Judges’ Choice” award and the “Listeners’ Choice” award for Philly’s #1 cheese steak, with Chink’s finishing a close second.

Here's my favorite, but I grew up 6 blocks away. They DO NOT USE CHEEZEJIZ!

Ah Merc there are not so many good steak places on the Jersey side. Depending on where you are you should probably cross the river!

Oh man it's lunch time and now I really need one of these. Once you start thinking about it, it's all over. Should I go get one? I could take pics.

Undertoad;742347 wrote:

Should I go get one?

Yes. And pick one up for me, too.
[Wimpy]I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for a cheesesteak today[/Wimpy]

I confirm UT and BrianR's vote on my behalf for Pudges.

I haven't had a D'Allesandro's steak since the change in ownership, but they did used to make a mean steak.

Damn. Now I want one too, but I only walked a Twinkie and a half today ... maybe if I walk to Pudges? But it does look like it's going to rain.

I'm stuck with salad.

I want one too!

Yes I want to see pictures! I don't know if we have the same thing here or not, but if not, I might have to make one since cheese and steak are two of my favourite foods.

OK I didn't get one for lunch but I will get one for dinner and post pics later.

Spexxvet;742339 wrote:

Here's my favorite, but I grew up 6 blocks away. They DO NOT USE CHEEZEJIZ!

You say that likes it a good thing....

Merc, let us know when you come to town. I'd love to meet you and your family.

richlevy;742411 wrote:

You say that likes it a good thing....

Merc, let us know when you come to town. I'd love to meet you and your family.

Thanks man, I would love to meet you as well. I think it would be grand to meet any of the Cellar folks. It would be just me and the wife as the kids are off to school.

Well here we are in Philadelphia, at a pizza and steaks place, where they make a pretty good steak. In this video you see the chopping of the meat, in which meat that starts as flat shavings of beef is cut into finer pieces with skilled spatula work. You can see a flat piece of steak on the grill just to the right of the meat being chopped, and above that is a pile of onions frying up, probably in advance of the next order on the grill.

Many steak places, and especially the touristy ones, do not properly chop the meat in a steak. Chopping it up is how it should be done. Moving it around on the grill means the meat cooks evenly and you shape it into sandwich size, getting ready for the cheese.

[YOUTUBEWIDE]HA2BjsfTlfE[/YOUTUBEWIDE]

The finished product. They put it into the roll cheese side-down. On purpose. This one is not mine, it contains mushrooms.



This one is mine. They wrap it in foil paper so that it stays hot but can steam out a little on the trip home.



It's cut in two at the restaurant, so here is the money shot. This is exactly what you want, meat, cheese and bun all integrating to create one beautiful hot sammich.



If you eat these you will become fat. I know I have.

I like mine with mayo, pepperoni, and ketchup or catsup.

You bastard UT. now I'mm'a have to do twice the workout so I can eat one for lunch. Admittedly not authentic Philly, but as closed as I can manage...... and then beest will be mad 'cause he didn't get one.... perhaps it's what's for dinner...... that'll probably need a triple work-out! :eek:

monster;742492 wrote:

You bastard UT. now I'mm'a have to do twice the workout so I can eat one for lunch. Admittedly not authentic Philly, but as closed as I can manage...... and then beest will be mad 'cause he didn't get one.... perhaps it's what's for dinner...... that'll probably need a triple work-out! :eek:

Just remember, sex = cardio.:doit:

Spexxvet;742481 wrote:

I like mine with mayo, pepperoni, and ketchup or catsup.

Mayo is like sacrilege on a cheese steak.

"Sacrilege on a cheese steak" reminds me of Dana saying "christ on a cracker." :)

Using in a sentence: Well sacrilege on a cheese steak, what in the world were you thinking? :p:

classicman;742718 wrote:

Mayo is like sacrilege on a cheese steak.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've heard that before. Even my mother tortures me about it.:p: My response? Yum, yum, yum.:yum:

I like mayo on my italian hoagies, too.

Spexxvet;742481 wrote:

I like mine with mayo, pepperoni, and ketchup or catsup.

What are you, French or something??

(note to outsiders: Pepperoni is an acceptable cheesesteak additive, although is not common, but it is an awesome way to top off a pizza steak)

Ok, now I am officially hungry for one of those. A must be stop. Thanks UT.

wolf;742748 wrote:

What are you, French or something??

Je ne suis pas francais

I love them....... Whenever I goto this place that makes them (They all know me,I go in the back and visit em) I say "Ill have a Philly Loaded" which means everything they have on it........ But I havent had one in many years.........

I have a local deli that will make cheesesteak Strombolis for me. Mmmm drool.
No matter when I order them they are ready Sunday morning.
My buddy is friends with the guy and tells me the steak comes from New Zealand which sounds strange to me.
Australia maybe but New Zealand I thought was sheep. Well, I'm sure they grow some beef but enough to supply Boar's Head Distributing in Philly doesn't sound right.