Want A Cheesesteak? 'Speak English'

I used to live Around north Philly growin up and have frequented Genos aswell as Jims, Pats. and a few other lesser known establishments. They are all good in their own way as far as the food goes.


But this isnt about cheesteaks, this is, once again, about the language BS. The one thing that activists just dont get is that, there are over 270 countries in the world(many with thier own language) and they all come to America for whatever they're particular reasons may be. English is the ONE language that binds all of the different cultures together here in America. If we adopt a second language, to be fair, we would have to adopt all the other nations languages aswell. If we pick spanish as a Official second language then; we discriminate against the other, god knows how many, languages. IMHO this assault on the American language is trivial to say the least. If two, or more, people agree to speak a certain language(whatever that language may be) then go for it. But at the same time the business owners have EVERY right to insist that they're orders be spoken in english. As far as the sign goes, maybe they get so many people trying to order in another language that they got sick of saying it. Or, they wanted to make a political statement(which, since they are not a govt body, they have every right to do aswell).

Thats my $.02 for what its worth.

P.S. These places are a bit of a tourist trap but unless you live there (and know a couple smaller better places) These are magnificent cheesesteaks and better than ANYWHERE outside of the Philly area. And thats not my opnion, but FACT! Philly Cheesteaks RULE!!!!!!! Now im gonna have to go all the way up there to get one DROOL

[edit on 11-6-2006 by TONE23]

[edit on 11-6-2006 by TONE23]

Isn't Genos the place where you have to say what you want on the sandwhich a cetain way, or you get sent to the back of the line? I swear I have seen this place on the food network shows. If it is the same place where you have to get your order right, or you get kicked to the back of the line, you could say they are prejudice against everyone.

Originally posted by CORTARA
Isn't Genos the place where you have to say what you want on the sandwhich a cetain way, or you get sent to the back of the line? I swear I have seen this place on the food network shows. If it is the same place where you have to get your order right, or you get kicked to the back of the line, you could say they are prejudice against everyone.

I think thats Jims but I may be mistaken (its been about a decade since ive lived there)

me to I heard of this place before but right I'll say your right about what you said and it not racsim as some said

Originally posted by CORTARA
Isn't Genos the place where you have to say what you want on the sandwhich a cetain way, or you get sent to the back of the line? I swear I have seen this place on the food network shows. If it is the same place where you have to get your order right, or you get kicked to the back of the line, you could say they are prejudice against everyone.

Thats Pats, where you have to also say "wit or wit out" or "Wit wiz" if you want cheeze wiz (the proper way to have cheesesteak)

If you dont know what you want or dont know how to say it, back of the line.

I live in a small town in TX and there are several Mexican food places where all the worker, including the owner can't speak english. You actually have to get the menu and point at what you want. They don't insist that you speak spanish, and I don't get upset because they can't speak english, we both just deal with it. Just thought I would throw that in there

Originally posted by WolfofWar

Originally posted by CORTARA
Isn't Genos the place where you have to say what you want on the sandwhich a cetain way, or you get sent to the back of the line? I swear I have seen this place on the food network shows. If it is the same place where you have to get your order right, or you get kicked to the back of the line, you could say they are prejudice against everyone.

Thats Pats, where you have to also say "wit or wit out" or "Wit wiz" if you want cheeze wiz (the proper way to have cheesesteak)

If you dont know what you want or dont know how to say it, back of the line.

your right its pats not jims...damnit I always get those confused

Originally posted by Flinx
Yet the city and state still voted for him...

No Philadelphia and Pittsburgh voted for Kerry. The rest of the state voted against him. The statistics are out there.

It is his business, he should do as he wants to. Me personally, if it was my business, I would sell to Aliens from Mars whether they speak english, pig-latin or just mumbled their order, the whole point being to make money.

Originally posted by semperfortis
It is his business, he should do as he wants to. Me personally, if it was my business, I would sell to Aliens from Mars whether they speak english, pig-latin or just mumbled their order, the whole point being to make money.

