Pat's or Geno's? ................. or other?

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
21

I know this is a bit of a stretch, but I have had both and think that Philly Style Steaks in Norfolk, Va is by far the best cheesesteak I have ever had. It’s a little hole in the wall but the line is always out the door and the ingredients are top shelf. Shaved rib-eye, freshly grilled onions and the freshest sub rolls make for an incredible meal. Oh yeah, they use sliced cheese that is some of the best I have had.

22
23

Well, Matt, there’s a very fine line between supporting the immigration laws and wanting to treat people who aren’t like “us” differently/ keep them “out”. Maybe he’s the wrong guy to be a spokesman for such things in Philadelphia. But, if you look at some of those who have jumped on his water-ice wagon on this stuff, you won’t find that “fine line” too easily.

The bottom line is that I don’t want to mix cheesesteaks and some guy’s inarticulate feelings about people who don’t “speak English”. He has chosen to mix the two…and that’s not where I want to hear about that stuff or even think about it. That people decide they want to show their support for such stuff by using Geno’s as their clubhouse makes me want to stay away. I don’t want to be thinking about who is really standing beside me eating what I consider to be a less-tasty sandwich anyway…and I don’t measure them by “grease” levels…it’s the grease that give them much of their character; it isn’t health food.

This isn’t about who’s right or wrong on the issue either…but…what he and his place have voluntarily become a symbol and clubhouse for. Just like a place that had a food poisoning outbreak once…there are plenty of other places to get satisfying food, without the baggage. grouphug

Happy Thanksgiving!

p.s. If you look at the picture at the top of this thread, you’ll see that it’s “Geno’s”, not “Gino’s” , as you’ve been re-naming it. [drinkers.gif]

24

I work in Bala Cynwyd, a pretty central location for cheesesteak explorations, and my boss and I have been on a quest for the last year or so to sample many of the cheesesteakaries in Philly (oh, and I agree with Stuart’s dismissal of both Pat’s & Geno’s - other than from a purely “historical”/tourist perspective, or if you are totally trashed at 2:00 in the morning, there really is no reason to go there).

At this point, we would both say that John’s Roast Pork is #1 (and, as someone already pointed out, their roast pork sangweech with the broccoli rabe & sharp provolone is very tasty as well). Tony Luke’s was only so-so, Jim’s Steaks (the original location in West Philly/Cobb’s Creek) is also excellent, the Northeast Philly triumvirate of Steve’s, Chink’s and the Grey Lodge Pub are all contenders, Sonny’s on Market Street was also very good, Dallesandros is very good (and convenient).

One place rarely mentioned that has an interesting twist is Talk of the Town in south Philly - the only place that I know of that will serve you your steak either chopped or sliced, so we’ve taken to bringing vistors there so they can get a half of each and see what style they prefer.

25

Big fan of Chink’s. Best of all those mentioned here, in my opinion, but all pretty damn good. Tony Luke’s for Roast Pork Italian but not steaks.

This thread is well-time as I’m in Philly this week and was just thinking about heading in for a steak at Chink’s.

26

In my limited experience I thought Mama’s was great. I believe, if I got the right place, that it is near Bala Cynwyd. When you mentioned “just off the city line,” a little bell went off. I was taken there but a life long Philadelphian who lives in the Bala Cynwyd area.

Cheers!
Marshall [cheers.gif]

27

You got the “right” place.

Mama’s is very different, ie, higher quality and quantity from the others , which are more or less interchangable, with some tweaks (seeds on the bread or cheese selection, though all will accomodate, I think). People either love or hate Mama’s…but no one is indifferent… especially if the Pat’s/Geno’s/Steve’s/Chinks,etc. are your standard, which for many is the case.

People should at least check it out for themselves, as others’ opinions on Mama’s can be worthless given the “standards” most people use…not surprisingly, as all the others are pretty much the same. A photo from the internet…amazing what’s out “there”:

http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Review/5248-6392/mamas-pizzeria" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

28

I need to retract my vote for Jim’s. Went there on Saturday (I ate two!) and it seems that the quality has diminished since our last visit. They use less meat on the bun and the meat was rather dry and bland so I can no longer recommend Jim’s. We need to check out D’Alessandro’s. Is it in Roxboro?

29

Actually, it’s in Roxborough! [wow.gif] neener [snort.gif] [cheers.gif]

30

Whatever. blahblah

Have we decided on what we’re opening on Sunday? I’m thinking about bringing an '05 Saxum James Berry or Broken Stones.

31

Talk to Rick so that you two bring complementary wines.

32

He’ll probably bring some pansy Loire white. I have nothing to compliment that. [stirthepothal.gif]

33

Try one of each then you can tell us which you prefer and why.

Dan

34

35

Bob,

Have you tried it? Is it any good? There are no good places for Philly Cheese Steak around here and that one looks like I could handle microwaving it.

36

I haven’t tried it, but I suspect it will work just as well as anything else when you’re about to go pyro with the micro.

37

Big fan of Genos. Haven’t been to Jim’s in years, but remember it being great.

Pat’s tastes like dog food to me. My meat is dead, don’t kill and then hack it up in to little bits and cook the tar out of it.