Posted on 03/19/2008 8:30:48 PM PDT by kiriath_jearim
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The owner of a famous cheesesteak shop did not discriminate when he posted signs asking customers to speak English, a city panel ruled Wednesday.
In a 2-1 vote, a Commission on Human Relations panel found that two signs at Geno's Steaks telling customers, "This is America: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH,'" do not violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance.
Shop owner Joe Vento has said he posted the signs in October 2005 because of concerns over immigration reform and an increasing number of people in the area who could not order in English.
Vento has said he never refused service to anyone because they couldn't speak English. But critics argued that the signs discourage customers of certain backgrounds from eating at the shop.
Commissioners Roxanne E. Covington and Burt Siegel voted to dismiss the complaint, finding that the sign does not communicate that business will be "refused, withheld or denied."
In a dissenting opinion, Commissioner Joseph J. Centeno said he thought the signs did discourage some customers.
"The sign appeared immediately above another sign that had the following words: 'Management Reserves the Right to Refuse Service,'" Centeno wrote.
Geno's and its chief rival across the street, Pat's King of Steaks, are two of the city's best known cheesesteak venues. A growing number of Asian and Latin American immigrants have moved into the traditionally Italian neighborhood in recent years.
Vento had threatened to go to court if he lost. His attorney, Albert G. Weiss, said he was "pleasantly surprised" by Wednesday's decision.
"We expected that this was not going to go our way," Weiss said.
In February 2007, the commission found probable cause against Geno's for discrimination, alleging that the policy discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there.
The case went to a public hearing, where an attorney for the commission argued that the sign was about intimidation, not political speech. The matter then went to the three-member panel for a ruling.
W. Nick Taliaferro, the commission's executive director, said he would not appeal.
"Certain backgrounds"? It's not about their "backgrounds."
You are absolutely right. It should replace the hamburger as the national number one fast food. :-)
Speaking of Philly food, I was informed (I believe erroneously) that Benjamin Franklin invented Philadelphia cream cheese.
Now that's a pathetic argument as Geno's would be the one losing the business, not the critics. Besides, there's another steak place just across the street who I am sure would welcome those poor, discouraged customers.
They heard of it - then banned it.
Actually I get the “Big Kahuna” at Jersey Mikes and it is EXCELLENT!
I was working on staff with our PanAm Basketball trials near Villanova last summer. The locals took us to a place off Conestoga Ave that was a small shop...it had WONDERFUL Philly’s. Better than anything I’ve had in CO.
The usual stretch by a loser Lib. Betcha the other sign was the standard "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service" that every food business posts.
Centeno can go pound sand.
I went there around Christmas time. The line there was much bigger than at Pat's.
Taking the stand was good for business.
"sigh"
Welcome To Geno's Steaks - The Best in South Philly
Jersey Mike's Subs - Authentic Sub Sandwiches Since 1956
I disagree with you.
Name your best paces!!!!!!!
Human Rights Commissioners or Human Relations Panels and such have shown up in quite a few threads here lately, in various cities. Is this a new trend? I never heard of a CITY needing a Human Rights Commissioner? Is this person elected or appointed, does he get a salary and benefits and an expense account, and a PERS-style retirement plan? This seems about the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard of. If someone has problems with the restaurant, let them challenge it through the usual court systems. This truly is totalitarian.
I never had one :( Not sure where it is either. I live in South Jersey now.
Whew! Glad that’s over! Now the Philly government can turn its full attention from cheesesteaks to kicking the Boy Scouts out of town.
If the owner of a business wishes to discourage customers, and thinks his business can survive doing so; then it's his own damn business.
Actually, I was in Westchester, around the indoor soccer complex and the food was outstanding. They seem to be good around that area.
I have no clue where I was. Just had a great time and great food for me and my soccer team.
I do have to ask a queastion, is it an insult if you ask for provolone cheese instead of Cheeze Wizz?
Bill in Hershey
Oh I agree. They’re good! I think Tony Luke’s is better :) But no one can make them like my mom did :)
ah, the Italian Pork sandwiches, the best ever sandwich.
All this south philly food talk has me wanting a texas wiener from the shop on 15th and Snyder. I haven’t been there in years. Is it still there? Texas weiner with the works. We had it most Saturdays for lunch for many years.
Ha, never an insult. I prefer provolone to cheez wiz. And when we make them here at home, we always use provolone :)
Best places? Hmm. I like Tony Luke’s better than Geno or Pat’s but like all of them. Even have a shop here in south jersey that makes a mouth watering cheese steak. There was a place on 11th, maybe 10th (?) and Oregon that made a great cheesesteak but not sure if it’s still there. Last time I ordered from there was in the late 80’s.
I personally think Cheese Whiz (or whatever it is) is insulting. But it is certainly better than asking for swiss cheese like this idiot tried doing:
I don’t know if Joey Vento down there at Geno’s “Freeps” but why not a Philadelphia freeper go down there to Pasayunk and order a chilidog and then ask him to join; give him our URL.
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.