Pappa Geno’s
1801 Ella Blvd,Ste C, Houston, TX, 77008
Pappa Geno’s Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Diabetics at Papa Murphy
Most of the pizzas offered at Papa Murphy are relatively low in sugar but high in sodium. You must restrict yourself to one or maximum two slices of any pizza ordered at Papa Murphy if you're a diabetic. You can pick salads which are low in sodium to keep your sugar levels in check.
Foods to Avoid at Papa Murphy for Diabetics:
Avoid desserts and salad dressings when you order salads at Papa Murphy. Always skip the Pizzas which are high in sodium content if you are diabetic. Almost all family and large size pizzas are high in sodium and hence should be avoided. Also, avoid stuffed pizzas at Papa Murphy if you're a diabetic.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Papa Murphy:
Chicken Bacon Artichoke - Thin Family/Large Slice (Only one slice)
Nutritional Facts: 230 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 530mg sodium, 20g carbs, 3g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 8g Protein
Tuscan Chicken and Sausage - Thin Family/Large Slice (Only one slice)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 430mg sodium, 16g carbs, Less than 1g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 12g Protein
Gourmet Vegetarian - Thin Family/Large Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 340mg sodium, 18g carbs, 1g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 10g Protein
Chicken Garlic - Thin Family/Large Slice (Only one slice)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 430mg sodium, 17g carbs, 1g sugar, 0g fiber, 13g Protein
Pepperoni - Thin Family/Large Slice (Only one slice)
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 440mg sodium, 18g carbs, 2g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Garden Veggie - Thin Family/Large Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 330mg sodium, 20g carbs, 3g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 8g Protein
Hawaiian - Thin Family/Large Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 7g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 360mg sodium, 20g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 8g Protein
Caesar Salad
Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 230mg sodium, 7g carbs, 5g sugar, 3g fiber, 8g Protein
Italian Salad
Nutritional Facts: 270 calories, 19g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 9g), 710mg sodium, 11g carbs, 4g sugar, 6g fiber, 13g Protein
Garden Salad
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 420mg sodium, 13g carbs, 6g sugar, 6g fiber, 10g Protein
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High Blood Pressure at Papa Murphy
Most foods served at Papa Murphy are high in sodium content. However, there are certain Pizzas types and salads that you can try without spiking your blood pressure levels. Also, you must restrict your pizza intake to maximum 2 slices to keep the sodium consumption in check.
Foods to Avoid at Papa Murphy for High Blood Pressure:
Avoid all Regular Large Pizza Slices and Family Pizza Slices at Papa Murphy. While the sodium content in Regular Medium Pizza Slices is low, we recommend you skip them as well. Also, keep Stuffed Large Pizza Slices and Stuffed Family Pizza Slices at bay when ordering at Papa Murphy. Salads may sound healthy, but most salads offered at Papa Murphy are also high in sodium.
Food Suggestions to Control Blood Pressure at Papa Murphy:
Garden Veggie - Thin Family/Large Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 330mg sodium, 20g carbs, 3g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 8g Protein
Gourmet Vegetarian - Thin Family/Large Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 340mg sodium, 18g carbs, 1g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 10g Protein
Hawaiian - Thin Family/Large Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 7g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 360mg sodium, 20g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 8g Protein
Herb Chicken Mediterranean - Thin Family/Large Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 230mg sodium, 7g carbs, 5g sugar, 3g fiber, 9g Protein
Tuscan Chicken and Sausage - Thin Family Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 430mg sodium, 16g carbs, Less than 1g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 12g Protein
Chicken Garlic - Thin Family Slice (No more than two slices)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 430mg sodium, 17g carbs, 1g sugar, 0g fiber, 13g Protein
Caesar Salad
Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 230mg sodium, 7g carbs, 5g sugar, 3g fiber, 8g Protein
Cream Cheese Frosting
Nutritional Facts: 370 calories, 25g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 13g), 310mg sodium, 35g carbs, 33g sugar, 0g fiber, 3g Protein
Healthy Tips for Dining at Papa Murphy
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at Papa Murphy
Papa Murphy takes care of people with different health preferences and offers multiple varieties of pizzas and salads to choose from. You can order thin crust family or large size pizza to keep the cholesterol levels down at Papa Murphy. Don't eat too many slices and restrict yourself from consuming more than 2 slices to balance your cholesterol levels.
Foods to Avoid at Papa Murphy for High Cholesterol:
Skip the pizzas on the menu under family or large pizza slices. Stuffed family size slices and stuffed large size slices are also high in cholesterol and must be avoided at Papa Murphy. In the Appetizers, make sure to avoid Thick 'n' Cheesy Homebaked Bread. You can enjoy all kinds of salads at Papa Murphy except Chicken Bacon Artichoke Salad for its high cholesterol content.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Papa Murphy:
Garden Veggie - Thin Family Slice/Regular Family Size/Thin Large Size (Max. 2 slices)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 330mg sodium, 20g carbs, 3g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 8g Protein
Hawaiian - Thin Family Slice/Regular Family Size/Thin Large Size (Max. 2 slices)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 340mg sodium, 18g carbs, 1g sugar, Less than 1g fiber, 10g Protein
Caesar Salad
Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 230mg sodium, 7g carbs, 5g sugar, 3g fiber, 8g Protein
Italian Salad
Nutritional Facts: 270 calories, 19g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 9g), 710mg sodium, 11g carbs, 4g sugar, 6g fiber, 13g Protein
Cinnamon Wheel (2 slices of 16)
Nutritional Facts: 250 calories, 7g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 410mg sodium, 42g carbs, 13g sugar, 0g fiber, 5g Protein
S'mores Dessert Pizza (2 slices of 16)
Nutritional Facts: 260 calories, 7g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 290mg sodium, 44g carbs, 18g sugar, 1g fiber, 5g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q&A on Papa Murphy
Where's Papa Murphy's located?
Papa Murphy is based out of Vancouver, Washington, United States. Besides that, Papa Murphy can be found in 1300+ locations in the United States and Canada and over 1500 locations worldwide. You can use our Restaurants Listings directory to find a Papa Murphy nearby.
How to cook Papa Murphy's Pizza?
Papa Murphy offers take and bake pizzas to its customers who wish to cook pizza at home. Once you take home your Papa Murphy pizza, you need to remove the plastic wrap and preheat oven to 425 degrees for original or thin crust pizza and to 375 degrees for a stuffed pizza or calzone. Simply follow Papa Murphy's instructions for a specific type to enjoy your home baked pizza.
Does Papa Murphy's take EBT?
Yes, Papa Murphy accepts EBT across all its outlets in the United States.
Does Papa Murphy's offer delivery?
Yes! Select locations do offer delivery. You can check with your delivery partner to see if they can deliver food from Papa Murphy nearby. You can always use our Restaurants Listings directory to find a Papa Murphy outlet nearby to visit the outlet yourself and order your favorite pizza.
Is Papa Murphy's pizza gluten free?
Papa Murphy has joined hands with Udi's to offer gluten-free crusts for customers looking for gluten-free pizzas at Papa Murphy.
Is Papa Murphy's Pizza Vegan-friendly?
You can order vegan-friendly pizzas at Papa Murphy. Simply customize your order with the right crust, sauce, veggies, garlic, and spices and add your own plant-based meat and vegan cheese while you bake the pizza at home.
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About Papa Murphy
Papa Murphy is one of the top pizza chains in the United States. Papa Murphy was formed after the merger of two popular local pizzerias namely Papa Aldo's and Murphy's respectively. The trend of "take and bake" pizzerias gained popularity in the United States during the early 90s. The growing popularity these two take and bake pizzerias located in Hillsboro, Oregon and Petaluma, California respectively gave the idea of a possible merger to Terry Collins.
In 1995, Terry Collins consolidated the merger and founded Papa Murphy and expanded the pizza chain across 1300 outlets in the United States and Canada. Customers can relish Papa Murphy pizzas by simply walking into the nearby Papa Murphy outlet or simply order online or call-in to pick up the order later. Some Papa Murphy outlets also feature a drive-thru window where you can pick up your call-in order. Today, Papa Murphy is owned by MTY Food Group. Papa Murphy is the 5th largest Pizza Chain in the United States.
Healthy Food Options at Papa Murphy
Papa Murphy is basically a take and bake pizza outlet where customers can order their favorite pizza and enjoy it at home. You can either bake your pizza or grill it as per the instructions mentioned on each pizza crust. Papa Murphy offers a wide range of pizza options such as gluten-free, vegan, veg or non-veg. You can easily choose the right pizza based on your health or food preferences and enjoy a classy pizza at home. Apart from Pizzas, you can also try the salads at Papa Murphy for your healthy cravings.
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Address :
1801 Ella Blvd,Ste C
Houston, TX, 77008 - Phone (713) 863-1222
- Website https://pappagenos.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Davu A.
