DrToonz

Earlier, I posted the below question.
Now my question is this: Can I find a good Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich in LONDON?

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I'd like to use my future layover (and my first time on PA soil) to sample a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich. Now I understand there are varying opinions on "the best", but I'd like to know if it's possible to get "good" or even "great" in my limited amount of time on the ground between planes.

Time is of the essence. I also don't want to even bother if I have to go someplace 'substandard' because I don't have time. I'd rather skip it and do it next time than waste my time on a substandard sandwich!

ALSO: I see by a couple web site readings that Cheesesteaks are often served w/onions (fried or raw) or mushrooms or other condiments. Can anyone recommend their favorite combination?

Lastly: Will I need a taxi ride? how much will it cost me to get to your recommended cheesesteak establishment?

Let me know what you think!
Thanks, Fodors!

KayF

I'd be surprised if anyone in London even knows what that is. Is it cheese or steak or something else? It's a bit like going to Chicago and wanting to find a jacket potato with baked beans or a yorkshire pudding. Someone from America who has lived in London may know the answer.

Kay

janisj

Years and YEARS ago there was a New York (yes I know - not Philly) style deli near Bond street tube station that served a version. But I'm sure it is looooong gone,

My question is WHY do you want a cheese steak in London? Fish & Chips, or Chicken tikka - but cheese steak?

Odin

<<I'd be surprised if anyone in London even knows what that is.>> You'll be surprised to know that there are people in London who know what a Philly cheese steak is, you know the ones that have travelled to the US and eaten them there. Some Londoners have even eaten Philly Cheese steaks in Philly.

avalon

I think he wants one in Philadelphia, it's his first time on PA soil her says. I'm sure they have them at the airport. I like fried onions on mine

tod

Sorry Doc, I have never heard of this sandwich but judging by your comments on 'good' or 'bad' ones, I can only have it a guess that it all comes down to the quality of the steak.
Personally I think cheese would ruin a good steak sandwich - the onions (cooked) will be OK. Then there is the question of the outer covering......what type of bread? If its the regular sliced 'cottonwool' white bread I'll pass thanks.

Please give us the ingredients and what you perceive to be a good Philly steak sandwich!

flanneruk

"a New York (yes I know - not Philly) style deli near Bond street tube station"

The Widow Applebaum's in Sth Molton St. Not noticed it lately,but just like you don't notice Aberdeen Steak Houses that doesn't mean it's not there. It was at best adequate in its 1970s heyday (when the Hard Rock was fashionable and we still remembered the Great American Disaster as a place serving reliable food), and I always thought it was a devilish propaganda device by the Russians.

It's fair to say that American is probably the worst represented ethnic cuisine in London: since Wahaca opened it's even possible to get edible Mexican now. But whereas there are better Indian and Cantonese restaurants here than in their native country, a few French restaurants well up to the almost-best Frehnch standards and really good examples of cuisines as terrific as Italian and Eastern Mediterranean and as obscure as Ethiopian, anywhere calling itself American is almost inevitably awful.

jamikins

I have to agree with Flanneruk on this one. The N. American food in London is generally dire. There are TGI Fridays (horrible) and even Pizza Huts, but they dont taste the same. I dont eat Caesar salads here either because I am always disappointed.

I have heard of a Philly cheesesteak sandiwch (usually slices of beef with onions/peppers and melted cheese on a baguette type bread I believe) but I would not count on finding one in London, especially if you are looking for a decent one.

Sher

Research the restaurants in the PHL airport. I believe there are one or two places that serve them and actually are a franchise of ones located in PHL.

You do not say how much layover time you have. I wouldn't spend too much time trying to get into and out of that airport because it is one that can have very long lines in customs. And flights going into and out of it can really be off schedule if you are thinking of leaving the airport.

travelgourmet

I would be incredibly interested if anyone can find one ANYWHERE in Europe.

For the uninformed, the cheesesteak is the greatest sandwich ever created. Indeed, it may be the greatest human invention of all time. It is certainly better than the wheel, but it might lose to fire, if only because fire is needed to cook the sandwich.

Here is the wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheesesteak

lizziea06

I've never found one, and trust me, I'd be all over it if I did! I think the closest you'll get would be the rather revolting option of Subway.

Fashionista

Thank god there was an exanation. I thought it was phadelphia cheese and stake sandwich which would be utterly disgusting. Especially hot.

Perhaps the person opening the post
means London USA. I believe there is one.

Fashionista

Squze sp fat finger syndrome on I doodah

hetismij

Fashionista, even without Philadelphia cheese it still sounds disgusting. Why do Americans put cheese on everything anyway?

Don't answer that or we'll get way off topic. At least I now know what one is and to avoid it if I ever visit Philly

DrToonz

I LOVE Fodor's! This is the greatest response! Thank you all. I think I will see if I can find a review of a restaurant IN the airport in Philly. The assessment that I mightn't have time to go out and back is probably right.

I ask about london 'cause that's where I'm headed. My question was really a bit tongue-in-cheek but I was genuinely curious and if I found that someone answered yes, I might seek it out for fun!

Why DO we Americans put cheese on everything, anyway? And BAD cheese at that!

OK, so with that behind us...I'll make another posting: Philly Cheese Steak in Philly; Bagels in New York, Sushi in Tokyo...WHAT SHOULD I NOT MISS IN LONDON? AND WHERE?

Thanks all!

Michel_Paris

Fish and chips in London

wren

We really enjoyed our fish and chips lunch 2 years ago at a restaurant named "Rock and Sole Plaice".
Also, we loved Ye Old Cheshire Cheese Pub...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Cheshire_Cheese

Sher

In my humble opinion. The cheese that goes on PCS is REALLY bad. I think it is part chemical.

unclegus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vws16IsnW_g
just seeing this puts me off ever wanting to try one.

travelgourmet

<i>WHAT SHOULD I NOT MISS IN LONDON?</i>

Fish and chips, as noted above. Personally, I like North Sea Fish Restaurant, in Bloomsbury. Here is what Time Out has to say:

http://www.timeout.com/london/restau...atures/28.html

I would also check out some of the "New British" cooking. Personally, I quite like Arbutus:

http://www.arbutusrestaurant.co.uk/

I also like some of the modern revamps of Dim Sum that litter London. Yauatcha is great:

http://www.yauatcha.com/

I must confess to also being a huge fan of pasties. I find the ones at West Cornwall Pasty company (branches all over) to be decent enough when feeling peckish.

I also enjoy a good doner, though usually I only eat them when drunk. Another great drunk-dining venue is Beigel Bake in Shoreditch.