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Photo: R. Kennedy- visitphilly
CHEESESTEAKS, MARKETS AND BREWS Where to eat in Philly
Article & Photography by Jennifer Merrick
Two words. Apparently that’ s all it takes to order the City of Brotherly Love’ s most famous sandwich. But I’ m still worried as I stand in line at Pat’ s, Philly’ s iconic cheesesteak establishment, which has been operating since 1932.
Should I order,“ American with” or“ with American”? Do I just say“ Whiz” or“ Cheez Whiz”? Do I even dare to try it with Cheez Whiz? Maybe provolone would be better?
Locals are born knowing the rules of ordering this classic; but for the rest of us, here are the basics:
1. With or without( properly pronounced wit or wit-out) refers to onions.
2. The three choices for cheese are Whiz, American or Provolone. To say cheese when ordering would be redundant; to say something along the lines of I’ ll have a Philly cheesesteak sandwich with Provolone and onions, for example, would be particularly dense, considering firstly that you are in Philadelphia, and it’ s just far too many words when volume is this high.‘ Provolone with’ means the same thing and ensures the line moves quickly.
3. Have your cash ready.“ Do all your borrowing in line,” the sign above the counter says, which also has the above rules clearly laid out should you forget.
The stakes, or should I say steaks, are high.“ Don’ t panic if you get it wrong,” the sign reads,“ just go to the back of the line and start over.” It’ s a long line.
“ I’ ve actually never seen anyone sent to the back of the line,” says Carolyn Wyman, author of the Great Philly Cheesesteak Book.“ What I have seen are customers getting basically two pieces of bread with only the tiniest bit of steak as‘ punishment’.
Isn’ t this a bit harsh?
“ Tough love,” shrugs Wyman. Mmmm …. City of Brotherly Tough Love doesn’ t have quite the same ring to it.
My anxiety level rises with every booming,“ NEXT!”, and we move closer and closer. In no time, we’ re at the window.