The City of Cheesesteaks and Brotherly Love

Strolling through a park on a pleasant summer’s afternoon in Philly, I heard out of the corner of my ear a pronounced, “Ah, now Boston is not entirely fashionable.” I turned, and a woman dressed in a gown and petticoat with a tricorn hat was looking our way. Someone was dissing my Dan, 18th century style.

Dan had been getting it all day. Wearing a Red Sox t-shirt on day 3 of a three-day series against the Phillies, locals were gleefully (and gently) teasing him about the two games the Sox had already lost.

We had gotten up at 3 a.m. to get through New York City before rush hour (we had a 30-second delay crossing the George Washington Bridge–the single greatest GWB crossing of my life) and started off our day in Philadelphia with a tour of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

We walked to Reading Terminal Market, where we had our first Philly Cheesesteak at Carmen’s.  I got mine with provolone and mushrooms, onions, and peppers.

The Red Sox won the game 5-2. Locals were a little more quiet after that.

After the game, we headed to the legendary Pat’s to try the original cheesesteak.  I liked Carmen’s sandwich better, but everyone else liked Pat’s.

From our hotel, we walked about a mile to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Rocky ran up the steps. It was a fun place to goof around, with a lot of visitors running up. My son Dan left me in his dust as he lightly jogged up the steps with me trailing behind. It still felt triumphant to get up to the top and raise my arms in victory.

On day two, we slept in and then walked to the Franklin Institute, where we saw the Mummies exhibit and the rest of the museum.

Before heading back, we managed to eat one more sandwich, roast pork at DiNic’s. Some say the roast pork sandwich is vying with the cheesesteak for the spot of Philly’s signature sandwich. Roasted pork with provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe–it was my favorite of the three sandwiches we tried.

It was a great visit. I loved the city, very friendly and much less crowded than New York. And I hear there’s a cannoli I have got to try.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Philadelphia?

Some more Philly photos: Scavenger Hunt Sunday.

#42. 101 things in 1001 days: Have a Philly cheesesteak in Philly.