Pat's was one of the most disappointing meals I've had when compared with teh expectations I had going into the meal. all 7 of my friends who went with me some years ago were scratching our heads in disbelief. It was so bland I salted the damn thing to get some flavor out of it. Since that day I've heard the same from many others who've gone to Pats or Geno's.

I'll opt for the Evanston branch of PB over Pat's any day (for some reason it tastes better than the Belmont or UIC-area PB locations).

Dear Franks in Niles has a solid Philly sammich, too.

I just came back from the Army - Navy game and my post game activities included visiting both Pat's and Geno's. I had Wiz wit from both places, and I thought the unchopped Geno's steak was head and shoulders above Pat's. The roll was worth the price of admission!

I do delivery from the Belmont PB a couple times a month, always getting an extra sammie or two for leftovers and I did think Geno's was something special, I'm perfectly happy with Philly's Best.

I have to laugh, imagining the Philly food website complete with people talking about how the Chicago dog at some place on South street is so much better than the one they had in Chicago, or how they prefer the pizza Uno in NYC to the one's in Chicago.

mrefjl wrote:I have to laugh, imagining the Philly food website complete with people talking about how the Chicago dog at some place on South street is so much better than the one they had in Chicago, or how they prefer the pizza Uno in NYC to the one's in Chicago.

I was laughing too. Is everything better in Chicago?

I Love Chicago!

Other than the roll, which is decent at PB, I really don't see how anything in philly is superior to the PB cheesesteak. PB gives you more thinly cut rib eye meat, that is a bit seasoned, and their onions are better as well. PB's roll, is soft enough to do the job.

mrefjl wrote:I have to laugh, imagining the Philly food website complete with people talking about how the Chicago dog at some place on South street is so much better than the one they had in Chicago, or how they prefer the pizza Uno in NYC to the one's in Chicago.

But you see, you are assuming the Philly Cheese Steak is actually GOOD. In Philly or anywhere else.

never been impressed with my visits to a couple different PB locations here. I have become resigned to the fact that a good Philly is not available in Chicago, which is a shame, Id take a good Philly steak sandwich over and IB sandwich anyday, and I love IB sandwiches.

jimswside wrote:never been impressed with my visits to a couple different PB locations here. I have become resigned to the fact that a good Philly is not available in Chicago, which is a shame, Id take a good Philly steak sandwich over and IB sandwich anyday, and I love IB sandwiches.

Where did you have one that you considered 'good'?

Panther in the Den wrote:Where did you have one that you considered 'good'?

Upthread, Donti's Deli in Naperville was mentioned, really good, as close to one from Philly that I have had. Sadly they have been gone for at leaat 15 years now.

Other than that I havent found one

Luckily I worked @ a Philly Steak place, and know the "secrets" to making a good one @ home, no need to try anymore local ones at the current time.

Its all good, PB just hasnt worked for me. I was rooting for them as I like a Philly after a few drinks.

I have to laugh, imagining the Philly food website complete with people talking about how the Chicago dog at some place on South street is so much better than the one they had in Chicago, or how they prefer the pizza Uno in NYC to the one's in Chicago.

I'm as much of a Chicago booster as any, but I can admit that I prefer Zachary's (which is in Berkeley, of all places) to Gino's and Uno/Due in Chicago. But I prefer Burt's and Pizano's to all of them, thereby preventing the otherwise inevitable rift in space and time. And I've heard there are much better cheesesteaks to be had in Philly than the ones served at Pat's and Geno's.

FoodSnob77 wrote:Other than the roll, which is decent at PB, I really don't see how anything in philly is superior to the PB cheesesteak.

You bet. PB should open a branch in Phila. to show 'em how it's done.

Hey jimswside, care to be kind enough to share some of these "secrets?"

jimswside wrote:...Id take a good Philly steak sandwich over and IB sandwich anyday...

Take it easy there, that's sacrilegious in these parts.

I have never had a cheesesteak from Pat's or Geno's and have had many from PB. I like PB, its a good sandwich. However I know plenty of people, some from Chicago and some not who had no idea what the hype was about when it came to a cheesesteak. In fact I know more people who dont like either spot then I know people who do. It is my goal to one day try them. Im also sure that these two are very similar in popularity and being known amongst tourists much like Al's and Mr. Beef and that locals have a much better spot they go to.

FoodSnob77 wrote:Hey jimswside, care to be kind enough to share some of these "secrets?"

sure, frozen ribeye shaved paper thin is the biggest one. Then have a hot enough cooking surface to mimick a flattop grill. Then oil, beef, onions, s&p, then cheese(white american) folded into the mix. top with the split roll so it steams a little, and scoop it up. pretty basic things but they really make a difference.

Da Beef wrote:Take it easy there, that's sacrilegious in these parts.

its all good, I really like IB sandwiches(I eat a few every month), but something about the Philly has me hooked, maybe its the way the cheese, and everything comes together.

Other than the roll, which is decent at PB, I really don't see how anything in philly is superior to the PB cheesesteak.

