Tony Luke vs. Geno’s Steak.

My first tour with Kooza is in Philadelphia. The birthplace of American Democracy, the American Revolution, Independence and was the US’ first capital. It was the home to Historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and literary figures such as Edgar Allan Poe. But what do I care. First thing I wanted to try in Philly was the cheesesteak.

Coming from Canada my only experience with what is called the Philly Steak and Cheese sandwich is a DISASTER. Much like when I see The Smoked Meat Sandwich in other towns than Montreal and I laugh uncontrollably because they completely massacred it by doing something insane like adding mayonnaise. Sure it’s a Montreal thing to put mayo in the burgers, but NOT IN THE SMOKED MEAT damnit.

Often in Canada the “Philly Steak and Cheese” is this bastardized crapfest of food. All the versions always have greenpepers and chucky crunchy onions and wait for it… Mozzarella cheese. I’ve even seen a few places where they serve it on a flatbread. Yo! What the fuck?

You learn a few things in Philly. To begin with it’s called a cheesesteak and it is served with American Cheese, Provolone or Cheese-Whiz. There’s also an etiquette to ordering it. You call out your cheese topping and with or without onions. So it goes like this:”I’ll have a Whiz, wit” this means, a cheesesteak with cheese-whiz with onions. Don’t screw it up or you’ll get “the eyes” They’re tough in South-Philly.

I decided to try to famous cheesesteak places in Philly. Tony Luke’s (Spotted on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown) and Geno’s a Philly institution.

Geno’s Steaks.

Geno’s is located in the South Philadelphia neighborhood on Passyunk Avenue, on the same corner is Pat’s King of Steaks, which claims to have invented the steak sandwich in 1930. It’s got some flashy neons and a huge non-stop line-up. The cheesesteak is a very greasy cut of meat and there’s very little of it served in the chewy and bland bun slathered in excess with the Whiz. When I looked through the window, the grill was thickly coated with burnt meat residue and they claim to be the cleanest grill in town. The fries were greasy also.

And just to add insult to injury the place is plastered with very right-wing signs that tell the very non-white neighborhood they aren’t very welcome there. “The City of Brotherly Love” has been replaced by “This is America Speak English”. Oh and let’s not forget that stupid fucking Freedom Fries menu. Then there’s the 2 booth process. I order my cheesesteak and pay, then I order my fries and lemonade (that was tasty at least) at another window and pay again. What’s up with that? All and all not a very good experience for one of the institutions of cheesesteak.

Tony Luke’s

The new kid on the block of cheesesteaks. Opened his doors, or window, back in 92 only and yet provided me with once delicious cheesesteak. To begin with he uses quality French Baguette which is just awesome and not some doughy, chewy elastic bun. The plentiful steak is meaty and does not taste drenched in fat but rather like steak from a steak house and has just enough whiz to make it delicious. No freedom fries bullshit here and lots of friendly service. Best damn cheesesteak I’ve had so far. The baguette is killer and really seals the deal in my opinion.

When in Philly and looking for a good cheesesteak, remember Tony Luke’s.