Andy wrote:
> Kate Connally > wrote:
>
>> 3.Cheesesteak - Thin slices of beef cooked with onions and topped
>> with processed cheese (either Kraft slices or Cheez Whiz from an
>> aerosol can) and other condiments in a crisp Italian roll or hoagie
>> bun. From Philadelphia.
>>
>> Have had many of these. Even went to Pat's once when I was in
>> Philly. Yum.
>
>
> Now listen up my Kitchen Kate...
>
> Too make a short story long...
>
> A few things about Philly cheesesteaks that haven't made the leap over
> to Pittsburgh.
>
> Hmmm... where to start?...
>
> Cheez Whiz is a Kraft product and sold to the restaurants in paint
> buckets. No air, only fat with a touch of protein.
>
> Mostly the meat is chopped while cooking. A silly show-off technique,
> imho.
>
> No Philly cheesesteak roll should be crisp OR toasted! EVER!
>
> EVER!!!
>
> There are NO condiments on a Philly cheesesteak. None. I tried putting
> ketchup on my Sis-IL's cheesesteak (my 1st) she grabbed my hand
> scolding me "A great cheesesteak doesn't need ketchup!!!" with a
> sneer. After the second one, she made perfect sense. She still
> kept me on my guard, marrying her sister and such.
>
> I'm not surprised that Philly cheesesteaks have been "watered down"
> out of Philly. We stayed in Margate, NJ for a week and at Maynard's
> (iirc?) bar and grill (bayside), I ordered a Philly cheesesteak and
> it was rough cut roast beef. I thought... Geez... if New Jersey can't
> get it right, the rest of the world is doomed.
>
> And lastly, Pat's and Geno's cheesesteaks both SUCK!!!
>
> Credit: Sis-IL Patricia for teaching me how to make, eat, appreciate
> and become a cheesesteak snob!
> Credit: Jim's Steaks, South Philly. Sis-IL took us there on our first
> trip to South Philly (1985?). Again she forcibly took me by the arm,
> so I wouldn't stray (I still have marks to prove it. First Philly
> cheesesteak I had that wasn't made by her. You're hard pressed to get
> a better Philly cheesesteak AND a beer under one roof!!!
>
> OH! Once, visiting Philly for our niece's wedding we stayed at a
> Holiday Inn on Walnut and 12th St. and wandered into Moriarty's Pub
> for dinner and drink. I ordered a cheesesteak, feeling the proud
> tourist with a beer in hand and a smile. When it arrived it looked
> somewhat familiar except this bright orange goo all over it. I looked
> at my wife straight in the eyes and pointing at it asked out loud
> "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS SHIT?!?" She burst out laughing. Cheez Whiz! I
> ain't liked Whiz ever since.
>
> Credit: Sis-IL Patricia. Just for good measure.
>
> This message will self-destruct in 5, 4, 3, 2... 1.5, 1.0, .75...
>
> Best,
>
> Andy

As an ex-Philly boy, I think all the hoopla over who makes the best
cheesesteak is over done. IMHO, just about every pizza place in the
metro area makes a good cheesesteak (and you may rest assured that I've
tried quite a few). I get back to Philly several times a year (I live
near NYC and it's not far, plus I'm there on business from time to time)
and I often find myself having a cheesesteak every night for dinner -
they're that good, at least I think they are.

I've had them elsewhere, and they're uniformly awful. Go to Philly,
which is a fine city to visit by yourself, with your significant other,
or with the kids, and just enjoy. Visit the Reading Terminal market for
lunch and have a cheesesteak there from whatever place you like. Go
towards the end of the week when the Pennsylvania Dutch people are
there. That will make a fine start on Philly eating.

I like mine with onions which, as far as I'm concerned, is part of the
standard Philly cheesesteak - meat, cheese, and fried onions on a
Amoroso roll. Ketchup? Not for purists but I don't think it ruins it,
either. Certainly it's not my first choice now, but in college (Temple
University, on and off between '73 and '82), I think I ate them that way
as often as not.

The common variants are, IMHO, all also good. I like a cheesesteak
hoagie, which has lettuce, tomatoe, and mayo on the roll. I also like a
pizza steak, which uses mozarella cheese and tomatoe sauce. Lots of
places in Philly now offer a cheesesteak made with chicken, usually
called a chicken cheesesteak - haven't had one of those yet.

Bottom line - get yourself to Philly or its suburbs, find a local pizza
place, and order a cheesesteak. It'll be good.

-S-