Comments on: Shorty’s Cheese Steaks: Creating Philly Perfection Even by Delivery

By: Yankees x 1000000000

Yankees x 1000000000 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:01:32 +0000

I hate my life !!! I am a New Yorker exiled to NC. Help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would kill for a crumb of a simple NY bagel.

By: Meguiar

Meguiar — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 04:04:02 +0000

Shorty’s has a fantastic happy hour, especially as they have several high quality craft beers. Every day from 4pm-7pm, Sunday & Monday 10pm-midnight & Tues-Sat 11pm-2am you get a pint and a shorty cheesesteak for $8. I had this special last weekend and am already jonesing for a return trip.

By: The NYC Food Guy

The NYC Food Guy — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:29:36 +0000

Bill,
You said it man, it’s a shame the way prices have soared up at a lot of the formerly cheap places we loved. I can’t justify spending $6.00 on half a sandwich, I don’t know who could. That just means that all those people who were saying “go big or go home” knew what they were talking about. It never hurts to have leftovers.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:09:26 +0000

I’ve been mixed over Shorty’s for some time as I thought it (and especially the Roast Pork sandwich)) were just fantastic when it used to be Tony’s Luke’s. I worried that the focus would shift when they closed to renovate from just a sandwich shop into the bar they are now. I went once after and it was still just as good. But two subsequent trips after that proved the meat to be somewhat tough and a bit dry-ish.

I last went a couple of times in June after performing in a show around the corner and the pork and cheesesteak were once again pretty good. I am a big fan of the “shorty” concept. That way I can sample two sandwiches without actually having to commit to buying two full ones.

I was working around the corner once again a few weeks back and stopped by. It looks like they’ve renovated once again and expanded the bar. Unfortunately, it also looks like they’ve raised the prices once again too. When I first started going there, the cheesesteak was $6.25, then $7.99 after the renovation, now it is $9.00 according to their website. The shorty is now $6.00, almost the same price as a whole when they first started. Most of their sandwiches are above the $10 mark and the Roast Pork sandwiches now are only served in “shorty (6 inch) versions and the Roast Pork and cheese is $9 and the Roast Pork Special (provie and broccoli rabe) tops out at $10!

Some of these prices have almost doubled and probably more so since they first opened as Tony Lukes a few year back. I like Shorty’s, but not enough to pay $10 for a half sandwich. They used to have really great thick cut pickles and hot peppers you could take for free from these big bins out front, now the pickles are gone and they charge for the peppers. I’m not sure, but I think they’ve cut back slightly on the amount of meat in the sandwiches too. Oh, how I miss the old days when all they did was make slammin’ good sandwiches!!

By: NYC Cheese Steaks: 99 Miles to Philly is Far From Great « NYC Food Guy

NYC Cheese Steaks: 99 Miles to Philly is Far From Great « NYC Food Guy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:23:56 +0000

[...] best. And if something deserves that title, NYC Food Guy is going to find it. Back in April, I called Shorty’s cheese steak the best I’ve had in NYC, and other than a few delivery mishaps, they haven’t disappointed. Several readers, [...]

By: The NYC Food Guy

The NYC Food Guy — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:56:57 +0000

Levi,

I’m glad to see a well informed comment on Shorty’s. I haven’t been there to experience the bar and late night action but it sounds pretty quality. Do you know how late they’re open on weekdays and weekends?

By: Levi

Levi — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:00:48 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly – Shorty’s is simply awesome and a perfect place to unwind. This place is a BAR also, and is open late, and so is their kitchen. I had a 1 am cheeseteak there and it was amazing.

I love how people who haven’t eaten their declare it sucks from a photo. Umm…it’s a CHEESESTEAK they aren’t pretty. Certainly those ones at Geno’s or Pats aren’t any better looking.

I’ve had Geno’s and Shorty’s is better, no joke.

By: Dr. Dyspepsia

Dr. Dyspepsia — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:47:49 +0000

Ferdmania: opinion on the cheese? I think provolone far superior to the tolerable, but abominable Cheese-Whiz.

By: Dr. Dyspepsia

Dr. Dyspepsia — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:42:55 +0000

Just back from a week in Philly. Must have had six cheese steaks, none great, but then, didn’t go to the right places. Fortunately, I am still alive to talk about it. Also, glad the World Series is FINALLY over.

By: philly cheeseman

philly cheeseman — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:06:04 +0000

i’m the philly cheeseman you’ll love my steaks at the corner of pillotty ave and main st…save $5 if you mention nycfoodguy

By: Before Sunrise

Before Sunrise — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:30:34 +0000

I have never had a Philly cheese steak… One more thing to look forward to!!

By: The NYC Food Guy

The NYC Food Guy — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:37:27 +0000

Ferdmania,

Thanks for stopping by. You said it man. Its a serious cheesteak. There was an article recently done by a graphic designer in NYC, he took 17 friends and they ate at ALL the NYC cheesteak spots and ended up giving Wogie’s the highest mark. Guess I’m going to have to try that next in addition to 99 miles to Philly.

So which is your top cheesteak overall? In regard to the Roast Pork Italian, I think it’d be best as an eat-in sandwich only. The problem with delivery was that the bread was so grease soaked.

By: ferdmania

ferdmania — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:51:43 +0000

One more thing. I don’t understand the dissing of the Roast Pork Special, formerly the better-named Roast Pork Italian. Yeah, it’s heartburn in a foil wrapper, but when you go for the sharp provolone with, it’s bursting with flavor.

By: ferdmania

ferdmania — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:50:02 +0000

I love how people can surreptitiously dismiss a sandwich as “average” or “not good” without saying why. I’m from the Philly area, and I’ve ha plenty of cheesesteaks. Shorty’s is the best NYC has to offer. It is every bit as good as, if not better than, Jim’s or Ishkabibbles, and considering that it has the same ingredients, it’s just as good as Tony Luke’s. I’d actually give Shorty’s a leg up over TL’s because they offer some other items you won’t find on Oregon Ave. Heresy to offer a pizza steak or Buffalo chicken steak? Yawn. It’s about making food that makes people happy, not living by some idiotic unwritten code for goombas from the suburbs of Philly.

Anyone who is knocking it against the steaks from Philly is surely applying a liberal dose of nostalgia in their comparison. And if you seriously hold up either Pat’s or Geno’s as a model of cheesesteak excellence, your opinion is automatically disqualified because you are obviously a tourist or a tool from South Jersey who doesn’t realize he is a tourist.

Does Shorty’s cheesesteak match that of John’s Roast Pork in South Philly? No. No one does, but Shorty’s is damn good, and I’m glad it’s here in NYC.

By: el cabong

el cabong — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:17:46 +0000

I have been to Shorty’s. It is an average steak. The fries are ok, but Shorty’s is way overpriced for what they give you (even if it is Manhattan). If you are in the mood for a cheesesteak and you are on 9th avenue then by all means check it out, but don’t make a trip there just for a Shorty’s cheesesteak. Especially if you have eaten a good Philly steak before (Dalessandro’s, Ishkabibbles, or Jim’s Steaks).