Titans collide in The Cheesesteak Connection’s Chicago Philly
Two titans of regional junk food combine in the Chicago Philly at The Cheesesteak Connection. By mixing a Chicago hot dog with a Philadelphia cheesesteak, the Connection makes up an interesting new treat that would horrify traditionalists.
Chicagoans are fiercely judgmental about hot dogs, especially when it comes to the mighty Chicago dog, a snappy all-beef frankfurter hiding under a heap of vegetation: pickle, tomato, onion, and sport peppers. Yellow mustard and a sprinkle of celery salt are essentials; ignore them and feel the windy wrath of a Chi-town hot dog lover. We probably don’t even need to mention what happens if you add ketchup. (Just don’t.)
Over on the East Coast, Philadelphians forget about brotherly love if someone defames the blessed cheesesteak. They’ll squabble with each other over the proper cheese enhancement to use—provolone, Cheez Whiz, or white American—and the best brand of roll to bring it all together. They can be forgiving, even allowing chopped chicken sandwiches an honorary “cheesesteak” designation, but don’t push them too far.
This brings us, cowering slightly, to the Chicago Philly. The meat and the roll are up to standard: finely chopped, browned steak enfolded in a soft roll imported from Philadelphia’s Amoroso’s Baking Company. The cheesy glue, however, is cheddar, and that’s where things start to take a turn for the Midwestern. The rest of the toppings are straight off of a State Street hot dog cart, including the famous neon-green sweet relish that spooks newbies.
Mixing the two culinary treasures creates something like a loose-meat cheeseburger with the works on a sandwich roll. It’s tasty, to be sure, but doctrinaire eaters will be peeved. The Chicago Philly doesn’t quite taste like either of its components. The Philly part of the Philly is familiar, as are the Chicago elements, but the total package is new and a little weird. Radioactive relish and sizzling steak on an Amoroso roll? What wonderful blasphemy!
The Chicago Philly is an odd hybrid—maybe more of a mutant—that becomes a worthy creation all its own. It’s not completely harmonious, but what do you expect? Mix up the favorite dishes of two proud, cantankerous towns, and the final product will be just as idiosyncratic. And maybe even a little lovable.
