by Matthew G. on Tried to convince an out-of-friend town who came into town not to try Geno's if he wanted a cheesesteak. Unfortunately, he wanted to go to the place 'that was in the Motown Philly' video. Some convoluted logic if you ask me but he was my guest. Here is a recap: 1. I could care less if he has 'English-only signs' or 'Chinese-only signs' or 'Pig-Latin only signs.' 2. Servers aren't rude at Geno's. They are just a bit surly and impatient. There's a difference. If you are from the Northeast, you understand this. If not, you will likely think they are just rude. 3. Geno's uses Amoroso's rolls which is a good thing. Philly bakeries make some of the best rolls in the country and Amoroso produces a good product even if they produce large amounts for commercial use. Have heard anything that it is due to the quality of the water, ingredients, or the bakeries in the area. Problem is that they come early in the morning and by the late evening they tend to a bit on the stale side. 4. Quality of the meat though is not a plus at Geno's. They use a crappy cut of meat and it shows up in the taste. You don't need top of the line sirloin. Just better than what Geno's uses. 4. Servers there can make a real mess of cheesesteak including getting way too much grease with the meat. Sloppy steak = soggy roll and this is a major no-no when serving any hot sandwich on a roll. Presentation matters especially when it effects the overall taste of the food. Geno's fails here way too often. 5. Geno's also screws up your order too often also. C'mon guys I worked at a sandwich shop and it isn't that hard to remember an order with 2 stinking sandwiches. They are also irritable when you try to get them to fix it. You screwed it up, you should fix it with no questions asked. 6. 'Freedom Fries' stink at Geno's. Avoid them and save your $4-5 bucks. Ditto on the Roast Pork sandwich. One of the worst in South Philly. 7. This is a tourist trap and the prices reflect that a bit. $2 bucks for a soda? $8.50 for a cheesesteak? My friend wound up disappointed especially when he got a soggy mess when he unwrapped his cheesesteak with wiz which of course didn't have onions. Told him that we would have been better off going to places that were pretty close by that just used a better cut of meat and didn't make such a mess. He said now he knows and that knowing is half the battle.
by Hai Kenagy on Well, I would love to say that I actually experienced East Side Show Room as I've heard the food is lovely. However, on the cold December night me and a friend tried to stop in, we were not even allowed to enter the establishment. Now, while I'm not one of the uber cool eastside hipsters, I can guarantee I've been hanging on the East Side long before it's recent popularity and I can say with confidence that I'm pretty hip, but clearly this place is reserved for the ULTRA hip. As we approached, we were stopped by what amounted to a bouncer in skinny jeans. Peering over his shoulder into what looked like a fairly empty space, we told him we wanted to stop in for a drink. After leaving us on the sidewalk in 35 degree weather so he could consult someone inside, he came back to let us know that, and this is a direct quote, "we take our drinking seriously" and that we would have to wait awhile. Outside. Alternately he could have explained that they didn't have a "bar" area, that there were currently no tables available and that we could wait inside until one was free. Instead, I was left with the impression that we simply weren't cool enough. There are a lot of really special places going up in this town (Justine's was packed the first time we went and waiting over an hour for a table was inconsequential as the friendly bartenders were all too happy to pour us drinks while we waited) and I can't imagine how a restaurant like this expects to make it with such sh*tty attitudes from their employees. Won't waste my time giving East Side Show Room a second chance.
by Rodrick Mckeag on From the looks of things everybody doesn't like this place, but from my experience and the nights I've been too it hasn't been as bad as some claim to state here! IF you go there to venture on a house/rave night it might be okay as the crowds I've seen on these venues are small! The Asian nights are not as bad now (when the club was hot a while back it was REAL good)! As for the mixed nights they're pretty descent except the promoters on these nights decide to play power ranger's (they have power trips) and pick the pretty girls or the guys with pretty girls to get in! So otherwise your a**'d out if you don't have a pretty lady or ladies to get you straight in (I was lucky few LOL!) As for the music it's great and they seem to have good DJ's spinning at all the venues! The drink's are SUPER and you'll get wasted - just make sure you tip them well or just ask for Robert! He'll hook it up! For all the people that love to groove and dance this place has a great dance floor and set-up! The speakers are in the perfect spots and if you want the BASS in your face stand off to the far left side! So basically a great place to get your groove on! The smoking patio is great and accommadates many outside and is furnished with heat lamps too! And to mention heat - it IS SWEATY and you'll feel like your in a war in vietnam on that dance floor so try to dress light inside or check your coat in the front! LOL! All in all - awhile back I can say this place was pretty descent and great usual spot on the weekend for me due to the crowd! The crowd's changed now and it's probably not okay anymore! Maybe they just need to change up the promotion a little!
