Photos by Madeline Pado
Location and Hours:2818 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-266-7374
Monday to Friday | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday | 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Best of Philly, a restaurant that has been family-owned since 1995, will take you to the East Coast during your lunch break. The restaurant, located near Thomas Road and Central Avenue, is easy to spot due to its red and white awnings and umbrellas on the outdoor patio.
Food: 24/30
Best of Philly has a menu to satisfy any customer. If you want to try their signature Philly cheesesteak, you can have it served traditional style with meat and cheese, or you can throw some barbecue or pizza sauce on top to try something a little different. Their “super subs” are served cold with Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses. Best of Philly can oblige if you’re craving a good ol’ American burger or hot dog with fries or onion rings. If you’re in the mood for something a little more foreign, you can order a gyro platter or sandwich. If meat is not your thing, Best of Philly has a few vegetarian options as well, including an avocado sandwich.
Having traveled to the City of Brotherly Love numerous times, I have eaten a true Philly cheesesteak, and Best of Philly holds its own quite well.
Here is what you can expect from what I ordered: the Philly cheesesteak, fries and a Tastykake Krimpet.
Cheesesteak and fries:
The steak was served warm, thinly sliced, fried in olive oil and topped with white American cheese. I chose to add mushrooms, sweet peppers and grilled onions for extra flavor and spice. At an additional cost per topping, this raised the bill quickly. The Italian bread was soft. The sandwich was also served on a paper plate.
The fries were delicious as well, seasoned and fried perfectly. While the sandwich was generous in size (measuring up at about 10 inches), the portion of fries was skimpy for what I paid, which was a little more than $9 for the meal after sides and sandwich add-ons. For that price, I didn’t even bother ordering a drink.
Krimpet:
A Krimpet is a sponge cake topped or filled with butterscotch icing or jelly. These desserts were established in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, so it’s obvious how the tradition to have one with your cheesesteak began. Best of Philly had Tastykake brand Krimpets and Kandy Kakes, which are chocolate-enrobed cakes with a peanut butter or vanilla creme filling. The Krimpet I indulged in was topped with butterscotch icing, and it was delicious.
Service: 23/30
There is not much interaction with the employees since it is basically a counter-service restaurant, though you will experience good service for what the restaurant is. After placing your order with the cashier, you’ll be handed a ticket and your number is called shortly after. The food is made quickly, and the meat is prepared in front of you.
Atmosphere: 20/30
The restaurant is small inside and had only five tables. The decor gives the vibe of a small diner — emphasis on the small. I wouldn’t suggest bringing a large group and expect everyone to sit inside. However, there was a large outdoor patio with many chairs and tables with umbrellas.
Wildcard: 6/10
The location of Best of Philly makes this place a prime option for a quick lunch. It is perfect for the businessmen and women who work in the nearby office buildings, and students can take a short light rail ride to the Central Avenue and Thomas Road stop to indulge in some cheesesteak goodness. The all-American feeling — eating on a paper plate and using ketchup packets — gives this place a laid-back atmosphere. When the weather warms up, sitting on the patio with your cheesesteak, fries and onion rings could make for a happy dining experience.
Final Score: 73/100
Contact the reporter at lucianicolai@asu.edu