Me and my wife decided to drop by on a Monday late lunch. I've driven by this place plenty of times as I frequent the HEB; it reminded me of Whataburger. To my surprise, it was nothing like Whataburger. I got the #1 philly sandwich and my wife got the chicken philly with onion rings and mushrooms. The sides were pretty standard, but what excelled were the sandwiches. The bread was crispy, but soft on the inside. The meat had alot of flavor to my pleasure. Now this is probably the only philly cheese steak I've had within the last few years and I'm not from the east coast, but it was pretty darn good for a Texan. I will definitely be ordering out more until my heart starts disagreeing. :)
(5)Alan Premel A.
Shame on me for giving such an outstanding meal a mediocre rating. Ate at pappa geno's twice. First experience, the cheesteak was decent. Wasnt extraordinary and wasnt bad. Problem was, my order was wrong. Second trip to Pappa geno's two days ago and again they got the order wrong. This time, i drove all the way back down to the restaurant which was 20 minutes each direction after already driving there and back already. An hour and a half of my day on driving to pappa geno's. So with evening traffic on top of the 20 minute drive back (40 mins round trip) i was pretty PO'ed by the time i waited in line again. This easily could have been a 5 star rating so remember that when you read this. While the girl who took my order obviously saw i was pretty pissed off there could have been french fries and a free drink offered since my french fries at home sat for 40 minutes and were too cold and awful to eat when i returned with my sandwich. And the beverage ice had melted so i had to enjoy a great sandwich almost an hour later while the rest of the house ate before me and i ate alone. Completely killed the mood of the evening simply because someone at the counter did not listen. Neighborhood and shopping center it is located in is sketchy and severely outdated but the food was fantastic, just wish i could say the same about the service. Even after repeating my order to another girl they did the return visit order wrong and another girl had to step in since it was just too complicated to scratch mayo from a sandwich. Given the price of gas and the amount i spent driving back to this place simply because the girl could not listen i will not be going back especially when there are 1000 other restaurants who will greet me friendly, listen better and not be doing their homework when i come in to place an order. Counters were not clean enough for an employee to be doing homework. Just burns me up that i had to give such an outstanding sandwich such a dismal rating because it was truly outstanding but after a combined hour and half of driving since i had to go there and back and then there and back again it completely ruined the experience.
(3)Jeff W.
Hands down the best cheese steak in houston. Friendly service and fresh food. The sandwiches are packed with meat and they have a good variety but aren't overloaded with tons of gimicky items. The gravy fries are a must.
(4)Damian G.
Best of the best cheese steaks! beef is nicely seasoned, lots of melty cheese on the perfect bread. the bread, crispy crust but tender, soft center absorbs the flavors. cooked fresh to order! on a grill, not meat tossed in some hot liquid after sitting in some tray drying out. try it with the brown gravy fries. oh yeah! The place is tiny, so be prepared to squeeze in next to a new friend and enjoy one of the half dozen or so varieties of the cheese steak. Enjoy!
(5)Tommy D.
I'm no Philly cheesesteak expert but theirs is f*cking amazing. It's delicious. Always friendly counter service too.
(5)Kristina K.
I really want to give this place 4.5 stars. They are just SO close to 5 stars. Meat, bread, sauce, hot peppers, even the dang cheeze whiz make such a great sandwich. Every bite is perfect. Fries are always the right compliment. Not the best onion rings Ive ever had but definitely not the worst either. They lose a star because the girls at the counter are just always looking so bummed to be working and kind of a downer on your lunch break. I dont need line dancing on the counter or anything but c'mon girls! Turn those frowns upside down! Fake it like the rest of us schmoes! That combined with tiny dining area make this place super for take out!
(4)Kevin D.
I figured by now I would have reviewed Papa Geno's as I have been almost a dozen times and even brought friends and even my wife to enjoy the cheesesteaks here. I lived just outside of Philadelphia for a while and have yet to find anything that stacks up against some of my favorites in the City of Brotherly Love, but Papa Geno's takes the cake for the best in Houston, and according to these reviews, I am not alone in my thoughts. Always get the #2 with Wiz and no onions, along with a side of disco fries (cheese Wiz and brown gravy, similar to poutine). Go here the next time you are in the area and you won't be disappointed :)
(5)David V.
Pros: Butter bread, Hot and Gooey, Cheap, Hot and Gooey Cons: ..... BAAAAAAAMMMM! This is one of those real ass man sandwich places! I can not stress more on how effing awesome this Philly was! I'm totally glad I changed my mind on where to go to for lunch. My friend and I wanted to try this place because it was very close t work. The parking out there is pretty random... I parked in a spot that didn't have any lines. It was easy though. This place is styled small to have that Philly-on-the-go feel. I ordered the sandwich with all the peppers. The sandwich stayed hot and gooey all the way to the savory melty end. I was impressed with the size of the thing. It must have been a foot long! This Philly had green olives and carrots! Are you kidding me?! This is the best Philly I've had in a loong time guys! I will definitely be returning. Try to get there before the usual lunch rush. Peace!
(5)Josh M.
by far the best in tx . ok it's hard to find good stake sandwitches in tx, becouse we're not known for them, so a friend told me abouth this place pappaGeno's, so i took the drive and headed out there, i was surprized at how nice and clean everthing was, line was not bad and everyone in there was like family, i orderd the philly with whiz and onions as i took a bite i was in shock im thinking this is awsome wow for tx it was the best i will come back here for sure nobody els in tx puts cheese whiz on philly steaks but pappa genos and they do it just right
(5)Apokealypse N.
Pretty good. Been here for lunch a couple times because it's close to my work. The #1 is good. Good toasted hoagie bread with sliced Philly steak, onions, and white American cheese, hold the mayo. The food is so hot it'll burn your mouth unless you give it time to cool down. BTW, no relation to the original Geno's in Philadelphia.
(3)Nina D.
I probably don't know what an authentic philly cheesesteak looks or tastes likes. But this was good. Met up with an old high school pal at this place. It was empty which made me a little nervous but it all worked out. My sandwich was hot, greasy, and filling. We got the fries without the gravy because my friend wanted to be "healthy." This place is good and inexpensive. We stayed for hours catching up until a kid's soccer team came in. Service was quick and pleasant. I can see myself there again the next time I'm in Houston!
(4)Nathan V.
Tasty sandwich place. Always a treat to eat at this spot. Bread is good doesn't get soggy meat taste good and they have a solid menu so you can get cheesesteaks in different ways. Still waiting for a pizza cheesesteak.
(5)Ko N.
REALLY good cheesesteaks. Great bread (which I heard them say they fly in), salty meaty greasy goodness. The restaurant itself is very odd. I think it may have been a donut shop before...the place just seems kinda incomplete. But honestly, when the cheesesteak is this good, it just doesn't matter. Pricier than your average counter service restaurant, but much more delicious, also.
(4)Dana C.
I love it when people turn me on to little hole-in-the-wall places that I would never try on my own in a million years. That is what happened here. My friend and fellow yelper (see Taylor below) told me that I had to check this place out, so off we went for lunch the other day. Mind you, I've had a total of two Philly Cheesesteaks in my entire life and I've never been impressed by them. I was convinced that they just weren't my thing. Well, I was wrong. Pappa Geno's has reassured me that I do like them, I just never had a good one until now. I ordered the Papa Geno's Steak & Cheese and added sautéed mushrooms. Delicious! I also got a side of fried mushrooms. Very tasty, but I'm a mushroom-a-holic so it's hard to go wrong with them when you're me. Our orders were ready within five minutes and piping hot. The restaurant itself is tiny and located in a run down strip center, but the inside is clean and fairly cute. The decor consisted of orange and white checkered tiles and had bar stools all along the counter. It sort of reminded me of an old soda shop. I will definitely be going back.
(4)karen c.
Finally! A good cheesesteak nearby and I don't have to drive across town for Texadelphia. At first glance, it looks like a shady strip mall hole-in-the-wall joint, but it's nice and clean inside. And food is good. Large sized sandwiches, great price, piping hot, delicious. And I took mine to-go and it was STILL too hot to eat! Also good leftover, just stick it in the toaster oven. I'll be back to try more!
(4)Al V.
I often dont eat meals with this many calories, but when I splurge I go for a cheesesteak at Papa Genos. Delicious.
(5)Peter B.
Since I've never been to Philly, I don't know what a "real" Philly cheesesteak is supposed to be; however, I know meat, I know cheese and I know bread. When you throw these three magical ingredients together, you should end up with a magical sandwich. I've eaten more than my fair share of cheesesteaks in Houston, and I've never been that impressed. I've had good ones in Pittsburgh and Austin, and I even thought Jake's was pretty good (years and years ago). I'm not going to get all descriptive of the sandwich. I'm just going to say this is the one in Houston to get. Flavor, flavor, flavor.
(5)Eric T.
