Chicago & Philly Brewpubs???

[jonbomb]

You never heard of Pat's?? It's arguably the most famous one in the city. Pat's Geno's, Jim's, Tony Luke's, and dozens more, all are good. Cheese steaks in Philly are like pizzas in New York - there really aren't any bad ones. If you can't make a decent one, you are out of business. And for those who say the big name places are just for tourists, I will say that they are mistaken. Personally, I think that Pat's makes the best one among them, and the meat in particular is awesome. But you need to eat them hot off the grill.

But favorites are like religion - it's what you grow up with. My family and neighborhood were all about Pat's. We would never even consider wandering across the square to try a Geno's.

And by the way, NEVER eat a cheese steak at any place that shows them on the menu (or wall) as a "Philly cheese steak," We know what they are and where they are from. If they have to be described by having "Philly" in front, it's not going to be good.

PS - Wayne is pretty far from the city and all those places you mentioned going to. If you can't make it all the way there, try McKenzie's Pub in Frazer and Iron Hill Brewery (a couple of locations). Both make great beers, as evidenced by a number of GABF medals among them. They are easily reachable from Wayne.

I was born here in Philly and Pat's and Geno's steaks are disgusting. Those places are just tourist traps so is Jim's but Jim's is the best out of all three. If you want to goto Geno's or pat's just to say you were there go ahead but I don't think you will get the best possible cheese steak in the city.

 

[dummkauf]

To answer some of the posts so far.

No I had really never heard of Pat or Geno's until now since I've never been to Philly before and pretty much all I know about the city is the bell and stuff learned during history class....oh and the Rocky stairs!

As far as the pricey belgians go, I'm not too concerned here as all of my meals and drinks will be getting expensed anyway, plus I do have to work so it's not as if I'll be racking up a $$$ bar tab either, so I'm not too concerned about the pricing(note they may question it if I'm spending several hundred $$$ on one meal, but as long as I keep it somewhat reasonable I'm good).

Yes, I know Wayne is a little bit of a drive, but looking at google maps it looks like it's only about a 30 min drive which isn't so bad. Keep in mind my only options after 4 or 5pm is to go sit in a hotel or go do something, so a little bit of driving isn't an issue either.

I'll be flying in Sunday early afternoon and plan on doing most of the touristy stuff Sunday, but I will need food after work each day(lunch will usually be at work and breakfast at the hotel).

 

[Coff]

Driving from Wayne to center city will most likely never take you 30 minutes, especially if its after 5pm. You'll be taking 76 which is the worst road in the area as far as traffic goes, in rush herb that drive could take no less than an hr. Obviously off hours you can do it a bit quicker.

 

[KUbrew]

I recently spent a month in Philly and tried a lot of cheese steaks. If you want to see Pat's and Geno's and take some pics fine, but I wouldn't recommend waiting in the lines to eat there. I ate at them both and it's nothing special. Go to Jim's, my favorite was actually an Amish place in Reading Market.

As far as beer, I went to Victory (awesome), PBC (OK), Yards(a must visit), Dock Street (unique cool place) and Earth Bread(cool place worth a visit).

 

[dummkauf]

Driving from Wayne to center city will most likely never take you 30 minutes, especially if its after 5pm. You'll be taking 76 which is the worst road in the area as far as traffic goes, in rush herb that drive could take no less than an hr. Obviously off hours you can do it a bit quicker.

How late does rush hour last out there? Would it be done by say 6 or 6:30? I probably wouldn't be heading straight from work into town, usually try to work out for a little bit in the hotel gym when traveling(especially since I usually eat like crap when I trave, eg: cheese steaks l). How late would I need to leave to avoid rush hour?

Plus, wouldn't rush hour be heading out of downtown, not in??? I'm used to Minneapolis and heading into dowtown isn't bad at 5, but heading out of downtown is another story.

 

[timOD]

If you're willing to drive to Wayne you may as well go to Capones in norristown. It's not a brewpub but is rated as the #25 beer destination in the world (according to ratebeer). 30+ hard to get craft beers on tap and even harder to get beers in the bottle shop.

And taking 76 has traffic into and out of the city 24/7.

 

[dummkauf]

If you're willing to drive to Wayne you may as well go to Capones in norristown. It's not a brewpub but is rated as the #25 beer destination in the world (according to ratebeer). 30+ hard to get craft beers on tap and even harder to get beers in the bottle shop.

And taking 76 has traffic into and out of the city 24/7.

Not really willing, I will be staying in Wayne all week.

 

[timOD]

Ahh, I had it backwards. Then.... If you're willing to drive to Philly, then just jump on 202 and hit Capones from there. Probably 15-20 minute drive from Wayne.

 

[SteveM]

I was born here in Philly and Pat's and Geno's steaks are disgusting. Those places are just tourist traps so is Jim's but Jim's is the best out of all three. If you want to goto Geno's or pat's just to say you were there go ahead but I don't think you will get the best possible cheese steak in the city.

Phthp - I grew up here also, worked in South Philly for 20 years and I've had steaks all over the city and burbs. I don't care for Jim's - I think they went downhill over the years. Pat's was not so good maybe ten years ago but they improved the meat they use and they are back to being the best.

 

[jonbomb]

Nice to know there are still people in my area of south philly that were born and raised here! cheers!

 

[SteveM]

Nice to know there are still people in my area of south philly that were born and raised here! cheers!

...and arguing about which cheese steak is best is more likely to raise blood pressure than talking politics or which is the best beer city!

 

[dummkauf]

Anyone been to Teresa's Next Door Bar? Looks like they have an excellent selection of beer and got good reviews on Yelp? Plus google lists it as being 25 seconds from my hotel

 

[jwk526]

Anyone been to Teresa's Next Door Bar? Looks like they have an excellent selection of beer and got good reviews on Yelp? Plus google lists it as being 25 seconds from my hotel

Yup, great selection great food, service is awesome. They have all kinds of events there during the week. http://www.teresas-cafe.com/

Since you're close to Teresas, you're close to the train station. And if you want to get into the city, I'd take the train into Suburban Station; that's 2 blocks away from City Hall, here's the schedule into the city (http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/w/PAO_1.html).

Here's the schedule out of the city (http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/w/PAO_0.html)

You'll want to use Wayne and Suburban Station as your on/off. Those are Weekday schedules.

 

[brew hoperator]

Anyone been to Teresa's Next Door Bar? Looks like they have an excellent selection of beer and got good reviews on Yelp? Plus google lists it as being 25 seconds from my hotel

TND is excellent! I went there 2-3 times last year and I was never disappointed. Great food and the beer selection is always top notch. If it is that close to your hotel you will definitely have to go and I bet you go back too.

 

[jwk526]

^^ agreed.

You also have the Great American pub on that corner. Then you have Christophers, the Boat house, and the Free House isn't that bad either. They are all on the same street as TND