Discussion:
Shan & Evelyn's
(too old to reply)
bebopper
2004-02-17 23:23:53 UTC
Permalink
I was in the city today to get my sax worked on and thought I
would finally try the legendary Shank & Evelyn's luncheonette on 10th
near Christian.

The place just oozes Philly atmosphere. Everybody knows
everyone else, Evelyn and her daughters run the whole show, and they,
of course, call you "hon" if they don't know your name (which seemed
rare.)

I had read their cheesesteaks were way up there, but in
retrospect, I wish I had tried their veal or chix parmesan, or
homemade roast beef or pork w/ gravy, or sausage or whatever ....

In the classic 9th and Passyunk style, they don't chop the
meat. Everything on their grill is pressed beneath one of those
flat-irons. So basically, you get a six ounce minute steak (the first
time I ever got one medium-rare, though ..) LOTS of american cheese on
an extremely fresh roll.

Maybe if I were a vegetarian I might have enjoyed it more. It
did come with some great oil-roasted hot Italian green peppers (which
made the sandwich.) Sauce (ordered) did not come with the sandwich.
Maybe I should have asked for gravy, but this is probably one of the
FEW places in that neighborhood where gravy is brown and goes on roast
pork/beef ...

Anyway, I would go back in a minute, but not for the
cheesesteaks ....

It's a S. Philly classic, and next time I'm having the
homemade soup of the day and maybe a roast pork with brocolli rabe on
the side.

cheers,
bebopper
Bill
2004-02-18 01:04:12 UTC
Permalink
Know the story behind Shank's?
Post by bebopper
I was in the city today to get my sax worked on and thought I
would finally try the legendary Shank & Evelyn's luncheonette on 10th
near Christian.
The place just oozes Philly atmosphere. Everybody knows
everyone else, Evelyn and her daughters run the whole show, and they,
of course, call you "hon" if they don't know your name (which seemed
rare.)
I had read their cheesesteaks were way up there, but in
retrospect, I wish I had tried their veal or chix parmesan, or
homemade roast beef or pork w/ gravy, or sausage or whatever ....
In the classic 9th and Passyunk style, they don't chop the
meat. Everything on their grill is pressed beneath one of those
flat-irons. So basically, you get a six ounce minute steak (the first
time I ever got one medium-rare, though ..) LOTS of american cheese on
an extremely fresh roll.
Maybe if I were a vegetarian I might have enjoyed it more. It
did come with some great oil-roasted hot Italian green peppers (which
made the sandwich.) Sauce (ordered) did not come with the sandwich.
Maybe I should have asked for gravy, but this is probably one of the
FEW places in that neighborhood where gravy is brown and goes on roast
pork/beef ...
Anyway, I would go back in a minute, but not for the
cheesesteaks ....
It's a S. Philly classic, and next time I'm having the
homemade soup of the day and maybe a roast pork with brocolli rabe on
the side.
cheers,
bebopper
Exile on Market Street
2004-02-18 06:02:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bill
Know the story behind Shank's?
I know you asked bebopper, but since you're obviously fishing, I'll
bite. Tell me.

--Sandy, who passes by the place regularly, but unfortunately, it's
always on Saturday, when it's closed
--
-----------Sandy Smith, Exile on Market Street, Philadelphia----------
Managing Editor, _Penn Current_ / ***@pobox.upenn.edu
215.898.1423 / fax 215.898.1203 / http://pobox.upenn.edu/~smiths/
Got news? Got events? Got stories? Send 'em to ***@pobox.upenn.edu
If you see this line, the opinions expressed are mine, not Penn's

"There is only one thing worse than being talked about, and that is
not being talked about."
---------------------------------------------------------Oscar Wilde--
Bill
2004-02-19 20:52:34 UTC
Permalink
The place started out many years ago as a classic 'front' for a numbers
operation in the back. Funny thing though, the food was so good and the
place got so popular they abandoned the backroom operation and went full
time into the food business.
Post by Exile on Market Street
Post by Bill
Know the story behind Shank's?
I know you asked bebopper, but since you're obviously fishing, I'll
bite. Tell me.
--Sandy, who passes by the place regularly, but unfortunately, it's
always on Saturday, when it's closed
--
-----------Sandy Smith, Exile on Market Street, Philadelphia----------
215.898.1423 / fax 215.898.1203 / http://pobox.upenn.edu/~smiths/
If you see this line, the opinions expressed are mine, not Penn's
"There is only one thing worse than being talked about, and that is
not being talked about."
---------------------------------------------------------Oscar Wilde--
bebopper
2004-02-20 12:05:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bill
The place started out many years ago as a classic 'front' for a numbers
operation in the back. Funny thing though, the food was so good and the
place got so popular they abandoned the backroom operation and went full
time into the food business.
Sounds apocryphal to me...Why would ANYONE want to make an honest
living in Philadelphia???

- bebopper

bebopper
2004-02-18 12:27:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bill
Know the story behind Shank's?
I know Shank died is all... The sign says "Frank's Lunch" on top. I
don't know who Frank is ....
Post by Bill
Post by bebopper
cheers,
bebopper
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