Best cheesesteak in New Jersey?

[BigMadM]

Hoagies, for us New Yorkers, its a hero.
I remember, (yeah, memory lane, but not that long ago)
going down the trpke, right onto penn tkpe..get right off at Roosevelt AVe.?blvd? ,go about 15 blocks, past the chuckecheese(dont know if thats there anymore) and there was a Hoagie shop that was supposed to be a favorite of alot of NE philadelphians.
I cant remember the name, I dont think I ever looked.
Used to drive down on a sat afternoon when we were bored.
Best thing about ne philly, the absolute best, was stopping at any light on Roosevelt and getting the philly pretzel twists, 3 for a buck. Used to buy 15 bucks worth and bring them back to city for everyone. Now that was a good pretzel to wash down a good hoagie.

[BigMadM]

Does anyone remember getting off the penn tpke at Roosevelt AVe/blvd(?) and stopping at any light to get a real Philly Pretzel?
3 for a buck, NE philly they were on every street corner on Roosevelt, probably still are. Made a nice desert after a super hoagie.

[tonka]

I know, I know, Philly is the place for chsteaks, but who in New Jersey comes close. Personally I love Piccolos in Hoboken, great sandwich and Sinatra playing all day long. A new place just opened in Belleville, haven't tried it yet, corner of Franklin ave and Joralemon. Hmmm....a chsteak sandwich then over to ****, *********** to burn some calories. Peace

[john galt]

Best cheesesteak with fries and peppers and onions on it. All of their sandwiches are great....mmmm....I miss them, I live about an hour away from them and don't get to go down there too often, plus i'm doing the body for life thing and only have 1 free day a week.

[eviesnow2002]

Originally posted by tonka
I know, I know, Philly is the place for chsteaks, but who in New Jersey comes close. Personally I love Piccolos in Hoboken, great sandwich and Sinatra playing all day long. A new place just opened in Belleville, haven't tried it yet, corner of Franklin ave and Joralemon. Hmmm....a chsteak sandwich then over to ****, *********** to burn some calories. Peace

I love Piccolos in hoboken too they are the BOMB

Love < ******

[marc]

John Galt...I work 60 seconds away from Skuffy's!!
My people go their about once a week...great sandwiches...but their fries suck...I think they never change the oil!!

[aceofclubs26]

Cubbys in Hackensack. Gotta request it with the garlic french bread!

[Casper]

Originally posted by eviesnow2002


I love Piccolos in hoboken too they are the BOMB

Love < ******

Want me to bring you a few ? :)

[DRAGON69]

Cubbys in Hackensack is good but i find from time to time that there off alittle bit not consisent but very worth it

[rollin]

Pat's Pizza in Point Pleasant on Route 88 makes a great Philly Cheesesteak..... good pizza too. They've been in business there for over 30 years.
and i know it's not NJJ.............
Hey...Now.....

[mike0311]

I agree with Rollin on Pat's in Point Pleasant. I haven't any many that compare. Although Vinnie's on Route 35 in Belmar(I think). It's on the left if you are going north, right before the rt 138 ramp. They are almost as good as Pat's.

[RobbRoy]

Hands down....White House Subs in Atlantic City! On your next trip down you gotta check it out if you haven't allready.

[betty_snj]

Rollin, you know most of these parts...a client of mine mentioned a place out of 295 exit to Mt Holly...what is the name of it?

[fubar30]

Just east of Rt295 on Rt70 westbound is Big John's - their cheesesteaks are huge. When you order a whole the waitress will ask you are "Do you know how big the cheesesteak is?"

[gambino55us]

Originally posted by betty_snj
Rollin, you know most of these parts...a client of mine mentioned a place out of 295 exit to Mt Holly...what is the name of it?

Betty,
I think you mean BIG JOHNS. It is good but is NOT a true Philly Steak. I lived in Philly once for a short time so I became an EXPERT. (Plus I gained a lot of weight). I agree that Whitehouse in AC is about as close as you can get to the real thing.

