Philly 2/7 to 2/10
 

What shouldn't I miss on a first trip?

Cheesesteaks at either Pat's or Geno's (9th and Passuyunk in South Philly). It's the "tourist" places. Some locals have other places they recommend.

If you want a nice meal. Rose's Tattoo near downtown.

- HobokenFlyer

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll look into Rose's. BUT, if I have a cheesesteak I want an authentic one, blessed by locals!

Let me explain. The "best" cheesesteak in Philly is really depends on "who" you talk to that day.

I have stood on line at both Geno's and Pat's for a half hour with tourists AND locals. However, I have also heard from locals that they never go to Pat's and Geno's because of "too many tourists". Doesn't mean it is not authentic nor it isn't very good. It just means that they have a place they like better.

There is also Tony Luke's which is nearly the docks and the sports stadiums.

I am not discouraging you from going to Pat's or Geno's because that's where I usually go when I am there. I am not a local, but I have been to Philly at least 50 times in my life for short or overnight stays.

I am just saying you may hear some bellyaching or arrogance from some locals who don't like Pat's or Geno's. Cheesesteak to Philadelphians is a very personal choice to them and I am sure fistfights have broken out over the d@mn things. It's a zealotry only matched by another Philly favorite, Tastykake.

Go to Pat's or Geno's ot Tony Luke's; they all cater to locals AND trust me advertise in all the tourists rags, magazines and in hotel TV tourist channels. Now there are others and you may hear about them, I just never have gone, but I am sure some local will insist that this "other" place is better.

- HobokenFlyer

Addendum: Here is a 2001 Survey from citysearch.com (take with grain of salt because it's a opinion poll of users and sometimes there could be a fix. But it's a good list of "other" steak places besides Pat's or Geno's):

http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/best/results/18

I don't know if you remember the band, Boys II Men? But one of their big songs was MotownPhilly. Well in the video for that song and I think also "The End of the World" they are seen singing and dancing in front of Geno's.



[This message has been edited by HobokenFlyer (edited Jan 27, 2004).]

Susanna Foos is another excellent place for eats.

Thanks, HobokenFlyer& Arcolaio99! It is a hobby of mine to try the local famous fare when I visit new places. I was in Miami recently and had "cubano" sandwich in little Havana, mainly due to a thread in these forums. It was fabulous and I am shamed that I lost the take-out menu I had snagged so that I could point other FT'rs to it. Thanks for the great link, too, HobokenFlyer! The closest I have been to you was the "Water Club" or "Water Front" across the bay.

Well next time you are in NYC, you have to come over to Hoboken. There are some great restaurants here also! There is a also a Chart House just north of Hoboken in Weehawken that has absolutely breath taking views of Manhattan. Views you cannot GET in Manhattan unless you go to The View at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square or the Rainbow Room at Rockefellar Centre.

The Water Club is a very nice restaurant. Have eaten there many times. Been to Denver a couple of times and Fort Collins. But, besides steak and Rocky Mountain Oysters (which I have eaten), I don't know what food Denver is "known" for.

Also, in Philly, check out Reading Terminal Market. It has lots of food choices and shops. It is also the closest you will get to see Amish and Mennonites without actually going to Lancaster.

BTW, if you want to SOUND like a local when you order your cheesesteak, the first rule is don't call it a cheesesteak. It's just "steak" to them. Also, your first main choice of the type of steak you want is not the cheese, but if you want onions or don't want onions. However, Philadelphians abbreviate.... "Steak wit" is a steak WITH onions and a "steak witout" is a steak without onions. Depending on the places you go by default they put Cheez Whiz as your choice of cheese; but sometimes that means with no cheese, so to be safe; say "Steak wit Whiz" or "steak whiz wit" or simply "whiz wit" (steak with onions and cheez whiz). You will REALLY sound like you know what you are doing if you use the lingo and you will understand what the locals are ordering.

You usually have a choice of cheese at most places, American, Cheddar, Mozzarella and Provolone; just replace the "whiz" with the cheese you want. If they offer peppers or mushrooms just add those item to the end of your steak statement.

Hope this helps!

- HobokenFlyer

[This message has been edited by HobokenFlyer (edited Jan 28, 2004).]

Been several years since I lived in Philly, but here goes:

Tony Luke's is a great suggestion for steaks -- a real local place. Also, if you're going to the Reading Terminal Market, check out Olivetti's for a great steak. (My personal favorite are their pizza steaks -- cheesesteaks with sauce.) Just remember that you don't go for the ambiance -- it's for the food!

Pick up a soft pretzel from a vendor cart while you're there, and don't forget to add mustard.

Other, non-food suggestions:

If you like museums, the art museum is great. You can always spot the tourists because they're running up & down the stairs like Rocky. Sundays used to be free admission, and I bet they still are.

If you're bringing kids try the Franklin Institute Science Museum or the Natural History Museum. The Franklin Institute has an Imax theatre as well.

The zoo is tops -- second only to the National Zoo, IMHO. And the waterfront area has some great clubs, if you're into that.

But the stuff you absolutely shouldn't miss is the history. The Liberty Bell & Independence Hall are must-sees. Also a lot of fun are the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church Burial Ground, Eastern State Penitentiary, U.S. Mint, and the Italian Market. Check out http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/liv...l/city_guides/ for some descriptions.

Enjoy your visit!

[This message has been edited by scirel (edited Jan 28, 2004).]

Great info, Hoboken and Scirel!
Now I will fit right in when I order "steak wit" though my toes curl at the thought of cheese whiz; <I'll hope for muenster and settle for provolone>
The Art Museum is first on my list, then the Liberty Bell and others. I will definitely do the Italian market, I began the market-visit tradition when in Venice.
Hoboken, I am in NYC this weekend just Saturday night, do you <and your SO> want to meet for drinks or dinner?
What is Denver known for...? Good question, we are a melting pot, many foods just no really good pizza or tex-mex or BBQ. I know you can get great game at "The Fort" and I think our sushi is outstanding. There are many upscale steakhouses (I love Sullivan's and The Palm) We have not niched ourselves into a "signature bite" though, and I think I'll get right on that!

BTW welcome, Scirel! nice to see another neighbor in these forums http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Lisa,

If you are going to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall be sure to check out the new Constitution Center, its just on the other end of Independence Mall from the Bell.

Jay

You know to some people having their toes curl is a GOOD thing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Well that sounds like a nice idea. I will run it by my SO, the GF. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif Have to check "the boss" on the schedule. Do you want to stay in Manhattan or would you consider crossing the Hudson to Hoboken? (A simply PATH ride or NY Waterway Ferry away!).

Send me an email on my profile so we can discuss details outside the public forum. Hell, we can make this a "dinner in NY/NJ" thread and invite other FT'ers. Let me know.

- HobokenFlyer

thank you, JayBrian!
When in Philly I plan to spend a day steeped in the history. Feed my mind as well as my mouth http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hoboken, YGM!
I love the spontaneity of these forums!

<when I stop blushing, I'll go open a jar of CW>

Reading Terminal is a must-see, although hours are limited (8a-6p Mon-Sat, closed Sunday). Check out Chinatown, also.

A "steak wit" is the best way to go. I had thought cheese wiz would be gross, too. But once I tried it, "wit" is it! Went to both Pat's and Genos.

Have fun. I definately want to go back and "go native."

Must agree about the cheese whiz...yuck. I'm a provolone or American guy myself...