# Cheesesteak? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 18, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226 "2003-10-18T19:33:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/21 "2003-10-19T14:13:00Z")
Yikes! ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/22 "2003-10-19T14:28:40Z")
I’m personally a fan of [Jim’s Steaks](http://www.jimssteaks.com/indexb.htm), over Pat’s. Fourth and South St? Fifth? It’s been a while. Lest we ignore the details, the Cheesesteak Experience is a hollow one at best without two seriously important details. 1. Cheez Whiz isn’t the deal. American Cheese is the deal. YELLOW American Cheese. 2. Fried onions. They’re sauteed hot and fast, so that they take a soft moist golden cast and flavor, not a more browned crispy variety one might expect to be served over cooked livers. 😃 3. For the "load it up, Vito ! " folks in the crowd, sometimes you can get mushrooms over top as well. I eschew that, it makes the cheesesteak too mushy and oogey to eat. Aside from Pat’s and Jim’s. we can all bow our heads to pay homage to Lee’s Hoagie House. They do an extremely fine cheesesteak. I’m gonna wind up in Philly this afternoon, and by gum I might just make a side-trip on my way from Washington, and drop off I-95 in Cenner City and get to Jim’s. Yep. Yep. Jim’s. YUM. Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/23 "2003-10-19T15:58:49Z")
Quick recipe - Not exactly a cheesesteak but pretty good. I think this is more of an Italian beef. Kinda same same. Buy a pound or two of sliced roast beef at the deli. Two cans Campbells French Onion soup Couple green peppers, couple of red or yellow. Big onion. Hot peppers if you lean that way. I like Jalapenos. Slice everything up. Including the beef. Put the whole mess in a deep fry pan, big pot, whatever, and let her rip for a half hour or so. Serve on hoogie rolls. Oh, and put cheese on it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Raven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@The\_Raven\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Raven_1)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/24 "2003-10-19T20:59:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > \*\ ***Guiltguy154** , I had a cheesesteak with peppers on it last week at Pat’s, right before I hit the Mutter museum. \*\* Howyadoin, Isn’t that the place with the medical… umm… “oddities”? That’s pretty frickin’ hardcore… -Rav ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/25 "2003-10-19T21:29:51Z")
I think the _best_ are the “imitation” cheese steak sammiches, like the ones served up in Berkeley at The Cheesesteak Shop in Berkeley. Thin beef, onions, sweet and hot cherry peppers, and white 'mercan cheese on a soft but slightly stale roll. Best after it’s been rolled up for a while. I got a card. Better yet; That beef sandwich I’ve only had in a New York City Italian deli. It’s made of beef cooked to death in a yummy broth and served in a soft roll which is then dipped in the hot broth. The broth has good stuff in it. Damn good eatin, but I don’t remember what it’s called. _Not_ french dip. French dip hides it’s head in shame if you mention of these. I’ll swap you 5 PCS’s for 1 of those. Anyday. 😉 The Cubanos I ate in Harlem weren’t bad either. I’m hungry. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/26 "2003-10-20T06:25:54Z")
Ohhhh do I miss cheesesteaks!!! I spent 3 1/2 years in south/central Jersey, and (heresy!) got most of my steaks from Gaetano’s. They used white American cheese, and a “small” was too big for one sitting. But oh, were they good…this time of year was the best: run over at noon on Sunday for a steak, bring it home to eat while watching football with the windows open. As the late game starts, re-heat that beast for a great snack…drool. I cringe when I think that my only option now is that abomination known as _Texadelphia_. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/27 "2003-10-24T13:32:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pilot141 \*I cringe when I think that my only option now is that abomination known as _Texadelphia_. Ugh. \*\* What the hell is THAT??? ---
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/28 "2003-10-24T14:07:05Z")
I realize that it wasn’t “authentic” by any stretch of the imagination, but the best cheesesteak I ever had was in a little restaurant in Provo, Utah, many years ago. Instead of Cheese Whiz, they used an entire brick of Philly brand cream cheese. Mmmmmm… Barry ---
**Author:** ![slu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@slu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slu)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/29 "2003-10-24T14:26:32Z")
I live in Philly myself, and am a big fan of Jim’s as well. And I like Geno’s better than Pat’s. But Pat’s has a special place in my heart since they filmed that scene in Rocky there. I also find it difficult to believe that one can grow up in Philly and not ever hear of a cheesesteak. Now the point. Have any Philly Dopers heard of this: Go to South Street and get a cheesesteak at Jim’s. Any style will do, but I think plain is recommended. Take your steak with you and then go to Lorenzo’s for a slice (there is only one style available there). Take previously purchased cheesesteak and wrap it with the slice. Enjoy! Note: This apparently only works with Jim’s and Lorenzo’s:) ---
