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Food Fight! The Cheesesteak

Brock Radke

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 (midnight)

Image

Capriotti’s cheesesteak (left) versus Pop’s.

THE BATTLE: Chopped beef straight from the old-fashioned flat-top grill on a soft roll with peppers and onions—it’s iconic American street food. But outside your average mall food court, there aren’t many Vegas eateries specializing in the classic Philly cheesesteak. So for this sandwich scrimmage, we’ll pit arguably the city’s favorite sandwich shop, Capriotti’s, against Pop’s, which stands for “Pride of Philly.” Let the delectable carnage begin!

THE ROLL:

Capriotti’s: Their “small” roll is 9 inches, submarine-shaped, soft and spongy with a chewy bite. It’s strong enough to hold the ingredients while maintaining its flavor and form.

Pop's: Pop’s roll is 9 inches, too, but a bit wider and just as fresh, even though it’s imported. It’s more of a vessel for the sizzling goodies inside. This bread shuns the spotlight.

Winner? Capriotti’s

Restaurant Guide

Pop's
501 S Decatur Blvd, 878-6444.
Capriotti's
Multiple locations, 474-0229
Recently reviewed
Anthony's
Three and a half stars
First Food & Bar
Two and a half stars
Lunch at RM Seafood
Four and a half stars

THE MEAT:

Capriotti’s: Cap’s serves up tender steak chopped into smallish strips, with a pretty good meat-to-bun ratio. It tastes beefy. Perfectly adequate.

Pop’s: These guys take their meat very seriously, piling on thinly sliced sirloin that packs real flavor, and it’s almost exploding out of the bun.

Winner? Pop's

THE CHEESE:

Capriotti’s: Every sandwich shop offers a variety of cheese options, but we can only judge on the standard selection. The designated-for-steak cheese at Capriotti’s is a white American that melts very nicely between the other ingredients and has a subtle zip to it. It’s pretty good, actually.

Pop’s: At the keepin’-it-real Pop’s, authentic Philly style means straight-up Kraft Cheez Whiz. It’s tangy, gooey and nuclear yellow. A purist would argue it’s not a true cheesesteak without Whiz, and Capriotti’s doesn’t stock it.

Winner? Pop's

THE VEGGIES:

Capriotti’s: Again, you can always choose your own, but for consistency’s sake we’re going to order onions, peppers and mushrooms. At Capriotti’s, the mushrooms are undetectable once they’ve been cooked, but sweet and hot peppers add a nice twist, with some vinegar and heat.

Pop’s: Pop’s innovates by using canned mushrooms, which maintain their flavor and integrity better, and chunkier pieces of onion and green bell pepper. As with the steak, there’s just more to love in the Pop’s sandwich.

Winner? Pop's

THE OVERALL WINNER: Pop's

Far be it for us to disparage the beloved Capriotti’s, but this ain’t a turkey or pastrami Food Fight.

There is no competition.

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You want an even better Philly cheesesteak? I have found one of the best in town is:
Straight From Philly Steakout
1735 W Craig Rd
Ste 2
Las Vegas, NV 89136
(702) 243-0040

Prepared right in front of you best way to get it is onions, peppers, shrooms, & of course good ole cheese whiz. Served on fresh bread & sweet hot peppers on the side makes it a perfect meal.

Posted by: jdirogers on 8/20/09 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I tried the place jdrogers recommends but he's dead wrong! The place was so bad it's out of business even as of the date of his post. On the other hand, POP's is a really streetfood ole time Philly steak joint. Everything is authentic except the cook, cashier, and staff are all exceptionally friendly, helpful, and courteous, unlike the typically rude Philly joints. POP's sandwich is actually better than most in my beloved hometown of Philly and the rolls are direct from the Amoroso Bakery in Philly. No question about authenticity of the roll or any of the ingredients at POP's. Do yourself a favor and try this place. You won't be disappointed!

Posted by: sharplayer on 8/21/09 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I cannot believe what I am reading in this review. Anyone who would prefer a "cheese" product produced in what must look like a refinery over an actual slice of cheese does not deserve to be a food critic. Brock, I'm afraid I have to read all your future pieces with a jaundiced eye. As a Philly native, I have even posted on the subject before in rec.vacation.las-vegas. See the post at:
http://tinyurl.com/m3ncp6

Posted by: CJP on 9/1/09 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

plain and simple if it is not ribeye it is not a philly cheesesteak!! it is just a plain old cheesesteak and belive it or not the wiz wit (cheese steak and grilled oinions) is a magical combination , ribeye cheese wiz and onions= better than the sum of it's parts!

Posted by: mostexperts on 9/3/09 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First off let me start by saying that pops and capriottis both suck!! I just moved here last july from new jersey 20 mins from Philly. I used to always go there for the famous philadelphia cheesesteak. Now that i live in vegas i've been to pops and capriottis and wtf is that. that is not a cheesesteak its a bunch of fat in a roll. On the other hand Straight From Philly Steakout is The real Philadelphia Cheesesteak. It's authentic they HAVE THE REAL AMOROSO rolls. POPS DON'T. Matter of fact Straight From Philly Steakout Sold to Pops in 2002. They were the original Steakout started at alta and decatur in 1993. They still have a Steakout at 1735 W. Craig Rd Unit 2 In front of Walmart Shopping Center. 792-243-0040. Even the Employees are Straight Out of Philadelphia so if you're from the east coast and want to feel at home,stop in at straight from philly steakout. They are AWESOME people and make you feel just like you're back on the east coast from the Philadelphia teams jerseys to the Acents. They are the real deal the legit Philadelphia Cheesesteaks!!!!!! Try em you don't have to go to philly to get one just like it says on the wall. O and Pops stop trying to write your own reviews. YOU'S SUCK

Posted by: Donnyb on 4/20/10 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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