Italian Beef vs Philly Steak

What do you prefer and why?

MMMM

They both look very tasty to me!!

Heart attack specials but worth it!

You're British. A bowl of gruel is tasty to you .

Yogi prefers some weak tea and a chocolate digestive biscuit.

The last time I had a Philly cheesesteak ("with", BTW) was back in 2006 in Philadelphia in the company of some members of the GBB. A truly nice meal, made even better by the company.

The other sandwich, I must confess I've never had. What exactly is it, besides beef? Does it have a particular name, or it just called "Italian Beef"? (Those look suspiciously like jalapeño peppers mixed in there with all the other goodies.)

A little enlightenment would be greatly appreciated.


Signor V.

Al's on W. Taylor is the best and tastiest...

Looks quite interesting!

After doing a little research on the Internet, I got the impression that the Philly Cheesesteak is more widely known outside Philadelphia than the Italian Beef is known outside Chicago. Go figure - because it looks delicious.

As a matter of fact, until about two years ago, there was a pizzeria (!) near me here in Brooklyn that served Philly Cheesesteaks. You'd think they would be the ones to serve Italian Beef! But, noooooo..... (After many years, the place closed up and is now a Russian liquor store. )

Anyway, for the uninitiated (and I count myself among them), here are a couple of links that are quite informative:

Italian Beef - Wikipedia

Article & Recipe at www.amazingribs.com

Recipe at www.great-chicago-italian-recipes.com

Actually, there are plenty of recipes available online; I chose the ones that seemed the most representative. You may, of course, disagree - particularly if you are a true devotee (and have spent time in Chicago).


Signor V.

If you come to philly don't go to the tourist spot like geno's or pats steaks...but before I put my other cent in who my makes the best cheese steak or has the best cheese steaks? I'd ask an Oldhead!

Since your talking about philly cheesesteaks, there's a place called DiNic’s in the Reading Terminal who's Roast Pork sandwich was voted best sandwich in america on the Travel Channel. I wouldn't go that far but it is a pretty damn good sandwich. Also a place called John's Roast Pork in philly that makes another great roast pork sandwich. I usually stop in one of those 2 spots whenever i'm in philly.

Here is DiNic's Roast Pork.

^^^^
Looks like some broccoli rabe and fried Italian peppers made their way into that sandwich. I'm salivating .

that pork sandwich looks damn tasty! i remember seeing it on that top sandwich show on travel like was mentioned earlier, and there is broccoli rabe on it and some of the good aged sharp provalone hand cut! pork is the king of meats, so many things you can do with it!

No doubt, FF. But pork is raised entirely too lean in America today. You can't imagine how much tastier it was thirty years ago. Or you can just go to Europe and find out .

I've had this sandwich quite a few times at Reading Terminal, but not as often as I'd like. A common pleas judge introduced me to it. It's really amazing. I can think of many delicious sandwiches I've had, but this one isn't surpassed. I usually bring a couple home to Harrisburg if I stop there.

Pork is the best, I can't argue with that -- and I haven't had that sandwich yet, but I'm dying to try it!

But in general, I'd prefer a Philly Cheesesteak. Never had that Chi-town Italian one, and still don't know exactly what it is, but done right -- I love cheesesteak!

Pork is very intriguing, tho! I've heard good things about that outta Philly as well....

In the eastern countries this is called Gyro or Donner.The diference bewteen em is Gyro(greek) is with pork meat and Donner(turkish) is with lamb meat

Toodoped and the rest of the board.......

That is a Combo on a fresh toasted Italian Roll. It not only has Italian beef but also Italian Sausage with hot giardiniera and red sauce.

Ingredients for hot giardiniera: hot peppers, soybean oil, celery, bell peppers, cauliflower, carrots, pitted green olives, spices, vinegar, salt.

I though i saw a sausage some where in there but i thought i was trippin

Okay, here I am sitting in Philly working hurricane duty and I spot this post on line. I have been here for almost a week. Tried a cheesesteak at a restuarant that was supposed to be good in the suburbs (NOT). Went to south Philly to try one of the supposed staples (Jims, cool looking operation). All I can tell you is these will never beat the flavor of a good italian beef. I am a south side (chicago) native. The meat for these is tender but boring, the only way this sandwich had any flavor was to put ketchup on it. Do you believe that they put Cheez Wiz on em? Wow, will never consider ordering one the these again. I will say this, the bread (rolls) for both were fantastic though. Thanks for allowing me to post this!!

They'll usually ask you Wiz or Wizout. Alot of the places will give you an option to use provolone (or american) instead of the wiz.

I've never been to Chicago but i know it's known for their excellent Italian Beef sandwiches. One of these days i'll go visit and when i do one of my first stops will be to sample one of them babies.

This thread is making me hungry and i just ate dinner about half an hour ago.

All I know is that if you get some good bread, and a sirloin roast from the store, you can make some really good Italian beefs at home. Gotta have the hot mix though or its not the same. Cook those hot peppers on the grill with some sweet mixed in.

You mean "Wit"... Wiz Wit (Or Wit Wiz) (Cheeze Whiz WITH Onions)

Hmmm... So, would a gathering of these Turkish sandwich aficionados be called a "Donner Party"?


Signor V.

I don't know what they do in Yugo, but REAL Gyros, here, mean lamb. I've been to MANY Greek places here in the U.S., and NONE have ever offered pork. NONE. And, pork is my favorite. Go figure.

Traditional Greek gyros are with shaved lamb here in the U.S. If you don't believe it, then no one cares. It's still a fact.

Thats true,in many european countries,4 example Austria or Germany they make gyro with lamb meat,but its not called "gyro",its called "donner" cuz its sold by turkish ppl.Bottom line i like my gyro with pork meat.But seriosly talkin about REAL gyros in the U.S.?!?!

There's a stand on Steinway and 30th in Astoria. Makes the best gyro I ever had in my life .

I promised myself to stay off that block. My insurance carrier used to be there when I was driving the cab and I never escaped that block without gaining 5 pounds. Besides all the great Greek food there used to be a pizza place there with the best grandma's pizza I ever had.

Honest to God, SC. That's maybe the most fattening neighborhood in the Five Boroughs .

Im gonna stay away for a while from the "Food & Drink" forum cuz all of these gyros r startin to spin around my head...right now im on a diet ...dont know for how long

Yeah, if you're trying to drop a few pounds, this is a good section of the board to avoid.

After referring to wiki, I stand corrected. Gyro just means MEAT served a certain way. I just assumed it meant lamb because that's the default here in the U.S. Each country/region has its own default, apparently, with beef/veal leading the pack, with lamb and chicken in contention. In Greece, it is often pork -- yet I've never, ever, seen a pork gyro offered in the U.S....

So thanks for the insight!

In the UK we do not call them gyros, we call them kebabs.

Hmmmmmm....kebabs!!!!!

I love em

Strange, I always thought kebabs referred to chunks of meat and/or vegetables cooked and served on a skewer. It seems that is so in some countries (including the US), but not others.

Reading this Wikipedia article was quite enlightening.


Signor V.

This is it... http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-4998661/...recognized.html

SV, whilst we do get the shish kebabs on sticks here, it is the doner kebabs in pita bread's which rock my boat. Loads of hot chili sauce on them...absoutely delicious my friend.