For Presidential Candidates in Philly, It’s All About the Cheese

There have always been those who take their cheesesteaks very seriously… some would say, too seriously. The cheesesteak purist brigade comes out in force whenever there is a discussion about how to order Philadelphia’s quintessential food, and they have very definite ideas about the “right” and “wrong” way to eat one of these sandwiches.

When it comes to cheesesteaks, some people have diehard opinions.

Wisconsin governor and presidential hopeful Scott Walker came to Philadelphia yesterday. As part of his city tour he visited both Pat’s and Geno’s, the competing cheesesteak kings of Philly. Local press was all abuzz with the news: Governor Walker ordered his sandwiches with American cheese and no onions. Did Walker commit a gustatory foul by not ordering Cheez Whiz? Depends on who you ask.

Back in the day, presidential hopefuls Bill Clinton and Barack Obama ordered their cheesesteaks with Cheez-Whiz. That seems to be considered the safe option. But it’s a fallacy to assume that it’s the only “acceptable” condiment for a cheesesteak. Geno’s owner Joey Vento told the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2008 that he himself has never eaten his cheesesteak with Cheez-Whiz, and that he recommends the provolone cheese. Surveys show that most customers prefer American cheese, followed by provolone. Cheez-Whiz actually came in third place.

In ordering American, Walker showed himself to be heaps smarter than then-candidate John Kerry, who ignited a minor firestorm back in 2004 when he ordered swiss cheese during his visit to Philadelphia. American cheese might or might not be the best option, but I think everyone agrees that it’s better than swiss.

Of course, there are those who would say that maybe everyone shouldn’t take cheesesteaks so seriously!