PJ's & Coffee

Cheese steaks from Pudge’s Steaks

“Cheesesteak” is one of the most searched terms in the Philadelphia area. Visitors of the area are always in search of the BEST! Sadly, for most visiting the Philadelphia area that means a trip to the famous corner in South Philly. Don’t get me wrong, I myself have visited 9th and Passyunk after a Flyers game or at 4 AM on New Years Eve, but when folks ask my opinion, I do not send them there. I think visiting South Philly is essential when visiting the city and I have 2 favorites there (neither are located at 9th and Passyunk)!

Because I live in the burbs, I also encourage people to come outside of the city and see what our other local communities have to offer. While every sandwich shop in the Philadelphia area serves steaks, there is one stand out that anyone in Montgomery County would agree has the BEST cheesesteaks, and that is Pudge’s Steaks in Blue Bell, PA.

Pudge’s Storefront on Route 202

There are some notable differences in the steaks served here verses those in the city. First, the size is significantly larger, not in length only, but in girth. These are fat sandwiches! The cheesesteaks and the hoagies are ginormous! The next significant factor is the roll. The roll makes the sandwich. Personally, and maybe it’s just me, I will NOT eat a sandwich on one of those mass produced “Philadelphia” rolls. (Name withheld to protect the guilty.) I won’t. I can’t. In the burbs there are 2 types of sandwiches, those made on those mass rolls, or those made on the king of rolls from Conshohocken Italian Bakery.

Pudge’s steaks are made on “Conshy Bakery” rolls.

Rolls from Conshohocken Italian Bakery

The third factor for my family, in a cheese steak, is that the high quality steak is chopped and chopped well.  Pudge’s chops its meat perfectly, cooks it perfectly tender and evenly distributes the cheese. *Mouth Waters*

While I live in the burbs myself, I live closer to the city that Western Montgomery County, so I don’t get to Pudge’s as often as I would like. Recently, I took my children for their 1st Pudge’s experience. They are hooked!

“Normal” size Mushroom Cheese Steak at Pudge’s

Until a few weeks ago, Pudge’s closed at 3PM on Mondays, but has now just announced new hours and will remain open until 8PM for Monday Night Football! They do not yet deliver, but based on recent facebook posts, it appears they are considering it! Have never had a “Pudge?” Do it!

Pudge’s Steaks

1510 Dekalb Pike

Blue Bell, PA

610-277-1717

www.pudgessteaks.com

Pudge’s on twitter

Pudge’s on facebook

Banner at the Elkins Park location

If you live in the Chestnut Hill area, chances are, by now you have heard of Yo Dogs in Wyndmoor. If you have visited, surely, you have fallen in love! If you do not live in the Wyndmoor area, have no fear! As fate would have it, Yo Dogs will be opening their second location within the next few weeks in Elkins Park on Montgomery Avenue.

Yo Dogs Spa Dog

If you have already tried their “dogs,” you know there will be lots of toppings and fixin’s for any type of taste buds.  One of the more popular items is the Double Dog Dare…yup, you guessed it…two hot dogs on a bun with mustard or ketchup (or both), onions, and your choice of cheese.  Hard to say no to this one!

We thought we would give you a little peek inside to see what is going on as the construction and other preparations are taking place.  The space, both inside and outside,  is much larger than the Wyndmoor location, with approximately 50 seats, so it will be perfect for birthday parties, teen nights and private events.

Counter in new location

As you can see already, the space has lots of light and feels very cheery and comfortable.  Even the restroom offers a bit of whimsy!

Dining room in new location

Bathroom in Elkins Park store

So, stay tuned and we will keep you posted on their progress!!

The Sign on Bobby’s Burger Palace

The newest Burger joint, in a seemingly endless list of burger joints to hit Philadelphia, opened today at 3925 Walnut Street in West Philly; Bobby’s Burger Palace. This is the 5th location for the Food Network Celebrity and Iron Chef, Bobby Flay. The West Philadelphia spot was met with great anticipation and a large crowd today. Waits were as long as an hour all day.

Long Line of People Wait Outside of Bobby’s Burger Palace

It was over 80 degrees at some points during the day in Philadelphia but fans of either Bobby Flay, or burgers, or both waited to try out the new place. What’s that? You have to do use the bathroom? Nice try. Back in line!

That’s right, you could wait over an hour for a burger, but if you were there just to offer FREE press to the king of Food Network T.V., or needed to use the facilities while waiting  in the sun for a burger, you were S.O.L, my friends. Bladder be damned!

The Sign of One’s Stomach (and Bladder) Getting Closer to Relief!

Inside Bobby’s was just as crowded!

The dining room is modern, decorated in shades of orange and green and seats about 70 with a large curving counter as a centerpiece to the room.Wall hanging art whimsically focuses on food.  The menu includes burgers, fries and shakes. For pictures of all of Bobby’s burgers look here.

Interior Decor

The service was very friendly and knowledgeable once you were past the bathroom police presence at the door. (sarcasm) The food was tasty also.

Bobby Blue Turkey Burger

The food was so good in fact, the person eating the Bobby Blue forgot to take a picture before devouring half of the sandwich that is topped with Blue Cheese, Bacon and Potato Chips! Nary a Sweet Potato Fry to be spotted either cough, cough!

But what could be more exciting than a good sandwich and a celebrity chef in town? How about a drop in from one of our own town’s celebrity chefs?

Marc Vetri and The Best of Food’s Susan Fedele

And of course, the moment you have all been waiting for…..Bobby Flay makes his appearance……

Bobby Flay talking to Marc Vetri

It will be interesting to watch how Bobby Flay fairs in the city of brotherly love. I do love the idea of this month’s burger of the month, which I will be back to try when things settle down a bit.With social media guru Tommyup already calling Bobby things I will not  repeat here, not because I can’t, but because it adds to the drama!

500 degrees just opened 2 weeks ago. Starr burger just re-opened for it’s second season, and we already have some great long standing kick ass burgers in this city! Only time will tell…..

Jack Frost Corner in Glenside, PA

This ice cream stand on the corner of Mt. Carmel Avenue and Limekiln Pike in Glenside that remained closed for several seasons re-opened for business quietly in April of 2009. Quietly, that is, until people discovered that, not only did they still serve ice cream, but in addition to colossal soft-serve cones, they had added premium hard-scooped flavors and shockingly delicious food!

Well, they have returned for their second year and the 2010 season proves to be far less quiet as word spreads of this delicious food stand, so you better get in line early for their scrumptious delights! All of their food is cooked to order and well worth the wait…..just take a look!

Fries are not only cooked to order, they are CUT to order! There is even vinegar on the counter waiting to be splashed on the piping hot spuds when they are ready!

Fresh potatoes waiting to be cut

Cut Fries ready to hit the frier

Cheese, if you please

The burgers and dogs at Jack Frost are the area’s absolute BEST! There is nowhere else to go for treats this tasty! They are again, made to order….

Fresh burgers hitting the grill

Some mighty tasty burgers made to order~as you like ‘em

Hotdogs hit the grill

That’s a fine looking dog….

Complete Menu

Jack Frost is closed on Sundays.