Well, if you just ask for a "cheesesteak" (i.e. don't specify), then they'll serve you Cheez Whiz. Alternately, you can get a American Wit or Provolone Wit. No Swiss, however, as John Kerry discovered to his embarrassment (and the local press' delight) a few months back.

Or you can get any of the three Wit'Out, as in "hold the fried onions."

I echo the sentiment of the other Philly resident earlier in the thread; Tony Luke's makes a far better cheesesteak than either Pat's or Geno's. However, it's worth going down to 9th and Passayunk if you've never been; what you miss in overall quality you make up by soaking in the overall atmosphere - especially on a summer evening.

I'm partial to DiNardo's for crabs, but their prices have gone way up in the last couple of years - it's no longer the "really good cheap" alternative to Bookbinder's. Avoid the latter, by the way; one of their two locations has closed down, and the other has never been any good and really only caters to tourists these days.

Also, I don't believe anyone's answered the OP's BBQ query. For my money, the Jamaican Jerk Hut (on South St. just west of Broad) serves the best BBQ food in the city. If you want a more refined atmosphere, you could try Warmdaddy's on Front St. in Old City, but they offer more of a general "Southern" menu than true BBQ. Great live blues, though.

Mook