Philadelphia Sandwiches

CHEESESTEAKS. TWO. DAYS. IN. A. ROW!! Well, yesterday didn't really count I suppose. It wasn't authentic. My cool coworker Ty and I had a hankerin' for a good steak, so we headed off to his usual cheesesteak spot, Philadelphia Sandwiches in North Hollywood.

Ok, ok. So I know that I'm cheating on Leigha bigtime...but we are on different schedules these days, and a girl has needs. Cheesy, delicious needs.

We walked in and immediately I liked the look of the place, it reminds me of a place you would see back home on the East Coast.

Ty told the guy at the counter that I'm from PA, and he immediately said "We don't have cheezewiz, it didn't really do well here." I said, "Yeah that's cool, I really just think its for when you're drunk or hungover." Then he said that they used to carry Tastykakes, but that they didn't sell enough of them or some bullcrap like that, so they didn't have them anymore. He actually blamed it on the people of California. At first I thought, "stupid savages in California, eatin' their dry-ass little debbies or whathaveyou," but then I thought they must not have pushed them hard enough. Because once you eat a Tastykake, you just get it. They're the best snack cake on the market. Period. And if you don't agree, your tastebuds must be off. I challenge anyone to try a butterscotch krimpet and tell me they don't like it. As my friend Katinka says, "The butterscotch krimpet is like God's twinkie."

I ordered the Famous Philly Cheese Steak. The guy at the counter (I feel bad I don't know his name because he was so cool) ran down the way he was going to make it, I think to make sure I would approve. He said American cheese (yellow, he called it) onions, no bell peppers? Yeah no bell peppers. I wanted it the way he normally would make it. In 4 mins, we had our steaks and fries, and they were pipin' hot.

The bread was great...toasty on the outside, lightly toasty and soft on the inside. The meat was nicely seasoned, just the right amount of salty. I would however have liked a little pepper. The meat was chopped to the perfect size, and was nice and juicy. The cheese was melted and mixed throughout just the way I like it...this is something I really, really appreciate. The sandwich was very light on the onions, and I actually would have liked a little more.

This is actually a pretty big sandwich place. The walls are covered with old Hollywood type pictures.

Ty is a fellow foodie, and we spend most of our time discussing food, and yummy places to go eat. The fact that this was his pick for a cheesesteak place impressed me, and I'm excited to try some of his other recommendations.

I definitely have to bring my good friend Leigha to this spot, and when I do, I will get the Chicken Cheesesteak. I bet its good!

Philadelphia Sandwiches

11112 Magnolia Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 91601

818-985-4929

Carla's Cafe

I had just been thinking that it had been way too long since I ate a cheesesteak. I was grabbing lunch the other day at Carla's, and on my way out I saw that the next day's special was a Philly cheesesteak. It was fate!

I didn't have very high expectations, but the food at Carla's is pretty good, so I thought maybe I would be pleasantly surprised.

The staff at Carla's is very friendly. If you're a girl, you get cute little pictures drawn onto your to-go box. Sometimes its a bird, or a flower. One time it was taking awhile and my cool coworker Ty asked if he was drawing me an entire beach. I got my box, and it was in fact an entire beach. Here is an example of one of the pictures:

The wait time is never too long for your food. It can get a little backed up at the cash register sometimes, but Miss Betty always gives you service with a smile.

Ty and I both got the cheesesteak special, so that we could compare notes. We hung out by the grill to see how the steaks were being prepared.

The steak was in long strips, not chopped up very much. The peppers and onions were placed on top at the end, right on the cheese. They did not melt and mix the cheese in, but there was enough covering the entire steak, so it was fine.

I took my first bite, and the meat was tender, not too chewy. It reminded me of pot roast. Unfortunately, it was bland. There was no seasoning on the meat, and it really could have used a little S&P. The roll was a little soft Italian roll, and while it didn't really feel like it was a cheesesteak roll, I didn't mind it. The peppers and onions felt very separate to me, and never really blended with the sandwich. The fries at Carla's are always good.

I have to say, I felt very sad eating a steak without my good friend Leigha.

Ty and I were pretty much on the same page. Not great, but fine enough. It really could have been much better with just a little seasoning. Here is a random shot of the dining room:

Ty said "It's a typical example of a place that makes too many different things for the cheesesteak to be special. Not much thought or consideration goes into it." I think he's right about that. I still love this place, so in the future when I go to Carla's, I think I'll just stick with the soup!

Carla's Cafe (the Commissary)

4024 Radford Ave.

Studio City, CA 91604

818-655-5000