Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

English Only at Philly Cheesesteak Joint
Washington Times ^ | 6-8-06 | PATRICK WALTERS

Posted on 06/08/2006 11:47:17 AM PDT by 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."

(Excerpt) Read more at ap.washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aliens; amnesty; cheesesteak; englishonly; immigrantlist; immigration; philly; spanish
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-84 next last
To: JRjr

"I've been to South Philly. One could make the argument that English was never spoken at Geno's."

True enough. Ordering at Geno's really doesn't require much language at all. A couple of words will do it, and you should order with your money in your hand or the folks behind you in line will start getting ornery.

What they really need is a booth outside offering tutorials in how to order without annoying the locals.

Repeat after me:

"Provolone wit'"
"American wit'"
"CheezWiz wit'"

No other language is needed. Really.


41 posted on 06/08/2006 12:33:06 PM PDT by MineralMan (non-evangelical atheist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Range Rover

Jim's is the place on South Street.


42 posted on 06/08/2006 12:36:14 PM PDT by CattleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Kimberly GG

And thank/encourage Geno's, if you're so inclined.

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


43 posted on 06/08/2006 12:37:36 PM PDT by Kimberly GG (Tancredo '08)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

When we dropped our daughter off at the airport in Phillie we tried to find a Cheesteak sandwich and couldn't without going into town all the way. Ended up at a nowhere dive that didn't taste anything like what I remembered from younger days.

Glad to know about Geno's. When we take the grandchildren to do the historic that is a place I would be happy to pay.


44 posted on 06/08/2006 12:41:59 PM PDT by Spirited
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: monkapotamus

I'd like to try this place but last time I was in Philly, I cruised around and around and couldn't find a parking space--went somewhere else instead (was only in town for the day). But on Monday, I'm flying to Pittsburgh with a brief
stopover at Philadelphia Airport...wonder if Geno's or Pat's has a stand in there?


45 posted on 06/08/2006 12:42:02 PM PDT by raccoonradio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Old_Mil

I'm waiting for Customs to set up a checkpoint on I-95 north of Miami with a big sign "Welcome to the United States."


46 posted on 06/08/2006 12:42:19 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: llevrok

LOL!


47 posted on 06/08/2006 12:46:12 PM PDT by Frank_2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

"Cheese Whiz"
Now that oughtta be criminal to use.


48 posted on 06/08/2006 12:46:14 PM PDT by dynachrome ("Where am I? Where am I going? Why am I in a handbasket?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fhlh
Everyone knows English language skills (for example, to be fluent in conversational English) just fall down from heaven on a minute's notice. They just materialize. Snap your finger, soon after landing in the USA, and everyone should naturally be fluent, even able to catch and process rapid fire South Philly slang at a hoagie joint.

What's wrong with these people who cannot understand that everyone in this world is born with an intrinsic, inherent ability to speak English even after a few days, even if a foreign tourist.

I mean, if I get off a plane in suddenly in Vientiane, it is natural that I could order a full meal without the slightest difficulty in completely fluent Laotion right near the airport at a joint where nobody spoke English. Anyone can do this. Why not stupid foreigners who visit the United States even if here just a few hours!!?

49 posted on 06/08/2006 12:48:23 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (Some clever bones tossed to The Right on gay marriage & flag burning don't absolve GWB over BORDERS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: monkapotamus

Ha!...No illegals there...But they may all be members of the mob...


50 posted on 06/08/2006 12:51:27 PM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the whole trailer park...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Tulane
"I have no problem with businesses trying to grow profits by providing menus in other languages. This offends me as a capitalist."

How much do you think the free publicity Geno is getting is worth?

Dumb like a fox, though I'm inclined to believe he is sincere. Hey, its his business (he's a VERY successful capitalist, in case you didn't pick up on this) and he can do whatever (within reason) he so desires.

Personally, I think he's hit on a "winner."

And oh yes, when I was living in South Jersey (in 70's and 80's) had a few of Geno's and Pat's. Kind of hard to choose which is better.

Give me one of each--and damn the Food Police!!!

51 posted on 06/08/2006 12:53:02 PM PDT by namvet66 (Beam me up Scotty!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: DumpsterDiver
"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."

Joe Vento is a great guy. There are alot of guys like him here in Philly.

That said, I don't know that I'd call him "conservative." More like an old-school Dem--the kind that loved their country and you could respect. Not many of them left, unfortunately.
52 posted on 06/08/2006 12:54:25 PM PDT by Antoninus (I don't vote for liberals -- regardless of party.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: CattleDawg

Been a while...forgot the name.

My buddies from Father Judge had a hard and fast rule. Eat at Pat's, Genos if you felt you were tired of Pat's (but why would that ever happen?). Don't bother with any other place.

Jim's was always packed with people any time I was nearby. Obviously some people liked it. Took a bite of one of their steaks once...not the same thing.

I've got my own feelings about real pizza, bagels, knishes and bialys. Growing up in Ave. B will do that to you.


53 posted on 06/08/2006 12:55:04 PM PDT by Range Rover (The Walrus was Paul Harvey)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: namvet66
I kinda like Pat's better, though. Tasted darned good, but got a bad case of diverticulitus and backed up plumbing having eaten two of those and then driving without a pit stop for three hours up I-95. Next time I'll drink some castor oil before hand perhaps. :=) Yummy!
54 posted on 06/08/2006 12:55:15 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (Some clever bones tossed to The Right on gay marriage & flag burning don't absolve GWB over BORDERS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg
“Est-ce que je peux avoir le Suisse sur mon sandwich à cheesesteak?” -Jean Francois Kerry
55 posted on 06/08/2006 12:56:31 PM PDT by johnny7 (“And what's Fonzie like? Come on Yolanda... what's Fonzie like?!”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: new cruelty
Because Joey knows that all non-English speaking folk need help.

Hey bozo, when I was in Mexico City and wanted to order food, guess which language I used? Hint: it wasn't Ingles...
56 posted on 06/08/2006 12:57:39 PM PDT by Antoninus (I don't vote for liberals -- regardless of party.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: monkapotamus

Great post-----almost like being there.


57 posted on 06/08/2006 12:59:02 PM PDT by Liz (The US Constitution is intended to protect the people from the government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: MineralMan

It's "WizWit!" Only one of the uninitiated would add the "cheez."


58 posted on 06/08/2006 1:10:54 PM PDT by Malacoda (The Posting Police need an enema.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: fhlh
Next time I have to be in Philly ...

Properly stated!

I wouldn't go there either unless forced.
59 posted on 06/08/2006 1:13:17 PM PDT by Beckwith (The liberal media has picked sides and they've sided with the Jihadists.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Malacoda

"It's "WizWit!" Only one of the uninitiated would add the "cheez.""

OK, but who cares? I'm not from Philly, so I don't really give a darn what the customs are there. It's totally unimportant to me.

I've ordered at Geno's, though, and nobody gave me any crap for being from out of town. The first time, I'm sure I ordered in some stupid way. I got my steak, though.

Next time you're in NYC, order a "regular coffee." It might not be what you wanted, though.

Every city has its regional customs. A wise city understands that not everyone is from there, though. Next time I'm in Philly, I'll stop in at Geno's and have a steak again. If I order incorrectly, and you're behind me, go ahead and crack wise. I'll ignore you, just like I ignore all rude folks. I'll get my steak, too.


60 posted on 06/08/2006 1:15:07 PM PDT by MineralMan (non-evangelical atheist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-84 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson