"cheesesteak" news and stories

Ostensibly collected with reader input, MSN has put forth a list of 10 foods that make America great. This list is a step up from last year's, which included a wide variety of regional foods, but not necessarily ones that were "great" outside of their region. Shoofly pie, for example, might actually be considered to be declining in popularity, rather than standing up as an American icon.

This list left off foods like barbecue and pizza, which were deemed to be too broad, but included both regional and national favorites that are more recognizable than previous selections. Maple syrup and Philly cheesesteak are excellent choices, but what about Frito pie? Is that really a dish that makes America great? And isn't a Mission burrito a little specific? It's hard to narrow down the list of great foods to only a handful, but certainly there are things that should be added to the list, like apple pie. Any other suggestions?

1. Lobster Rolls
2. Maple Syrup
3. Philly Cheesesteak
4. Gumbo
5. Shrimp and grits
6. Frito pie
7. Wisconsin bratwursts
8. Hawaiian plate lunch
9. Banana splits
10. San Francisco's Mission Burrito

Source

Hardee's remained a distant memory of my East Coast childhood until the third day of a road trip last summer. We were on the way to a KCBS barbecue competition and paused to eat what we all agreed was the best fast-food breakfast sandwich ever. Why no one else has come up with something as tasty as the Grilled Pork Chop Biscuit is beyond me.

Out of gluttonous machismo I also tried the Thickburger. A third of a pound of fast-food beef  was plenty for me. Now, picture the very same patty capped with a Philly cheesesteak.

Source

Our correspondent, Kara Chiles, sent us this report. Kara is an editor, freelance writer, media junkie and shameless consumer of high art, low culture, comfort food, elegant design and excellent shoes. You can write to her by way of karachiles1 AT aol.com

You hear about classic rivalries and think surely they’re blown out of proportion. The Hatfields and McCoys waved to each other in passing, right? If Maria & Tony could bridge the Jet-Shark divide in ‘West Side Story,’ can’t we all? Not so much in Philly, where cheese steak loyalty can halt a cocktail party.

While visiting friends last weekend, I decided it was time for a true Philly Cheese Steak-Off. To keep things semi-legit: all sandwiches were the same – a classic Wiz Wit (that’s Cheese Whiz “Wit” onions) and all had to be eaten at time of purchase (hot & fresh being crucial). With those “rules,” I felt free to ignore the screaming of my digestive tracks and dive in.

Herewith, the results: