Most colorful street in Philly? (Girard, Ellsworth: house, restaurant, eat)

[2002 Subaru]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

At this day and age, both are tourist traps. It's been 10+ years since the Inky crowned John's as the king. Since then John's went on a solid roll (pun intended) winning a James Beard award, and getting featured multiple times on Food Network including winning Man vs. Food's Adam Richmond's best cheesesteak.

Should they really be considered 'tourist traps' even though many locals eat there?

[2002 Subaru]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I have yet to try the cheesesteak at John's Roast Pork, but:

--the eponymous sandwich IS all that and a bag of chips, better than either Tony Luke's or (sorry) Tommy Nicolosi's place in the RTM (which is a VERY close second)
--you're going there for the food, not the atmosphere; there are places in the dining universe where the food is so good (and so basic) the atmosphere really doesn't matter

As for Geno's, it's bright, clean and neon-lit, and Geno Vento is a huge benefactor of the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus (I'm sitting out my second season in a row after eight as a second tenor; something tells me I'll be a baritone when I return), so I'm not going to discourage anyone from going there and ordering cheesesteaks. In fact, I'd encourage all of you to have one for me, Geno and my brothers in song. But there are better in the city, at several places. Ditto Pat's, the originator, on the other side of Cheesesteak Corner. I would, however, say that Pat's is resting on its laurels while Geno's remains pretty decent.

A fun/friendly/interesting/unique atmosphere can make good food great.
A lame/unfriendly/uninteresting/bland atmosphere can make great food not so great. It goes hand in hand in many cases ... although, there are exceptions to the rule.

[1ondoner]

I would like to try Pat's cheese steaks but the place on the outside looks like they are long overdue for a refurbishment.

I like the outside of Geno's because it is well lit and has police badges from all over the country which can make interesting conversations. Honestly, I was impressed by their cheese-steak the first time I tried it. I loved the bread and the meats.

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

A fun/friendly/interesting/unique atmosphere can make good food great.
A lame/unfriendly/uninteresting/bland atmosphere can make great food not so great. It goes hand in hand in many cases ... although, there are exceptions to the rule.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by 1ondoner

I would like to try Pat's cheese steaks but the place on the outside looks like they are long overdue for a refurbishment.

I like the outside of Geno's because it is well lit and has police badges from all over the country which can make interesting conversations. Honestly, I was impressed by their cheese-steak the first time I tried it. I loved the bread and the meats.

Pat's actually looks better than it used to.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

A fun/friendly/interesting/unique atmosphere can make good food great.
A lame/unfriendly/uninteresting/bland atmosphere can make great food not so great. It goes hand in hand in many cases ... although, there are exceptions to the rule.

I'd say the rule is less hard-and-fast when it comes to "street food," whether or not it's actually served on the street...

...and given that neither of the places at Cheesesteak Corner have indoor seating (IIRC, there are a few of these at John's shack), I'd say cheesesteaks fall into that category.

The link attenuates on the downside: if the street food being served is great, most patrons will give the atmosphere a pass, especially if (as is the case with the three cheesesteak places being discussed here) they're not going to eat it on site.

That all having been said, Joe's in the Northeast and now in Fishtown serves great cheesesteaks in a fun atmosphere, FWIW.

[2002 Subaru]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I'd say the rule is less hard-and-fast when it comes to "street food," whether or not it's actually served on the street...

...and given that neither of the places at Cheesesteak Corner have indoor seating (IIRC, there are a few of these at John's shack), I'd say cheesesteaks fall into that category.

The link attenuates on the downside: if the street food being served is great, most patrons will give the atmosphere a pass, especially if (as is the case with the three cheesesteak places being discussed here) they're not going to eat it on site.

That all having been said, Joe's in the Northeast and now in Fishtown serves great cheesesteaks in a fun atmosphere, FWIW.

I still wouldn't send a tourist to Weccacoe Ave ... 9th Street or South Street it must be. Possibly even 2nd and Market. Be jealous.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

I still wouldn't send a tourist to Weccacoe Ave ... 9th Street or South Street it must be. Possibly even 2nd and Market. Be jealous.

You know it ain't so fabulous looking around 2nd and Oregon either but tourists have pretty much " taken over" Tony Luke's particularly in the summer.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by kyb01

All of the annual lights and decorations along 13th St near Tasker and Morris Sts. this time of year too!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bc32tJvSAtY

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bc32tJvSAtY

These city videos are always so delightful!

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by kyb01

These city videos are always so delightful!

I live two blocks from here and it's such a great display. Gets better every year.

One funny thing is that so many people drive through in their cars. It's like the people who visit a state park and never get out of the car.