Philadelphia, PA
- From Atlantic City to Wildwood, NJ. Fellow cheesesteak adventures Amigo Dan, cousin Stevie, and no nickname Bill headed down the shore for a day of cheesesteaks.
A Cheesesteak Odyssey Down the Jersey Shore
Three intrepid cheesesteak enthusiasts, Amigo Dan, Cousin Stevie, and yours, Bill (sans nickname), embarked on a culinary quest down the Jersey Shore. Our mission: to uncover the most delectable cheesesteak among the region's many contenders. With six stops on our itinerary, we braved the elements, a lingering pandemic, and the onset of summer crowds, all in pursuit of cheesy, meaty perfection.
Our journey took us to various establishments, each with its unique take on this beloved sandwich. We sampled the offerings at the original White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City, Voltaco's Italian Foods in Ocean City, The Inlet on Olde in North Wildwood, Russo's Market in North Wildwood, Crest Tavern in Wildwood Crest, and Bell's Philly Grill in North Wildwood.
While none of the cheesesteaks reached the pinnacle of perfection we were hoping for, there were some standouts. The White House Sub Shop emerged as the de facto victor, thanks to its nostalgic charm and the undeniable pleasure of its soft Atlantic City roll.
Voltaco's Italian Food could have easily claimed the crown, boasting perfectly melted cheese and a delicious flavor profile. However, placing the fried onions on top, rather than integrating them into the sandwich, was a minor disappointment for us purists.
The Inlet on Olde intrigued us with its "The Inlet" cheesesteak, a unique creation topped with succulent shrimp scampi. While it may not be for everyone, those with adventurous palates will appreciate this culinary fusion.
Despite its stellar reputation, Russo's Market proved to be a bit of a letdown. Although the cheesesteak appeared promising, its flavor failed to impress, leaving us yearning for more.
The Crest Tavern offered a well-balanced cheesesteak with ideal roll, meat, cheese, and fried onions ratios. Adding chips and pickles further elevated the experience, but the overall size left us wanting a more substantial portion.
Bell's Philly Grill, a newcomer to the North Wildwood scene, showed great potential. While its pepper cheesesteak still needs some fine-tuning to achieve perfect harmony among its ingredients, its dedication to quality and flavor suggests it could become a formidable contender in the future.
While our quest for the ultimate Jersey Shore cheesesteak may not have yielded a clear winner, it was an adventure filled with delicious discoveries and passionate debates. Pursuing cheesesteak perfection is an ongoing journey, and we look forward to continuing our exploration of the Garden State's culinary landscape.
About the Author:
"I'm Jim Pappas from Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure.
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