Archive for the ‘Cheesesteak’ Category

ABNER'S CHEESESTEAKS

Monday, November 14th, 2005

The best cheesesteak in town. There I said it. Juicy chopped 'steak with a good mix of onions and provolone stuffed into a slightly too thin [depth wise] slab. I stopped in quickly for lunch today as I forgot to head to the supermarket this weekend for groceries to bring a lunch with me to work. Boy am I happy I didn't have a chance to go shopping.

Stepping into Abner's is like stepping into a place you've been before. Dimly lit. College banners on the walls proclaiming free stuff when the home team gets x-points that night. A very neighborhoody feel to it. The aging sign outside only adds to the feel of the place as a neighborhood icon, which it has been for the last twenty years. I've heard from a former co-worker that they've got a mean BBQ chicken 'steak, but I opted for the classic 'steak with onions and provolone.

The chef (yes, 'steak makers are chefs) diligently chopped up the beef on the grill into the fried onions letting it simmer for a bit and then grabbed a slab of bread, stuffed some slices of provolone into it and heaped the steak on top. Add in wrapping and payment, I was in there for maybe three minutes. Mmmm. Fast food. I'll have to come back with Messy and try their BBQ Chicken 'steak; they've got a Veggie & Cheese Griller for her and even jalapeño poppers! And like Jim's on South Street, they serve cold beer.

Picky: *****
Messy: (not there)

The final word: As of November 2005, hands down the best 'steak in town.

Abner's Cheesesteaks
38th & Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 662-0100
Fax: (215) 662-0129
Su – Th: 11am to Midnight
Fri – Sat: 11am to 3am

Posted in Cheesesteak, Hoagie/Sandwich, West Philly/UCD | 6 Comments »

TONY LUKE'S BEEF AND BEER SPORTS BAR

Wednesday, August 17th, 2005

tony luke's

First off, we didn't go to the original outdoor Tony Luke's stand, we went into the [comparatively] fancy and futuristic diner / sports bar across the street, which opened last year. We sat down in a booth in the very spacious main seating area. There is also seating available at the bar and upstairs. Picky immediately noticed at least ten plasma televisions scattered all over the establishment, probably a great place to watch an Iggles game with the South Philly crew. But if you're a non-sports fan vegetarian like Messy, you might not be so thrilled.

We had our favorite appetizer, jalapeño poppers. They were disappionting, probably straight out of the freezer and into a microwave. And what's with serving everything with marinara sauce? We like our poppers with sour cream! Messy had one of the two sandwich options available for vegetarians: a big and yummy eggplant parmesan.

Picky went with the standard Tony Luke's roast pork with sharp provalone [no rabe please]: it too was big — no, ginormous — and yummy. Picky also snarfed four hot bell peppers. Tony Luke's is not the most eco-friendly establishment, as they serve everything on styrofoam plates, with plastic utensils (as if you were ordering from the stand).

Messy **
Picky ***

The final word: Vegetarians, head to Gianna's instead, but stick around for some good meaty fare otherwise.

Tony Luke's
26 East Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148-4109
(215) 551-5725

Posted in American, Cheesesteak, Hoagie/Sandwich, South Philly East | 2 Comments »

PAT'S KING OF STEAKS

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

Although many locals like to denounce Pat's as a tourist trap, we think Pat's is famous for a reason. And gluttonous vegetarians like Messy can make a whole meal of delectable cheesefries. Seriously, these are some good cheesefries. Always crispy, and the whiz never gets gloppy. As for the cheesesteaks, Picky considers them to be quite good. Ready in 5 seconds and always "wit" (onions, for those who don't know) no doubt about it. Plus, it's one of the rare places in Philly open 24 hours, and what could satisfy a 3 a.m. drunken craving better than a dripping cheesesteak and some messy, salty fries. If Messy had spent her formative years around such delicacies, she never would have become a vegetarian.

Messy ****(cheesefries only); ** (overall)
Picky ****1/2

The final word: Not for those on a low-cholesterol diet. Get your eats and a true Philly experience in one shot.

Pat's King of Steaks
Where 9th Street crosses Wharton & Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA
Open 24/7, 361 days a year
215-468-1546

Posted in Bella Vista, Cheesesteak | 13 Comments »

NICK'S ROAST BEEF OF PHILLY

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

Nick's is like a piece of South Philly in the middle of bougie Olde City. We enjoyed some fairly-priced pub food while we were entertained by the Eagles game on several TV's, wing-guzzling frat boys at the next table, and an attractive-yet-hardened waitress with no time to be charming.

Picky's cheesesteak was too dry, but that didn't discourage him- he's going back for the famous roast beef. Otherwise the food was pretty good. With all of the options in Olde City, Nick's might not be a top choice. But, then again, if you're short on cash and craving beer and cheesefries, Nick's is the place to be. Especially since there is a "French Fry Gallery" section on the menu, with thirteen choices available. It starts off with the normal golden french fries and golden cheese fries, but then the gallery expands. Maryland crab fries, cajun fries, chili fries, gravy fries, pizza fries, chajun cheese fries, curly fries, curly cheese fries, curly crab fries, curly cajun fries and curly cajun cheese fries.

Nick's kitchen is open until 1am all week and the bar closes at 2am, so if you find yourself craving grease while you're out at a club in Olde City, break out a little early and head on over to Nick's.

Messy **
Picky ***

The final word: We'll be back for the namesake. Well, one of us, at least.

Nick's Roast Beef
16 S. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-928-9411

Posted in American, Bars, Center City East, Cheesesteak, Olde City | 2 Comments »

GIANNA'S GRILLE

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

gianna's grille

Recommended by our vegan buddies, Gianna's has everything from the classic Philly cheesesteak to a vegan chicken salad, not to mention their extensive array of sugary, cholesterol-free vegan desserts. The vegetarian specialties are many, and all are available veganized.

The inside of the restaurant is slightly cramped, but if you don't want to make the trip over there, their delivery is super quick and eco-friendly via bicycle. With plenty of food for the meat-eaters and reasonable prices, this place is bound to please everyone. Both the vegetarian and meat versions of the BBQ chicken cheesesteak are just sublime.

Messy has systematically sampled all of the vegetarian specialities, and would recommend all of them except the "Chicken Run." Picky was not as impressed [read: revolted] when he tried the vegetarian meatball sub which he insisted doesn't taste anything like real meatballs. But Messy found it to be one of the best subs she's ever had.

Messy ****
Picky ****

The final word: Gianna's appeals to the greasy foodie in all of us, and this time, it's vegan friendly.

Gianna's Grille
507 S 6th St
Philadelphia, PA
215-829-GG4U [4448]
Sun & Mon Closed Tues-Thurs 12-8PM Fri & Sat 12-9PM

Posted in Center City East, Cheesesteak, South St, Vegetarian | 5 Comments »