Geno's Steaks: A Cheesesteak Adventure Review by Jim Pappas

PHILADELPHIA - Geno's Steaks(1219 S 9th St,Philadelphia,PA). The name is practically inseparable from its across-the-street rival, Pat's King of Steaks. It's alwaysPat's vs. Geno's,a cheesesteak battle for the ages.But does Geno's deserve to be considered only in relation to Pat's?Can it stand on its own as a worthy cheesesteak destination?As part of my Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure(and with over 1,000 cheesesteaks under my belt),I revisited Geno's to find out. And, full disclosure: I do have a favorite in the Pat's/Geno's rivalry, which I'll reveal in the first round of March Cheesesteak Madness!


Geno's Steaks: A Cheesesteak Adventure
Geno's Steaks: A Cheesesteak Adventure

The Geno's Experience: Geno's, like Pat's, is an experience. The 24/7 operation,the bright neon lights,the ordering window – it's all part of the South Philly spectacle. Love it or hate it, it's undeniably iconic.

The Cheesesteak:

  • The Wiz Factor: One thing I appreciate about Geno's is their cheese application. Unlike someplaces(cough,Pat's, cough), Geno's manages to get a good amount of the Cheez Whizinside the roll, not just on the wrapper. This is a major plus in my book.
  • The rest: No mention was made about meat, bread or onions.

The At-Home Experiment:Microwave and Air Fryer Magic:

This review takes an unusual turn:I ate most of this cheesesteakat home. And here's where things get interesting.

  • The Reheating Method: I employed a two-step reheating process: 1 minute in the microwave followed by 3 minutes in the air fryer.
  • The Result: This method, according to my experience, did "beautiful things" to the cheesesteak. This suggests that the Geno's cheesesteak, perhaps even morethan some others,benefits from a bit of crisping up.It is important to get a cheesesteak fresh.

Overall:

Geno's Steaks is often overshadowed by the Pat's vs.Geno's rivalry, but this review suggests it deserves to be considered on its own merits. The efficient cheese application is a definite plus, and the at-home reheating experiment yielded surprisingly positive results. While I'm not revealing myoverall favorite just yet, Geno's put up a good fight. It is a solid representation of a classic Philly cheesesteak.

Rating: (Based on this description, and assuming the at-home reheating didn't detractfrom the original quality,I'd estimate a 3.75-4 out of 5 stars. A good cheesesteak, potentially improved by the home cooking method).

Recommendation:

Give Geno's a try,even if you've already pledged allegiance to the other side of 9th and Passyunk. You might be surprised. And if you're taking it to go,consider the microwave/air fryer combo – it might just be a game-changer.

Address: Geno's Steaks 1219 S 9th St Philadelphia, PA