The Age-old question: Geno's or Pat's?

PAT'S

GENO'S
(actual photos of my steaks!)

I was away on bizzness last week, and had some fun hanging out with co-workers. Since we had colleagues from all over the world, we made a point to make it to Geno's/Pat's to give them the classic Philly treatment. Because it wasn't enough that they served TastyKakes and soft pretzels during the breaks at the Sheraton...

I remember doing my own taste challenge back in my 20s, and I was curious to see if my taste buds had changed. So we piled in some taxis after a fun-filled, competitive night at Dave and Busters (I ran the pool table, by the way...), and headed to 9th & Passyunk Ave. Because it wasn't enough that we just had a buffet dinner at D&B...

At Geno's, I ordered my usual Whiz Wit (a cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz and fried onions, for you amateurs out there...get it right, there are rules to ordering.)  Was it still the best? I put my vegetarian boss to work, and sent him across the street to get me the same from Pat's so I could taste them both at once...

I like ketchup on my steaks, and added some to the Geno's version. When I went to pump some ketchup onto my Pat's steak (at Geno's), I was scolded by a Geno's employee. Yeah, I'm serious.

So I walked back to my table with my tail between my legs, and chowed down. Here's what I determined:

Geno's
Cheese on the roll
Cheese is thinner consistency
Beef was easy to chew
Roll is soft and chewy...MMM!

Pat's
Cheese on the steak, not the roll. Makes it messier.
Cheese is thicker, kinda heavy.
Beef was chopped, yet tougher to chew.
Roll was good from what I remember.

So, my verdict? Just as it was when I was in my 20s....GENO'S! Even though they yelled at me :(

But, if you ask me where to find the BEST cheesesteak I've ever eaten, I'd send you to Claymont Steak Shop in my hometown of Claymont, DE.  And here's a photo and link to their YELP page.

L's Spooky LT Lunch