Post Punk Kitchen Forum

I won't leave Philly without experiencing a cheesesteak so where am I likely to find the best one? I see they have them at Blackbird's and we'll probably go there during our trip anyway. But is there a brilliant one I need to get?

Plus, our hotel seems to be quite near to a chunk of chinese vegetarian places. Do any of them stand out?

New Harmony vegetarian is the ONLY vegan chinese place worth going to, in my opinion. They have by far the best chinese food in the city and the nicest real vegan owners too. They also have a nice all you can eat $12 sunday dinner buffet.

As far as cheesesteaks go, blackbirds is okay - I think they have a high bread to seitan ratio. Govindas chicken cheesesteak is definitely worth getting, Thursday is a good day to go here because VeganTreats (our semi local vegan bakery) delivers this day. That actually applies to everywhere in the city, Thursday means fresh vegan pastries. There are also a number of gastropubs scattered around with cheesesteaks but its hard to find one that has vegan cheese. Off the top of my head, Monk's, the POPE, the Abbaye, and I think the Belgian Cafe have these sandwiches too.

Teri's has a pretty good vegan cheesesteak. I like Blackbird's a lot, too. I haven't had Govinda's chicken cheesesteak in a while but it's worth getting, for sure

Definitely Govinda's for chicken cheesesteak and Vegan Treats choc pb bomb, cinnamon buns, donuts, &c. When are you coming again? When can we meet!

All of this! New Harmony is great and the owner is lovely. And make sure you get the chicken cheesesteak at Govinda's, not the regular peppersteak- the latter has gross gelatinous things in it and I've heard (??) it's not even vegan.

I hate to break this to people, but I don't like sweets.

We'll be there 22nd - 25th June!

never been a huge fan of most of the cheesesteaks. and im a little scared of govindas but i need to give them another chance.

if you like beer as well there are plenty of gastropubs with good beer and an excellent vegan option or two. but they are spread around the city a bit.

The chicken cheesesteak at Govindas is devine! Just make sure you tell them you want vegan cheese and mayo. It is creamy and yummy with green peppers and onions.

Their chimichanga or burrito (can't remember what its called) is excellent as well. HUGE, and has a great flavor. You can get the vegan chicken added to it if you want.

You don't like sweets!! No words......

Not sure if you'll have time or feel like venturing out of the city. But, I highly suggest a trip to New Hope and eating at Spring & Vine.

http://www.sprigandvine.com/

http://www.newhopepa.com/


Ooooh, and I know you have a ton of mega old churches in England. But you should stop at Christ's church if you are going to be in and around Old City. It is so special and full of Philadelphia History. Its free (they ask for donations) and there is someone to give you a tour and tell you all about it.

http://www.christchurchphila.org/

I kind of want to take off of work the week your going to be here to show you around! So exciting!

This.

Frankly, I'm sick of telling tourists what to order while in line at Govindas. Actually, I'm never really sick of bossing people around. But there's not really an option: Govindas Chicken Cheesesteak, but DO explicitly ask it to be vegan or you get cheese and mayo and guilt.

I think Teri's is a bit underrated. When they have the vegan tuna salad it's like winning a mini lottery, and vegan cowgirl tots? Delish. And yeah, I also like their v-steak.

I really want to stress that Govinda's chicken cheesesteak is nothing like a traditional Philly Cheesesteak! And honestly there isn't a vegan cheesesteak in Philly that comes close to being like the original. I'm not saying you should get a real one, but in my opinion there really isn't a point in sourcing out a vegan version cause they will all miss the mark.

Blackbirds was ok, but no where near being close to a real Philly cheesesteak.

Agreed on all counts.

The biggest difference, I imagine, is that after a Govinda's or Blackbird sandwich, you don't feel like you rubbed the sandwich all over your face. (hat-tip to Jim Gaffigan.) If any of them (at least among the ones I like) come close to duplicating the wonderful greasiness of a cheesesteak it's Teri's.

I've never had Teri's, but I'd willing to try it.

So um, since we are on the topic. Why are their no vegan whiz wit's? I mean if your gonna try and veganize something that classic at least try and do it proper!

I imagine the harder part is the whiz, right? I mean, the meatstuff is just a matter of preparing correctly some kind of strip-steak style gluten, and the "wit" part is just a matter of saying the word correctly. The goo that the whiz contributes might be hard to approximate. But I'm not the foodcooking type, so what do I know.

I want a Whiz Wit damnit!

Or

A cheese steak sub. Lettuce (shredded), tomato, and mayo.

Or

Fried onions, mushrooms, and mayo.

Oh...my. Well. I don't know how to talk to you.
:P



Quoting the incredible Jim Gaffigan is a surefire way to get into my pants to be my friend.

homeslice does a vegan "whiz"

but ill say ive had their "chicken" cheesesteak and it wasnt great.

So if I told you I can recite "Beyond the Pale" from memory, that would be assault a friendly gesture? That's good to know.