chb@vaxine.UUCP (Music Mafiosi) (11/07/83)
As yet another born-and-raised Philadelphian (or as we would say, Phil'l'phian) I would also say that the smothered onions are de rigeur. The cheese must also be provolone. But going all the way to Norristown for a good cheesesteak?!? When I was last living there (about 7 years ago) Larry's of West Philly and Wynnefield were the best and the biggest in town. The famous cheesesteak institution of Pat's on Passyunk Ave. (as featured in Rocky) had already gone down hill - they were even using some kind of poured Velveeta as an excuse for cheese! My vote for regional dishes would have to be the Southern cousin to New England Clam Chowder - Maryland's She-Crab Soup. The same cream base, with very tender pieces of crab floating throughout. One Cheese with, please... Charlie Berg