Phillie's Best!!

In honor of the World Series victory by the Philadelphia Phillies (HOORAY!), I wanted to talk about cheese steaks.

On Belmont Avenue, not far from our condo, there is a restaurant called Philly's Best. I was first introduced to Philly's Best 4 years ago by Denver. Can you imagine my skepticism when Denver (a Midwesterner, but the son of a Philadelphian) claimed that there was a shop in Chicago that could serve up a cheese steak just as authentic as those on the East Coast? I was even more skeptical when the take-out guy on the phone said they didn't have sliced pickles for my steak. Hello? There was no way this sandwich was going to be right.

Well, I was totally wrong. Even without the pickles, Philly's Best is truly that: It is the BEST cheese steak in Chicago and it can stand up to any Philadelphia steak out there. They import the bread, they use white American cheese, I could go on and on. Suffice to say that in a blind tasting I would bet dollars to donuts that Philly's Best could beat any East Coast Steak.

The last time I ordered, (my usual: chicken cheese steak w/ onions & ketchup) the guy looked at me and says, "You from Philly?"

I immediately gave him that glare of, "who wants to know" but still answered, "No, Delaware. Why?"

"Ketchup on your steak, only Philly people ask for ketchup."

"Oooh..." And a genuine smile hit my face, my East Coast authenticity shows through even at a steak shop.

"Wait a sec, I'll be right back" And this heavy set Philadelphia-turned-Chicagoan hustles off for what seemed like an eternity. When he came back, he stuffed a Tastycake into the sack and gave me a wink.

I'm now a regular at Philly's Best.