1 Lillo’s Tomato Pies vs 16 322 BBQ & Butcher DE
This was not Lillo’s best effort and they were vulnerable to an early exit from March Cheesesteak Madness. The big pieces of onions. I think the one bite of not liking leaves a more lasting memory than the 3 bites of liking them. If you want to take down a one seed you need some magic. 322 BBQ’s candied bacon is magical. Unfortunately that is about it. Lillo’s moves on to the 2nd round.
2 Donkey’s Place v 15 Cockadoodle Dan’s Wings & Steaks
I like Cockadoodle Dan’s new location. His cheesesteak was a joy to eat. It came on a nice roll. Everything fits nicely into the roll. Conversely, when you get a hot juicy Donkey’s cheesesteak you are going to get messy. We got a hot juicy Donkey’s cheesesteak. We got messy. We liked it a lot. Hot and juicy to the match. Donkey’s moves on to the next round.
3 Cafe Scalessa’s vs 14 Sully’s Irish Pub
I thought this would be a lot closer than it was. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson ate at Sully’s Irish Pub. Cool GW and TJ display hanging on the wall. We got our cheesesteak with Sully’s hot peppers. Well worth the $1. They were up against Cafe Scalessa’s. One bite of a Scalessa’s cheesesteak and I am reminded why they are in March Cheesesteak Madness. Scalessa’s gets the win with an all around better cheesesteak eating experience.
4 Chick’s Deli vs 13 Carmen’s Deli
WOW. Chick’s is one of Amigo Dan’s favorites and always has a good run in the tournament. Chick’s cheesesteak needed more from the cheese and onions. Carmen’s 1st year in the tournament. I thought they would be an early 1st round for someone. I was wrong. They brought a very good cheesesteak to the dance. A little better cheese distribution and this is a top cheesesteak. Carmen’s gets the win.
5 Mama’s Meatballs and Pizza vs 12 Claymont Steaks
Claymont Steaks is the cheesesteak I grew up on. Fun story on my YouTube channel about cutting school, a bank getting robbed and getting caught by my uncle John (cutting school, not robbing the bank) at Claymont Steaks. This is NOT the cheesesteak I remember. Mama’s Meatballs didn’t put her best foot forward either. Mama’s bad foot was still better than Claymont. Mama’s limps into the next round.
6 Nick’s Pizza Parlor vs 11 Amato Bros
Nick’s is the next generation of Nick’s Pizza and just opened in N. Wilmington. Amato Bros is the reigning People’s Champion. I hope they win again because Denise puts together a great trophy presentation party. You can hear the whole Amato Bros story on my YouTube channel playlist Cheesesteak Stories Podcast. Unfortunately this was a bad day for my cheesesteak. My roll was wet. No idea how it got wet or if wet is the proper culinary term. On the other hand, Nick’s is open for business and business is good. Nick made rolls. Very well made balanced cheesesteak. Nick’s moves on to the next round.
7 Italian Kitchen of Pennsville vs 10 Ry & Howie’s Steaks & Hoagies
When I started my Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure I was told I was wasting my time because ‘everyone knows where to get a good cheesesteak.’ After posting my review of the Italian Kitchen of PV, people started thinking my adventure was a good idea. I would eat every meal at Italian Kitchen if I lived in Pennsville. The day I went was free french fries with cheesesteak day. You know I loved that! I loved it so much that I got cream filled cookie sandwiches. Unfortunately, they came up against Ry & Howie. Ry & Howie make a very good cheesesteak. Ry & Howie move on to the 2nd round.
8 Brooklyn Original Pizza vs 9 Dar’s Steaks
I want to love Dar’s cheesesteak. I think I am trying too hard to love her Dar made cheese sauce. I think it is cheddar based. Next visit I am going with American cheese. I was excited when I heard Brooklyn Original Pizza started making cheesesteak. I had gone there before cheesesteaks. I really like the cheesesteak stromboli. I had a feeling the cheesesteak was going to be really good. I was right. Brooklyn Original Pizza moves on to the 2nd round.