English Only at Philly Cheesesteak Joint

Washington Times ^ | 6-8-06 | PATRICK WALTERS

[JZelle]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Bistec con queso? Not at Geno's Steaks.

An English-only ordering policy has thrust one of Philadelphia's best-known cheesesteak joints into the national immigration debate.

Situated in a South Philadelphia immigrant neighborhood, Geno's - which together with its chief rival, Pat's King of Steaks, forms the epicenter of an area described as "ground zero for cheesesteaks" - has posted small signs telling customers, "This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING `SPEAK ENGLISH.'"

"They don't know how lucky they are. All we're asking them to do is learn the English language," said Geno's owner Joseph Vento, 66. "We're out to help these people, but they've got to help themselves, too."

[JZelle]

There's conservatives in Philly?

[Volunteer]

God Bless Geno's

[onyx]

God bless Joseph Vento!

[Old_Mil]

Good for them. I went through a drive through once in Miami and ordered lunch. They gave me my total in Spanish and when I arrived at the window, appeared annoyed that they had to repeat it in English. I can't imagine what the situation is like in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California at this late date.

[llevrok]

I am a Pat's guy, myself. But this could get me to walk accross Passyunk Ave to Geno's....

[nutmeg]

Situated in a South Philadelphia immigrant neighborhood, Geno's - which together with its chief rival, Pat's King of Steaks, forms the epicenter of an area described as "ground zero for cheesesteaks" - has posted small signs telling customers, "This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING `SPEAK ENGLISH.'"

Wow, I love it! I'll have to remember to patronize this place whenever we are in Philly...

[nutmeg]

ping

[GovernmentShrinker]

A few. But it's a stretch to call their language "English" :-)

[CondorFlight]

This is silly. The kitchen staff probably speak only Spanish. ..

[monkapotamus]

The ingredients are simple, exacting and never greasy thinly sliced rib-eye steak, melted cheese, oven-fresh baked bread and delicately grilled onions. Awaiting your piping hot sandwich on the counter outside are ketchup, mustard, relish and Joe's choice hot sauce.

A Word of Warning!
Be prepared and know how to order, because the service is fast and the line keeps moving. For example, on a cheese steak with onions specify which kind of cheese you'd like (Provolone, American or Cheese Whiz). By the time you have given your order, your money will be taken and your sandwich will be out the window nice and hot! At the next window you can pick up your soda, fries and coffee. Geno's is open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a week.

[massgopguy]

Now I say Go Geno when the Philadelphia toruism ad comes on.

[onyx]

Awesome post! Thank you.

[new cruelty]

"We're out to help these people, but they've got to help themselves, too."

Because Joey knows that all non-English speaking folk need help.

[calex59]

This is silly. The kitchen staff probably speak only Spanish. ..

It's silly to want Americans to speak English? Besides how do you know their kitchen staff are illegals or even legal immigrants who don't speak English? I say hurah for this guy and may we have many more like him.

[llevrok]

Pat's and South Philly trivia -

John Kerry went to Pat's on a campaign stop in 2004. You get cheese steak generally with melted Velveeta or provolone.

(true story) Kerry ordered it with Gruyere and then made a huge mess eating his steak (no porcelain china, I guess).

Just a regular guy.

[monkapotamus]

Here is their staff:

http://www.genosteaks.com/about_staff.php

[Banjoguy]

..lived there in the neighborhood 'til I was 18..then USN...great people..good eats.

[lesser_satan]

I can fell my arteries clogging just looking at that pic.

[Argus]

Will he air mail me a cheese steak in LA? I'd really like to try one.

[DumpsterDiver]

There's conservatives in Philly?

Apparently, there are! :^) Geno's Cheese Steak story is making the rounds:

Steak Landmark Causing Lingual Controversy (This is America. When ordering speak English)
June 5, 2006

Owner, Joey Vento questions the controversy [over his sign].

"Joey Vento/Geno's Owner: "Whoa, whoa, whoa - this is America. And God forbid Joey Vento says this is America. You speak English in America."