Cheesesteak
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The cheesesteak, known outside the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area as the Philadelphia cheese steak, Philly cheese steak, or "steak and cheese" is a sandwich which usually consists of:
- a Hoagie roll (an oblong, typically 6" or 12" piece of French or Italian bread sliced lengthwise to form a cradle, similar to a hot dog bun);
- thin grilled slices of steak, often chopped together with other optional ingredients;
- melted white American cheese, Cheez Whiz (a traditional cheesesteak will be topped with this unless ordered differently), or provolone.
A cheesesteak may include other optional ingredients such as grilled onions, sautéed green peppers, and mushrooms. Some menus include hot sauce, ketchup, or pizza sauce (a Pizza Steak, often with mozzarella as the cheese). A popular variation is the chicken cheesesteak, which uses thinly sliced chicken, also sautéed on a griddle.
The invention of the cheesesteak is claimed by Philadelphian Pat Olivieri who combined chopped-up steak and put it in a bun. He began selling the new concoctions at his hot dog stand. They became so popular he opened up his own cheesesteak restaurant in 1930.
In assessing the quality of a cheesesteak, some Philadelphian connoisseurs put stress on how the meat is chopped, others on the quality of the meat, still others on the importance of a good roll. In the Philadelphia area, cheesesteaks are often made with hoagie rolls from the Philadelphia-based Amoroso Baking Company, commonly known as Amoroso Rolls. Locals believe there is something about the Schuylkill Punch, slang for Philadelphia's drinking water, which, due to its alkaline content, makes the rolls distinctively flakey and airy.
In other parts of the United States and Canada, sandwhich shops offer their own version of a cheesesteak. Some of these shops are dedicated to serving only cheesesteaks. Regionally, the name can vary— in parts of New England, for example, a cheesesteak is referred to as a "steak and cheese."
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Cheese
There is a lot of controversy, much of it fueled by outside observers, as to the proper cheese for a cheesesteak. American cheese, provolone, and Cheez Whiz tend to be universally available, and any pizza joint that serves them will agree to substitute mozzarella. Some establishments offer Swiss and cheddar.
Cheez Whiz
Cheez Whiz was first marketed in 1952, so it was not used in the "original" 1930 version, but it has come to achieve a great popularity.
The most common Cheesesteak is "Whiz wit", a cheesesteak made with Cheese Whiz and served with fried onions. It is not called "Whiz with", as the guttural South Philadelphia Italian-immigrant pronunciation appears on menus. Ordering differently brands one as an outsider or tourist. Be prepared to order, and know your order, or be prepared to go to the end of the line. Lines can extend into the streets on certain nights, especially after a sports event.
In fact, a 1986 New York Times article called Cheez Whiz "the sine qua non of connoisseurs."Template:Ref However, in a 1985 interview, Frank Olivieri said that he uses "the processed cheese spread familiar to millions of parents who prize speed and ease in fixing the children's lunch for the same reason, because it is fast."Template:Ref He went on to say that "American cheese takes longer to melt" and made it clear his preference for Cheez Whiz over other unnamed fast-melting cheese spreads.
Provolone
A Los Angeles reporter claimed that "provolone is the cheesesteak cheese, preferably an extra-sharp provolone with a distinctly savage bite. A cheesesteak is supposed to hurt, and it takes more than those fried dry Japanese chiles that Pat’s offers as a condiment.... In Philadelphia, I’ve heard, Cheez Whiz is often considered a tourist affectation, the kind of thing ordered by a person more concerned with what people might think of him than with what he might be putting into his mouth."Template:Ref
Others
Other varieties of cheese may be offered—a 1986 New York Times article mentioned a Philadelphia establishment that serves "mesquite-grilled cheese steak with Jarlsberg cheese"—but traditionalists scorn such newfangled modes of preparation.
Some people use plain cheddar as well, though these sandwiches are sometimes called "Cheesy Beef" sandwiches rather than cheesesteaks.
Cheesy politics
The controversy of the "appropriate" cheesesteak cheese arose in American politics when 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry, on a campaign visit to Philadelphia, ordered a cheesesteak with Swiss cheese. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, "reporters snickered," because "in Philadelphia, ordering Swiss on a cheesesteak is like rooting for Dallas at an Eagles game. It isn't just politically incorrect; it could get you a poke in the nose."Template:Ref
Famous Philadelphia cheesesteak eateries
Pat's Steaks, Geno's Steaks, and Jim's Steaks are frequently cited as the best places to get a cheesesteak. The rivalry between Geno's and Pat's, which are located across from each other on 9th Street in South Philadelphia, is particularly intense.
Many Philadelphians are loyal to neighborhood steak shops, which are myriad, based on the quality of the ingredients and the attention given to the preparation. Street vendors also prepare and sell cheesesteaks from trucks and carts in and around the city, especially on the larger college campuses.