Semper, I agree, I would sell Ice to an Eskimo. I live now, In south florida(originally from Philly) and I dont speak spanish. I have a plethora of spanish ONLY speaking people that patronize my establishment; I do not speak spanish, so you can see I deal with this problem on an almost daily level. Its never really bothered me that; I am unable to communicate because of the lanuage barrier. In fact, its actually fun doing the charades routine(both, on the part of myself and/or the customer)

But in the case of the Geno's, one has to understand that places such as these is; almost always these three things:
1.)loud
2.)busy
3.)fast paced

being as such, people that either cant A.)speak english(since all the employees probably only speak english) or, B.)are inaubdable or mumble. Either way, the cook(who takes the order) cannot understand said order. This backs up the line, which in turn slows business. Ive personally seen many people sent to the back of the line at Pats when they didnt order fast enough(let alone whether they could speak english or not.) The fact remains of course(whether its in good taste or not) it is that business right to display that sign if they choose. Its also the right of the patrons, who are offended, to no longer dine at said establishment.

What if they put up a sign that said "l'oder in Italiano soltanto" or, orders in Italian only. people would be calling it CHIC....lmao

Originally posted by El Che
But Escrotumus sometime racsim does play a part in this case it may not be so but still there alot of it. I live in a white town and sometime there are some racsims remark by the people here. So I cant argree with you there. Here is an example: one day my mom had a baby a while ago the baby came out very white for a hispanic but offten people think my mom is the nanny for the baby when she tell them she is the mother most of the time there "oh sorry" but are time when they say "why are you ******* lie! you ******* mexican"

and being the fact my mom is getto she whould "quite them" with her fist so you get the point. In here it does not seem to be the case or I would like to think so

[edit on 11-6-2006 by El Che]

Sometimes it does, but not always, and not as often as some would have you believe. Racism seems to be the first weapon of choice for many less educated people on this board and in life in general. Don't get what you want out of life and aren't white? Just scream racism and then everyone will have to listen to you and bow to your demands. What do you think would happen to me if i didn't get a job or a benefit that i wanted and i screamed racism? I'd be laughed out on my keyster. Racism is real and is active, but unfortunately it can never be conquered due to all the people out there crying wolf when it does not apply.

This cheesesteak owner just flat out doesn't have the time to cater to people who don't speak the language and it is holding his business up. Think of the money he is losing due to inefficiency in his clientele not speaking the proper language of this country. If you want to order a cheesesteak then speak english. No racism here, move along.

I can agree to that I was just saying and you are right it the first wepon of choice not my but sometime it is what I said as I said before I don't think it the case for this reasarant but can we all get along???

So what's for dinner tonight?

How To Make a Philly Cheese Steak
From John Fischer,
Your Guide to Greater Philadelphia / South Jersey.

Most people who visit Philadelphia can't leave without trying a Philadelphia cheesesteak. Here are some tips so you can make your own at home.
Difficulty: N/A
Time Required: 15 minutes

Here's How:

1. Start with good beef. Pat’s uses sliced rib-eye. Jim’s uses USDA choice top round western steer beef.
2. Shave the beef very thin so it cooks quickly and remains tender.
3. Use a fresh high quality Italian roll - Amoroso’s is a favorite.
4. Decide if you want your steak with or without fried onions.
5. Decide if you want a steak or a cheesesteak. If you elect a cheesesteak you need to decide on American cheese, provolone or the Philly favorite "cheez whiz."
6. Any add-ons? Mushrooms, peppers, pizza sauce, tomatoes? You decide. It’s your sandwich.
7. Start to cook. Sauté the onions, peppers and mushrooms until soft.
8. Fry your steak until brown but not crispy or burned. You can mix in the fried vegetables now or add them at the end.
9. If you elect American cheese or provolone place the cheese on the meat until slightly melted. If you choose Cheez Whiz just smear it on the roll.
10. Place the roll over the meat/cheese/vegetables and scoop it into the sandwich.
11. Garnish your sandwich with pizza sauce, hot or sweet peppers or pickles as you choose.
12. Enjoy your Philadelphia cheesesteak.