Let me preface this with I strongly dislike philly cheese steaks. Luckily they have one on Texas toast which seems to elevate any sandwich, somewhat like bacon does for every dish! Note: the Texas toast version is smaller than the standard one. I added mushrooms for something extra, highly recommended. The steak cheese and mushrooms tasted great as a sandwich book ended by Texas toast! Things fell apart when ordering sides and none of the people working there had any recommendations... "I've never tried ___" or "I don't like ____" not helpful... Just went with onion rings, very standard, can't mess those up, I liked them
(4)John F.
I drive from spring to go to this place about twice a month. It's easily the best cheesesteak in Houston or surrounding areas.
(5)Christian B.
I went to this place with my mom to have lunch since she was craving a burger and I a cheesesteak. It was super good. I definitely give it 5 stars and I'll definitely be going again.
(5)Cooper G.
I have been twice. It was bad both times. Steak tasted like it went through a blender on turbo speed. Cheese is liquid like water drenching everything. I could barely finish it. This place feels dirty and you can't see the cooks so no telling what the conditions are like back there. Most philly places you can see your sandwich being made. One lady that came in smelled so bad it caused me and several others to leave. I'm not going back.
(1)Scott F.
This place is delicious. $10 and change gets a big tast sandwich and a drink. If I get fries, I can't finish the sandwich. So I don't get fries. I usually start with the #1 then move up through the philly's one at a time whenever I go back until I get to #7. Then I start over at #1.
(5)Igno R.
It's a philly cheesesteak. That's it. Nothing special. I've never had an authentic one so I can't really compare to the real thing. For the price it's not worth it. It's next to a grimey gas station. The place inside is small and grimey as well. I wouldn't drive out of your way just to come here. The bread they use isn't that good. It's an average sandwich. Nothing special. Totally not worth what they are charging.
(2)Danielle Q.
Yum. I just think of the delicious bun filled with delight from this past Saturday and my mouth waters. So good, soooo, soooo, so good. I love cheesesteaks, I have always loved cheesesteaks. I grew up about 100 miles North of Philadelphia. I have found my Texas cheesesteak - hoorah! Now, don't get me wrong I am a full on Texas gal now having lived here for 16 years now but I do still crave some childhood foods and the cheesesteak is at the top of the list. The cheesesteak you will find here is delicious. Keep in mind a couple of things. It's a cheesesteak, not a gourmet sandwich. Get over that. Also, another thing about the cheese Wiz. I hate Cheese wiz and have always hated cheese wiz. BUT cheese wiz does a classic Philly Cheesesteak make. Another hint, maybe, like me, you might want to order something besides a classic and get you some real cheese on. I ordered a #7, which was real cheese, steak, onions, peppers, mayo and mushrooms. Ah - mazing. So anyhoo, I am chomping pretty good and was about 1/2 way and I said to myself, "Self! Hey they put the ingredients mixed all in. Wow, I am impressed - that is the way they should be, not all sitting on the top in a glob" Then I lost my ability to hear, think or speak until I finished the other half of the sandwich. So, I recommend the #7 highly, I recommend NOT sharing French fries, really just enough for 1, I recommend giving it a try. I also noted they had chicken sandwiches and hamburgers in case you don't want to try the most delicious cheesesteak in Houston, Texas ya'll!!!!!!
(5)Mariah D.
I've never been to Philadelphia, and this was the best cheesesteak I've ever had. But it's still not worth 5 stars to me. Both my husband and I ordered the number 1 to go. The service was SUPER fast and friendly. Once we got the sandwiches home, they were still perfectly warm and not saturated with grease. The bread is really wonderful: Buttery and soft but sturdy enough to hold up the meat and cheese. The meat is very moist and not at all greasy. I was honestly surprised at how little grease was on this sandwich. We didn't like the onions. They weren't caramelized enough and they were thick -- cut in chunks instead of thin strips. We both added jalepeno slices that we have in the fridge, and that put the sandwich over the top, so it's unfortunate they don't offer this as a topping. Cheez Whiz grosses me out, so we went with regular melted cheese all the way. The other menu offerings with additions of gravy (weird), fries (artery clogger), mushrooms (I just don't like them) and spicy italian peppers (where's the jalepenos, this is Texas) don't do much for me. I'd like more variety on their small menu -- maybe a Texas Philly with pepperjack cheese, jalepenos and chipotle mayo. I also cannot justify the prices -- $6.99 for a sandwich. Bring the prices down to $5.99 for a sandwich and $8.50 for a combo with regular fries and a drink. The basic combo (meat, bread, cheese) is good enough that I'll be back when I've got a craving for a cheesesteak.
(4)Alan O.
All the steak and cheese sandwiches are super yummy!!! It's filling and warm and toasty. It is so big, it's satisfying!!! The steak are thinly sliced and chopped up; so yummy and mouthwatering. Fries are excellent companion for very sandwich. Crunchy and crisp. Fresh and hot. Not oily or soggy. This is so good that you can eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And you can! Cause they open from 11am to 10pm. That's late for a Philly steak sandwich shop. Try it out. I'm not lying!
(5)Danish B.
I never liked Cheese Whiz until I had it on a sandwich at Papa Geno's. This place is a guilty pleasure. Get the oil peppers on your sandwich, for an added amount of deliciousness. The Philly Cheese Fries are the bomb.com , if you're dining with another person, or two (very filling).
(4)Noble K.
This is definitely my favorite cheesesteak place in Houston. i usually get the Wicked Philly cheesesteak (4/5 rating) which comes with hot peppers. I've tried the popular places in Philly (Geno's, Pat's, and Jim's) and this place comes close. The Philly spots have the advantage on the bread/bun and thats probably the only thing holding this place from matching them. You can get your cheesesteak here with Whiz instead of Provolone or in addition to Provolone if you want, so just ask!
(4)Mycah T.
Cleveland, OH born and raised - I'm from the North....I know what the real thing is, I've been in Houston 9.5 years now. This is the ONLY *real* Cheesesteak in Houston, TX - Period. If you know of a better one, I'm all ears. I've searched far and wide and the only thing that came close before this was a joint in 3rd Ward by TSU and UofH opened by some guys from Philly.......sadly the joint didn't survive. It was open and closed in 2005. The only thing they don't get right here is they don't season the meat - No garlic, no salt, no pepper, no nothing. All the flavor comes from the Cheese and other toppings (onions, etc) - If they would just shake a little garlic powder and pepper on that meat it would be perfection.
(4)Corey M.
Absolutely best cheese steaks this side of Pennsylvania specifically Philly. The Owner is a real gent, and their food is phenomenal. If your idea of a good cheese steak is Texadelphia do yourself a favor and try them out and see what a real cheese steak is all about. Rumor has it they even get their bread from Philly, while I don't know if this is true or not the authenticity is definitely there. The giardiniera is the business too, spicy but not overly so, perfect compliment to their sandwiches. I hear they also have some close to poutine, but instead of cheese curds (squeak) they use whiz, but the mere thought of roast beef gravy over fries makes me drool. Great place for lunch, friendly efficient service, highly recommended.
(4)Melissa H.
Being from up North, we have found it difficult to find a good philly cheesesteak place in Houston. So far, this has been the best alternative to our high standards of a good cheesesteak. We live in SW Houston so this was a little hike for us, but we found out there is another location on Bellaire which is closer so we will try that too. As far as the facility and service-we went in a late afternoon and the Lady was helpful and nice and the place was clean. The women's restroom could use some work though. The sub itself-bread was better than average. It tastes as if it was homemade fresh hot bread. The size is 9" which was fine for me but my husband likes big manly sub's. They put a lot of cheese but not too much meat. We would rather have more meat, but the taste was still there-good seasoning. It had some grease but not too much. I had the Philly Works#7 and hub had #1 which was the famous one. Fries were OK-they reminded me of fries back when you were in school cafeteria. We will come back again and try the location closer to home!
(4)Tim P.
How a cheesesteak should taste. Do yourself a favor and go out of your way to Eat here.
(5)Osro L.
HELL YES! This is a top notch philly cheesesteak joint. Don't expect table service or white table clothes because you're not getting them. What you're getting is an incredible philly cheesesteak, easily the best I've had in Houston. I moved to this neighborhood two months ago, and I eat here at least once a week and in several cases two or three times in a week.
(5)Kev C.
If you're ever around this area, you definitely have to try this place if you like philly cheesteaks. I've had the #1 & #2 and both times I was very happy with the amount of steak they give you. It gets you full quick and you better be ready for that food coma, cause it will come (as well as the runs if you get something with cheese). Price is a little high for a combo (fries and drink) which will run you about $10-13 depending what you get. Tip for take-out: Make sure if you want fries and a drink, just say that you want to make it a combo otherwise you'll just be walking out with just a sandwich.
(3)Belly G.
