Day 2: Philadelphia

After spending the day in Philadelphia, it seems that my children don’t really love it as much as I do. Sad, but true.

I figured I would expose my children to a little history and show them around historic Philadelphia. Do the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Maybe take them on a walk among the cobblestone streets and give them a feel as to what it was like living in the 1700′s. My children complained they were hot, tired and thirsty the entire time. Apparently they didn’t appreciate the surroundings, the fact that our country was born right there in their own footsteps. For some reason, I kept getting asked this question, “Mom, when are we getting cheesesteaks?” Because… food is really all my children ever think about. That, and going swimming in the hotel pool when we were done soaking up the history of our forefathers.

But kids… THIS is where our country started. This is where the Declaration of Independence was written. This is where the US Mint was created, the Liberty Bell was cracked, the first American Flag was sewn. Sigh. They looked up at me with blank expressions. Public schools are failing me. They had no clue. Nor did they care.

Okay… I’ve done all I could. On to Cheesesteak Territory.

Now, when I was in college, we would do our midnight runs to Pat’s Steaks. I don’t know why we didn’t go to Geno’s, but we didn’t… it was always Pat’s. But, in recent years there has been great arguments as to which establishment actually served the BEST cheesesteaks. It was time for the West Family to weight in on their own. We bought cheesesteaks from BOTH Pat’s and Geno’s and were going to have our own little taste test.

Now, to be perfectly fair, we ordered the exact same sandwich at both places. The cheesesteak WIT WHIZ. For those NOT from Philadelphia, that means a cheesesteak with onions and cheese whiz. Really, the ONLY way to have one. Luckily, I was familiar with the ordering process because the man in front of me and the woman behind me both got yelled at and were given the evil eye from the man taking the orders.

As we all tasted each sandwich, we savored the thin-sliced meat and chopped onions mixed in, cheese whiz melting throughout the meat and the softness of the sandwich roll. Our thoughts were this…

The Geno’s steak was much more “drippy”. Grease seemed to pour out of it when we picked it up. It was a little messy. The onions were larger chunks.

The Pat’s steak was more contained (less “drippy”) and I felt that the roll was softer, although David thought the Geno’s roll was softer. The onions were smaller and mixed in better so you didn’t really bite into big chunks of onions. Whiz is whiz… not much difference there.

All in all, 4 out of 5 Wests preferred Pat’s to Geno’s. Amanda was the only hold-out insisting Geno’s was way better. I think she was wrong.

Also, it should be mentioned that the Geno’s steak cost $9.00 while the Pat’s steak cost $9.50. Yes, 50 cents more, but way worth it. Splurge and go to Pat’s.

Okay… photos coming another time since it is way late and I’m sitting in the hotel lobby typing as fast as I can. I only have an hour of free wi-fi before they cut me off. Seriously, Park Ridge Marriott… can’t you spare a girl some free in-room wi-fi?

On the agenda for tomorrow? Heading to the cemetery where my grandparents and aunt & uncle are buried. Morbid? Maybe, but it’s been a really long time since I’ve visited. I want my kids to see the resting place of their ancestors. Maybe it’s just a Jewish thing.