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Joey Vento, whose cheesesteak biz was spiced with philanthropy
Daily News ^ | 8/25/2011 | Stu Bykofsky

Posted on 08/25/2011 2:31:40 PM PDT by curth

THE LOW POINT of Joey Vento's career probably was facing trumped-up charges that dragged him before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. He was accused of discrimination, but no matter how high the kangaroos in the court jumped, they couldn't produce anyone who was discriminated against at his neon-loaded, nurse-clean sandwich shop. At the time of the hearing, Joey told me CHR "violated numerous civil rights of me."

The high point of Joey Vento's career was showing up at Geno's before daybreak to prepare his iconic sandwich shop for the day's business.

The 5-foot-5, tattooed, gold chain-laden South Philadelphian was one hardworking multimillionaire.

A generous one, too. In death, the media (particularly print) gave him the accolades usually denied him in life.

He became a minor national celebrity, especially to conservatives, after the infamous "order in English" faux controversy. He was roasted by most local columnists and editorial writers because they are liberal and hated Joey's conservative messages.

Since he left school after the sixth grade, he was an imperfect messenger. Grammar often tripped him up like untied shoelaces, but people seemed to understand him anyway.

I went to Geno's yesterday - a warm, fine morning except for the sadness of the mission - to get some color for this column, and to pay my respects to Joey's widow, Eileen, and son, Geno.

In the interest of full disclosure, when a previous sponsor bailed last year, Joey wrote a check making Geno's Steaks the title sponsor of the Stu Bykofsky Candidates' Comedy Night. His money went to Variety, the charity the show supports, but I had been a Vento fan before that.

Although I don't share most of his political beliefs, and was more amused than convinced by his right-wing, Obama-bashing radio commercials,

(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: cheesesteak; conservative; english; phildelphia; pressone; speak; vento
Vento never let the fear of losing business interfere with showing his conservative colors and speaking out on various political issues. R.I.P.
1 posted on 08/25/2011 2:31:47 PM PDT by curth
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To: curth

lousy steaks, but a great immigrant american. I patronized his shop BECAUSE he was so outspoken and unafraid.


2 posted on 08/25/2011 2:37:43 PM PDT by Libertarian4Bush (if you voted for obama, I have no respect for you. you're either a loser or a sucker. sorry!)
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To: curth

Ron and Kay Rivoli of the Tea Party Express have written an anthem lauding Joey Vento. This author should just suck up his own political views when writing a “tribute”.


3 posted on 08/25/2011 2:38:18 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: curth

Of course they tried to shut him down, this is what commies always do against dissenters.


4 posted on 08/25/2011 2:38:21 PM PDT by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Happiness)
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To: Libertarian4Bush

Agree. Jim and Pats better steak sandwiches, but their french fries “wit” cheese were better :)


5 posted on 08/25/2011 2:56:57 PM PDT by GoMonster (GO)
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To: curth
The conservative movement lost a HERO. It won't be the same without him!

Mr. Vento's Viewing and Funeral will be this Saturday, August 27 at St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral, 18th and JFK Parkway (exact address: 1723 Race). Friends can attend the viewing from 9AM to 11:45AM. Mass begins at 12 Noon.

6 posted on 08/25/2011 3:19:01 PM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: curth

RIP JOEY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLNXFzU6bCA


7 posted on 08/25/2011 3:32:30 PM PDT by Doogle ((USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
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To: Libertarian4Bush

I’m a southern boy who was in Philly back in ‘03 and the guy I was worked with took me there. It was so good and I got to the last bite and there was a hair on my sandwich. It was good.


8 posted on 08/25/2011 3:51:27 PM PDT by personalaccts (Is George W going to protect the border?)
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To: curth
In the days before he died, he had a commercial on the radio in Philly attacking Obamacare. He said if he was under Obamacare, he wouldn't have gotten treatments for his cancer and would be dead because Obama’s healthcare gatekeepers would have said he's 71 and doesn't deserve expensive treatment. He didn't mince his words and had a clear, “blue collar” conservative message that resonated with a lot of people. Rest in peace, Joey.
9 posted on 08/25/2011 4:04:09 PM PDT by Opinionated Blowhard ("When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.")
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