# Philly Cheesesteaks: Pat's vs. Geno's, Whiz vs. Provolone **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 14, 2014, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428 "2014-05-14T10:45:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/61 "2014-05-15T15:31:00Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > The term Philly Cheesesteak has evolved over time, resulting in many species. I agree, the name is indicative of nothing, just as you mentioned earlier with the term ‘Barbecue’. Some places get it right, some don’t, but it does mean something, and the posts I was responding to basically said labeling it a “Philly cheese steak” guarantees it to be wrong. It most certainly does not. (Which you may be agreeing with, now that I re-read.) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/62 "2014-05-15T15:40:54Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Some places get it right, some don’t, but it does mean something, and the posts I was responding to basically said labeling it a “Philly cheese steak” guarantees it to be wrong. It most certainly does not. (Which you may be agreeing with, now that I re-read.) You re-read correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/63 "2014-05-15T16:17:54Z")
I’ll take your word on it that there are some places that use the “Philly” label and get it right-- I haven’t tried every sandwich shop in the country. But I can say that in my (limited) experience calling it “Philly” has always been a sure sign that they’ll screw it up. In fact, the one place I mentioned where they didn’t screw it up, I mentioned it to the manager, who said “Oh, no, ours aren’t Philadelphia style, we don’t put lettuce and tomato on them”. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/64 "2014-05-15T16:42:41Z")
I can’t judge any true Philly Cheesesteak. I have been to a couple of places locally that claim they are pretty authentic, but I have no way to compare. Their sandwiches are delicious, so I guess that’s all that really matters in the end. As for wiz vs. provolone, I like both (not at the same time), honestly. It is just a matter of what I am in the mood for, although Wiz is pretty strong and overpowering if they use too much. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/65 "2014-05-15T16:59:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’ll take your word on it that there are some places that use the “Philly” label and get it right-- I haven’t tried every sandwich shop in the country. But I can say that in my (limited) experience calling it “Philly” has always been a sure sign that they’ll screw it up. In fact, the one place I mentioned where they didn’t screw it up, I mentioned it to the manager, who said “Oh, no, ours aren’t Philadelphia style, we don’t put lettuce and tomato on them”. Exactly. Yeah, I haven’t really had such bad luck. While I have seen places that do something like lettuce and tomato and call it a Philly cheesesteak, even my college cafeteria perhaps somewhat surprisingly managed to get it right: chopped steak, provolone, onions (no Whiz option, and I don’t remember if they had pepper or mushroom options.) But the basic sandwich they called “Philly cheesesteak” was right. Then again, you get stuff like [TGIF’s](http://iamabimarvel.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/philly-sandwich.jpg) rendition, which leaves me scratching my head. How in holy living hell is that a Philly cheesesteak? Conversely, there’s a couple places here that do “cheesesteaks,” but don’t call them “Philly cheesesteaks” and they don’t do it Philly style (one local place does barbecue sauce, American cheese, onions, sweet or hot peppers, and chopped steak on an Italian beef roll.) So they’re fine by me, because they don’t claim to be Philly style. On the third hand, there is a place in Milwaukee called The Philly Way that does reasonably authentic Philly-style cheesesteaks, and they do only call them “cheese steaks” on the menu, without the “Philly” identifier preceding. So, I guess anything goes, but, outside of Philadelphia, I like the term “Philly Cheese Steak” so I have a reasonable idea of what to expect. If some people get it wrong, so be it. Then I have something to complain about. ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/66 "2014-05-15T17:14:17Z")
Pat’s whiz wit ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/67 "2014-05-15T17:20:11Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And **kaylasdad99** , I have no idea how cream cheese is supposed to be relevant to either Philadelphia or cheesesteaks. Cheesesteaks have “cheese” in the name, and unsurprisingly include cheese. They do not, however, have “cream” in the name. 😕 You’ve never heard of Kraft’s Philadelphia cream cheese, affectionately known as “Philly”? Huh. Maybe it’s a regional thing. It’s the only cheese I know of that’s called “Philly”, at any rate, even if it _is_ cream cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/68 "2014-05-15T17:22:37Z")
