Just to clarify, burgers don't count during The Week of the Sandwich.
Obviously, I have nothing against burgers. In fact, I've written at length about my love of the cheeseburger. But in order to give proper attention to other distinctive forms of meat (or other stuff as we might find) between bread, I'm removing the subset of burgers from consideration during this sandwich-focused week.
And that's why I ventured to Beatnix today for something other than a hamburger. I noticed the Philly cheese steak on the menu on previous visits to Beatnix. However, it's difficult to resist the smell and sound of burgers cooking at Beatnix, unless it's one's specific goal to order a sandwich that isn't a burger. That was me today and I have to say my mission served me well.
I think some people revel in eating a meal, particularly a sandwich, that digresses into a juicy, sloppy mess. As if the substances running down their chins serve to prove how delicious a time they are enjoying. The cheese steak sandwich, more often than not, probably satisfies this type of craving, especially when crusty, toasted bread forces cheese to ooze out of the sandwich in the middle of every bite.
I don't like messy sandwiches. Oh, I don't hate them, I just tend to fret about whether I'll run out of napkin before I run out of sandwich.
The Beatnix Philly cheese steak, I'm pleased to report, was clean and sophisticated with a soft hoagy bun and melted — but not oozing — cheese. I'm uncertain how closely this particular version of the cheese steak resembled an authentic Philly cheese steak from Philly as I haven't as yet traveled to Philadelphia. It's on my short list, I suppose. I have heard that Philly cheese steaks in Philadelphia are made with cheese whiz. So there's a difference right there, though I don't think it's necessary to attempt to replicate the authentic Philly cheese steak as such. I guess I'm not a cheese steak purist.
Along with the cheese steak sandwich, I was delighted by another aspect of my swim through Beatnix today. While I was eating my sandwich, one of the other customers was chatting with the girl behind the counter about poetry and films and blogs. It was an organic manifestation of the restaurant's theme.
Actually, Beatnix lives by its name. Along with hosting poetry open-mic nights, the burger joint regularly features live music. On Tuesday, Beatnix is putting on Singer/Songwriter Night, which will include music from Kat Dixon, Tea Aguilar, Meagan Smith and Josh Garner. It should be a fun show as each of the performers will show off their own material and mix in a cover or two. Beatnix co-owner Penney Simpson said the singer/songwriters swap stories about their music and combine talents in sort of a musical free-for-all.
One more bite: With three days left in The Week of the Sandwich, I'm planning a trip to Tony DeMaria's for The Dagwood and a comparison of chain sandwich suppliers Subway, Jimmy John's and Which Wich. That leaves one open slot. What am I missing?
