“High Stakes” Cheesesteak: A Philly Perspective
Jimmy_Sunshine writes on the Prospect Heights Message Boards:
“As a very recent transplant to Prospect Heights with a lifetime in Philly … I figured I should add my $.02 … I ate in at High Stakes Cheese Steaks a couple of weeks ago. Though it wasn’t a bad sandwich, it wasn’t a cheese steak.”
“For starters, there was some seasoning on the meat, which isn’t necessary if you use good quality rib eye steak, and is something you’ll never find in Philly. Secondly, the steak should be sliced thin before being chopped up on the grill. This was definitely not the case at High Stakes - the consistency was all wrong. Lastly, the roll was more like something from Subway than a proper Italian roll.”
“The cheese wiz was actually spot-on, but that’s hardly noteworthy since it comes in a large bomb-resistant can with no expiration date.”
So, since you live only a 2-hr drive or just over a 1-hr train ride from Philly, I suggest you check out the real thing. I would recommend Pat’s, Geno’s, or Tony Luke’s in South Philly, Jim’s on South Street, Chink’s in the Northeast, D’Allesanro’s in Roxborough, or, frankly, just about any decent pizza or hoagie[?] place with a grill.”
“Oh, and one more thing, with service as slow as High Stakes (I waited 15 mins for a cheese steak when there were only about 4 customers in the place), they’d be out of business in Philly faster than you can say, ‘wiz wit’.”
Now… about that delivery guy who’s chronically out of change…
Link: High Stakes Cheesesteaks on the Prospect Heights Message Boards
You’re spot-on about the roll, and about the slow service.
However, I have to say…as a former Philly girl with no car, this is indeed the closest I can get to a good cheesesteak without crossing the Delaware. I usually cringe when I see another restaurant advertising a “Philly Steak” but this one was the best I’ve found in NYC.
now stop hating these young guys are doing their thing. get to know the place and the staff before you talk. one thing you must be accurate about how you want it done and what u would like on it. duh! so next time you visit get some onions,mozzarella, peppers hook it up. Big shout out to “High Stakes Cheese Steak.”
tony lukes definitely seasons their steak meat. they had established some kind of venture on the west side, but they’re sadly gone now.
and please, don’t get mozzarella on your sandwich. it’ll no longer be a steak or a cheesesteak.