Both Pat's and Geno's are open 24 hours a day. The establishments can frequently be seen packed with long lines of hungry people, even during the late hours of the night.
Pat's King of Steaks
Pat's Steaks, as it is known familiarly, was founded in 1930 by Pat Olivieri, who claims to be the originator of the cheesesteak. Originally a hot dog vendor, Olivieri told the story that he decided one day for his own lunch to use chopped-up steak bits instead of the usual wiener. At the suggestion of a cabbie who sampled the new sandwich, he began selling them and opened Pat's Steaks, located at the South Philadelphia intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue. The Olivieri family still owns the establishment, which operates 24 hours a day.
Numerous celebrities, including N'Sync singer Chris Kirkpatrick, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, talk show host Larry King, and Senator John McCain, have dined at Pat's. In addition, scenes from the 1976 movie Rocky were filmed on location here.[1]
According to the folklore of the Milano family (8th & Federal Streets, circa 1910-1940), one Salvatore Milano, paternal grandfather of Kensington historian Ken Milano, was to have gone into business with Olivieri. At the last moment, Milano pulled out of the deal and started his own shop nearby, near to 6th & Catherine. Needless to say, Pat's is the "King of Steaks" and Milano is now unknown.Template:Fact
Like other establishments, Pat's Steaks provides a choice of Provolone, American cheese, or Cheez Whiz.Template:Ref Cheez Whiz was first introduced in 1952, 22 years after Pat's opened.
Geno's Steaks
Geno's Steaks was founded in 1966 by Joe Vento. It is located at the intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, directly across the street from Pat's Steaks. Vento makes the disputed claim of having originated the cheesesteak by adding cheese to the mix.
The sidewalk, roof, and tables around Geno's are decorated with hundreds of autographed and framed photos and memorabilia of celebrities who have patronized the venue. Since Geno's is open 24 hours a day, the eating area on the adjacent sidewalk never needs to be locked up, and is open to the air.
According to Vento, the name Geno's was chosen because there already existed a Joe's Steak Place, and he improvised the name from a broken door on which someone had painted GINO and modified the spelling to prevent confusion with yet another business called Gino's. Vento later named his own son Geno, who now works in the family business.
In April 2004, a branch of the shop opened in Citizens Bank Park, the newest home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Vento is a prominent supporter of the family of murdered police officer Daniel Faulkner. The family supports the death sentence of Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of Faulkner's murder, and is against Abu-Jamal being retried or exonerated. Geno's has sponsored several fund-raising events in support of Faulkner's family, including the 2000 First Annual Justice For Daniel Faulkner Block Party and an annual Daniel Faulkner Memorial Motorcycle Run.
Jim's Steaks
Jim's Steaks was founded in 1939. Originally started in West Philadelphia, Jim's expanded to the eclectic South Street in the 1970s, with another branch in Springfield, Pennsylvania in nearby Delaware County, and a fourth shop in Northeast Philadelphia in Roosevelt Mall.
Steve's Prince of Steaks
Steve's Prince of Steaks, obviously a take on its competitor Pat's, is lesser known in Philadelphia, but still a favorite in many neighborhoods in the city's northeast section. First opened near the outdoor Roosevelt Mall (at St. Vincent and Bustleton Ave), the company soon opened a second shop at Comly Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard.
The shop has won the "Best of Philly" Award for "Best Cheesesteak Shop" several times, and is patronized by many Northeast Philadelphians. [2]
Steve's Prince of Steaks can now be found located within the Wachovia Sports Complex home of the Flyers and Sixers.
Tony Luke's
Perhaps better known for their roast pork sandwiches, Tony Luke's steaks still pack a mean (and greasy) punch. The original store is located near the intersection of Front Street and Oregon Avenue in South Philly. Other locations include Center City Philadelphia, Citizens Bank Park (home of the Philadelphia Phillies), New York City (Manhattan), and most recently, the University City section of Philadelphia.
See also
External links
- Let's Get a Cheesesteak - video blog from Jim's Steaks
- Pat's King of Steaks website
- Fortune magazine story on Pat's and Geno's
- An opinion on the relative merits of Pat's and Geno's
- Jim's Steaks website
- The History of Geno's Steaks
- HollyEats.com - Many Philadelphian cheesesteak shops are rated and described
- A well-travelled Philadelphian tries to educate the rest of the world
Notes
- Template:Note The New York Times, May 21, 1986, p. C6 "The Cheese Steak: An Original"
- Template:Note The New York Times, November 16, 1985, p. 10: "About Philadelphia: Where Cheese Steaks are King, One Family Has Assumed the Crown"
- Template:Note Jonathan Gold, 2004, September 3-9 issue of LA Weekly: [Ask Mr. Gold "http://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/41/ask-gold.php] Detailed analysis of Bush and Kerry's cheesesteak preferences and a strong opinion on provolone.
- Template:Note Philadelphia Daily News story on the Kerry contretemps
- Template:Note The New York Times, 1985, op. cit.