**Author:** ![PaperBlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/30 "2003-10-24T15:25:57Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by pilot141:_ > > I spent 3 1/2 years in south/central Jersey, and (heresy!) got most of my steaks from Gaetano’s. They used white American cheese, and a “small” was too big for one sitting. Yeah, for one sitting you have to get the “mini.” I watched a friend of mine eat a whole “small” one time - it looked like it hurt (so good). And don’t worry about that heresy thing, you don’t have to go to the city to get a good cheesesteak. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/31 "2003-10-24T18:10:05Z")
**Cartooniverse** , _Texadelphia_ is a restaurant that attempts to serve cheesesteaks “with a Texas twist!” This means that your steak comes with tortilla chips and salsa on the side. The buns appear to be day-old Kroger bakery rejects, they skimp on the ingredients…ahhhh, let’s just say that the steaks leave a LOT to be desired. **PaperBlob** , I think I’d be hurting too if I ate a small Gaetano’s in one sitting! ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/32 "2003-10-24T19:15:47Z")
I’m originally from Philly. NEVER mention cheesesteaks and the Mutter Museum in the same sentence. Take this from the guy who mines tonsil stones. (Ay…Yo! Ya want a side order of babies floatin’ in fo’maldehide wif that steak?) ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/33 "2003-10-24T19:39:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Enola Straight \* > \*\*(Ay…Yo! Ya want a side order of babies floatin’ in fo’maldehide wif that steak?) \*\* \<------laughing hard here. I think it might read, " Ay…Yo ! Ya want a side order of babies floatin’ in fo’maldehyde wif that steak, **hon**??? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/34 "2003-10-24T19:43:37Z")
> [@](#): > > NEVER mention cheesesteaks and the Mutter Museum in the same sentence. Which would be insulted? Aren’t they _both_ much loved local institutions? ---
**Author:** ![guy\_from\_wpa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@guy\_from\_wpa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guy_from_wpa)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/35 "2003-10-24T22:16:09Z")
The steak used should be a rib-eye steak. The cheese should be Cheese Whiz. The roll should be Amoroso’s. And the onions grilled. And only Heinz ketchup. I was only at Pat’s once. But Rick’s Steaks in the Reading Terminal Market is great also. And the cheese fries are the best if you let the drippings from your sandwich fall on the fries. [homer] mmmmmm… Cheesteak drippings…[/homer] ---
**Author:** ![PaperBlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/36 "2003-10-24T22:32:55Z")
Thought all you cheesesteak aficionados (and rookies) might enjoy this article about four high school students who search for the perfect cheesesteak as their senior project. Craig LaBan, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s restaurant critic, mentored them: [The Cheesesteak Project](http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/columnists/craig_laban/3831957.htm) From the article: "The truth is that a transcendent steak must exist in perfect harmony, an ethereal melding of cheese and onion and juicy meat, swirling at the height of its flavors through your roll at that very moment you take a bite. Call it the perfect storm of steaks. Jeffrey Steinberg has his own name for this elusive trait: Good Drip." Couldn’t have put it any better myself. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/37 "2003-10-25T02:55:09Z")
You guys keep mentioning Cheese Whiz. You _are_ talking about that yellow stuff inna jar, right? ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/38 "2003-10-25T04:46:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by slu \* > \*\*Now the point. Have any Philly Dopers heard of this: Go to South Street and get a cheesesteak at Jim’s. Any style will do, but I think plain is recommended. Take your steak with you and then go to Lorenzo’s for a slice (there is only one style available there). Take previously purchased cheesesteak and wrap it with the slice. Enjoy! > > Note: This apparently only works with Jim’s and Lorenzo’s:) \*\* I’ve heard of that. I know some people who have done it. I am in _awe_ of the fact that there hearts don’t simply stop right then and there. On a Cheesesteak-ey note, I’m a vegetarian for health reasons, and a true Philly cheesesteak is the only thing that’s ever truly tempted me. They’re so bad, yet so good! Also, I was in Kentucky two years ago, and the group I was with ate dinner one night at a genuine ‘country kitchen’ restaurant. One of the menu items was a “Philly cheesesteak”. No one else was from the Philly region, thus, no one understood why I nearly started crying upon seeing this. Unless it’s cooked on a disgustingly grimy grill by an equally-greasy Italian guy, it’s NOT a cheesesteak. **mangeorge** I believe so. The nasty stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/39 "2003-10-25T04:56:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > \*\*You guys keep mentioning Cheese Whiz. You _are_ talking about that yellow stuff inna jar, right? \*\* That would be correct. Except it comes in a large foodservice-size can. ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226/40 "2003-10-25T05:57:46Z")
Y’know what’s disappointing? Pat’s has–in theory–a policy whereby if you order incorrectly, they kick you out of line and make you do it again. (I swear, they’re the original soup nazis.) You are instructed to state 1) type of cheese and 2) “with” or “without,” as in “onions.” I HAVE seen it happen, where some poor schmoe takes his sweet time in ordering and is told to leave. I haven’t seen it lately. I usually go with my dad, who is an embarassment to watch place an order: “Yeah, I’ll have two cheesesteaks with cheese…provo–no, American cheese–onions…ummm…” I’ve never seen dad get the boot. Either they pity the poor guy, or they’ve relaxed the policy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesesteak/208226.md?page=3)