[greekgirlinnj]

jesus im hungry


hoboken huh..thorn after meeting the beautiful mick (u know who she is) i dont doubt she can burn those calories off

[jaybee]

Originally posted by RobbRoy
Hands down....White House Subs in Atlantic City! On your next trip down you gotta check it out if you haven't allready.


hands down agreed

[BigMadM]

Martells on the boardwalk across fron Jenksinsons, Pt Pleasant beach, pretty decent stuff. All that fat on the grill really adds flavor.But Pats is definately better. See, Im may be stuck in Long Island but I love the Jersey shore.

[pav60]

WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMMING TO? ON UG TALKING ABOUT CHEESESTEAKS????????????????/

[Phantom]

Basic needs of the American male, food and sex, sex and food.

[jack sprat]

Originally posted by Phantom
Basic needs of the American male, food and sex, sex and food.

what about BEER?? what about FOOTBALL??

[Phantom]

OK, OK. Food, sex, beer and football

[carver420]

I know this thread is about Jersey, but we cannot have 2 cheesesteak threads going on around here; so,as far as Philly goes--if you go to Geno's and Pat's then it is clearly Pat's that is the better of the 2. BUT when you really want THE best cheeseteak you MUST go to Dalessandro's in Roxborough, just a short drive from center city--THE BEST!!!

[wildwyatt]

Sub City in Kenilworth has great cheese steaks, its a mom & pop operation. You can actually tell them any combination on a sandwich, fries, gravy, peppers etc.... They are located on gallopinghill rd.

[Jorel]

Originally posted by carver420
I know this thread is about Jersey, but we cannot have 2 cheesesteak threads going on around here; so,as far as Philly goes--if you go to Geno's and Pat's then it is clearly Pat's that is the better of the 2. BUT when you really want THE best cheeseteak you MUST go to Dalessandro's in Roxborough, just a short drive from center city--THE BEST!!!

Geno's and Pat's are barely edible. Living on a long past rep. Try Gooey Louies, Moyamensing and 2nd, Joannes, Federal and 2nd. Or Sals on Packer. Real cheese steaks use Ribeye and/ or serloin.

[Feelsgood]

Dos Amigos in West NY also has great cheese steaks...

[Casper]

Dos chicas in NNJ .... great tacos ;)

[rollin]

Originally posted by BigMadM
See, Im may be stuck in Long Island but I love the Jersey shore.

BMM...it's a wonder, comming from LI that you were even able to find Pat's....... no less Point Pleasant .....:) no harm no foul......

I was born and raised in that area and remember when Pat first opened at that location, back in the late 60's, they have always had the best cheesesteak in Point, though I've never eatin a cheesesteak at Martell's, it was sort of a fuddy duddy clam and oyster bars type of place many..... years ago.
I did, however, spend many nights across the boards at the Ripe Tide Bar, and under the boards after :p, and next door at Chi Chi's pizza, thinnist crust on the boards and I can't forget Mrs. Piates, the greasyest sausage, pepper and onion sandwitch in town. Ohhhhhh those were the days..........


Hey...Now.......

[gambino55us]

Originally posted by Jorel


Geno's and Pat's are barely edible. Living on a long past rep. Try Gooey Louies, Moyamensing and 2nd, Joannes, Federal and 2nd. Or Sals on Packer. Real cheese steaks use Ribeye and/ or serloin.

Don't forget Jim's on South Street. Always a line there. Must go with "extra wiz".

[Jorel]

Originally posted by gambino55us


Don't forget Jim's on South Street. Always a line there. Must go with "extra wiz".
No Offense. Jim's was forgettable. The line is due to the location, and hours of operation, not the food. Go to Sal's on packer. Top quality beef always beats cheap cow.

[mowogman]

Sorry to revive this - it must be my hunger setting in just before lunch. I see a lot of opinions, but little explanation of why. What are the characteristics of a great cheesesteak ? Size, bread, meat, cheese, (price ?) ?????? Is the meat those frozen minute steaks ? Thinly sliced roast beef ? Should it be cut up ? American cheese ? Cheese wiz (I don't get this part) ? Soft bread ? I may find myself in business at some point. Would really like opinions. Thanks.

