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.
They're good burgers, shakes and fries, but that's pretty much it.
Most of the food, as well as the politics around here are pretty pathetic, unless you want to go to a nice sitdown restaurant. We have exactly ONE Italian bakery here
Borracchini's Bakery - A Historic Seattle Bakery - Home
but whenever I've gone there they are out of cannoli, and it's in a crummy part of town and staffed by kids from the 'hood who don't know anything. Sad.
Provolone? That might be interesting.... but would likely be an insult....
Didn’t John F’ing Kerry (he was in Vietnam don’tcha know?) ask for swiss when he did his photo-op @ Pat’s?
As a former short order cook in a Philly area cheesesteak/hoagie shop, (and former 10 year resident of Philthydelphia - in the ‘yunk) I still think yellow american tastes much better on a steak than “wizz”.
And the thing is, it didn’t discourage customers/business. It was ludicrous imo that Joey Vento was even in this mess. I’m glad he won this round. He had tons of support from the neighborhood and surrounding areas. 9Th street/Italian Market, has changed drastically over the years. People like Joey Vento got tired of being dictated to and fought back.
Great idea! I would imagine that everyone at Geno's is partying in celebration of this decision, but I'll bet that when things simmer down some of them will drop by :-)
FReepers have been following this story since it broke, after all.
Heh, he’s probably still a democrat ;)
I don’t get into the city as often as I used to but my oldest brother knows him and still lives on 9th Street. One of my nephews does also. Maybe someone here already has or knows the family? I’ll email my brother and I’m sure next time he’s there he’ll bring it up.
I’m surprised my oldest brother hasn’t joined this site yet, not that I’d know if he did since I’m the last to know everything - I’ve sent him tons of links to stuff here. I’ll have to ask him this weekend.
Heh, he’s probably still a democrat ;)
I don’t get into the city as often as I used to but my oldest brother knows him and still lives on 9th Street. One of my nephews does also. Maybe someone here already has or knows the family? I’ll email my brother and I’m sure next time he’s there he’ll bring it up.
I’m surprised my oldest brother hasn’t joined this site yet, not that I’d know if he did since I’m the last to know everything - I’ve sent him tons of links to stuff here. I’ll have to ask him this weekend.
I am taking your experience and credentials to the bank and ordering your way next time. Heck, I will order it for the entire soccer team as manditory.
Thank you sir. God, I love Free Republic for a great Philly Cheese Steak answer.
Now, shut up and eat kids. You WILL like this.
One more little snippet, after our team ate Philly Cheese Steaks, we won the PA State Soccer Championship.
Nope, I don't think I've ever been in a place anywhere in Philly / Jersey / PA that didn't have provolone as a choice. Another universal choice is American cheese.
In fact I think you'd have trouble finding Cheez Wiz outside the Philly city limits.
MarkShields.com Pat's Cheesesteaks vs. Geno's Cheesesteaks
I order mine by saying ''Whiz With'' which in normal human English means ''I'd like cheese whiz slathered steak sandwich with grilled onions, please
I hate to say this but when I was a little kid my mother had this Cheese Wizz stuff. I remember asking what it was, she couldn’t answer. Just said, it supposted to be good. To this day I still don’t know what it is.
I'm guessing you haven't enjoyed a real Philly hoagie, either. A friend of mine moved from PA to CA 35 years ago. We grew up in Philadelphia. She found one shop in the San Jose area which makes a good hoagie, but the rolls don't meet the test.
I recall one of the frequent times she came back to visit...and what she loaded up on to take home.
Hoagies, Tasty-Kakes (not available there) and scrapple! She took a big bag filled with these favorites onto the plane when she left.
Cheese steaks with American cheese...the only ones I’ve ever had and I’m Philly-born and raised.
Now, you Freepers, get me to the best place. Will go out of my way for the best.
I will have the courtesy of reporting tomorrow night on FR how it was.
cool
Amen. Cities across America are stuffed with committees of these rotten political appointed blowhards harassing their citizens. Enough is Enough,Geno’s should sue the crap out of them.
And The Cheesesteaks are awesome..! The Service is unbelievable...
Yeah Geno’s!!! Go Joe, Go Joe!!!!
I’m heading to Philly this weekend for a congratulatory sandwich wid wiz!!!
mrs
Pats Steaks Doesn’t give money to Conservative Course like GENO’s ask him about Danny Faulkner Fund raiser where he Gave all sales for a Couple Days to Maureen Faulkner for her Foundation... Rev Wright is Wrong about Saving MUMIA
Que bueno!!!
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