New York Restaurants Ban Philly Cheesesteaks Amid Knicks Playoff Run

A wave of New York restaurants and bars are putting a twist on the typical Philly cheesesteak, removing it from their menus as the Knicks face off against the 76ers in the NBA’s Eastern Conference semifinals.

Some establishments are opting for cheeky alternatives, like renaming the Philly cheesesteak to titles such as “Philadelphia Sax Cheesesteak” and “Big Apple Cheesesteak.” This change seems to stem from a playful challenge aimed at emphasizing New York’s culinary superiority.

“Philadelphia needs to understand: New York is king,” remarked Luis Cretella, co-owner of Dario’s Pizza in West Hempstead. As a dedicated Knicks season ticket holder for years, Cretella even altered the electronic menu to reflect the new name—a Philadelphia Saxophone cheesesteak. In fact, the hardcopy menu now features “Philly” crossed out and “F*** Philly” scrawled above in black marker.

Dario’s has been quite popular, reportedly selling up to 2,500 cheesesteaks and even getting featured on “Good Morning America.” Cretella humorously questioned why the show reached out to them and not to establishments in Philadelphia if cheesesteaks are truly superior there.

Another establishment, Wargie’s, a Philly-themed bar with several locations in New York, took a lighthearted jab at Sixers star Joel Embiid. They’re rebranding one of their cheesesteaks as the “Appendix Verstar,” celebrating Embiid’s recovery from surgery.

• Slate in Manhattan is introducing the Knick’s Knockout Philadelphia Cheesesteak Empanada, while its sister restaurant, Clinton Hall, is rolling out the Knick’s Knockout Philadelphia Cheesesteak Slider.
• Gee’s Cheesesteak, also in Manhattan, is swapping out its cheesesteak for a New York Knicks steak.
• Over at Birdie Bar in Northport, the menu now proudly displays the Big Apple Cheesesteak.

“We didn’t come here just to prove we’re a better basketball team; we might just outdo Philadelphia in cheesesteaks too,” said Louie Selvaggio, the owner of Birdie Bar and a staunch Knicks supporter.

Evan Deitch, co-owner of Chidy’s Cheesesteak, expressed his strong sentiments about the rivalry, stating, “This isn’t Philadelphia; this is Long Island cheesesteak. 10 times better! New Yorkers demand the best.”

Interestingly, Mama’s, a classic Italian restaurant in Copiague, is letting customers vote between two names for their cheesesteak, reflecting a playful internal debate about their identity. Brothers Adam and Army Sara grew up rooting for the Sixers but became Knicks fans, coining the phrase “Trust the Cheesesteak, Not the Process,” a nod to the 76ers’ past management woes.

Amid this culinary rivalry, the Big Apple seems resolute in not giving Philadelphia any credit, especially as Knicks fans relish a recent victory. Aristotle “Terry” Hatzigeorgiou, CEO of Lure Group, joked about effectively removing everything linked to Philadelphia from their kitchens. “We wanted a strong New York grit, not a weak Philadelphia cheesesteak,” he said.