Tips:

1. Using the best beef available is the key.
2. Don't overcook the ingredients.
3. If you don't cook, go to Pat's, Geno's or Jim's. Which one is best? It's a regular Philadelphia debate.

Originally posted by XphilesPhan
So to eat "pat's" I have to order in ebonics? might as well cal it patinqwa's.

"dat be gr8, now, danks to tis eboniks I be is uhm, bi-ling-ual!"

UGH! I cannot stand ebonics, it sounds so ignorant and unintelligent. I would compare it to almost grunting utterances.


[edit on 9-6-2006 by XphilesPhan]

Sorry, but your coming off pretty disrepectful. Around here, we have a specific accent and dialogue, and that includes "wit". We are proud of our culture round here, and don't appreciate people making fun of it.

"Intellectuals embarrased cause we discuss in ebonics"
- t. kweli

Everyone has been ordering the same way for decades, and no ones changing that.


Xenophobe - yeah man, just walk up and yell "provolone wit"

Theebdk - I remember that event well. Kerry ordered some hilarious aristocrat steak, everyone on 9th started laughing, and the next day he's in the paper talking about how he went to Geno's. Hilarious steak flip-flop.

I don't have a problem with non-english speakers living in or visiting the states. They have to start somewhere, and when they first get here their english is probably limited to hello, bye and thank you. I do think they should learn and teach their children english.

I do have a problem with the government mandating bilingual signs, brochures, and other crap that should up to the owner/management. Yeah some business owners may want to do it, and that's cool, it should be their decision.

Originally posted by Philadelphite

Everyone has been ordering the same way for decades, and no ones changing that.

Xenophobe - yeah man, just walk up and yell "provolone wit"

That's cool, thanks. I have no problems adapting to local conventions, I find it to be quite fun actually.

Besides, when I'm hungry, I want my food now and I want it right!

[edit on 11-6-2006 by Xenophobe]

This reminds me of a debate/court case that happened in the city of Colorady Springs when I lived there. As I recall, the owner of a bar, who catered to bikers, tended to have a favorite word. Four letter begining with the letter F. Now as I recalled, this was the owners favorite word, had it even tattooed on his head. Some one complained and demanded he take it down. He went to court and protested stating that the city had no rights on the grounds of 2 reasons: 1) It is a private establishment and 2) His right and freedom speech. In this case I would say it is the latter that the establishment owner would have to go under and refuse. It is his establishment, and he has the right, while it is in public view, to put up signs of any type. To include, please order in english. My view, if it offends a person, they do have a vote and that is not to go there. Vote with their wallet, and go someplace else. I have lived in Philly and do remember that they did allow alot in the late 80's and early 90's to include the KKK to march, when it came to free speech. How the times have changed.

Doesn't it come down to the fact that it's a private business, which means Geno can refuse anyone he wants for any reason?

Just as an interesting aside...I know I've received a warning on ATS for not using English. Interesting, but ultimately meaningless, parellel. I still frequent ATS, despite the lanaguage requirement. I assume Geno's will experience the same.

Mariella

If the Mexicans aren't ordering in English, then how are their orders being interpreted? Are restaurant workers expected to know Spanish and translate, or are hand gestures and grunts their only clues?

I've worked with a man for seven years and his wife still doesn't know how to ask for him in English when she calls.

I find the typical illegal Mexican immigrants refusal to assimilate, incredible lazy, blatantly arrogant and disgusting.

This sort of 'idiot' business person just got more free advertising

i see your point here, but it still loses some business, causing offence only raises the profile of the establishment, it doesnt ensure more business.

a french clothing manufaturer recentley used hardcore porn to advertise its clothes, they got some serious press but didnt report a huge increase in sales as their marketing guru's predicted.

firts rule of business.."protect your investment", offending and discriminating against certain groups has never come up in any of the business seminars i have visited, you may encourage more sales form one area and lose more in another.

and also, do you really want a load of extreme right english speaking hardliners frequenting your establishment with their bigotted points of view?