Categories: Humor; Eat & Drink

Illadelph New York

By mattfriedinNY
updated 3 months ago

In 2005, The New York Times dubbed Philadelphia "the Sixth Borough" because of the city's large influx of expat New Yorkers. Yet the same has been true here in New York for decades. I should know: I'm one of them. Philadelphians and Delaware Valley-ians alike have journeyed to NYC to make a home and new life. But the fact is: you can take the boy out of Philly, but he always misses a good post-game screaming match about Donovan McNabb. Luckily, a new phenomenon seems to have occurred: Little Philadelphias popping up all over the city. Enclaves where kids of the 2-1-5th can gather, commiserate, and share a half-decent cheesesteak.

The New York arrival of the cheesesteak is something many of us Philly kids greeted with reserve. First off, it’s a “cheesesteak” to us, not a “Philly cheesesteak.” Second, it’s putting the artery-clogging meal of choice inexperienced hands. It’s not that we mean to insult New York chefs, but let me ask this simple question: “Is the pizza outside of New York any good?” The key to any good cheesesteak is the roll – if the roll can’t hold up to the grease, then you’ve got a problem. Also, you only get three options: Cheez Whiz, American, or Provolone. Anything else is sacrilege. My order is always the same: a ‘steak with provolone, fried onions, pepper, and ketchup. You got that, Manhattan?

Carl's Steaks

507 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Supposedly, Carl’s is the truest New York master to the Philadelphia recipe. My personal favorite – the East Houston Cheesesteak Factory – closed at the end of 2007, so this one will have to be my second option. The food definitely has heart, I’m just incredibly biased.

99 Miles To Philly

94 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003

The East Village favorite. While 99 Miles has always been solid, they’ve never been incredible. Of course, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a following. For me though, I will make the 99 mile trip for the real deal. After all, I can always crash on my parents’ couch that night.

Wogie's Bar & Grill

39 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10014

The best spot in Manhattan for any Philly fan. A Philly bar that features Yuengling on tap, pretty good cheesesteaks on the menu, and TV always tuned to an Eagles, Phils, Sixers, or Flyers game. If you’re ever here in the fall and want to catch any game, get to Wogie’s early and bring cash. The place fills out quick and spending lots of cash on food and beer will get you a table.

Morimoto New York

88 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

A Philly import that showed up in The Meatpacking District, Morimoto was a long-standing Philly favorite. In New York, the Asian Fusion menu has been winning phrase from some of Manhattan’s toughest critics. To any transplants, looking for something fancy with familiar flavor and the price tag to impress? Here’s your spot.

Clover Delicatessen

621 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10016

It’s not The Famous 4th Street Deli, but comparing New York delis and Philly delis is like comparing lions and tigers – same idea, different species. However, the sandwiches and the soups have helped Clover develop a following among the Philly expat elite. Anyone who works on the East Side and once knew what the Vet looked like can be spotted there.

Penn Club of New York

30 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

I don’t care that you had to have actually graduated from Penn, that doesn’t mean I haven’t showed up with a twelve of Yuengling and a G. Love mixtape, looking to party. I guess SOME people forget their roots.

My dad loved the Philadelphia Phillies with all his heart and soul. He was there with my mom and my grandparents when they won their only World Series championship in 1980. Growing up, I shared the same love and I came of age during the franchise’s last great championship run in 1993. Since then, much has changed. They say that college should always be a time of experimentation, and man, did I go for gold: I opted to start rooting for the Mets. Unbeknownst to me, I started rooting for the Phils worst rival. But here’s the story: I hated the Yankees and wanted a New York team to get behind, the Mets made sense. They are the team of working-class underdogs, not unlike the Phils. It was weird to trade caps. But the way I see it, my dad had the Phillies, I have the Mets. I think he would have liked that I stuck to my choice on principle. Just don’t tell the rest of my family.

The Giants won last season’s Super Bowl – whoop for them. Great, awesome; I still think they suck. Just as my dad was a diehard Phils fan, my grandfather (and family in general) are even bigger Philadelphia Eagles fans. As it happened, football is my sport of choice. If anyone thought for two seconds that I would walk away from The Birds (as overrated as they are), man is he cracked. Three simple facts: Dallas sucks. Giants suck. McNabb stay in the pocket. From September to December, my mind is only on two words: “Go Iggles!”