I'm a big fan of steak. I'm a big fan of cheese. And when you find a place that combines steak and cheese in a delicious, greasy, this is so bad but this is so good, finger-licking, nom-nom I want more even though I know I'm going to get a heart attack good, and at a very reasonable price? You can't help but rave about this place. I personally love the classic, or #1. But lately I've been more into the Philly works, or #7. The combination of steak, mushrooms, grilled onions, bell peppers, and provolone cheese is just amazing. You top it off with some cheese fries, or onion ring? Woooo! Belly's belly's just too happy!! I have also witnessed the mammoth that is the fat philly. Two chicken tenders with smothered cheese fries on top of your cheesesteak? No, I haven't tried it yet because, to be frank, I'm scared. Ha ha. It does look very delicious. Bet believe if you plan on eating that whole thing, come really hungry and don't plan to eat anything else for the rest of the day because I don't think your stomach can contain anymore food. The service here is pretty quick, even during lunch time. The restaurant is pretty small with very limited seating. However, people seem to come and go pretty quickly. They also take orders quickly so the line is never very long. Parking in the restaurant's lot is very limited, but you can park in the lot right next to it. If you're coming from TC Jester, just turn into the parking lot before you reach Pappa Geno's because otherwise you'll have to bust a U. I'm definitely frequenting this place. Well, maybe not too much. I don't want to clog my arteries too quickly.
(5)R. Mark M.
Let me first state that I lived in Philly for a short time, so I was schooled on cheese steak while I lived there, and I haven't found any where outside the city of brotherly love that comes close to Pappa Geno's. If you want an authentic cheese steak then get the one with cheese whiz....I had a hard time adapting to the classic while in philly and prefer real cheese...what I can I say I am still a Texan. I love french fries with brown gravy and their chicken cheese steak is also good. You have lot variation of the classic. It's not healthy but you only live once!
(5)M C.
Exactly what I want in any cheesesteak. Only thing missing were the amorosa hoagies. But still had good hoagies.
(4)Ron L.
It's just ok. I'm not a fan of a chopped meat Philly. I like mine with thin sliced steak that is not minced or finely chopped just so it looks like your getting a full sandwich. I paid $9 for a cheese steak sandwich, side of brown gravy, cup of water and no fries. Honestly I should have gone to Hughies across the street, 2 banh mi's for $10 add a beer for a few more $ and I would have enjoyed lunch today.
(2)Taylor B.
I've come to love Philly cheesesteaks over the past few years, and this place knocks every other attempt out of the park. Like all the other positive reviews say, their meat, bread, cheese, fries....everything is perfect. It's also a great value for the amount of food you get. The sandwiches are huge and could easily be shared....but who would give up the other half of a sandwich like this? Not me.
(5)Jennifer R.
I don't get it. This place is obviously NOT for someone who doesnt have a deep love a Philly cheesesteak style sandwiches. don't like the onions or peppers but I figured "Hey... other reviews mentioned delicious bread and flavors" I figured would be partly attributable to meat, etc. I ordered a chicken hoagie sandwhich minus the fixings and I got.....a cafeteria/gas station style sandwich...... Ohhhhh and for $8 bucks.....no seriously....extra average/sub par bun wrapped in foil wrapper that made it slightly soggy. Cheese whiz and....regular, basic style sliced chicken, nothing exciting....nothing....just nothing..... I was let down beyond belief. $8 bucks....for a corner store sandwich. I'm giving them 2- stars because I can't realistically knock them with a 1-star for a fault that was partially my own. I for one...will not be back.
(2)Daniel C.
I've been here a few times now and they've knocked it out of the park every time. I've never had a Philly cheesesteak from Philly but I imagine this is what it would taste like. The meat is very well seasoned and the gravy is amazing. I literally want to bathe in it lol. Service is great because they are very attentive and keep the place clean. I will definitely continue to go here when I am having a craving for a cheesesteak.
(5)Daniel Y.
As a most-of-my-life Texan, I have little to no connection to anything east of the Mississippi other than knowing that it snows there from time to time. But the one food fantasy that I've been chasing all my life was to eat the perfect Philly cheesesteak. However after a thorough and scientific sampling of several steaks at this establishment, I no longer feel the need to travel east--at least not past 45. Because Cheesesteak perfection is here, ladies and gentlemen. In the Heights. From what I've read, the Perfect Philly Steak a la Pat's and Geno's in Philadelphia has three main components: 1) thinly sliced high quality ribeye grilled with a mountain of onions, 2) a tasty amaroso roll to hold it all together, and 3) a topping of either melted provolone or (Philly's favorite) Cheez Whiz. Now, I don't know for sure if they're using the name for recognition or if this is a legit spinoff of the Philly shop, but whatever it is, the minds that made the Pappa Geno's here know exactly what they're doing in terms of serving up a delicious cheesesteak! And I'd like to mention that I am SO happy that somebody finally brought it to Houston for good (cue a moment of silence for Philly Connection). You walk in. Order your food. Sit at the bar like at a typical Philly diner and wait for your order to get assembled and served hot off the flat top. This place is a no-frills legit cheesesteak establishment that should never change. Take some time off of your diet to gulp one of these down because you deserve a chance at trying Philly's best contribution to 'murica. That and a broken bell.
(5)Jennifer T.
Just awesome when what you are looking for is something a little greasy or fried. This is one of my having a "fat girl" moment places and it never disappoints. I actually get their chicken tenders and they're great plus they have gravy and cheese for fries.
(4)Isabel C.
Dear Diet, I'm really, really sorry that I've neglected you. I lapsed again at Pappa Geno's, but it was totally worth it. I mean, I kind of listened to my inner diet when I got chicken instead of beef, right? Well, I might have had a bite of my boyfriend's cheesesteak... Sorry (kind of), Me This place is just simple, straight-forward bad for you food that is oh, so good for your soul. It hit the spot during the recent cold snap when my body yearned for something to tank my diet. I got the spiced up version of the sandwich and it was fantastic! I'd highly recommend the chicken philly done up "wicked" style, but I'd hold the mayo the next time I go. I'm a big fan of mayo, but this was glopped on, so not my fave. The atmosphere was old school diner style with a bunch of counter seating and some tables off to the side. This place is by no means fancy, but will definitely make you feel incredibly satisfied...if not a bit guilty.
(4)Jade F.
This place is great! Very inconspicuous. I live so close and I never thought of eating there but Yelp recommended it. My boyfriend and I split the Chicken Philly and it was delicious. The inside is bright orange and has an old school feel. Pricing is also affordable. I'm a fan!
(4)J V.
I bring everyone here. Their cheesesteaks are famous for a reason. *drooling*
(5)Matt R.
PG's is definitely the best place to get an authentic style Philly cheesesteak. They do it just right with perfectly seasoned and cooked chopped beef splattered with a healthy serving of "cheese-whiz." For those of you that don't like the true experience, you can sub provolone (I think) for the cheese whiz. They also have a spicy, pepper filled version of the sandwich called the "Wicked Philly," which is my personal favorite. You may also see me with a side of chili-cheese fries... all delicious. BOTTOM LINE: Best cheesesteak sandwich in Houston, methinks.
(5)Bobby B.
This is the best cheese steak I have ever had. I've never been to Philadelphia but I've had a bunch of them in Texas. Definitely worth trying.
(5)Jeff P.
Tried this place out during a trip to Houston. Really good cheesesteak.
(4)Danielle S.
Surprised to see that this place is rated so highly. It's in a pretty sketchy strip mall, with some vagrants usually hanging out nearby. The food was decent & inexpensive, but certainly falls fall short of the "real deal" cheese steaks & hoagies from Philly. Now, my hubby & I both spent a lot of years within an hour's drive of Philly, so perhaps we are jaded by that experience. I'll give them another try, as my number 1 wish for this neck of the woods is to come up with a truly great deli/sandwich place...
(3)Mike J.
The absolute best cheesesteak I have had in Texas. The quality of the ingredients and the construction of the sandwich are superior. I suggest provolone on your sandwich. The fries aren't the greatest, but with the size of sandwich they give you; you don't need them.
(5)Melissa P.
Oh Lord! This place rocks. Owners are super friendly and sandwiches are the best I've had. You have to try the gravy cheese fries. Sounds gross, looks gross, but dang good!
(5)Anthony W.
Sandwiches so good, you'll form an emotional bond with them!
(5)Daniel L.
