Even though it is "technically" off topic, as a native Philadelphian I feel compelled to weigh in on the cheesesteak conversation. Pat's is the original Philly cheesesteak...and Geno's has thrived on their overflow for many years. There is very little difference imho...Amoroso's rolls, thin sliced beef, cheesewiz...and don't forget the cherry peppers. There is also Steve's on South St...a pretty fair representation of the classic. But if you want the best ya gotta travel to Bala Cynwyd at Belmont and Conshohocken St. Rd...Mama's is the best under the sun!!! Not the classic...its cheesesteak has an unmistakable Italian accent (Mama's is a pizzaria)...with tomato sauce, sauteed onions, piles of beef and mozzarella/provelone mix it is sublime. Also worth mention is Dellasandro's in Roxborough. (mmmmmmmmm....the sounds of salivation)
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The Great Cheese steak Debate
- Thread starter Mikey
- Start date
Re: Cheesesteaks (loosely related to SBH!)
Dellasandro's (sp.?) -- been hearing about this place for many years and still never tried it! Not familiar with Mama's, but hell, my own mama makes a mean steak pizzaiola for dinner that works well between a long roll for lunch the next day, only she slaps on some slices of American cheese. But I still think that commercially, it would be hard to beat Jim's. We did a taste-testing of South Philly's many cheesesteak offerings years ago (ah, the perks of this job
and Pat's and Geno's didn't even rank in the top three. (But if I had to choose, I'd go w/Geno's.)
Dennis: I don' t think that place on Woodland Ave. exists anymore, unfortunately. A very tasty memory for you, though ...
My feeble attempt to get back on the subject (somewhat): Any good cheesesteaks on Barths?
Dellasandro's (sp.?) -- been hearing about this place for many years and still never tried it! Not familiar with Mama's, but hell, my own mama makes a mean steak pizzaiola for dinner that works well between a long roll for lunch the next day, only she slaps on some slices of American cheese. But I still think that commercially, it would be hard to beat Jim's. We did a taste-testing of South Philly's many cheesesteak offerings years ago (ah, the perks of this job
and Pat's and Geno's didn't even rank in the top three. (But if I had to choose, I'd go w/Geno's.) Dennis: I don' t think that place on Woodland Ave. exists anymore, unfortunately. A very tasty memory for you, though ...
My feeble attempt to get back on the subject (somewhat): Any good cheesesteaks on Barths?
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
'Scuse me, but that would be a "wit witout" -- no pronunciation of the "th."
And who the hay said this was high dining in Philly? That's what Le Bec-Fin and friends are for. Think of the cheesesteak as our answer to the Marius Special (a.k.a. bacon double cheeseburger) at Le Select on SBH. (How's that for a way to get back on topic? ;-)
Incidentally, Philly has become a real "restaurant city," with a staggering number of choices in every neighborhood. What we may lack in Barths' quality we have in sheer variety.
And it ain't all cheesesteaks.
'Scuse me, but that would be a "wit witout" -- no pronunciation of the "th."
And who the hay said this was high dining in Philly? That's what Le Bec-Fin and friends are for. Think of the cheesesteak as our answer to the Marius Special (a.k.a. bacon double cheeseburger) at Le Select on SBH. (How's that for a way to get back on topic? ;-)
Incidentally, Philly has become a real "restaurant city," with a staggering number of choices in every neighborhood. What we may lack in Barths' quality we have in sheer variety.
And it ain't all cheesesteaks.
MIke R
Senior Insider
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
Sandy...is Bookbinders still a good place??...now Im going back 30 years here so dont laugh too hard if it no longer exists....but it was a good place back then...and fear not...with the slow but sure Americanization of St Barts, that most of you are in a complete state of denial on.........the cheesesteak will come to the island soon after Pastrami, Corned Beef, Hot Dogs, and Meatloaf arrives in a sandwich shop called Deli Belly which eventually replaces Le Creperie or Le Rotiserrie....
Sandy...is Bookbinders still a good place??...now Im going back 30 years here so dont laugh too hard if it no longer exists....but it was a good place back then...and fear not...with the slow but sure Americanization of St Barts, that most of you are in a complete state of denial on.........the cheesesteak will come to the island soon after Pastrami, Corned Beef, Hot Dogs, and Meatloaf arrives in a sandwich shop called Deli Belly which eventually replaces Le Creperie or Le Rotiserrie....
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
Miker--A quick google on Bookbinder's and Old Original Bookbinder's failed to turn up any matches. I recall someone saying that "Old Original", the more famous of the two Bookbinder's restaurants, had closed in the last few years. That restaurant was owned by the Taxin family for generations, located around 2nd & Walnut. The other, which was actually the older, more original, was at 12th and Walnut(also specializing in seafood) closed many years ago.
