Say Cheese Part 3: Philly Frank's, Monkey Paw, and McGonagle's

I guess part 3 was inevitable. Every so often, I do want a nice gooey cheesesteak. I really don't know what it is. Funny thing is, when I've visited Philly, it's always been the Roast Pork Sandwiches that I go for...... After having already done two posts on cheesesteaks in San Diego, I figured that would be about it. As I mentioned before, I prefer my steaks with provolone, which probably was the original cheese on  cheesesteak sandwiches since "whiz" wasn't even invented until 1953 and Pat's claimed tohave invented the sandwich in 1933. As far as Pat and Geno's is concerned, having eaten there twice....well, I wasn't super impressed with either sandwich and the locals that I knew always thought of them as more icons than purveyors of great cheesesteaks. And for that guy who claimed to serve an "authentic" cheesesteak because he read all about it on the internet...hey, I watched a bunch of Bruce Lee movies growing up and I couldn't do what he did no matter how hard I tried.....they'd probably call my version Jeet Kune Do-Do......

Emails and comments from FOYs Candice and Liverbomb had me craving a cheesesteak again, so I checked out the places they recommended and even saw another while driving in National City. So here's a trio for you.

Philly Frank's Steaks:

This one was a recommendation from Liverbomb. I was in the San Marcos area and decided to check the place out. Located in a fairly non-descript strip mall, Philly Frank's looked decidedly low keyed.

But the interior was full of Philly....well, "stuffs" is what we'd call it back home in Hawaii. The place was also doing a pretty good business.

The prices here aren't cheap, with a full sandwich running close to ten bucks. The two women running the counter really knew their stuff. When they saw a line forming one of them stepped into the dining area and started working the line taking orders.

I got a mushroom steak with provolone.

I wasn't too thrilled when I picked up my sandwich, which looked dry. Frankly, I'm just not impressed by the mere sight of an Amoroso roll anymore since both US Foods and SYSCO carry them....though they are par baked and loses something. It just didn't look very impressive. However, one bite fixed that........the meat was very tender, not mushy, but tender. This was probably the most aggressively seasoned cheesesteak I've had in San Diego, a good thing in this case, since most cheesesteaks tend to be fairly mild in flavor. In spite of the seasoning, you could still make out the beef flavor. The cheese was molten and gooey, not totally incorporated into the meat, though the weather caused it to firm up rather quickly. The roll wasn't ice cold....all of which made this a very nice sandwich.

As always, Liver picks winners.....

Philly Frank's Steaks
151 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd
San Marcos, CA 92078

Hours:
Mon-Thurs 10 am - 8 pm
Fri    10 am - 9 pm
Sat    11 am - 9 pm
Sun    11 am - 8 pm

Website

Monkey Paw:

This is Candice's pick for cheesesteaks and beers. The creation of Scot Blair owner of the very popular Hamilton's, this place has a almost dive bar look and feel, yet has a great selection of local and inhouse brews. Located in the East Village, you usually won't find me at these places because, well, I'm just not hip enough.......

One the days I visited you basically just ordered at the bar and the woman working there made sure you got what was ordered.

I actually went twice; the first time I met friends and Candice was nice enough to stop by. We had a great time, but I really ended up not paying much attention to what I ate. I had to return on another late afternoon when the Missus met Her friends for a girls night out. On my previous visit, Candice recommended the "Blair Steak" which came with White American Cheese, sauteed onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. It also came with one of the two items (the other is tater tots) that San Diego just can't seem to get enough of....waffle cut fries.

This was a nice cheesesteak, gooey, slightly messy, the meat perhaps a bit more thickly cut than Philly Frank's. The green bell peppers added the flavor of "pyrazine", that very mildly bitter, "green" taste that goes so well with beef. The onions added a touch of sweetness, all very nice. In some ways the flavor was prototypical cheesesteak, quite mild in flavor. For nine bucks (with waffle cut fries) plus a couple more for a Sweet Georgia Brown, this made for a nice meal.

One that I'd gladly experience again............

 Monkey Paw
805 16th St
San Diego, CA 92101

McGonagle's:

I was driving down (up?) Highland Avenue in National City when I passed McGonagle's and had to laugh at the sign over the front door.

I went and parked in the back of the restaurant and entered.....what would be a strange neon sorta cheesesteak world.

The interior was the same orange color as the exterior, seating on the dining area was a bunch of picnic type tables.

And man, this place loved signs....there was one that had "rules", a la Pat's King of Steaks in Philly. Not sure if they really mean this, or if it's some kind of kitsch.

The place had a strange kind of vibe for me, I guess because the A/C was blasting and the place was totally deserted. Not feeling sure what I would get, I ordered a 6" "Authentic Philly Cheesesteak" ($5.75, a 12" is $8.75).

After a couple of minutes my cheesesteak number was called.....

I really didn't enjoy this too much; the bread was ice cold, the meat bland, dry, and tough......'nuff said. I'm glad I didn't get this with whiz....well maybe not, it would have covered some of this up. While I ate the sandwich I read the "eat three sandwiches and win" sign........seems like everyone is trying to cash in on the Man versus whatever thing. I just can't imagine trying to eat three double meat cheesesteaks from here. But perhaps I just visited on a bad day.......perhaps.



 McGonagle's
1231 Highland Ave
National City, CA 91950



 

You can find part 1 here.

Part 2 here.

Comments

[Janfrederick]

"pyrazine"

Sweet! I actually learn things here from time to time. ;)

So is this what makes me crave broccoli beef so much? And speaking of learning things around here, I guess I'll have to dig up your old recipe for that. But I'm also craving gai lan, so I might use that instead.

[Janfrederick]

Ooops, got you confused with another site that I like: http://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com/2009/03/chinese-beef-broccoli-stir-fry.html

[Mary]

My dad loves Philly Frank's though I don't like it as much. McGonagle's I didn't care for either (I went to their old location). Haven't tried the Monkey Paw yet - I'll have to check that one out! The Philly Grill on University Ave. in North Park is worth checking out.

[kat]

I have to get me a cheesesteak sandwich somewhere now :9

[Kirk]

Hi Jan - I'm glad you do get some mileage out of our posts!

Hi Mary - Unless things have really changed, I thought Philly Grill wasn't very good. I did them in part1.

I hope it's a good one Kat!

[Alyssa]

The slogan at McGonagle's made me laugh, but too bad it didn't hold true. Good to know there's a decent philly place up in north county! Their website shows a vegetarian sandwich, so I'll be sure to check it out.

[grey]

what, may i ask is a monkey paw sweet georgia brown

[Kirk]

Hi Alyssa - Check them out, I thoguht they were pretty good. Though I'm can't say much about a veggie version.

Hi Grey - Sorry if I wasn't clear, it's a English Brown Ale.

[PedMa]

To all....you may want to also try Pop's Jersey Steaks in PB, he used to own Alex's Brown Bag.....