Pat’s wit whiz … Although I prefer Jim’s ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/69 "2014-05-15T17:22:44Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > 😕 You’ve never heard of Kraft’s Philadelphia cream cheese, affectionately known as “Philly”? Huh. Maybe it’s a regional thing. I’ll be honest, I’ve never associated the “Philly” in “Philly cheese steak” with cream cheese. I think the “Philly” nickname for it might be regional, as I don’t recall hearing it here. Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese, though, is the most well-known brand of cream cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/70 "2014-05-15T17:23:49Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > 😕 You’ve never heard of Kraft’s Philadelphia cream cheese, affectionately known as “Philly”? Huh. Maybe it’s a regional thing. > > It’s the only cheese I know of that’s called “Philly”, at any rate, even if it _is_ cream cheese. I’ve never heard cream cheese referred to as just “Philly”. Upon review, I could have written puly’s post word for word. It’s always just “cream cheese”. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/71 "2014-05-15T17:24:36Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > 😕 You’ve never heard of Kraft’s Philadelphia cream cheese, affectionately known as “Philly”? Huh. Maybe it’s a regional thing. > > It’s the only cheese I know of that’s called “Philly”, at any rate, even if it _is_ cream cheese. I was in London a long time ago and I told a British guy I was from Philadelphia and he asked me, “Why did they name a city after cream cheese?” True story. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/72 "2014-05-15T17:32:27Z")
You need to use Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese to make a Philly Cheese Cake, not a Philly Cheesesteak. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/73 "2014-05-15T18:30:37Z")
I’ve heard of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, but I have no idea what it has to do with Philadelphia, and have never heard it called “Philly”. It’s made in Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/74 "2014-05-15T18:32:36Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > But the basic sandwich they called “Philly cheesesteak” was right. Then again, you get stuff like [TGIF’s](http://iamabimarvel.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/philly-sandwich.jpg) rendition, which leaves me scratching my head. How in holy living hell is that a Philly cheesesteak? :eek:😕:eek: I recall being in DC and eating at a place that had ‘Steak and Cheese’ on a submarine (Hoagie) roll. It was like a cheesesteak if you didn’t bother chopping the meat up beyond quartering it. I was in a place in Rockland Country, NY and had their Philly Cheesesteak. What arrived was a Hot Roast beef sandwich on a Sub roll. I would have complained but it was actually kind of tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/75 "2014-05-15T18:50:53Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’ve heard of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, but I have no idea what it has to do with Philadelphia, and have never heard it called “Philly”. It’s made in Chicago. I don’t know if anyone in real life ever called it Philly, but I remember it being called that in their advertising campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/76 "2014-05-15T18:58:54Z")
I’ve heard it called “Philly cream cheese” but never “Philly” or “Philly cheese.” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/77 "2014-05-15T19:47:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’ve heard of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, but I have no idea what it has to do with Philadelphia, and have never heard it called “Philly”. It’s made in Chicago. Really? I’ve never known that, and I’ve lived here for the bulk of my life. Interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/78 "2014-05-15T20:30:29Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’ve heard of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, but I have no idea what it has to do with Philadelphia, and have never heard it called “Philly”. It’s made in Chicago. Because it was the first place associated with cream cheese. It’s a spinoff of Neufchâtel, I think. Here on the Dope, I’ve heard that you can still find cream cheese that is made without guar gum. In the bagel thread, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/79 "2014-05-15T22:11:06Z")
Maybe we’re the outliers, but my entire family calls cream cheese “Philly”. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428/80 "2014-05-15T22:34:48Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Maybe we’re the outliers, but my entire family calls cream cheese “Philly”. Where are you from? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-cheesesteaks-pats-vs-genos-whiz-vs-provolone/688428.md?page=5)