Specialis Revelio! I was curious why this sandwich was so ridiculously good. The secret ingredient is awesomeness. Thanks to the ROTD by Angela C. I read from my iPhone this morning in bed with a massive hangover, I knew what was going to bring me back to life: a cheesesteak to remind me of my cheesesteak eating days back in Philadelphia at Tony Luke's. I like Texadelphia just fine, but it's kind of just a sandwich. And never more. Probably because the name Texadelphia doesn't conjure the imagination of a big fat guy in a track suit and tacky gold jewelry named Geno assembling a sandwich for you to devour and rid you of your cursed hangover custom-ordered by the elixir of the gods, tequila, to remind me that at my age my Sunday nights should probably be spent in more age appropriate activities like drinking green tea and watching Matlock instead of what I did last night. At a not-insignificant 20ish minute drive from downtown in the middle of the day each way I had pretty high expectations since I was investing that much time, when I typically don't invest more than a four block walk in my lunches. As I pulled into the gas station parking lot and glared across the street at a Jack in the Box I did not really feel like this was going to overwhelm me with charm. But all that orange. Just look at all that orange. It seems like Fry sneezed and everything just went orange for a minute. It is like Whataburger and Berripop had a baby. I like it. I like colorful things. I mostly gave the place foursies just in keeping with the theme of orange. Orange you glad I didn't say banana? They have a menu on their website which is good because I got there a few minutes before they opened at 11am so I had time to figure out exactly which concoction I was going to go with, and whether I wanted cheese fries and mozzarella sticks or both as sides. My sandwich and fries came to $10.26 which is not unreasonable considering the quality, the size, and how far it is for me that it will not be a daily stop like Treebeard's jambalaya is. I went with the Wicked Philly because (a) I like saying 'wicked,' (b) that was an amazing book and theatre production, (c) Idina Menzel, and (d) I like jalapenos and peppers and hot things. The mix of the hot stuff is even better than the mix of peppers you get at a Potbelly restaurant. So it was tasty. The Wicked Philly is huge. And it is stuffed full of meat. There is a lot of meat. And cheese. And peppers. And the bread is amazeballs delicious. Everything about this sandwich was amazing. And it was so big I ate until I was full and I still have some left over until I hit the point in the day when I start stress-eating for one reason or another. The cheese fries are a fair portion. I go through fries like water so they are all gone. It was not a huge heaping portion but definitely adequate to accompany the sandwich, since the sandwich really takes centre stage any way with how awesome it is. I kind of wish I had gone with the mozzarella sticks, so now I feel it is imperative to return sometime very soon to eat them. Because mozzarella sticks are life - unless chili-cheese and/or cheese fries are also on the menu, then it is a true Sophie's choice. The woman behind the counter was very nice and pleasant. Which is getting exceedingly rare to find at any of the downtown lunch places. It was good to see someone in the service industry still takes pride in being a nice person to customers. Now for some useful information if you are coming from downtown: start walking to your parking garage by 10:30am. Take i10. It's about a 25 minute drive. And the food, assuming you don't pull a Ron Swanson order like the woman in front of me, takes about ten minutes to prepare since it is freshly prepared and not a Wendy's heat lamp situation. So if you have one hour to burn before you even take into consideration the eating time while you watch an episode of Futurama on your iPod, this is one of the best spots in Houston to burn that much time for just a lunch - because it is much more than just a sandwich place that is merely meh. This is totally worth the drive. The best cheesesteak place in the city without a doubt. Houston unique and delicious.
(4)Cory P.
Everything about they're Philly cheese steaks is perfect! So sooo good. If you haven't been yet, go right now! Get a number one for me while you're there.
(5)Ben L.
I don't have much to add to what the rest of the reviewers have said. The best cheesesteak in Houston. Seating is a bit limited, so if you're going for lunch get over there early. Definitely try the #1 to get the authentic experience, but my favorite is the #4 cheesesteak with the Italian peppers. Keep up the excellent work, guys!
(5)Damon B.
Searching for a quick place near the hotel so I could grab and go, I turned to Yelp and asked for guidance. Do a search by zip code and Yelp will find you what you're looking for. Decided to by pass all the local chains and when Pappa Geno's appeared, it was as if I found the Holy Grail...Different for sure, but I was tired, did not want to go to Pappadeux, again, and really wanted to go back to my hotel room and eat like a pig and drink a beer in peace. When I pulled up a bit after 9, the place was dead. I mean dead. Never a good sign right? Well when I walked in, I heard the Owner Paul (I think that was his name) tell the cook that after my order, they were going to shut down for the night. I didn't care, as I looked at the menu wondering what tasty meal would end up in my belly and on the company credit card. I am such a creature of habit when I dine out, that when I go to a new place, I tend to over think, and worry if I am making the wrong decision. Should I have ordered this or that? The Fat Philly was calling my name LOUDLY. Well, again, not going with my hungry gut instinct, I ordered the Wicked Philly "With" and a fries and gravy. When I left, got into my car I was shaming myself for making a poor choice. As I got to my hotel room, and opened up my bag, positioning my 176 napkins that you need when ripping to a nice steak and fries, my sorrow turned into bliss. I mean bliss! The Philly was good and the roll was OK. I think adjusted for the mouth's of Houston, a smart decision for return Houston business. The magic was the ingredients. The steak was good, more chopped than I am used to, and did not have the "just from the grill top flavor" but all the flavors were perfect together. The fries? Well my friend...the added bonus was the perfect crispy fries with a nice coating and adding the blanket of Gravy...I have found my favorite fries place. Good food, the owner was great, and look out Pappa Geno's...next month...Wednesday night...Wicked, Thursday night...The Fat Philly. Stay hungry my friends...
(3)Emily L.
Decided to try this place with my cousins and it was AWESOME! Reminded me of sandwiches at Chicago's famous Portillo's. Service was friendly and fast and the food is delicious! Very heavy and you may definitely have food coma afterwards, but it's worth it. Huge fan of the #7 and their fries are seriously some of the best French fries I've ever had! Perfect balance of crunchy, crispy, and soft. Only con is there not much space to eat so come with a small group or order to go. Check this place out if you're craving a damn good phillycheese steak. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Jim C.
Wow! First time here, place is unassuming, walk in looks like a small dinner, very clean. I opted for the base model #1 with side of fries. The cheesesteak size was large, fries portion looked small (it was actually perfect size). (Approx $11 with drink) Not normally a fries fan but these were excellent! Hot and unusually flavorful. Now the cheesesteak, it appeared to be plain vanilla, first bite (which I admit I had to eat with a fork) was delicious and freaking hot as hell! I dont know how but the sandwich lost little of its heat until the last few bites. Whatever seasoning they use a perfect match to the chopped & grilled onions. I would have eaten this sandwich if it had fallen in the floor meat and cheese side down! Serriously, I would pull in here if the cops were chasing me, which with the ampel parking would make it easy to get in and out in a hurry! Look forward to my next stop here. Hope I can find a seat.
(5)Margie Z.
I can't compare Papa Geno's to anything else mainly because Houston lacks in Philly cheesesteaks but, the sandwiches are good. It was a hearty meal with tender beef and juicy cheese. The fries were just ok. The fries with brown gravy, apparently a Philly staple, are just ok as well. The staff was incredibly helpful when explained that it was my first time in their establishment. They are also quick on the draw since we didn't have to wait a crazy amount of time while they prepared our order. Papa Geno's may be on to something. I hungrily look forward to trying all of the items on the menu.
(4)Robin W.
Excellent Food. Call ahead for lunch during the work week, small place very busy. Most take orders to go. Ive tried 5 of the Cheesesteaks over the past year. by far the BEST is the SMOTHERED CHEESESTEAK With PROVOLONE. Try this one and you wont be sorry, Aboslutely delicious. this is the only one I still order. Even converted boyfriend who usually ate only the #2 w/ Whiz...Now he too Always orders the Smothered w/ provolone. Its that good.
(5)edgard k.
1st time tried the so called Philly-style cheesesteak with Cheez-Whiz and it's great! Reasonable price and fast service too.
(4)Billy K.
Is it normal to cry after eating a sandwich? I'm going to be honest. I was not expecting much when I road up to this place. Surely, there was some sort of mistake with the reviews. This place was near a gas station and was slightly bigger than a master bedroom. I actually almost decided to go somewhere else but something about this place was calling out to me. So I decided to walk in. They have a ton of things on their menu. I thought this was going to be a place like rasing canes. I was going to see philly cheesesteak fries and soda. But no, there are so many styles to choose from. Me never even been to philly decided I needed to try the original cheese steak. Do you know what its like for your taste buds to orgasm? Eat this sandwich. The meat is completely drenched in this cheese sauce that is to die for. Eating it alone made my heart skip a beat in more ways than one. Seeing that I have to keep a somewhat average figure, I told myself not to come back more than once a month. But believe me if I lived down the road from this place I would make a trip here every week. The sandwich is so hot so mind your tongue. I had to learn this the hard way. I bit into it and the flavor was so good but I did the weird thing keep your mouth completely open as if you are catching flies while you puff little steam balls out of the mouth you are searing off. This act is totally worth this sandwich. This place looks so homely but can dish out some amazing sandwiches. The best part is this sandwich is so inexpensive I could slap someone. The people were nice and fast. Seating may be a little limited so do some research on peak times before you go. People, this place deserves your business and you deserve a tasty sandwich that will make you feel oh so good. Go visit Pappa Geno's or you will be robbing yourself of a great classic.
(5)Alexanio T.
This is a decent place, close to my home so I come here every so often. I usually get the Philly Works and small fries, pretty tasty. It's a greasy sandwich but awesome after an early night of drinking. Price is a little more than average but the taste is good and worth it. Service is what you would expect at a fast food joint like this, lackadaisical. All in all a good place for fast food.
(4)Jeremy M.
Nothing special in appearance but late night folks were flowing into this place. It had it's own vib not chain like. As for the food? Nice steamed sticky philly cheese steak spot on. Comes with some awesome spivey sauce. Prices are reasonable. Awesome sandwhich. Enough to share.
(4)Drew K.
Fantastic Philly cheese steak sandwiches! Pappa Geno's is an icon of the neighborhood and well worth a visit. Straightforward menu offering great Philly sandwiches that are the closest to authentic Houston can get. This isn't fancy and it isn't' pricey but for Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, it's very very good.
(5)Angel F.
I had 2 hungry men who were very skeptical about Pappa Geno's Philly Cheesesteaks. I ordered the #1 which is apparently the traditional. From the time the sandwiches were in their hand to when they were gone was about 5 minutes. Needless to say, they are believers now. Become a believer. And order a P.G.'s asap.
(5)Kari O.
I hate to bring in my North East bias when reviewing stuff in Houston...well I don't hate it, but as a reader of many reviews, I roll my eyes when they say the Falafel is so much better in Uzbekistan. Like, dude, I don't live in Jordan, never been to Jordan, and the way things are looking, i'll never get to visit Petra unless they decide to recast Indiana Jones as me. But I've had Steak and Cheese's in lots of places, and legit Cheese-steaks in Philly. My first endeavor in this culinary delight was with a mall brand cheesesteak place when I was checking tickets and hassling teenagers (while I was still a teenager). 8 bucks for a sammie? Only on payday! Since then, I've traveled a fair amount, and rocked with Pudge's, Tony Luke's, and avoided all of the tourist trap cheesesteak places. The key to the Philly cheesesteak is the bread. Amoroso's. Much like the key to a good New Orleans po boy is the bread, Gambino's/Leidenheimer. Would Pappa Geno's match up with my Mall experience? Any of the Philly legit places? Sadly no. And this is despite adequate parking, lovely staff, nice clientele, decent pricing, and cooks who know what they're doing in the kitchen. The problem here is not one of execution, but of DESIGN. They delivered a perfect product, just not one that met my (and what should be universal) criteria. Stock, the sandwich comes with the white death, I mean Mayo. Who does that? And if you're in Texas, why not make it Ranch? The Bread - it was adequate. I personally like my bread like I like my politicians, just a smidgen of structural integrity. The meat - It was cooked fine enough, a bit on the juicy side for my tastes. Again, this would have been a passable sandwich, enough for carb day....but there's cheese in cheesesteak. Traditionally, a real Philly comes with Cheese Whiz, or like we have in Texas, Rico 's. I'm not a traditionalist. And in most legit spots in the Northeast, provolone is offered. Provolone is a good cheese. It's not mozzarella, and it's not trying to be. So I get the "white" cheese option, and it's some sort of lesser form of a Kraft single. The melt was "plasticky". Very unappealing. Even my football playing, eat anything little brother, gave me the quizzical look. We finished the meal, and said our goodbyes, but if you're from the Northeast, there are no adequate cheesesteaks in the ENTIRE CITY. And yes i'm including that Austin chain with various locations, as well as the strip mall places next to your grocery store. For those of you who enjoy this place, my hat's off to you. Continue to consume, just don't try one any place else.
(2)Rex C.
Always a 5 star experience! So good! Anyone rating low doesn't know good food. This is the best steak in town
(5)Holly S.
I've now officially been to Pappa Geno's twice and it is still the best cheese steak I've had in Houston! Super fresh bread, piping hot steak, melty provolone cheese and the option to add mushrooms, onions and brown gravy to my sammy makes this lady very happy! It is also a must to get the fries with brown gravy, because gravy makes everything that much better! You will get messy, you might not eat it all (yay for leftovers at 2am) and you might have to wait a bit....but it is soooooo worth it! Note: This review was written during the 30 minutes before my lunch break. Now I am very sad because I only have a turkey sandwich in my lunch kit.
(5)Ali S.
Yummy cheesesteaks and very clean. I like the typical cheesesteak without the cheesewiz. I also add green bells to it. It is delicious and stays hot when you take to go. I also really like the gravy fries. Delish. Fast, friendly service as well. On a side note: The girl who said this was in "the hood" is crazy. It's on the edge of Shady Acres part of the Heights/ Timbergrove/ Lazy Brook. Not so hood like. I think she needs to stick to Katy or the Woodlands if she considers this "da big bad hood"! Ah ha ha ha!
(4)Robert H.
Got the cheese wit and onions. Freakin hot, temperature wise. But lots of meat and good. Definetely coming back
(4)David B.
I have been to Papa Geno's a couple of times. Most recently for an UYE hosted by Karen S. I have tried both the #1 with provolone and the #2 with Cheese Whiz. I can honestly say the #1 is way better than the #2 and the only option I will be ordering going forward. You walk in and usually stand in line to place your order. Definitely go with the #1 as I have completed the taste test challenge and it was the clear winner. You pay and are given a number to go sit and wait while your order is made. They bring it to your table once it is ready. I love the bread these sandwiches are served on. Nice and crispy and able to withstand the greasy, gooey goodness that resides inside. The bread is definitely what makes these sandwiches so great. The fries are pretty good here as well. I have yet to order them with gravy, but will probably do so one day. I just have to save it for a day that will be my only meal. I know they will be loaded with calories. This place is pretty small so I recommend going early to make sure you get a seat. There are 3 tables where 3-4 people can sit together. Other than that, only options are to sit on stools at the counter area or at the 5-6 other 2 person booths. This place fills up fast during the lunch rush. The decor is really an eye catcher as well. Bright orange and white everywhere. It will catch your eye for sure. If you are craving a good Philly cheesesteak, you can do no better than Papa Geno's.
(5)Carol C.
Seriously bummed. I see all these good reviews for Papa Geno's so I decide to try them out. I walk in a little after the lunch crowd but I smell no aroma like I always have at other cheesesteak fast food restaurants around the country. Actually the place had a very metallic smell. Anyway I order the regular Philly with cheese whiz. I sat at the table across from the kitchen area where I could partially see in. I didn't smell any aroma from my beef cooking hmmmm. I get my sandwich within about 3 minutes and notice the cheese whiz was drippy like it had been watered down (see my picture). The cheese whiz flavor tasted generic not like the real brand either. My beef was all cut up into approximate 3/4 inch perfect squares. The meat was grayish brown and had NO sizzling effect. The meat was all so uniformed in size and flavor. Actually it had a microwave steaminess to it. Not impressed at all because it did not taste like fresh meat or meat that actually had just been on a flat top grilling. Tasted like a commercial frozen cut beef product that was microwaved. That's it, no excitement to my Sammy :( Cashier was okay after I got her attention from hanging with some guy.
(2)Aubrey M.
Wow! Probably like the second Philly cheesesteak in my whole life. The first being in philly, but this one far surpassed it! I probably just gained five pounds. The sandwich is huge and I wasn't that hungry but it was so hot and melt in your mouth good that I just couldn't stop eating :). I'll be back!
(5)Jake W.
First thing I said when I took a bite of my spicy philly "was oh my fuck!". Best philly I have had in a minute. Highly recommend.
(5)Kristina O.
Finally after months of stalking and waiting we decided it was time to try this place. I frequently drive by here on my way to work and through out the day for various errands and it is always packed. (Special shout out to my homie Mariah D. for letting me know this place was legit) It is in sort of a seedy parking lot by the Food Town so at first glance it might not look appealing. My co-worker stopped here today to get a to go order. We split #1 Papa Geno's Steak & Cheese and an order of fries. Holy cow it was so good. We don't work too far from here but the packaging wasn't greasy at all and the bread wasn't soaked either. The meat was tender and perfectly seasoned, sturdy but soft bread, nice creamy white american cheese that melts together with the mayo to make a heavenly velvety texture when you bite in. I didn't have any issues with my onions being not caramelized enough, they seemed to melt in with the meat and cheese. While the sandwich itself is big enough for 1 person to eat, I don't think my conscious would allow me to eat the entire thing. I am glad it is also big enough to share if you aren't feeling like a glutton. The fries were really nice and crispy. They stood up to the car ride to the office and there was 0% sog to them. My one and only issue is the price. I think they should bump items down by a $1 or so, and offer combos. I personally would like to see one with jalapenos. The 100% south Texas girl in me always needs to kick the heat up and add a bit of tang. Next time I am feeling extra bad and like indulging in a big warm sammy, this will be my go to place!
(4)Kevin H.
This is habit I have to hit every couple weeks. True to the Philly Cheese Steak tradition,but I have to admit I've only had the originals twice. I rather like the #4.
(5)Senor D.
I won't say it wasn't good. It was but it was a bit salty for my taste. And that's saying quite a lot because I like salty. The staff was attentive as you come in but sort of disinterested as you order. I ordered a #1 Pappa Geno's steak & cheese. The order came out pretty fast and warm. Order of fries is small but that's ok because the sandwiches are big. I would give it another shot. They have coca cola.
(3)Bryan P.
best cheesesteak in town. Get the #2
(5)Foram B.
YUMMY! So happy to have found a place in Houston that serves good cheesesteaks. I've had both the Pappa Geno's and the Wicked Cheesesteaks and both were delicious. Their fries and onion rings are really tasty too. Being from Chicago, I was really excited to see that on the Wicked Cheesesteak, they use giardiniera as their hot peppers! I have rarely found these used in Houston restaurants, so it really made the meal that much better. I highly recommend anyone looking for some delicious grub to head here!
(4)Julie G.
Its so hard to find a good cheesesteak that compares to what I've had up north. Had the Philly Works. It was amazing. Fresh, soft bread..perfectly grilled onions and peppers. (Not raw or too many in the sandwich) They have some sandwiches with cheese whiz, some without. I've been told a true authentic cheesesteak does not have cheese whiz which is why I opted for the philly works. My husband said the onion rings were okay. I opted for the fries. Those were good. Fast, friendly, service from the owner's wife. I will definitely be back to try the Italian sub.
(5)Shailey G.
After my second visit here, I am a fan. I'm gonna start with the realities and move toward the praises. Realities-- this place is not much to look at. In fact, A picture of the exterior and interior are likely what you see when you look up "hole in the wall restaurant" in the dictionary. The parking lot is not greatly light either. It can feel a little deserted on teh weekend. Disaffected youth who take your orders. They are somewhat attentive, but a little clueless. Praises-- Yum. Great food. It's not light, but damn it's good. The cheesesteaks are meaty, gravy is great as well. The food comes fast and it's hot. The sandwiches are a lot like flowing lava, so even if you're really hungry hold off. They are truly the star. The fries are frozen, but go great with the cheesy/gravy sandwiches. Be careful how much you order-- the sandwiches are heavy. I've had the #1 regular philly and the philly with mushrooms with no mayo. I really liked the mushrooms, and added mustard and some hot sauce. My partner got the big sandwich with mozz sticks, chicken tenders and fries over the cheesesteak. He got all the "Extra" stuff on the side, and we snacked on that together. I bet the disco fries are a hit and am likely to swing by after a tough day at the office to just pick up disco fries.
(4)Omar Z.
I really have to say. This is the place to grab a Philly cheesesteak in H-town. My sister has her business down the street and she did not know about this place so I wanted to first thank the yelp community for pointing this place out. Ok so the disco fries. Get them. Nuff said. I got the #7 and it was delish. I honestly was full after this sandwich. They have burgers and hoagies but if your a first timer like me stick to what they are the best at. I will be coming back again as soon as my next dentist appointment (Garden Oaks dental) since it's right around the corner. I left with a smile on my face wanting to go to a disco party.
(5)Amna B.
So everyday at work, I yelp my next lunch destination. This time, it was Papa Geno's. I headed out, and after many, many potholes made it there. Just a warning. This is in the hood. A random guy came up to ask me questions... Anyways, the lady at the front was very nice. She said because it was my first time, I had to get the regular philly cheesesteak. It was very very yummy. The bread was a little too crunchy, but the meat and cheese and onions were awesome. It's a large sandwich and you will be full. I had never eaten cheese wiz (my mom never bought any growing up, and I'm usually grossed out by it) but it actually worked. It just went really well with the sandwich. I would definitely recommend this place, but next time I won't go alone.
(4)Kent M.
Great little diner with awesome sandwiches!! Get there early at lunch, it's fills up fast and not a lot of seating - but well worth it!!
(5)Valeska V.
The fat person in me LOVES LOVES LOVES this place...LOVES. Now, if you are prepared to feel like a fat slug after then you will be happy. I think it's the freaky philly I get every time, but not sure. At, first I was questioning cheese whiz and gravy on my philly but never again. That shit is delish. Oh but don't do the gravy fries. It's expensive overall and it's brown gravy. I prefer white gravy on fries.
(5)Mike H.
I've been trying to eat healthier lately. Really, I have. Sometimes you need to throw the diet out the window, and a visit to Papa Geno's definitely wrecks any semblance of a diet for the day. The last time I went here I went all out. I got the original steak and cheese, french fries, and fried cheese sticks. The steak and cheese is practically a meal by itself. The steak is just the right amount of greasy and by the time I got it home it was still piping hot. The fries were just, OK. The cheese sticks were really good. I highly recommend these. The cheese is dense, and firm when you bite into them. They do not cut corners on these. They are packed full of cheesy goodness. Next time I would probably get the Philly and the cheese sticks and call it a day. This place is really busy around lunch time, but it is totally worth it. The next time you feel like the blood is just racing around your veins and you need to slow it down a bit head over to Papa Geno's.
(4)Matt R.
Pappa Geno's has a decent cheese steak. Personally I liked their chicken philly better and the fries were a highlight for me. If you choose to go, make sure that you go hungry and get the fries, they give you a LOT of food. The staff is friendly and the food comes out quickly.
(3)Gilbert L.
Heard about this spot many times but never was in the area when it was lunchtime. So, safe to say the stars aligned and boom. The rants and raves are true. I'm a sucker for a good Philly Cheesesteak so believe me when I say I've had more than a few in my day. If you don't believe what I say then see my waistline. I digress. I had a Wicked Philly. their regular Philly modified with cut up peppers, olives and onions soaked in olive oil. For most this would be very spicy but i'm half Singaporean so it was a mere pleasant peppery sensation. Came with a side of honey mustard. Ordered a side of onion rings as well. Not too bad. The Bread? Hot, soft and very fresh. No question about that. Does a great job soaking the juices from the meat, cheese, and wicked peppers. This is important because most sandwiches with bad bread just fall apart and get messy. Pappa Geno's is the place I will break bread when I'm in the Oak Forest area for lunch. It is decided!
(5)Erica W.
If you are looking for a good greasy-heart-clogging sandwich, then this is for you! My stomach just about exploded after half of a sandwich. Very unique place though.
(2)Candice R.
The number 1 with a side of onion rings. Something about that side of mustard changes it! Amazing. There is usually the same two girls there- super nice. Food comes out pretty quickly!
(4)Yoon S.
Came here for lunch on a tuesday. There was no line and the food came out within 15 minutes. It gave me and my co-worker just enough time to eat our Wicked cheesesteak and go back to work. Overall, the cheesesteak was very flavorful. Had just the right amount of heat to spice up the meat flavor without making me desperate for water. The bread was warm and felt as if it was baked just minutes before. The decor was like a diner which works because its a cheesesteak place, I would definitely come back for lunch again.
(5)Chris C.
God this place is good. Only reason I can't give it five stars is that all the grease will put a number on your stomach. Do it the original way and order it with Cheese wiz. Oh, and seating is terrible inside, so if you're going with a big group, you may want to just order take out and eat it at a friend's place. And put some shades on, as the orange in the room will BLIND YOU.
(4)Van T.
Cheesy hot mess (in a good way)! I'm not going to pretend like I am some kind of philly steak connoisseur, so I cannot speak to the authenticity of the sandwich, but I can speak to the yumminess of it. I had the Pappa Geno's which is just the steak with melted cheese, but I added cheeze whiz and hot peppers (because who doesn't like a little extra cheese now and then, actually I always like a little extra cheese haha). Be forewarned these things are a behemoth! I would highly suggest splitting one (unless you're one of those types of people that can finish a Monster Burrito from Freebirds, if you are then go forth and prosper); it's not just the size that makes the sandwich so filling, but all of the ingredients and their heaviness (but you know what you got yourself into, unless for some insane reason you were expecting a light cheese steak), that makes the sandwich so filling. The bread was perfectly soft, but still hearty enough to not disintegrate from all of the beefy, cheesy goodness in the sandwich. I haven't had a chance to try the sides yet, because I can barely finish my half of my sandwich, and because sometimes I have this crazy notion that I can be semi-healthy (not give myself a heart attack) if I forgo some extra food. Definitely worth a try if you're craving a philly cheese steak, so much better than any I have had at any sandwich shop, which are always dry or lacking flavor, for Christ's sake it is called a cheese steak, so put some darn cheese on it people!
(4)Rachel W.
Excellent chicken Swiss sandwich. Juicy chicken! Great flavors. Cheese sticks are great!!!
(5)Ryan S.
