It has been said that the first "cheesesteak" made its appearance in the year 1930. One day, a hot dog vendor named Pat Olivieri, decided to put some beef from the butcher on his grill. A taxi driver noticed the alluring aroma and asked for his own steak sandwich. Then - Voila!
The Philly Steak Sandwich has been born! Except the original did not include cheese. It was not until later that Mr. Olivieri decided to add cheese to his beautiful recipe!
Cheesesteaks are the civic icon of Philadelphia. The long crusty rolls, filled with thinly sliced sautéed rib eye beef is often imitated around the world, but it is rarely duplicated successfully outside the state.
So this brings the questions: is there a real difference between the "Philly taste" and the "New York taste?"
Some people actually think a cheesesteak MUST be eaten in Philadelphia. But some people can't even tell the difference between pepsi and coke. So, it might be a matter of who is answering the question...right?
Is an authentic cheesesteak even worth the trip to Philly?
According to a fellow New Yorker, there could not be a more perfect cheesesteak than the ones in Philadelphia. "2 am in Philly and the cheesesteak spot was packed." Only three words fully explained his reasoning: "great tasting cheesesteaks!"
Beware: One word of advice was mentioned - "...you gotta go to the right place." (Luis Pinzon, 26)
If you are a food critic, a food junkie, or just an eater, traveling to enjoy an authentic cheesesteak will not be a waste of your time. Any experience with food comes with a risk of hating it or loving it.
Chew if you dare!
Even if it just so happens that you prefer the "New York" Philly Cheesesteak, traveling to Philadelphia is well worth the trip.
Philadelphia itself is a historical place. Its history pervades each major attraction.
Dating back from when America's founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in the Independence Hall, and the ringing of the Liberty Bell in 1776, it is no surprise that the world famous cheesesteak was born to make history in the same political place.
Of course, when traveling to Philly, you are at risk of walking into a restaurant with bad tasting cheesesteaks. So, make sure you pick the right one.
To start your journey, look into the Top 10 Spots for Authentic Cheesesteaks.