[Slinky Bender]

Geez hunter... you show up every 5 months to read the food threads?

[BigMadM]

Originally posted by rollin


BMM...it's a wonder, comming from LI that you were even able to find Pat's....... no less Point Pleasant .....:) no harm no foul......

I was born and raised in that area and remember when Pat first opened at that location, back in the late 60's, they have always had the best cheesesteak in Point, though I've never eatin a cheesesteak at Martell's, it was sort of a fuddy duddy clam and oyster bars type of place many..... years ago.
I did, however, spend many nights across the boards at the Ripe Tide Bar, and under the boards after :p, and next door at Chi Chi's pizza, thinnist crust on the boards and I can't forget Mrs. Piates, the greasyest sausage, pepper and onion sandwitch in town. Ohhhhhh those were the days..........


Hey...Now.......

Some men are born lucky, some are born rich, some are born good looking. Well, god fucked me on all three so he gave me other talents. I can smell pussy from 75 yards and I know all the best places to eat the most unhealthiest food in the world.
It sort of goes hand in hand. (HEHEHE)

Martells is still that fuddy duddy clam bar, but on a Saturday night, the action in the back is pretty nice. Plus, its a nice lay back atmosphere and when you sit in the sun all day, its cool to just kick back and watch the rest of the world go by.(Ive been saving my checks from Jenkinsons for 15 years. My kids figure by the time they get married, we could get enough tvs and stereos to accomodate 2 homes.)

[mowogman]

"Geez hunter... you show up every 5 months to read the food threads?"


Hey ! I was hungry ! I read the others too but don't have a lot to say (of substance - although that doesn't stop others). I'm afraid the economy, specifically, the market, has put a kabosh on my hobbying. My last indulgence was Whilom, but I was reluctant to post due to what I perceived to be defensivenes around her "problems".

I can still afford cheesesteaks (financially - not health wise). When I do hobby, as infrequent as it has become, I try to select very carefully. However, it seems I'm never in the right place at the right time.

I'll continue to lurk until I have something brilliant to say. in the meantime, tell me about those cheesesteaks in more dinifinitive terms.

Regards,
Hunter

[robsethi]

Someone mentioned pizza - Godfather's pizza in East Hanover on Route 10, next to the homedepot. Hard to beat that Shrimp Scampi Pizza on Friday's. I haven't tried thier cheesesteak yet, but it's gotta be good there.

[BennyHill]

It aint New Jersey but the best damn cheesesteak is right over the Walt Whitman Bridge at Tony Lukes in Philly.

Pats and Genos are defintly living off their old reputations, Jim's is a big drunk hangout.

Tony Lukes defintly have the biggest and the freshest sandwiches around, they are super big and the steak is excellent quality.

Also recomend the roast Pork Italian with Sharp Provolone and Spinach or the Bacon, Egg, Cheese, Potato in the morning.

It is right on Oregon ave under the 95 expressway just off Front St.

[Casper]

Mother F'er.. Now I'm starving.

[Cloud Nine]

Why is it that you can't find a cheesesteak that's as good outside of the Philly area, or a NY pizza outside of NY, or bbq outside of Texas/OK/kansas, etc? (consistently)

Is it the ingredients, the water, the local culture? Is it something in our heads? Why?

While in a midwest diner once, the waitress told that one of the specials was a steak sandwhich. I ordered it and I got a slab of sirloin on texas toast.

[BigMadM]

And theres one more place on the Jersey shore that has great, great cheesteaks.
Seaside Heights. Its on the boardwalk, right across the street from the waterworks park. You cross between that big arcade and a small hotel. Its to the right on the boardwalk. I dont remember a name. Someone must know the place. Cheesesteaks, burgers, pizza....typical boardwalk fare.

[sod]

Midway?

