Every Cheesesteak entry has a contestant video. Videos can found by using menu at the bottom of this page. Videos are by region.
Philly Region
1 Angelo’s Pizzeria vs 12 Jaxx Steaks Taproom
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 1 Angelo’s Pizzeria vs 12 Jaxx Steaks Taproom. Angelo’s, the GOAT according to the internet. 40 minute wait for a cheesesteak. The roll was mostly good. There was moisture in the middle. Not good moisture. The onions were laid on top. You had 40 minutes to mix the onions with the meat. Jaxx has been making the same very good cheesesteak for 5 years. Very good ratios and mix. Jaxx moves on to the Elite Eight.
2 John’s Roast Pork vs 14 The Nut Hut Saloon
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 2 John’s Roast Pork vs 14 The Nut Hut Saloon. John’s aka JRP. My favorite memory from my Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure revolves around JRP. I made a video. It is on my youTube channel. We don’t get mushrooms on the cheesesteaks this year mostly because of JRP and their canned mushrooms. When I opened this cheesesteak I could smell the roll. It smelled good. When I bit into this cheesesteak I could taste the seasoning. That’s it for the good things. We had a major roll blowout. The Nut Hut Saloon makes a nice well balanced cheesesteak. I would like less bread in the roll. I would have liked more flavor from the onions. With that said it was a better tasting and eating cheesesteak. The Nut Hut moves on to the Elite Eight.
New Jersey/Delaware region
1 Lillo’s Tomato Pies vs 13 Carmen’s Deli
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 1 Lillo’s Tomato Pies vs 13 Carmen’s Deli. After the 1st round I was really happy Carmen’s Deli was in the tournament. They are up against 1 seed Lillo’s and will need another good cheesesteak to move on. Lillo’s brought pretty much the same cheesesteak to the tournament. It starts with a very good roll. A good amount of good meat. There is a lot of cheese everywhere. Big pieces of onion added onion flavor. Carmen’s 2nd cheesesteak was not nearly as good as their first. Lillo’s moves on to the Elite Eight.
6 Nick’s Pizza Parlor vs 10 Ry & Howie’s Steaks & Hoagies
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 6 Nick’s Pizza Parlor vs 10 Ry & Howie’s Steaks & Hoagie. Nick’s Pizza Parlor and Bar, holy mackerel still lines to get into this place. Nick’s cheesesteak starts with a very good nick made roll. The meat, cheese and onions are mixed well together. Nice balance of meat, cheese and onions. Nick is up against Ry & Howie. I rave about Ry & Howie being executive chefs. Unfortunately on this night their cheesesteak was bland. No flavor from the meat and the onions were completely missing. Nick’s moves onto the elite eight.
Delco region
2 Johnny Paisano’s vs 6 The Tattooed Pig – Media
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 2 Johnny Paisano’s vs 6 The Tattooed Pig – Media. Interesting match up. Two places that make amazing food. Two places that are known for much more than cheesesteaks. In the first round we got Johnny’s Steak Anthony. It was very tasty. This round we got the traditional cheesesteak. Long story short. The steak was seasoned and cooked very well. The cheesesteak was messy and we had a major roll blow out. The Tattooed Pig covers the meat and cheese while it cooks. The meat comes out tender, juicy and a pleasure to eat. The roll is standard but held up nicely. Tattooed Pig moves on to Elite Eight.
9 Rize Pizza vs 13 Murray’s Bar & Grille
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 9 Rize Pizza vs 13 Murray’s Bar & Grille. Rize Pizza is one of the judges’ new favorite spots in Delco. They may have big news coming out so stay tuned. Very well made balanced cheesesteak on a toasted option roll. I recommend spanakopita as an appetizer and a chocolate chip cookie for dessert. They were up against Murray’s. Vince is letting his creative juices flow. He has added a secret spice, another layer of cheese and toasts the whole cheesesteak. Risky and I like it. It is more correctly priced at $14. It comes with very good french fries.
Other Counties region
4 Mama’s Pizzeria vs 8 Curly’s Comfort Food
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 4 Mama’s Pizzeria vs 8 Curly’s Comfort Food. Cheesesteaks are a three legged stool, roll, meat and cheese. Mama has three good legs. She uses a three cheese blend. It is artery clogging heaven on earth. I have been paying more attention to the meat at Mama’s. The meat is tender and juicy. Unfortunately for Mama Curly has his cheesesteak dialed in. He has gotten his meat, cheese, roll ratios almost to perfection. Cheese comes 1st in the name but cheesesteaks are about the meat Curly has very good meat. Curly moves on to the Elite Eight.
7 Tony G’s Pub & Eatery vs 14 Steaks West Chester
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure judging 7 Tony G’s Pub & Eatery vs 14 Steaks West Chester. Tony G’s a 2nd generation family business. This wasn’t their best effort. Still a good cheesesteak but this is the Sweet 16. Steaks West Chester brought a very good cheesesteak to the dance. Starts on a very good seeded roll. Amigo Dan would be happy because the roll was cut almost perfectly in the middle. The meat, cheese and onions worked and played nicely together. Steaks moves onto Elite Eight.