One correction in my cheesesteak post...when I said Steve's on South St. I really meant Jim's (I'm old and suffer from CRS--can't remember s**t)
Miker--A quick google on Bookbinder's and Old Original Bookbinder's failed to turn up any matches. I recall someone saying that "Old Original", the more famous of the two Bookbinder's restaurants, had closed in the last few years. That restaurant was owned by the Taxin family for generations, located around 2nd & Walnut. The other, which was actually the older, more original, was at 12th and Walnut(also specializing in seafood) closed many years ago.
One correction in my cheesesteak post...when I said Steve's on South St. I really meant Jim's (I'm old and suffer from CRS--can't remember s**t)
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
Still a regarded restaurant name in Philly, Mike!
Bookbinder's, owned by the Taxins, closed but is reopening at Second and Walnut (Philly's Old City section). There's one at 15th and Spruce (or thereabouts) too, called Bookbinders Seafood House that's still open.
Good seafood. No cheesesteaks. ;-)
Still a regarded restaurant name in Philly, Mike!
Bookbinder's, owned by the Taxins, closed but is reopening at Second and Walnut (Philly's Old City section). There's one at 15th and Spruce (or thereabouts) too, called Bookbinders Seafood House that's still open.
Good seafood. No cheesesteaks. ;-)
Nightflyers
New Member
I celebrated my 21st birthday in Philadelphia back in June, and Pat's got all my business. I had a wit wit every time! Had to have whiz and EVERYTHING!! Man, I've been craving one ever since I got back to Juneau.
-Rich
-Rich
andynap
Senior Insider
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
"There's one at 15th and Spruce (or thereabouts) too, called Bookbinders Seafood House that's still open."
Closed about 1 year ago. They are putting in an Applebees- God forbid. I must disagree with Sandy's assessment of our restaurants- I would put them right with if not above the restaurants in St. Barts.
"There's one at 15th and Spruce (or thereabouts) too, called Bookbinders Seafood House that's still open."
Closed about 1 year ago. They are putting in an Applebees- God forbid. I must disagree with Sandy's assessment of our restaurants- I would put them right with if not above the restaurants in St. Barts.
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
Geez, an Applebee's?!
Well, I guess once Bucca de Beppe gets in a neighborhood, it's all downhill from there ... With so many eateries opening and closing (and opening again), it's impossible to keep track. I agree that we have an excellent culinary landscape and would stack us even above NYC. But somehow, everything in St. Barths justed tasted better. Must be the salt ponds ... ;-)
A 21st b-day feast at Pat's? Did you hear the cows mooing from the kitchen? ;-))
Geez, an Applebee's?!
Well, I guess once Bucca de Beppe gets in a neighborhood, it's all downhill from there ... With so many eateries opening and closing (and opening again), it's impossible to keep track. I agree that we have an excellent culinary landscape and would stack us even above NYC. But somehow, everything in St. Barths justed tasted better. Must be the salt ponds ... ;-)
A 21st b-day feast at Pat's? Did you hear the cows mooing from the kitchen? ;-))
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
HA! Agreed, Andy -- as per a previous thread on this site ...
BTW, ate at Brasserie Perrier on Saturday for the first time. Excellent -- and reminiscent of St. Barths, if for nothing other than the cuisine. (The service was a bit oversolicitous and pretentious and the prices, like in SBH, were up there, but hey, it is Georges Perrier's place.) They now host a "BYOB" night on Sundays ...
HA! Agreed, Andy -- as per a previous thread on this site ...
BTW, ate at Brasserie Perrier on Saturday for the first time. Excellent -- and reminiscent of St. Barths, if for nothing other than the cuisine. (The service was a bit oversolicitous and pretentious and the prices, like in SBH, were up there, but hey, it is Georges Perrier's place.) They now host a "BYOB" night on Sundays ...
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
Not to belittle Pat's or Gino's, but if you're ever up in the Reading area, you simply must have a Berks County tradition: a large cheese steak w/soft roll from V&S. It comes with the onions grilled in with the meat, and the sauce is automatic-gotta have it. You'll never go back to Pat's or Gino's again after V&S.
Not to belittle Pat's or Gino's, but if you're ever up in the Reading area, you simply must have a Berks County tradition: a large cheese steak w/soft roll from V&S. It comes with the onions grilled in with the meat, and the sauce is automatic-gotta have it. You'll never go back to Pat's or Gino's again after V&S.
andynap
Senior Insider
Re: Cheesesteaks off topic
It's Geno's and before I drive 1 1/2 hours to Reading for a sandwich I can try about 50 steak sandwich shops here starting with Chick's Deli in Cherry Hill, NJ that was voted best cheesesteak by Philadelphia Magazine in 2004 or Tony Luke's or Chickie and Pete's and so on- you get the idea. Now that most of the outlets are gone from Reading there is no reason to go there anymore- Lancaster is the place now.
