PAT’s VS. GENO’s

While on the road we decided to put together this little blog post about this BIG adventure.  Finally, it happened – we experienced Pat’s Vs. Geno’s while in Philly.  Our wonderful clients, Gwenn & Brian, who’s wedding was just a day and a half away picked us up from the airport and shuttled us directly to South Philly where 9th Street and Passyunk cross.

VS.

As the story goes, In 1930 it was Pat Olivieri who created the steak sandwich and began selling them out of pushcarts.  Business took off and somewhere around 1940 he opened his restaurant.  It wasn’t until 1966 that Joe Vento opened up Geno’s just across the way claiming that he “perfected” the Philly Cheese steak.  We ordered a “Whiz With” from each location along with some fries and JMC’s favorite – a diet coke and compared the two.  My opinion?… they both had their own “special touch” so you will have to decide for yourself.  A word of wisdom?… learn how to order before you actually get to the window and do not, under any circumstances, expect to be greeted kindly – they just want to get their steaks in your hands, leaving no time to talk about the wonderments of life.

Just after our rendezvous with Philly’s iconic competitors we were taken to the gorgeous Loew’s of Philadelphia.  As I could not get enough of our panoramic view from our suite, JMC was infatuated with all of the architecture, vaults and other treasures that were preserved in the building from the days that it use to be the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society, founded in 1816.

More to come from this Pennsylvania adventure including Gwenn & Brian’s delightful wedding!