This is a huge "Other than . . . " since IMO about 40%-50% of the attraction of a good philly steak -- and what separates it from nonlocal versions and also IB's --are the freshly baked Amoroso rolls (and occasionally other locally owned Italian bakery-products) they're served on. Here's more on this essential component:

http://www.phillymag.com/articles/icons_bread_winners/

Im a glutton for punishment when it comes to the Philly Steak, I have been to PB's a fewe times, and always left undewhelmed. However last night before heading home I had the craving for a Philly. Since we were up in the area, the PB on Belmont was an easy hit. Ive always thought the Blemont location to be better than the Greektown outpost & last night reinforced that belief.

The bread, that is the only thing PB's excells at, chewy, soft, just nice. The meat, reminds me of Steak-um's, it is what it is. Steaming hot off the grill with grilled onions and topped with white American cheese the sandwich worked for me last night(and the leftover half worked this a.m. cold from the fridge as breakfast).

Im still searching for a good Philly in town, for know an average one every once in a while will have to do.

Philly:

I'm by no means an expert on Philly Cheese Steaks, but found the Philly at the Great Steak and Potato Co. (you know, the mall chain that never has anyone waiting in line) to be much better than Philly's Best.

I had an atrocious "Chicago steak" at The Beetle on Division - the bun and provolone cheese weren't bad, but the steak was in the form of fajita-like strips. Whoever thought up this atrocity should be taken to the proverbial woodshed.

That said, I've thought that Philly's Best was "meh".

mclarksox wrote:I'm by no means an expert on Philly Cheese Steaks, but found the Philly at the Great Steak and Potato Co. (you know, the mall chain that never has anyone waiting in line) to be much better than Philly's Best.

I don't know. I always have buyer's remorse whenever I foolishly talk myself into going to this place. You get about 2 ounces of thin shredded beef on a sandwich that costs $7.

I was at the Philly's Best location in Evanston. I have not been for quite awhile, sandwich was good but not great.

Noticed that the Evanston location of PB is closing this August.

New location will be opening up at 6800 N Sheridan in Rogers Park. Name will be Philly's Best Sports Bar

butter674 wrote:Besides Philly's Best, which is quite good, where in Chicago, can you get a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, that is at least close to what you find in Philly?

Closed

Philly's Best (RIP)
2436 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

My favorite

Probably has been a while. I drove by a month or so ago, didn’t spot it and though I was at the wrong address.

Panther in the Den wrote:

butter674 wrote:Besides Philly's Best, which is quite good, where in Chicago, can you get a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, that is at least close to what you find in Philly?

Closed

Philly's Best (RIP)
2436 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

My favorite

Probably has been a while. I drove by a month or so ago, didn’t spot it and though I was at the wrong address.

They still have two other locations (769 W Jackson and 907 W Belmont).

Mojo's on Maple in Downers Grove has a very respectable cheesesteak. They get their rolls and steak from Philly.

Monti’s is superior to Philly’s Best by a long shot. They use genuine Amoroso rolls, and their aged cheddar spread is even better than Cheez Whiz.

metro man wrote:Mojo's on Maple in Downers Grove has a very respectable cheesesteak. They get their rolls and steak from Philly.

Been here several times. In addition to the Cheesesteaks, they also have decent Hoagies and Philly Style Roast Pork sandwiches.
Two negative for me are the meat portion size and the fact that they refer to some of there sandwiches as "Sammies".

Id111134 said:

Monti’s is superior to Philly’s Best by a long shot. They use genuine Amoroso rolls, and their aged cheddar spread is even better than Cheez Whiz.

Main Monti's thread
Last post in thread as of today by BrendanR is only one since new owners took over:

I visited Monti's tonight, solo, and in need of food to fuel a poker marathon. I got a Rocky, chile on the side, always the right way to go. That Rocky sauce has got to be one of the spiciest things on a menu in Chicago. Yelp reports they've recently been sold but everything seemed just as before. It was really quiet at what should have been a busy time, get over there and have a steak and wings.

Marshall K wrote:Two negative for me are the meat portion size and the fact that they refer to some of there sandwiches as "Sammies".

Haha. Yes. Absolutely this.

Bruno's in North Aurora (17 S Lincolnway St, North Aurora, IL 60542) gives you a lot more meat but lands more towards Philly's Best. I've also had a decent steak at Balboa's in downtown Naperville (22 E Chicago Ave, Naperville IL 60540) but the place was rocking that dry-trap, sewer smell when I was there, which is a bit of a turn-off.

Marshall K wrote:they refer to some of there sandwiches as "Sammies".

Right on. Any true Philadelphian knows the preferred nomenclature is “steak and cheese sub”.

Marshall K wrote:

metro man wrote:Mojo's on Maple in Downers Grove has a very respectable cheesesteak. They get their rolls and steak from Philly.

Been here several times. In addition to the Cheesesteaks, they also have decent Hoagies and Philly Style Roast Pork sandwiches.
Two negative for me are the meat portion size and the fact that they refer to some of there sandwiches as "Sammies".

Holy shit. There's a place here that does roast pork?! After tasting it a few times in Philly, I've been making my own from time to time, and I could(n't) care less what nomenclature a restaurant uses, but are they any good? Are there any other places that do roast pork here in Chicagoland?