In my post on Al Calozzi's Cheesesteaks I mentioned having "two" recommendations for Cheesesteaks in PB. I decided to wait until the weather got a bit warmer to try the second shop, by the name of Steak N Fries. What got my attention was the "Amoroso Bread" signed stenciled on the window.
Entering this tiny little shop, it's basically one tiny two top, a counter with five stools, and two small two tops outside, I was warmly greeted by a gentleman who I assume is the owner, "Angel". He came out from behind the counter, shook my hand, and went over the menu. In short, you got cheesesteaks, and what they call Steak N Fries.....fries topped with the beef used for the sandwiches and a rather lonely grilled cheese. On the good side; along with your choice of cheese, you can request peppers, onions, mushrooms, and the like at no extra charge.
I went with the Cheesesteak with provolone, onions, mushrooms, and peppers ($11)...for a dollar more you can even get fries....
The roll was definitely an Amoroso; it had that nice softness and yeastiness, but unfortunately was cold, which dampened the experience. Especially since the meat to bread ratio left a bit to be desired. I did really enjoy the flavor of the beef. Here's it's sliced in thin strips; reminds me of Geno's in Philly.....I gotta get back there one day, though like I've said several times in my Cheesesteak posts; I've had better at other locales in the city. The beef is tender, with a nice pepperiness, the onions and mushrooms were griddled nicely; though the peppers could have used a few more minutes on the flat top. I'd have liked a bit more milky provolone as well.
Still; if they'd heat that roll, I'd take this over the drier, unseasoned meat at Calozzi's.
As always, I returned for another visit. But with the limited menu, what to get? Well, I decided on the namesake "Steak n Fries" ($7) with onions, peppers, and mushrooms. And took a seat and looked out onto Garnet and "PB Oriental"?
The box with the fork in it looked fairly compact; but this ended up being a lot, at least for me.
The rib eye was tender, though there weren't too much onions, mushrooms, and peppers. I enjoyed the nicely fried, potato-ey fries, which were super hot. I'm thinking you gotta eat this hot. The top layer was nice, not too much "Whiz" and the fries still had some crispness to it. But "crunch time" diminished as you worked you way to the bottom....man they sure use a lot of "Whiz". I just couldn't finish this as it got too salty near the end and I was stuffed.
Still, had I been in my mid-twenties, after a night of imbibing some liquid refreshment or "ahem" other stuffs. This might have done it for me.
In fact, when Angel came over as I was finishing, I asked him how many of these he sells after 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays (they are open until 2). He laughed and said, "oh, enough......enough".
Steak N Fries
1039 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
Hours
Sun - Thurs 11am - Midnight
Fri - Sat 11am - 2am
aw toasted bread would be so much nicer!
Posted by: kat | Monday, 08 April 2019 at 10:42 PM
At least steamed or heated Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 09 April 2019 at 06:44 AM
That's good they season the beef. I'd love it if you could get twice as much beef.
Posted by: Soo | Tuesday, 09 April 2019 at 09:32 AM
The beef has much for flavor than Calozzi's Soo.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 09 April 2019 at 10:16 AM
I rarely venture into PB these days. Last time was to check out Ryoma when they opened with 1/2 off ramen. When I went to Philly back in the day I ate both Pat and Gino's back-to-back. No way I can pull that off nowadays.
Posted by: Junichi | Tuesday, 09 April 2019 at 10:26 AM
I actually went to both Pat's and Geno's in Philly as well.....waaaay back in the day Junichi. Can't even come close these days....
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 09 April 2019 at 10:29 AM
Whose got the best cheesesteak in SD these days? I miss that place in PB near Vons that I think has "Jersey" style cheesesteaks and pork roll. That also makes me miss the Greek place that made the pork gyro meat. Oh man - I could go for one of those right now...
Posted by: Derek R | Tuesday, 09 April 2019 at 10:17 PM
Oh man Derek - Do I miss Zgara:
https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2015/08/zgara-grill.html
And before that it was Pop's; which is what I think you're referring to - and Olde City in PB was quite good too.
https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2010/07/say-cheesesteaks-a-comparison-of-cheesesteaks-in-san-diego-gaglione-bros-alexs-brown-bag-eddie-phila.html
Right now, of the places I've tried in the area; I'd say Alex's:
https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2014/02/sunday-sandwichs-the-say-cheese-edition-alexs-brown-bag-now-in-pb-and-jins-grill.html
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 10 April 2019 at 07:00 AM