It's Geno's and before I drive 1 1/2 hours to Reading for a sandwich I can try about 50 steak sandwich shops here starting with Chick's Deli in Cherry Hill, NJ that was voted best cheesesteak by Philadelphia Magazine in 2004 or Tony Luke's or Chickie and Pete's and so on- you get the idea. Now that most of the outlets are gone from Reading there is no reason to go there anymore- Lancaster is the place now.
andynap
Senior Insider
Re: The last word
This from AOL
Updated: 02:23 AM EDT
Restaurant Serves $100 Philly Cheesesteak
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM, AP
PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 5) - The traditional Philly cheesesteak has gone precipitously upscale at one new restaurant, where the chopped steak and melted cheese standard includes goose liver and truffles - and costs $100.
AP
Barclay Prime executive chef Todd Miller applies a pinch of coarse salt to the cheesesteak.
Barclay Prime owner Stephen Starr admits the haute cheesesteak is a marketing ploy for his steakhouse, which opened Tuesday. And he thinks it'll sell.
"I believe you will have the rich guy in there who will say, 'Cheesesteaks for the table. And buy one for the guy over there,"' said Starr, an acclaimed restaurateur who has opened 13 eateries here since 1995.
Served with a small bottle of champagne, Barclay Prime's cheesesteak is made of sliced Kobe beef, melted Taleggio cheese, shaved truffles, sauteed foie gras, caramelized onions and heirloom shaved tomatoes on a homemade brioche roll brushed with truffle butter and squirted with homemade mustard.
AP
A close-up of the $100 sandwich.
The standard $4 cheesesteak, available at hundreds of sandwich shops, pizzerias and burger joints around the city, is made with thin-sliced ribeye on an Italian roll with American or provolone cheese - or Cheez Whiz at Pat's King of Steaks, the South Philadelphia landmark that claims to have invented the steak sandwich in 1930.
"I am sure it will be good," Pat's co-owner Frank Olivieri commented politely on the newest entry to the cheesesteak club.
Not everyone was so accepting.
"You shouldn't mess with the Philadelphia cheesesteak," groused Samuel Lehrer, who was eating takeout Chinese several blocks from Barclay Prime. "Let it alone."
So there.
This from AOL
Updated: 02:23 AM EDT
Restaurant Serves $100 Philly Cheesesteak
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM, AP
PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 5) - The traditional Philly cheesesteak has gone precipitously upscale at one new restaurant, where the chopped steak and melted cheese standard includes goose liver and truffles - and costs $100.
AP
Barclay Prime executive chef Todd Miller applies a pinch of coarse salt to the cheesesteak.
Barclay Prime owner Stephen Starr admits the haute cheesesteak is a marketing ploy for his steakhouse, which opened Tuesday. And he thinks it'll sell.
"I believe you will have the rich guy in there who will say, 'Cheesesteaks for the table. And buy one for the guy over there,"' said Starr, an acclaimed restaurateur who has opened 13 eateries here since 1995.
Served with a small bottle of champagne, Barclay Prime's cheesesteak is made of sliced Kobe beef, melted Taleggio cheese, shaved truffles, sauteed foie gras, caramelized onions and heirloom shaved tomatoes on a homemade brioche roll brushed with truffle butter and squirted with homemade mustard.
AP
A close-up of the $100 sandwich.
The standard $4 cheesesteak, available at hundreds of sandwich shops, pizzerias and burger joints around the city, is made with thin-sliced ribeye on an Italian roll with American or provolone cheese - or Cheez Whiz at Pat's King of Steaks, the South Philadelphia landmark that claims to have invented the steak sandwich in 1930.
"I am sure it will be good," Pat's co-owner Frank Olivieri commented politely on the newest entry to the cheesesteak club.
Not everyone was so accepting.
"You shouldn't mess with the Philadelphia cheesesteak," groused Samuel Lehrer, who was eating takeout Chinese several blocks from Barclay Prime. "Let it alone."
So there.
Re: The last word
Barclay Prime sounds like the perfect place for the SBHOnline Philly get together. How much more Philadelphia meets St. Barths can you get than a cheesesteak with foie gras? We can have Yuengling and rhum vanille to go with.
And no, I'm not volunteering to be the guy who says "cheesesteaks for everyone!" We'll have to find a local villa owner for that.
Barclay Prime sounds like the perfect place for the SBHOnline Philly get together. How much more Philadelphia meets St. Barths can you get than a cheesesteak with foie gras? We can have Yuengling and rhum vanille to go with.
And no, I'm not volunteering to be the guy who says "cheesesteaks for everyone!" We'll have to find a local villa owner for that.
