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Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper

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THE POLITICS OF CHEESESTEAKS

June 06, 2006 4:23 PM

Back in my hometown of Philadelphia, the great immigration debate is rearing its head in the middle of another battlezone -- the DMZ between Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks the DMZ between Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks , on Passyunk Avenue.

It is there -- at Geno's more specifically -- where one can find a sign that reads: "This is America... Speak English."

I'd long thought Geno's owner Joe Vento must be something of a conservative, because (if memory serves) his cheesesteak shop is also adorned with at least one sign against convicted Philadelphia cop-killer Mumia Abu -Jamal.

Philly papers are on the case. Vento told Centre Daily columnist Deborah Leavy: "This was a predominantly Italian neighborhood, and for some reason it's turning Mexican," complained Vento. "They're not speaking the language. It's a big problem, and it's getting worse."

"If you can't tell me what you want, I can't serve you," Vento told the Philadelphia Inquirer "It's up to you. If you can't read, if you can't say the word cheese, how can I communicate with you - and why should I have to bend?"

"I got a business to run."

The president of the International Visitors Bureau in Philadelphia says she was "disappointed" to hear about the sign. "We're trying to make Philadelphia the easiest city in the U.S. for non-English-speakers to visit and to live. We're trying to grow the economy."

Across the street at Pat's (featured in Rocky) Tom Francano presents his store as the more accepting alternative. "We welcome everybody. We speak everything here. We're multicultural."

(In case you're wondering: I prefer Geno's with ketchup, onions and provolone. But that's a culinary opinion, not necessarily a political one.)

-- jt

June 6, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (7)

User Comments

WHAT ABOUT THE TOURIST WHO VISIT FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND WANT TO TRY THAT PHILADELPHIA CHEESESTEAK WE ARE SOO FAMOUS FOR? THEY DON'T ALWAYS SPEAK ENGLISH EITHER! IF I WENT TO CHINA, I WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO SPEAK CHINESE TO ORDER FOOD. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THIS COUNTRY IS THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE IN IT FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD!! WE ALL WORK HARD FOR THE SAME REASONS! UNITED WE STAND TO ME MEANS THAT NO MATTER YOUR RACE WE SHOULD STICK TOGETHER IN EVERY WAY EVEN IF IT IS TO HELP SOMEONE ORDER A PETTY CHEESESTEAK! I WILL NO LONGER BE A CUSTOMER OF GENO'S STEAKS!!!!

Posted by: VANIA | Jun 12, 2006 6:35:04 PM

Deborah Leavy writes an opinion column for the Philadelphia Daily News, where that piece originated. You want those onions grilled?

Posted by: daniel rubin | Jun 11, 2006 8:48:26 AM

Ketchup and provolone on a Cheesesteak? Blasphemy.

Pat's. End of story.

Posted by: shoretoplease | Jun 9, 2006 4:20:32 PM

I'm always shocked by people claiming to be from Philly who don't know the best steaks in the world.

Posted by: CorwinSF | Jun 7, 2006 1:47:42 PM

I can't remember if I have ever eaten at Geno's, but I can assure you now I never will...

Posted by: phillygirl64 | Jun 7, 2006 1:38:47 PM

Traif is traif regardless of the source.

Posted by: sophillyfatz | Jun 7, 2006 12:34:57 PM

It just goes to show you that even food can be a political issue! But you should try one of Chicago's famous Italian Beef sandwiches so you could forget about the ketchup and provolone!

Posted by: chuck | Jun 7, 2006 8:43:59 AM

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