Papa Jake's is tiny inside, but very cute. I ordered my cheesesteak with American cheese and onions, Chris got his with provolone cheese and no onions. We decided to get an order of their cheese fries. I also asked for a side of their cherry hots.
At first bite, I thought it was good. Then in my second bite there was a huge piece of bone or gristle or something. I noticed that the cheese was definitely just on the bottom of the roll. Fortunately it melted, unfortunately the top of the sandwich was dry. I couldn't even figure out how they did the provolone cheese on Chris' sandwich, it just looked blobbed on there somehow. Overall the meat was dry, needed more seasoning, and we didn't think it was very good quality.
It is rare that I think a cheesesteak needs salt, but this was definitely one of those times. I did happen to enjoy the cherry hots...at Papa Jake's they dice them up into a paste. I added some of that and it really helped with the lack of flavor. Chris added ketchup to his. You can see the dryness here:
The bread was good, and both Chris and I liked it. It was lightly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. We read on the back of the menu that Papa Jake's gets their bread mix from a bakery in Atlantic City, and then they bake it fresh.
At first, Chris wasn't too in to the fries. They weren't terribly hot when they came out, and he said they would be really good if they were piping hot. They were thin cut and light and reminded him of In-N-Out fries. Eventually he devoured them and admitted that they totally rocked and he loved them.
If I like a place, I'm always eager to go back for a chicken cheesesteak. I'm definitely not eager, but if I happened to be in the neighborhood, and someone I was with really wanted a cheesesteak, then I suppose I would give it another try. I've definitely had way better out here, and Papa Jake's left me and Chris a little disappointed.
Papa Jake's Sub Shop
9527 Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-276-7823
