Santa Mall-ica Grapples With Geography
Anybody notice what’s wrong with this picture? No?
Well, I don’t really know what Philly did to deserve this kind of abuse.
A picture of the Brooklyn Bridge at a Philly cheesesteak joint? The fucking WTC? In place of the Philadelphia skyline? Why don’t you just paint somebody pissing on the Liberty Bell in the bottom lefthand corner? Why don’t you have a graffiti-rendering of Benjamin Franklin with a ball gag? This is ridiculous. This is like going into a “Twin Cities Diner” and seeing a picture of the Quad City DJ’s. Or a South Philly taco truck called “San Diego Tacos” with a huge picture of the Hollywood sign on its side. If you can buy San Diego tourists in South Philly, can you imagine their outrage? Sadly, this reinforces many of the “what outside world?” stereotypes people have of Los Angelenos. Is Los Angeles truly destined to be the next “hermit kingdom”? Recent commenters of the month may pick up on that reference.
Of course, if the cheesesteaks were any good, I would certainly fix my tone. But the best steaks I’ve ever had in L.A. were at the Detour Fest. And, just like Luke Skyywalker: I Ain’t Bullshittin’. Its the same stand that was at Coachella, and it has the most authentic Philly-style steaks I’ve yet tasted in Socal. If they have a brick-and-mortar in L.A., someone please make it known. If you must, though:
Philly Steak
1551 Ocean Ave. (entrance on Colorado)
Santa Metallica, CA 90401
310/434-9668
Best cheesesteak I’ve found in LA: http://www.phillywestbarandgrill.com/fmi/xsl/cc/index.xsl?id=5999
You can do your laundry at the same time next door too.
There used to be a dude who would sing belafonte’s “banana boat song” while feeding a tub of popcorn to a holy shitload of pigeons on 3rd street promenade. I dunno if he still hangs out there, but he was a bonafide bird man for at least a brief period of time. I once bought him a meal at this verysame cheesesteak joint and rapped with him for a good hour. The end…
Thanks for the tip, Scott. I’ll definitely check that place out.
Ryan, I haven’t noticed the banana boat song guy amidst the hordes of RBD fans (sunglasses larger than shopping bags) on the 3rd St. Drama-nod. But there is a real character who holds up a sign that says something like: “At least smile” and, the funny thing is, he always has a real sass-mouth comment if you don’t follow through on his request.
ENOUGH FRANK FUCKING SINATRA ON YOUR FUCKING WALL. HANG UP SOME BROTHAS.
The only Philly Steak place I’ve been to is the one across from the B of A in mid-Wilshire where you can get falafels made by Korean people. Mmmm….