[Dondee]

Originally posted by Casper
Mother F'er.. Now I'm starving.

Hey Casp!

We should organize a UG outing to go someplace nice to eat. We could do it once a month maybe, charter a bus, have the ladies come with us, etc, etc.

[justlooking]

Do any of you Phila. or NJ guys have an opinion about the cheesesteaks at BB Sandwich Bar on W. 3rd St. in Manhattan?

[Jorel]

Originally posted by mowogman
Sorry to revive this - it must be my hunger setting in just before lunch. I see a lot of opinions, but little explanation of why. What are the characteristics of a great cheesesteak ? Size, bread, meat, cheese, (price ?) ?????? Is the meat those frozen minute steaks ? Thinly sliced roast beef ? Should it be cut up ? American cheese ? Cheese wiz (I don't get this part) ? Soft bread ? I may find myself in business at some point. Would really like opinions. Thanks.

Simply put.

Sal's uses a combination of ribeye steak, and serloin. He overstuffs the sandwiches. Most of the steak places get the Hoagie rolls from one of two bakeries in the suburbs of Philia.( I will spare you the history lessons concerning the german and dutch immigrant bakers.) The cheeses available are either a white american, and or a good provolone. All the elements are key. The onions are marinated over night. The sandwich must be chopped so the the flavor from the fat mixes in the meat. (Hence why Pat's sucks) Ohh, and cheese wiz, must be at room temp. Cold cheese wiz sucks. (not a fan anyway). Lasty, the better places cook the meat in a combination of imported(very expensive) olive oil, home made butter.

[Jorel]

Also, there are some really good steaks, and steak sandwiches from the vendors at the sanganerro festival downtown nyc.

[gambino55us]

Originally posted by Jorel

No Offense. Jim's was forgettable. The line is due to the location, and hours of operation, not the food. Go to Sal's on packer. Top quality beef always beats cheap cow.

None taken,
I lived in Philly in the LATE 70's and thought it was a pretty good sandwich. I have been back a couple of times through the years and was not dissatisfied but you may be right. Is Sals the one that has only outdoor tables and is right off of I95 near the airport? If so I have stopped of there a couple of times and you are correct they are very good.

[Jorel]

Originally posted by gambino55us
None taken,
I lived in Philly in the LATE 70's and thought it was a pretty good sandwich. I have been back a couple of times through the years and was not dissatisfied but you may be right. Is Sals the one that has only outdoor tables and is right off of I95 near the airport? If so I have stopped of there a couple of times and you are correct they are very good.

Sal's is on Packer ave near the stadiums. Just past one of the main street intersections. I think Broad St.(Not from Philia) On the left. Sal's is a spin off from Joannes, which won best of Philly for their steaks 5 times. They were also a subject of a Discovery channel documentary. Get the belly Buster.

In the 70's there was a place in W.Philia called Queen of Hearts, on Lancaster ave. Do you remember it? Funny, In the 70's, so many good steak shops were in tough neighberhoods.

[Kman67]

I can't choose between Sal's and Skuffy's.

I think Sal's is better all-in-all, but Skuffy's is so damn nasty but satisfying all the same. True junk food!

At Skuffy's you still get steak-ums (didn't know they still made them), with the fries in the sandwich...

I may be a bit biased though. Skuffy's was always just a stones throw away when we moved to New Jersey.

[gambino55us]

Originally posted by Jorel
Sal's is on Packer ave near the stadiums. Just past one of the main street intersections. I think Broad St.(Not from Philia) On the left. Sal's is a spin off from Joannes, which won best of Philly for their steaks 5 times. They were also a subject of a Discovery channel documentary. Get the belly Buster.

In the 70's there was a place in W.Philia called Queen of Hearts, on Lancaster ave. Do you remember it? Funny, In the 70's, so many good steak shops were in tough neighberhoods.

No I don't recall venturing into W Phila. If I recall it was not a "great" neighborhood. I too am not from Phila. I moved there right after school for about a year for a job that didn't last. I lived in NE Philly at the time and there was a local "hogie shop" (sp?) that made a very decent steak.

