High Steaks Cheesesteak Challenge

So here we are again. Back to the ever-raging Philadelphia debate – who’s got the best steak in town? This Sunday, October 17, Square 1682 is hosting its first annual Cheesesteak Challenge: High Steaks Chef’s Showdown and block party on Sansom Street between 16th and 17th from 3pm – 5pm to celebrate its first anniversary.

Nine of the city’s top chefs will face off in a gourmet cheesesteak throw down, creating their interpretations of the classic wiz wit / wiz wit-out. Chefs include Guillermo Tellez of Square 1682; David Boyle of Davio’s; Brinn Sinnott of Noble; Peter Woolsey of Bistro La Minette; Jason Goodenough of Happy Rooster; Mike Stollenwerk of Fish; Paul Healey of Domaso; Dennis Marron Jackson of 20 and The Grille at Morrison House; and Massimo De Francesca of Nios.

Who better than to judge the festivities than the Philly cheesesteak professional himself, Tony Luke, of – duh, Tony Luke’s, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Michael Klein and others chosen from the city’s media and marketing sectors.

Tickets to the showdown are $20 and include tastes of all of the entries plus, three Victory Brewing Company brews. All of the proceeds go to benefit Philadelphia Academies, a Philadelphia based charity dedicated to career focused programming in our public schools.

The event will be held rain or shine and tickets will be available both online or at the door.

SQUARE 1682 121 S. 17th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 Adjacent to Hotel Palomar Philadelphia 215-563-5008

This article was written for and can be viewed at philly2night.com.

The Cheesiest Steaks Around At South Philly Bar & Grill - Who's Your Favorite?

Cheesesteak spots are a dime a dozen in this city but even with all of the different places to choose from, it’s pretty much a one horse town – wiz-wit or wiz wit-out. Maybe you could go prov, but lets face it - it’s usually American or bust and I’m not talking about which language you use to order.

But one spot, overlooked by all of the traffic blocking, line waiting tourists has notched out a space for its cheesesteaks too. And right smack dab in the middle of the big boys of steaks.

South Philly Bar & Grill, wedged between the bright fluorescence of Geno’s and the seedy darkness of Pats is taking its cheesesteaks where no respectable steak has gone before. They‘re topping them off with a whole new world of goodness like Gorgonzola, smoked Gouda, zesty habanero and my favorite, the roasted garlic.

Alas, now that you’ve been enlightened, there’s still one problem. Even for a dedicated Philly boy it could take days to try them all! How do you choose? No worries. SPB&G has come up with the solution. Cheesesteak flights.

Yes. There is such a thing - a glorious, gluttonous thing that someone would serve multiple cheesesteaks in one sitting. And this is why we love it. It’s only $12! And it’s not like they chopped one cheesesteak four times. There are two full size steaks and each half has its own new flavor. With that, SPB&G has thrown its hat in the ring and become a serious contender on 9th and Passyunk. Now, if they were only open 24/7.

We know that cheesesteaks are an institution, to say the least, but there are so many more choices than just the big three – Pat's, Geno’s and Jim's. So tell us Philly. We want to know who serves up your favorite cheesesteak?

South Philly Bar & Grill 1235-37 E. Passyunk Ave. Philadelphia, PA 215-334-3300

This article was written for and can be viewed at philly2night.com.