John McCain Chooses Rick’s Steaks

Well it seems the GOP candidate has made his choice in the Philly Cheese Steak wars!  Rick’s Steaks in the Reading Terminal, which has yet to be pushed out by Tony Luke’s.  Obama has already made his choice during the Primary season, choosing Pat’s Steaks.

Retire the Cheesesteak? Puh-lease…

Wanna rile up the citizenry in Philadelphia? Mess with the Cheesesteak. Philadelphia’s favorite sandwich is also our most controversial food choice. More controversial than the Water Ice vs. Gelati debate. More controversial than McNabb vs. Kolb. Although, probably not as controversial as Graziani vs. D’Orazio.

Karen Heller wants us to replace Philadelphia’s signature sandwich with the Roast Pork with Broccoli Rabe.  Now, we’ve been tracker Karen Heller over at HammRadio.com for a while now.  In fact, we roasted her in the earliest stages of our blog.  It was that kind of rant that has made hammradio.com famous.  Okay, not really.

Look don’t get me wrong, I understand her point.  Also, I do adore a Roast Pork with Sharp Provolone with some Broccoli Rabe.  And the fight between Councilman Bill Green and Councilman DiCicco seems quite silly.  But the Cheesesteak is synonomous with Philadelphia.  And believe me, even if you were going to replace the Cheesesteak, don’t tell me controversy wouldn’t brew with Tony Luke’s or John’s Roast Pork or DiNics or Chickie’s.  

Besides, I have this really cool domain name, CheesesteakGuru.com.  And Roast Pork guru doesn’t sound right. Or does it? 

May 2008 Cheesesteak: Pat’s versus Citizens Bank

I know I’ve said before that I only enjoy one cheesesteak per month.  But sometimes a party in Fairmount and a call to get cheesesteaks is made.  That would do it right?  But what happens two days later when there’s a rain delay at the ballpark and you are starving?  Well, there’s the cheesesteak stand.  And that’s how you eat two steaks in a weekend.  So which was better?

Let’s go to the tale of the tape

Category PATS CBP
ORDER American Wit — This keeps the line moving at 2am. Cheesesteak with Fried Onions — The Aramark employees know of two kinds of steaks. With onions or without. How do they know the difference? The way it’s wrapped.
ROLL Solid roll. Fresh. The steak was kept in a heater that looked like a refrigerator. The bread was quite soggy from the humidity.
CHEESE The American cheese was cold and not melted. The trick? Hold the roll together around the hot meat. Bingo. Cheese is melted. The American cheese was melted and intermingled with the meat. If this trick is learned or just happenstance from the heat machines.
MEAT The reason I don’t recommend tourists get steaks from Pat’s and Geno’s because i don’t think they are prepared for the meat to be sliced so thick. It’s an acquired taste. The meat on my steak was excellent. My buddy Waynes a little grisly. Good for me. The meat that didn’t have cheese intermingled was a little dry. Fortunately, the moist roll cancelled that out.
ONIONS Quite fresh. Actually, I have no thoughts on this. I just remember there were onions here. And plenty of them. Quite fresh. Actually, I have no thoughts on this. I just remember there were onions here. And not enough of them.
Verdict Pat’s wins in a close race. The key? I wanted a second steak. But the line had gotten much bigger at that point. So I gave myself a pass. I shared a steak earlier in the year with my mom. And it was okay. But not as good as the steak today. The cheese was the difference maker here. Good job by Aramark. I will get to Rick’s and Tony Luke’s before the season is out. But remember only ONE steak per month!

Colbert Chooses to Discuss Cheesesteaks Not Eat them

The Colbert Report tackles the Pats versus Geno’s question. You’ll be surprised who comes out the winner.

That’s right… Vegetarians!

Obama Chooses Pat’s, Hillary Chooses Boccella’s

Well the candidates have made their voices heard on the matter.  And it was resounding!  Obama has chosen Pat’s — Whiz Wit Thank you very much!  Hillary went with the Chicken Cheesesteak at Boccella’s to keep her girlish figure on the road to the White House.

McCain hasn’t chosen yet.  But we’re pretty sure he’ll pander to the Vento crowd.

Saudi Prince Chooses Jim’s Steaks

When the Saudi Family chooses to get the “Philly Cheesesteak Experience” Where do they go?  Jim’s Steaks.

 According to Michael Klein and Inqlings, the Saudi Prince Nawaf bin Mohammed went to South Street after the Penn Relays and didn’t have to wait in line.  The line on a Saturday afternoon at Jim’s can be longer than Pat’s or Geno’s sometimes curling all the way around to 3rd street.  I’m a big fan of Jim’s Steaks as you can guess.  So kudo’s to the Saudi Prince, for not pandering to the Cheesesteak Mecca and traveling 8 blocks up the road. 

What did the Prince order?  Cheesesteak Wit.  I have no idea what cheese. 

Geno’s Joey Vento To Sue City?

Joey Vento, the Free Speech champion, wants to sue the city for, well something.  I’m not sure what his damages are?  The city’s Human Rights Commission were just addressing complaints from it’s citizenry.  He was absolved of any wrong doing.  But the commission must answer to the citizens of Philadelphia.  All of them.  Black or White.  English speaking or not.

Joey Vento is a nominee for A$$-Hole of the week.

link: Geno’s Steaks

Breaking News: Arrest Made in Attack on Geno’s Employee

One of the two men who allegedly attacked the Geno’s Employee, that we mentioned here on CheesesteakGuru has been arrested.  The young man, 19, was from Devon, PA and turned himself in to Southwest Detectives.

Attack on Geno’s Employee

Last week, two young punks allegedly attacked a Geno’s employee who was trying to stop the young suburban wanksters trying to harass a clerk behind the counter.  Is this retaliation for the Geno’s “Speak English” sign controversy?  Or just some kids looking for trouble?

Here is slide show of pictures from NBC 10.  If you know these punks, call the police.   Here’s the full video of the report.  I gotta say, the Philadelphia police detective in here, is kinda hot. 

The attacked employee, Tony, seems like a tough dude and you’d have to be, if you’d:

“I’ve been shot, stabbed, hit with bats, pipes, bottles, everything, and multiple five-on-ones, 10-on-ones — never ended up like this,” — Tony Chestnut

We’ll keep an eye on this story. You can e-mail us at CheesesteakGuru (at) HammRadio.com with any information.

John’s Roast Pork To Get National Attention

My uncle passed the secret to this great Roast Pork a few years ago.  I had lived in the neighborhood for a while, but never tried it.  It’s a great place.  In honor of this story, we will get a Johns Roast Pork in the next 30 days!!!