TRAVEL TASTE TEST: CHEESESTEAK

11/11: I wrote this post months ago and somehow it never published.  Since then, Geno's owner, Joey Vento, has passed.  While I still stand by our choice, Philly wouldn't be the same without his landmark. I'm sure they're eating well -- and speaking English -- in heaven.

When faced with a city as dull as Wilmington, DE, the only sensible thing to do is to leave immediately and high-tail it up to Philly.

Why?

2 words: Battle Cheesesteak.

We arrived in 30th Street Station early that Sunday and made a beeline for the taxi stand.  Liberty Bell?  Nah.  Rocky Steps?  Later.  It's Pat's & Genos, on the double, for the city's signature dish.  The intersection of 9th and Passyunk was our first -- and only -- stop.

Both joints lay claim to inventing the heaven on a hoagie known as the cheesesteak.  We had to investigate for ourselves.  Here's how you do South Philly right:

1) Go to Geno's Steaks first.  It's flashy and amongst the celebrity memorabilia, you notice that owner Joey Vento inexplicably endorses Trump for president.  Don't be discouraged by the line that wraps around the place -- it moves fast.  When you get to the 1st window, order a steak sandwich with Cheez Whiz and onions  At the 2nd window, order Freedom Fries.  Then belly up to a counter and split this feast with a friend.  You'll still be left wanting more, which is good because you need to save room for your trip across the street. 

2) Go to Pat's King of Steaks.  It's unassuming, and the line takes longer, but it's worth the additional wait (and the additional weight).  If you want to order like a local, say you want "whiz wit," or Cheez Whiz with onions.  Get some fries here too, so your sandwich doesn't get lonely.  Sit at a picnic table and split this new feast with your buddy until you're both stuffed.  Then eat a little more.

3) Whatever you do -- and this is totally serious -- DO NOT CROSS STREAMS.  Never bring a Geno's to a Pat's or vice versa.  It's disrespectful.  Have the full Geno's experience, THEN have the full Pat's.  (Having the full Monty, however... is entirely up to you.)  Anything less is un-American.

4) Now it's time to choose a winner.  You'll appreciate that both sandwiches are made on fluffy buns with thinly-sliced rib eye.  You may have a preference for your meat to be chopped (Pats) or whole (Geno's).  Onions are onions, so really, it comes down to the cheese.  Geno's skimps on the whiz because they think provolone is proper.  But Pat's lays it on thick in all it's orangey glory, and THAT makes Pat's king. 

Mmmm.

Tonight for dinner, I ate a 3-year old Hot Pocket from the back of my freezer.  Thankfully, I have the memories of the most delicious streetcorner in country to keep my tummy warm.

Agree?  Disagree?  Battle it out below...