English Only At Geno's

[MadMarchHare]

When I was back in Philly for a meeting, I took a bunch of my co-workers to Pat's so they could try a true Philly cheese.  Most thought it was A) really expensive and B) disgusting.  Midwesterners suck.

[Sgt PSN]

I think I may have told this story here a few years ago, but what the hell.....

When I was stationed in Seattle in the 1995/96 time frame, a couple of buddies and I grabbed something to eat at an "Applebee's" type place.  One of the guys who was from N. Dakota or something ordered a "Philly Cheesesteak".  When the waitress brought out the food this supposedly authentic sandwich was nothing more than a boneless steak with a slice of cheese slapped between 2 pieces of bread. 

They charged him like $9.00 for it.   

[Rome]

As far as cheesesteak places from outside the Delaware Valley go, I've had a few that weren't bad and came pretty close to being authentic because they imported the meat, rolls & cheese from back home.  There's a place in Daytona called Famous Philly's whose owner does that.  He gets everything shipped once a week and has a pretty successful little bar & grille because of it.

LaSpada's over in Tampa does the same thing.  Again, not authentic but not bad especially considering how truly awful most places make them. 

On a side note Publix Supermarkets use grilled roast beef in their cheesesteaks.  Good God...   

[Geowhizzer]

As far as cheesesteak places from outside the Delaware Valley go, I've had a few that weren't bad and came pretty close to being authentic because they imported the meat, rolls & cheese from back home.  There's a place in Daytona called Famous Philly's whose owner does that.  He gets everything shipped once a week and has a pretty successful little bar & grille because of it.

LaSpada's over in Tampa does the same thing.  Again, not authentic but not bad especially considering how truly awful most places make them. 

On a side note Publix Supermarkets use grilled roast beef in their cheesesteaks.  Good God...   

We have a place in Ft. Myers called Philly Junction that does the same thing.  Still not quite like home, but as close as I'm going to get.  Too bad it's an hour from home.

And Publix sandwiches are tolerable at best... their bread is hard enough to break a tooth.

[Sgt PSN]

LaSpada's over in Tampa

That's the name Dave Spadaro is going to use when he opens up the world's first authentic Mexican Cheesesteak shop.  All of the grills are going to be fashioned after TO's abs and the steaks will come with guacamole, tobasco and will also be available quesedilla style. 

[Yeti]

Vermont has Philly Cheesesteaks.

Roast Beef, green peppers and mayo on a torpedo roll.

My lawsuit is pending.

[Sgt PSN]

Vermont has Philly Cheesesteaks.

Roast Beef, green peppers and mayo on a torpedo roll.

My lawsuit is pending.

Why you suing?  Still haven't gotten the torpedo roll out of your ass?  The roast beef goes in the torpedo roll.  Not the torpedo roll going into your roast beef curtains. 

[Susquehanna Birder]

No.

[MadMarchHare]

Hey, Rome, they actually get Amoroso's in Fla?  I wish we could get those in N Illinois.

[Yeti]

Vermont has Philly Cheesesteaks.

Roast Beef, green peppers and mayo on a torpedo roll.

My lawsuit is pending.

Why you suing?  Still haven't gotten the torpedo roll out of your ass?  The roast beef goes in the torpedo roll.  Not the torpedo roll going into your roast beef curtains. 

I should sue you for using the term Roast Beef Curtain.

[Sgt PSN]

And I should sue you for that horrible, disgusting burnt cheese pizza I had at Suzie's but you don't see me crying about it.  

Too bad you're up in the woods now because I'll be visiting my dad in Limerick next week and I'm sure you're wife misses me.  I'll be sure to stop by and tell that 80 year old stripper we saw that you send your love. 

[Yeti]

And I should sue you for that horrible, disgusting burnt cheese pizza I had at Suzie's but you don't see me crying about it.  

Too bad you're up in the woods now because I'll be visiting my dad in Limerick next week and I'm sure you're wife misses me.  I'll be sure to stop by and tell that 80 year old stripper we saw that you send your love. 

Of course I love her.  She's my Mom.

And by the way, that wasn't cheese.

[Rome]

 

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Geno's hit with bias complaints
The Commission on Human Relations said it would insist on removal of a "Speak English" sign at the cheesesteak shop.
By Mitch Lipka
Inquirer Staff Writer

One of South Philadelphia's biggest names in cheesesteaks is in a bit of a legal pickle for a lunch-line political statement against immigrants who don't speak English.

The city's Commission on Human Relations yesterday filed a discrimination complaint against Geno's Steaks over signs that read: "This is AMERICA ... WHEN ORDERING SPEAK ENGLISH."

Owner Joey Vento has become a mini-celebrity over the issue and has steadfastly refused to pull down the signs despite the growing legal brouhaha. His son, Geno, said his father would not comment on the matter to The Inquirer.

Reached at his home yesterday evening, the Rev. James S. Allen Sr., commission chairman, said it was incumbent on the commission to get the sign removed.

"We think it is discriminatory, and we are concerned about the image of Philadelphia," he said.

According to the complaint, which was served on Geno's yesterday afternoon, the restaurant is in violation of two sections of the city's antidiscrimination laws: denying service to someone because of his or her national origin, and having printed material making certain groups of people feel their patronage is unwelcome.

In two weeks in the media spotlight, Vento - who has done a whirlwind of local and national talk shows - has defended the sign and said he had no intention of removing it.

He has said it is an immigrant's duty to learn the language and has acknowledged that his strong feelings were directed at Mexican immigrants, whose ranks are growing in South Philadelphia.

Vento, 66, said that the sign had been up for six months without complaint until recently and that it simply spoke to the notion that people who choose to live in this country should endeavor to speak English. He has made a point of saying he had never denied anyone service regardless of language.

But Allen said that didn't matter.

"The issue is not whether anyone has been denied service, but that such a sign discourages people from coming asking for service," he said.

Vento's son said yesterday his father would not comment on the issue to members of the print media on the advice of legal counsel.

Allen said the complaint begins a legal process that could subject Geno's to sanctions if the sign is not removed. It was not immediately clear how severe a penalty Geno's could be subject to if the complaint is found to be valid and an order to remove the sign is ignored. Rachel Lawton, acting executive director of the commission, did not return repeated calls seeking clarification and comment.

An investigation will begin, Allen said, and Vento will be afforded an opportunity to respond to the complaint. Then the two sides are supposed to get together to resolve their differences.

If the issue is not resolved, Allen said, a public hearing will be scheduled. The process, he said, could continue beyond that and has no certain time parameters.

"It depends on what his response is," Allen said.

The American Civil Liberties Union said that Vento had a right to express his opinions, regardless of how offensive they might be, but that his particular message might cross the line because of specific laws intended to make so-called public accommodations available to everyone.

Public opinion on both the Geno's episode and the larger issue of immigrants speaking the language of the land has been split. The Pew Hispanic Center last week drew attention to a poll that showed a large majority of immigrant Hispanics want to learn English.

City Councilman Jim Kenney said it was time for Vento to back down. He asked the cheesesteak wiz to take down the sign before the matter escalated.

"I asked for consideration, and the consideration was rebuffed," Kenney said yesterday. "I just think it's mean-spirited and divisive, and it's not good for the city's image."

[Susquehanna Birder]

It'll be a sad day if the gubment makes 'em take that sign down.