I haven't had anything that doesn't taste good here. I usually get #2 philly style. I prefer the cheese whiz since it is philly style. Its quite a good size for around $8.00. Bread is what makes the sandwich and this hoagie is sourced from a good place. I am assuming they are using ribeye steak, but I do not know for sure...never asked....Steak isn't the best quality ever, but for the price it is just right. I think they serve the best steak n' cheese in Houston. Only way to do it better is to buy some New York bread, Big Aged Ribeye steak and make it yourself at home ( way tooo much work)
(4)Christine H.
If you miss Philly cheesesteaks, this place may not be in the City of Brotherly Love, but they sure got some huge cheesesteaks to clog your arteries just the same. I sampled the #1 and the #2. The #1 was your typical cheesesteak with onions, Swiss, and mayo. The #2 had the infamous Cheez Wiz. Both were delicious. The steak meat was a bit more peppery than I'd like it to be but I am willing to overlook this because the sandwiches are huge and run only about $6 a pop. Not something I'd eat every day lest I want to be fated like Elvis, but if I've ever got that hankering for a Philly cheesesteak, I'm coming here and supporting this mom-'n-pop shop. They said their pickled peppers are popular so maybe I'll try that next time.
(4)Denver G.
This is really good for a cheese steak. Not sure I would call it a Philly cheese steak though.
(4)Dee H.
anytime you can stuff a bun fulla delicious meat and cheese and not be soggy and delectable in each bite it's a winner in my book. even though i burned my mouth on the first few bites of this cheesy beefy wonderous concoction i couldn't resist finishing it... burnt tongue and all.... imma be back armed with oven mitts and a bib.... i'm always ready for a good cheesesteak!
(5)Vinh N.
"I like it when you call me big pappa! " ok not really but this place got the cheese to make you wheese. Legit sandwiches and philly cheesesteaks. Definitely the best I've had in Houston. I can hardly say Texadelphia is a cheesesteak and this one definitely puts those to shame. Done just right and how its suppose to be, in addtion, the ability to add those awesome jalepanoe's that they make with it. Price isn't too high and the quantity is lots. They use cheese whiz here so if you don't like it, don't get the cheese fries. The location is weird being at the end of a strip consisting of a gas station and a dry cleaner. There isn't really a lot of seating and it looks like a diner with lots of bar seating. Everything came out fresh and delicious. Just how I like it...
(4)Sandra S.
This was the best Steak Sandwich I've had in Texas, let me start off by saying that the staff are friendly and make you feel like family, the owners wife was helpful and answered any question I had concerning the menu, she even brought my husband and I a small sample of their "hot oil pepper" which was delicious. My husband and I had their top selling sandwich. And may I say words can not describe the first bite all I can saw is "WOW", the steak was flavorful and the bread was incredible. The owner stated that they get their bread shipped from New York, and may I say the bread makes this sandwich come together, it's not just an ordinary bread its a quality that I have never experienced before, it was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside , and even though you have tones of meat , cheese and onions in the sandwich the bread never gets soggy. If you have never been to Philadelphia to a a Philly Steak Sandwich, save the plane ticket we have got the close to their best in Philly right here in Pappa Geno's, I will be returning soon.
(5)DePinga I.
Omg so yummy
(5)Mayra A.
I am a huge fan of Philly Cheesesteaks so I was beyond excited when I found out about Pappa Genos! The Philly cheese steaks are delicious and so are the fries! The service is also pretty fast which is definitely a plus! I've taken it to go and eaten there! When you take it to go the fries and philly cs tasted just as good!! Don't let the outside appearances fool you this place is worth it! Definitely a whole in the wall!
(4)Karen B.
My husband constantly talked about this place. I personally dislike philly cheesesteaks. Like alot. I had to retract that last statement after pappa geno's. I must've just never had a good one!! It is the best philly cheesesteak in Houston - hands down. Very moist and perfect. The bread just melts in your mouth! Only downside? Probably the fear of the heart attack to follow. It doesn't look like a big steak - but man! It's huge and it's hard to have one all to yourself. Watch out for the whiz too! Don't want to burn the roof of your mouth engulfing this goodness! I prefer the gravy fries w the gravy on the side :) I like sometimes getting a crunchy fry amidst soggy ones.
(5)Thomas P.
Coming to Houston from Philadelphia, I was a little worried about missing out on the occasional cheese steak. In Philly, I was used to treating myself to one every couple of weeks or so. To start, these cheese steaks are not comparable. The bread is different, the steak is chopped differently than most places in Philly, and the portion is a tad bit smaller. Their traditional Philly cheese steak is the closest of any of the places that I have been in Houston, though. All in all, even though it is different, I have to admit that the sandwich is damn tasty. I've been there a few times and will continue going back, not because it reminds me of anything, but because their sandwiches are good. I'll start exploring the menu a bit more in the future, but as of now, I have been enjoying #s 1-3. I wish they offered fries for free! I appreciate sides every now and then...
(4)Jason V.
This is the best place to go for cheesesteaks in town. Forget going to Jakes...Texadelphia...or Philly Cheesesteak Company. The owners are very friendly and greet you at the counter when you come in. The food is priced right for the area and always freshly made to order when you get it. I am never disappointed when I go eat at Pappa Geno's!!!
(5)Johnny N.
Very delicious and at a great price. Can't go wrong. Nice little spot!
(5)Andy C.
Thought it would be a good idea to finally check this place out. I opted for the chicken philly thinking that it would be a healthy option. I know i know, who thinks about eating healthy when eating a cheesesteak. My chicken philly came on nice freshly baked bread. The chicken was very well seasoned. Too much cheese for my taste. I know it's a cheese steak but damn it hits your stomach like a brick. Took a nap right after my meal. I'm glad I tried it but I feel too guilty to go back.
(3)taylor c.
Ahhh finally an AWESOME cheesesteak in Houston! I have always loved cheesesteaks but have had the hardest trouble finding one that is good enough to go back to. Now I don't have to look anymore! Pappa Geno's has awesome cheesesteaks at good prices. So far I've only had the #1 which is steak with grilled onions, provolone cheese and mayo an added mushrooms for .50 cent extra, but it rocked my world. I walked in at lunch time and it was crowded, but after placing my order it was ready 2 min. later! I got it to go and it was piping hot and melted cheese goodness. I also got fries which were nice and crunchy. The sandwich was a foot long which was good enough for the meal alone so i really only had a couple fries. You could easily split the sandwich and fries for 2 people. They also have one with cheezewiz which is how some do them in Philly and they looked good so I might try that next time. And there definitely will be a next time!
(4)Bee P.
ordered number 1 and gravy with fries...and all i can say is OMG!! yummyness!!! i like like the bread to the fullest of the full...servings are alot for just one person...i hardly finish my cheesesteak and only ate the half of it...i struggle finishing my oh-so-goodness fries....i end up being so full..woot woot.lol.lol
(4)Steve W.
I am a big fan of cheese steaks and this is about as good as it gets in Houston. All the flavors of the meat, bread, cheese, and hot peppers are top notch and really set this sandwich above any other around town. Very authentic interior with counter service gives this place character which makes it an experience to go to. I definitely recommend and will be going back.
(5)Adam O.
I've been trying to get my wife turned onto cheesesteak sandwiches, but no luck until this place. She is now a Wizz fan. We told our neighbors and they have been there 7 times seperately between the 2 of them. Great addition to the area and a family run business with good people.
(5)Jessica N.
It's a cheesesteak place, through and through. If you're looking for a classy establishment, I wouldn't point you here but their cheesesteaks were good. When you walk in you'll understand, but don't be scared away. If cheese steak is what you want, if a heart attack sandwich is what you crave, if indigestion is on your palette- this is your place. And, I say that all as terms of endearment. Jessica approved: Spicy Cheesesteak
(3)Mason J.
Holy moly, I love you guys. Philly cheesesteaks are awesome (of course classic with cheese wiz) Their bread is amazing, meat is nice and juicy with good flavor, and all sides are wonderful. I love you, but my wife hates you for hurting my cholesterol :)
(5)Angell V.
It's not good for you at all. Yeah, it's a little greasy. (Ummm hellloooooooo it's a cheesesteak!) But it's soooo good! They use Cheese Whiz just like the sandwich I had in Philly! If you don't want the Whiz you can always get provolone. I've had both and prefer the Cheese Whiz. I pick up a sandwich every time I'm in the area. They're even good reheated in the oven the next day.
(4)Wayne M.
Wow wow! Best Philly steak I have had in Houston. Great fresh rolls with an egg wash shine. Quality meat... well seasoned & lightly grilled onions. Then you can choose which side of Philly--- ample slices of provolone or yes, cheese wiz. Had provolone today. Cheese Wiz next time. Clean, fast service, great onion rings. Not on a regular path traveled but worth the effort to find them. Bon apetito!
(2)Angelo S.
Definitely 100% no doubt about it this place has the best cheese steaks in all of Houston. The sandwiches are amazing and the taste and quality are very consistent. After you eat here you have no reason to search for another cheese steak place. Don't think twice you will not regret it.
(5)