[Cloud Nine]

THe best Hoagie I ever had was outside of Philly.

Whitehouse Hoagies in AC.. I dont remember the addy but if you ask any of the locals they will know, its how I find it.

[Cloud Nine]

Originally posted by justlooking
Do any of you Phila. or NJ guys have an opinion about the cheesesteaks at BB Sandwich Bar on W. 3rd St. in Manhattan?

Now why would any self-respecting Philadelphian eat a cheesesteak in NY?!!

(do I have to rant again about how NY is the axis for the universe?)

[Jorel]

Originally posted by Kman67
I can't choose between Sal's and Skuffy's.

I think Sal's is better all-in-all, but Skuffy's is so damn nasty but satisfying all the same. True junk food!

At Skuffy's you still get steak-ums (didn't know they still made them), with the fries in the sandwich...

I may be a bit biased though. Skuffy's was always just a stones throw away when we moved to New Jersey.

The best way to adress your delimma. The meats used by sal's are better(FOR a Hoagie only) Than Filet Mignon. Saw this tried by a shop trying to get an edge in a steak hoagie competition.
Unless the place went down hill in the last 8 months....NOT!!!

If they are using steak-umms, trust me, you are in for a shock. That is like comparing a Kats, or Carnegie deli pastrami or corned beef with the one arby's had a while back.

[Jorel]

Originally posted by gambino55us
No I don't recall venturing into W Phila. If I recall it was not a "great" neighborhood. I too am not from Phila. I moved there right after school for about a year for a job that didn't last. I lived in NE Philly at the time and there was a local "hogie shop" (sp?) that made a very decent steak.
There are a lot of good Stek places in Philia. I actually have a love for the Italian Hoagie. I have a special place for that. Different places have different strengths. I know one thing. People in Ny and other places really dont know the deal until they have had a top Steak!.

[justlooking]

That's exactly why I'm asking. The place opened to a lot of fanfare. I want to know what people who really know think.

(You might want to eat a cheesesteak on W. 3rd St. in Manhattan because you're on W. 3rd St. and you feel like a cheesesteak.)

(Just like if I'm wondering whether to go to a deli in some other city, I want to know what people from New York think of it.)

[Slinky Bender]

But the W 3rd streeet stuff isn't a Philly Cheesesteak (and they admit it). Personally, I think they are somewhat over-rated ( but the 2 for $5 opening month deal was nice).

[Jorel]

Originally posted by Cloud Nine
Now why would any self-respecting Philadelphian eat a cheesesteak in NY?!!

(do I have to rant again about how NY is the axis for the universe?)

Boy you really have issues with NY.
One thing NY doesnt have, Unless the festival is on, is a Steak.

[justlooking]

Originally posted by slinkybender
Personally, I think they are somewhat over-rated .

Me, too, FWIW.

[Cloud Nine]

Originally posted by Jorel
Boy you really have issues with NY.


No, just new yorkers. (and not all of them either)

[Cloud Nine]

Originally posted by justlooking
That's exactly why I'm asking. The place opened to a lot of fanfare. I want to know what people who really know think.

(You might want to eat a cheesesteak on W. 3rd St. in Manhattan because you're on W. 3rd St. and you feel like a cheesesteak.)

(Just like if I'm wondering whether to go to a deli in some other city, I want to know what people from New York think of it.)

Well, ever since my mistake of ordering a steak sandwhich in the worng place before (see story a few posts up). I have learned not to order certain things in certain places. (exception, I went to Texas a year ago and I had fabulous steaks there, but it would be silly to avoid eating steaks now, just because theyre better in Texas.) I would rather try the local cuisines anyway. I was just in asia, do you think I would dare order a hamburger over there?

[Cloud Nine]

Originally posted by slinkybender
But the W 3rd streeet stuff isn't a Philly Cheesesteak (and they admit it). Personally, I think they are somewhat over-rated ( but the 2 for $5 opening month deal was nice).

