1 Lillo’s Tomato Pies vs 8 Brooklyn Original Pizza
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 1 Lillo’s Tomato Pies vs 8 Brooklyn Original Pizza. It’s a good thing that I take video and notes. I thought this match went the other way. Brooklyn Original Pizza recently added cheesesteaks to their menu. When they first opened I had their cheesesteak stromboli and was excited to try the cheesesteak. The cheesesteak did not disappoint. It comes on a very good roll. Do they make their own roll? They toast the roll, which I like. Then I watched my Lillo’s video. Lillo’s has their own very good roll. Lillo’s uses a thicker slice of meat. This really brings out the meat flavor. Two very good rolls. But moves on to the Sweet 16 with better meat, cheese and onions.
2 Donkey’s Place vs 10 Ry & Howie’s Steaks & Hoagies
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 2 Donkey’s Place vs 10 Ry & Howie’s Steaks & Hoagies. If you follow me you know I love Donkey’s. On judging day Amigo Dan was me. We sat in the back. We drank beer and soaked in the history. At Ry & Howie’s everything is (relatively) new. Ry & Howie are trained executive chef’s. It shows in their Cheesesteak. They make a big, very good cheesesteak. At Donkey’s I have had better greasier cheesesteak. Ry & Howie’s moves on to the Sweet 16.
3 Cafe Scalessa’s vs 6 Nick’s Pizza Parlor and Bar
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 3 Cafe Scalessa’s vs 6 Nick’s Pizza Parlor and Bar. Holy Mackerel! This could be another passing of the torch moment in March Cheesesteak Madness! The battle for cheesesteak supremacy in the Diamond State. Scalessa’s makes a very good cheesesteak even though Donnie wants to be known for his meatballs and singing. They made their typical very good cheesesteak. BUT, they ran into the new (5 years in the making) kid on the block, Nick’s Pizza Parlor & Bar. Nick’s starts with a house made roll and ends with a very good combination of meat, cheese and onions. Nick’s moves on to the Sweet 16.
5 Mama’s Meatballs and Pizza vs 13 Carmen’s Deli
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 5 Mama’s Meatballs and Pizza vs 13 Carmen’s Deli. Mama’s makes a very good cheesesteak. Bonus points that you can take your Mama’s cheesesteak (and/or Pizza) to Double Nickel Brewing. I just watched my videos. I’m glad I made notes. Minor roll concerns for both cheesesteaks. Mama’s makes a big boy cheesesteak. Mama’s may be a victim of ‘this cheesesteak was not as good as cheesesteaks I’ve gotten from Mama’s in the past.’ Better balance and more flavor carries Carmen’s Deli into the Sweet 16.