Most colorful street in Philly? (Philadelphia: food, friendly, best)

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by 1ondoner

I almost stopped by Geno's today. I have family visiting over the Christmas break and I'm hoping we get a chance to go to Geno's. We're definitely going to Manhattan for the Christmas displays.

No! Go to John's Roast Pork, on Snyder Ave across from Snyder Plaza and near Columbus Commons. Columbus Commons has the huge Ikea store. There's plenty of parking nearby in each shopping center.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by 1ondoner

I almost stopped by Geno's today. I have family visiting over the Christmas break and I'm hoping we get a chance to go to Geno's. We're definitely going to Manhattan for the Christmas displays.

If you go to NYC be VERY prepared for even bigger issues on 5th Ave wrt congestion. It's always crazy with people this time of year but security around Trump Tower has made it more so. I was there a week ago ...

Expect possible traffic backups, worse than usual, getting through the tunnels if you go that way.

[1ondoner]

I actually did go to Columbus Commons. I had gone to CC and when I was done, I decided to explore Philly

Originally Posted by kyb01

No! Go to John's Roast Pork, on Snyder Ave across from Snyder Plaza and near Columbus Commons. Columbus Commons has the huge Ikea store. There's plenty of parking nearby in each shopping center.

[2002 Subaru]

Originally Posted by kyb01

No! Go to John's Roast Pork, on Snyder Ave across from Snyder Plaza and near Columbus Commons. Columbus Commons has the huge Ikea store. There's plenty of parking nearby in each shopping center.

John's is a dump in a dumpy setting ... and the cheesesteak isn't all that great. I'd never send a tourist there.
Nothing wrong at all with a Geno's steak, plus the atmosphere is much better than John's.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

John's is a dump in a dumpy setting ... and the cheesesteak isn't all that great. I'd never send a tourist there.
Nothing wrong at all with a Geno's steak, plus the atmosphere is much better than John's.

Yeah, it was dumpy around there. Used to be true, I agree. But it's not so true now...a giant Lowes is right next door with the giant IKEA next to that. The whole thing is called Columbus Commons.

The problem I have with Geno's, Pat's, and Tony Luke's is the lines. I'm not a line stander usually.

I dunno, I've gotten the same level of friendliness and/or real Philly-ness from all those places.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

John's is a dump in a dumpy setting ... and the cheesesteak isn't all that great. I'd never send a tourist there.
Nothing wrong at all with a Geno's steak, plus the atmosphere is much better than John's.

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.

While I agree the setting is not great, it does harken back to the blue collar working guy getting a bite for breakfast or lunch off the grill. Plus, it is way easier to park.

Still, if someone has never had a cheesesteak in Philly, you mine as well send them to 9th street. There is a bar these days in between the Pat's and Geno's called Garage, and you can bring your cheesesteak inside and have a drink with it. If you have younger kids they are also more of a colorful experience. If you want to eat a cheesesteak with a real philly Sarcone's roll, super sharp provolone I would go to John's.

In Regards to this thread:

I would say Market Street is a better walk than Broad. A lot has been added to make west market a better walk for a pedestrian. Philly is more about the more lowkey streets. 2nd/3rd in Old City, South Street, the Italian Market, Walnut/Chestnut, idk just my thoughts.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

John's is a dump in a dumpy setting ... and the cheesesteak isn't all that great. I'd never send a tourist there.
Nothing wrong at all with a Geno's steak, plus the atmosphere is much better than John's.

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.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

Still, if someone has never had a cheesesteak in Philly, you mine as well send them to 9th street.[...]

Sending a visitor to Cheesesteak Corner is like steering someone visiting Kansas City to Arthur Bryant's Barbecue at 1727 Brooklyn Avenue.

You're sending them there for, and because of, the legend. Not because they're the best in town.

In Regards to this thread:

I would say Market Street is a better walk than Broad. A lot has been added to make west market a better walk for a pedestrian. Philly is more about the more lowkey streets. 2nd/3rd in Old City, South Street, the Italian Market, Walnut/Chestnut, idk just my thoughts.

Broad Street:

--is too short in its key stretch because of how the original 1682 city was laid out
--has historically been an office canyon, and office canyons are generally uninteresting streets to walk.

I'd say that still applies to West Market Street, though less so than it used to be. East Market's problem is that it still has holes that need filling. But they're working on that.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

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

It's John's Roast Pork for a reason; get a pork sandwich.

Tbh, I've never had a cheesesteak from there. Only pork and breakfast sandwiches on a hoagie roll.

[2002 Subaru]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Yeah, it was dumpy around there. Used to be true, I agree. But it's not so true now...a giant Lowes is right next door with the giant IKEA next to that. The whole thing is called Columbus Commons.

I still wouldn't recommend it to a tourist.