Proves my point.

However, if I were to move to NY (when hell freezes over), then I would consider buying a cheesesteak there. Why? Well, its not like I can always get the true blue Philly CS anytime I want. Whereas since I'm usually "visiting" NY, why take the risk and get a subpar CS, why not get the NY style pizza I love or whatever it is that NY is famous for (except I could do without the rude people)

[justlooking]

[superceded by intervening posts]

[Cloud Nine]

Originally posted by BigMadM
Hoagies, for us New Yorkers, its a hero.



Why they're called Hoagies:

After WWI there was a huge influx of Italian imigrants into South Philadelphia. THe Italian born population inflated from 6799 in 1890 to 63,223 in 1920. Many of them worked in the city's largest private shipyard near South Philly on Hog Island in the Delaware river.
Of course the nickname that these workers were given was "Hoggies". An Italian Hoggie would typically carry his lunch in an oil stained paper bag that contained an italian roll sliced in half, slathered with olive oil and filled with cheeses, tomatoes, lettuce, oinions, peppers and if he had some $$- some salami.

So the name Hoagie is a derivation of the nickname Hoggie and what they ate for lunch, why the "hah" sound changed to a "ho" sound is anybody's guess.

Of course I don't expect BigMadM to know this, cause he's one of them New Yorkers, plus he wrote this post in before the Great War anyways.

(if anyone's interested, I got this info from an interesting book I found, "Pennsylvania Curiousities" by Clark DeLeon.)

[Jorel]

Originally posted by Cloud Nine
Why they're called Hoagies:

After WWI there was a huge influx of Italian imigrants into South Philadelphia. THe Italian born population inflated from 6799 in 1890 to 63,223 in 1920. Many of them worked in the city's largest private shipyard near South Philly on Hog Island in the Delaware river.
Of course the nickname that these workers were given was "Hoggies". An Italian Hoggie would typically carry his lunch in an oil stained paper bag that contained an italian roll sliced in half, slathered with olive oil and filled with cheeses, tomatoes, lettuce, oinions, peppers and if he had some $$- some salami.

So the name Hoagie is a derivation of the nickname Hoggie and what they ate for lunch, why the "hah" sound changed to a "ho" sound is anybody's guess.

Of course I don't expect BigMadM to know this, cause he's one of them New Yorkers, plus he wrote this post in before the Great War anyways.

(if anyone's interested, I got this info from an interesting book I found, "Pennsylvania Curiousities" by Clark DeLeon.)

Actually, I think you are wrong. The origen of the bread, and the came from German and Dutch immigrants. Which settled in the Pennsylvania suburbs. The south Philia Italian immigrants just perfected these sandwichis in the 50's and 60's.

[Casper]

Jorel Welcome to Silver:


While we are on this topic: The first Blimpies sandwich shop was opened in NJ (birthplace of Frank Sinatra to be exact) and oddly enough was it was opened by an Italian.

[Cobra]

Tonka, I love ya, when I'm down and out, or blue your always there with either a great review or something new for the menu. Now my question are you asking about cheese cake, cheese steak, beef cake or what? You know I love eating raw monkey!! But the best which above all the rest? I just don't know? Keep me posted.

[tonka]

Thanks Cobra, nice to see you posting outside of the mp section. I have to change my vote on best cheesesteak in New Jersey. I recently had the pleasure of devouring a " Pat's Special", excellent meat, dices marinated mushrooms, diced hot peppers, topped with provalone. Awesome, delicious, my thanks to those who recommended this place. Now off to Skuffy's to see if my vote will change again. Peace

[BigMadM]

Thanx C9, thats a great explanation.

I Never knew that but I have been to football weddings in South Philly.(maybe the grandchildren of those Italian hoggie eaters)

Hey, Angelo, throw me a ********(your choice) sandwich, and Angelo would pick it up and toss it to you, like a football.
(this explanation is only for the guys that are too young or never had the pleasure of a football wedding party.)
Ive been to alot of football weddings up here also.