Angelo’s Pizzeria vs John’s Roast Pork
2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Philly Region – 1st Round match-up
The 3rd generation favorite vs the new’ish favorite. On a lot of days this could be a championship match. Unfortunately for us, one of these has never had a good tournament run. Could this be the year?? This match has a surprise ending!! Enjoy the video. – Full disclosure – March Cheesesteak Madness is not scripted like a major professional football league allegedly is. –
Avenue Steaks vs Dalessandro’s Steaks
2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Philly Region – 1st Round match-up
The new kid on Oregon Ave vs a long standing Manayunk favorite. I think Avenue Steaks is doing a great job of bringing the traditional ‘City’ (ordering through a window while standing on the sidewalk) Cheesesteak experience into the year 2024. Dalessandro’s has upgraded their ordering operations. They are still serving a lot of cheesesteaks to the good people of Manayunk.
Café Carmela vs Steve’s Prince of Steaks
2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Philly Region – 1st Round match-up
This is the battle of original locations. Café Carmela I pretty much loved from my first visit. She makes a very good restaurant quality cheesesteak. It took me several visits to Steve’s to fully appreciate his cheesesteak. I didn’t grow up on slabs. His slabs are small, thick and juicy. Spoiler alert; this was not Carmela’s best effort. Steve brought his A game.
2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Philly Region – 1st Round match-up
This is center city vs south philly. Cleavers is on 18th in center city. My 1st trip to cleavers was on a Sunday morning. I was able to park on 18th, sit outside and enjoy a boozy milkshake. Very good cheesesteak but I’m a country mouse and like my car near me at all times. Callahan’s Grille on South St. I learned to love Tequila at Callahan’s. Young fun vibe at Callahan’s. This is a good match.
SQ Philip’s Steaks vs Gilben’s Bakery & Specialty Sandwiches
2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Philly Region
Contestant video
This is an interesting match. 2 very different cheesesteaks. SQ Philip’s is the definition of a traditional cheesesteak. Including I saw two former WWE stars getting cheesesteaks at SQ. Gilben’s is a cheesesteak with a Louisianan makeover. Gilben’s makes their own Garlic bread roll. The cheesesteak is infused with spices. Good luck to the judge’s.
Joe’s Steak & Soda Shop vs Dattilo’s Delicatessen
2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Philly Region – 1st Round match-up
Two years ago this was a neighborhood brawl up in NE Philly. Joe’s has moved to a very busy corner on Girard Ave. Joe’s has inside seating and great milkshakes. Dattilo’s, If you want an old school Italian deli. You want Dattilo’s. Their rice pudding is amazing. My rice pudding and cheesesteak, together, cost less than most of the cheesesteaks in this tournament.
Jaxx Steaks Taproom vs The Sidecar Bar & Grille
2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Philly Region – 1st Round match-up
Two South Philly neighborhood bars that bring good energy to their neighborhoods. Jaxx makes a traditional cheesesteak. The Sidecar turns everything up a notch. The cheesesteak has a house made Aioli. The nice lady next to me was there for the $10 Happy Hour burger and a beer. A lot of people having a lot of fun.
Tony & Nick’s Steaks vs ByGeorge!
2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Philly Region – 1st Round match-up
One of my favorite things about my Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure is getting to know these two places. I guess that is 2 things. I had heard about the cheesesteak place under I95 but had never been (Tony & Nick’s). Long before the adventure I went to the Reading Terminal Market. I was completely overwhelmed and left. These are 2 great Philadelphia institutions and we all should be spending more time at each.