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First Bite: Marathon’s $11 Cheesesteak

Posted by Victor Fiorillo on March 31st, 2011

Yesterday, I had the chance to try the new cheesesteak from Marathon Grill, which the company has been toying with over the last few months. The latest prototype was on the specials list for the first half of the week, though if you’re feeling hungry, note that it’s not available today. Like many cheesesteaks in and around town, this one is served on a Sarcone’s roll. Unlike virtually every cheesesteak on the planet, this one features local grass-fed organic beef, specifically from the family-owned 100 acre Jennings Farm in Medford.

It was a satisfying sandwich made with onions, peppers, chopped top round, and Marathon’s own homemade version of the classic Cheez Whiz sauce. But it wasn’t exactly a satisfying cheesesteak — at least it wouldn’t be to the 3 a.m. Pat’s/Geno’s crowd — because the lack of fat, grease, and salt make it miss the junk food mark. And that’s what a cheesesteak is, right? Junk food? “It’s definitely the steak sandwich that doesn’t make you feel disgusting after you’ve eaten it,” says Marathon owner Cary Borish, who explains that they are still tweaking the fat content and seasoning. “Just using organic meat makes it leaner to begin with.”

The Marathon Cheesesteak is $11 with a side of fries. $1 from each sandwich is donated to Marathon’s farm project in North Philadelphia.


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    • barryg

      Who puts bell peppers on a cheesesteak?

    • mike

      $11 isn’t so bad when you figure that at Geno’s they are $9 with no fries.

    • Fairmount Frank

      Pepper mushroom whiz wit is my steak my way.

    • http://phillymarketcafe.blogspot.com/ gil

      Sarcone is not the correct roll for a hot sandwich. Liscio or a custom Amoroso is a better match in my opinion.

      I love the local grass fed beef idea. Wouldn’t that make a good food truck concept? I suggest nix the home made whiz. If it’s worth tracking down quality local beef do the same with the cheese.

      Also $11 is not so high a price. At Reading Terminal Market where there has been an amateur cheese steak free for all since Oliveri was ousted I had a steak sandwich at By George. Fries, a seltzer and sandwich $13 and not remotely worthy of the name “Philly Cheese Steak”.

      http://phillymarketcafe.blogspot.com/2011/01/philly-cheese-steaks-at-reading.html

    • http://mv@mariavaletta.com Maria Valetta

      $11 is totally reasonable for that kind of quality meat! Let alone the fact that it is probably a better meat to roll ratio than Pat’s or Geno’s. Taste is what counts-no the amount of grease dripping down your chin. Anyone who knows quality meat knows nothing can beat a good cut of grass-fed beef, it’s flavorful and juicy without the overload of bad-for-you saturated fat. Good job Cary for making a QUALITY version of Philly’s prized sammy!