The Philadelphia Cheese Steak debate
If you are in the city, you can not pass up the opportunity to pop down to South Philly and grab one of the culinary delights that, like proper Irish Guinness, just tastes so much better when you obtain it at source.
I know that it seems that I'm obsessed with food here, and maybe I am, but in Philly it's not just food; it's a way of life. I'm talking about the Cheese Steak. In Philadelphia, you are not just what you eat, you are also where you eat it. In South Philadelphia, in the Italian quarter, at the junction of E. Passayunk Ave and South 9th St, on opposite corners are Pat's and Geno's, each of which is world-renowned for the product it serves up.
I know that it seems that I'm obsessed with food here, and maybe I am, but in Philly it's not just food; it's a way of life. I'm talking about the Cheese Steak. In Philadelphia, you are not just what you eat, you are also where you eat it. In South Philadelphia, in the Italian quarter, at the junction of E. Passayunk Ave and South 9th St, on opposite corners are Pat's and Geno's, each of which is world-renowned for the product it serves up.
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...or a Geno's man and, at any time of night or day, you just as likely to be rubbing shoulders with locals or those in the know, as well as celebrities who always seem to come here to get their cheese steak fix.
www.genosteaks.com
www.genosteaks.com
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There's an art to ordering a cheese steak too, otherwise you will get a funny look from the guy at the window, together with groans and moans from the long queue of people lining up behind you at any time of day, or night, so popular are these two fine eating establishments.
Basically, you have your steak, which is a given, but you can have onions, or not, American or Swiss cheese, or indeed, Cheese Wiz (that's cheese in a can to you Brits!) Now, if you're going to come here you owe it to yourself to try a 'Wiz' at least once, as it does have a certain fast food charm. Personally, I usually go for the Provolone and onions option, which ordered with the correct terminology is: 'Provolone with'. It's that simple. You give your order, hand over your cash and your purchase is handed back to you with your change; it's that quick.
And, God, does it taste good? You bet your sweet bippy it does! Take it over to the condiments rack, add your Ketchup, mustard, or whatever, have a seat at one of the tables on the sidewalk, and watch the world go by as your taste buds are treated to something delightfully tasty. This really is a slice of everyday America that you won't find on a package tour at a theme park, and is the only way to see the real USA.
Click here for the next bit
Basically, you have your steak, which is a given, but you can have onions, or not, American or Swiss cheese, or indeed, Cheese Wiz (that's cheese in a can to you Brits!) Now, if you're going to come here you owe it to yourself to try a 'Wiz' at least once, as it does have a certain fast food charm. Personally, I usually go for the Provolone and onions option, which ordered with the correct terminology is: 'Provolone with'. It's that simple. You give your order, hand over your cash and your purchase is handed back to you with your change; it's that quick.
And, God, does it taste good? You bet your sweet bippy it does! Take it over to the condiments rack, add your Ketchup, mustard, or whatever, have a seat at one of the tables on the sidewalk, and watch the world go by as your taste buds are treated to something delightfully tasty. This really is a slice of everyday America that you won't find on a package tour at a theme park, and is the only way to see the real USA.
Click here for the next bit