Hey there Fellow Fodorites!
Eight of my closest friends and I are flying into Philly and spending the weekend at the Jersey Shore. Since I am originally from Philly, I have been bragging about Cheesesteaks ever since these women met me. Now I have to make good.
We are all arriving on a Thursday morning at Phiilly airport, making our way over the Walt Whitman Bridge, along the White Horse Pike to about Hammonton, then we cross the Pine Barrens and end up on Long Beach island.
We'd like to stop for lunch after departing the airport, for a delish Cheesesteak.
I've asked on Chowhounds, they all suggested places require a detour, the least of the detours so far is Tony Luke's, located on Oregon Ave in South Philly, practically underneath the bridge. That's fine with me, so long as the neighborhood won't frighten my gals from getting out of the car. But I still would prefer getting into Jersey before we stop, and not detouring, staying on Rte 30.
Thoughts about Tony Luke's, or suggestions for the White Horse Pike?
Yo, thanks very much!
Best Cheesesteak, near Walt Whitman Bridge or White Horse Pike
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Tony Luc's would be my only suggestion. The area is much more accessible and wide open than Geno's and Pat's. From the airport, take 95N to Broad Street, go north for under 1 mile and turn right onto Oregon Avenue. From TL's you will be literally under 95 and be able to see huge signs on how to get to NJ.
thanks for the quick response, cheapbutnice (love that name)!
Is it a decent enough neighborhood? Food sounds wonderful from their website. My mouth is watering. Thanks for those directions, the ones on Mapquest were ridiculous, I could tell 95 went right past the place, yet they had me taking local roads from the airport.
yes, it's a no-brainer. The tough part is that their pork sandwiches may be better than their great cheesesteaks.
If you can't get to Tony Luke's or John's Roast Pork (better in my opinion), go either to White House Subs or Sack-O-Subs when you get down the shore.
Yes, White House was recommended also, in Atlantic City (which we shall take by storm that weekend also). And on LBI, I am happy to report that Panzone's is open all year, they used to make a great cheesesteak.
I read about those Tony Luke's pork sandwiches, but don't know if I can bring myself to order the pork over a cheesesteak. It might qualify as a mortal sin, and Sister Maria Amoroso could come down and hit me with a ruler!
Or a pointer...
You didn't say what time of year you're coming but John's Roast Pork only has outdoor seating which is basic an open to the elements. Although I think they have the best cheesesteak in the city, it may not work for a group of women from out of town.
This is next weekend - temps in the 40's and 50's I'm assuming. Brrr for outdoor seating, but thanks for clarifying that it's the cheesesteaks that you think are best there, I was wondering whether you meant pork or steaks. I will keep it in mind for my warm weather trips, buongiorno.
Have you seen the website for Tony Luke's? It's really funny. Apparently just last week he did a Bobby Flay throwdown - I missed it! Who won?
http://www.tonylukes.com/
If you are going through Hammonton, you should stop at Brother's Pizza on the Whitehorse Pike. It's in the same shopping plaza as Shoprite and Blockbuster. I live in Hammonton and Brother's has the best cheesesteaks in town.
JUST BACK!
Thanks to all for the wonderful suggestions!
We ended up going to Tony Luke's in South Philly for the much-anticipated cheesesteak stop. Followed cheapbutnice's excellent directions. It was wonderful. Lots of local color (do they really let you park your car in the median lane without ticket???), and best of all, the cheesesteaks were melt in your mouth delicious. There was a line out the door, but it moved quickly. Typical Philly attitude was displayed by the staff (gotta love it), and the food came quickly, hot, and correct.
My cheesesteak hoagie was $6.50. We figured the price was so low, they surely would be small. Boy, were we wrong! As it was, we had plenty leftover for our midnight snack at the shore. BTW I tried talking everybody into trying the pork, but they thought I was nuts!
We parked across the street, at Tony's offshoot bar and grill. Our big church van held nine ladies, (and we had decorated it at the airport with martini glasses and little sayings) - out we poured, to the jokes of a man standing on the sidewalk, who turned out to be none other than Tony himself. It was great fun meeting him.
After we ate across the street, we came back and had a cocktail at the bar. Good drinks and nice friendly bartender.
Thanks again to all!
P.S. In Atlantic City, we had midnight pizza at Tony's (different Tony) Baltimore Grill. Outstanding!
I definitely like Tony Lukes, I'd say stop there.