I hear you on that. If you look at the Shorty’s Cheesesteak comment thread, we could use your wisdom there.

Regardless of the fact that a lot of fancy places just use regular frozen fries, there are good fries and there are bad fries, so I can’t totally agree that fries are fries, some places are just a lot better than others….there’s the separation right there….

what are your top fries?

regarding that of crispiness its actually the temp of the oil if the temp is not in the area of 350-375 the fries will soak with oil and not stay crispy and be a soggy mess…when cooked at that temp they will be perfect…

I really dig 99 Miles’ chopped meat, the nice vein of whiz, the roll stands up really well to all the ingredients and the grease stays IN the sandwich.

Have you tried them? Do you not like bacon and cheese and fries? I have this one friend who shares all my food loves, but doesn’t like cheese fries, sounds like you may be one in the same. In the end though, they’re still amazing.

You are correct, the Keen’s burger is only served in the bar and pub area.

I’m with you as far as Shorty’s pork sandwich, it was greasy and not flavorful at all.

What’s your top cheesesteak in the city?

Just sent you some pics and stories. I’m kinda all over the places. I’m always on the prowl for a great sandwich (breakfast or otherwise), chicken parm amongst other things.

I did mourn when Tony Luke’s closed. The Roast Pork really was a great sandwich (in my Top 5 all-time!) and I got one about 2-3x a week when I worked on 43rd Street. The roast pork was tender and juicy, almost shredded and the roll was wet inside for the “jus” the pork had been bathing in. It had a nice background of crushed red pepper that gave it a slight lingering heat. Nice. The bread was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside with a nice bump on the end and it held up really well to the filling, even when I would bring them home on a 30 min train ride. I think Shorty’s lost the focus when the expanded and I don’t lnow if they lost any sources (meat, bread) when they changed the name. I asked, but they were cagey about not saying what had happened.

Keen’s sounds good. Is theburger just on the pub menu?

Nice, I like roadfood. Send over a link to some of your stories, I’d love to read them. What areas have you specialized in?

That potato sounds ridiculous, I guess I’m going to have to make it happen now.

I never had Tony Luke’s while it was still in business. I’ve had 99 miles to Philly, it is solid. I’ll have to try the rings. As far as the pork sandwich goes at Shorty’s, youre absolutely right, it was terrible. I had read about it when it was Tony Luke’s and was intrigued. What I received was a greasy mess.

Keen’s I’ve heard good things about. Let me know when you’re thinking of going, maybe we can get a crew.

I used to love Shorty’s when they were still Tony Luke’s and just sandwich shop and had the “now I know how a french fry feels” kind of lighting. The roast pork has gone downhill and I was never really a fan of the fries. I’ve always felt that fries were an afterthought in most cheesesteak places. Although, 99 Miles To Philly (next to Blue 9 Burger) makes a mean cheesesteak and their onion rings are the bomb! Breaded and suuuuper crunchy!

I think I have to do a little homework before deciding which place to try. Keens sounds like it might br good. I’ve always had the hope that steakhouses can usually put out a tasty burger.

So we’ll be passing on Jeremy’s. Someone recommended Becky’s for a burger on the UES. The diner Soup Burg on Madison and 75th makes one of the best diner burgers I’ve ever had. Simple, griddled, and perfect.

Isn’t it funny how delivery pizza tastes better after steaming in a cardboard box for a bit, but put a burger and fries in paper bag and it’s trouble. Then again Burger Joint’s fries are ridiculous in the paper bag.

I had Blue 9 a long time ago. It was hot in the store, the burger was greasy, and the fries were undercooked. It doesn’t sound like now is the time to give them a new try.

I’ve had Royale and will be reviewing it asap. It was unimpressive definitely not worth the trip to Avenue C. Corner Bistro is eh. I’m pretty down on it. It’s like my friend VTFRYGUY said, if you want to get drunk all day and then eat a burger, then this is the place for you. If you want a good burger this is not your spot.

Do you get the baked potato jakked up from Island Burger? Sour cream, cheese, bacon? Anything of the sort? I may have to look into getting it again. Shorty’s cheesteaks, also on 9th avenue has some amazing fries.

Which of those new burger spots, if any, may you try first?