Philadelphia, PA - March Cheesesteak Madness is a bracket-style tournament of cheesesteaks. We have 64 Cheesesteak entries broken into four regions, so Let's have fun and virtually eat cheesesteaks alone together!!
"I'm Jim Pappas from Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure. I've eaten over 550 different cheesesteaks in the last 22 months. I am hoping to use my new found Cheesesteak knowledge to help fill the void in our lives left by the canceling of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament". - Jim Pappas
Back to Main Page: The Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure March Madness
Bracketology Round One Philadelphia Region
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Charlie's Roast Pork vs. 16. Girard mini market
This is the match-up of my favorite things, beer, and inexpensive good cheesesteaks. Girard Mini Market is one of my sentimental favorites. I applaud Girard mini-market for the incredible Cheesesteak that comes out of a small cramped space and with a $5 price tag. Unfortunately for them, they are going up against my number one seed in the entire tournament, Charlie's Roast Pork. Charlie makes a great cheesesteak, and for an added bonus, they're connected to a beer Boutique. Charlie should have no problem getting past the first round.
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John's Roast Pork vs. 15. Pat's and/or Geno's
Pat's and Geno's face off against each other every day at 9th and Passyunk. They are great for the tourists and random City shots for Monday Night Football. Still, I don't think either Cheesesteak is held in high regard by the good citizens of Philadelphia. John's Roast Pork, on the other hand, is a fan favorite and should have no problem getting past either or both Pat's and Geno's in the 1st round.
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Mama's Pizzeria vs. 14. Datillo's Delicatessen
This is a match-up of quiet family run giants. Mama's Cheesesteak has three good legs. She starts with a perfect roll, adds a nice amount of good chopped meat, and then adds a lot of cheese. It may be a three-cheese blend. Mama has an excellent cheese game. She also has parking and tables. Datillo's draws on their Deli roots and has excellent meat. When I walked into Datillo's, I felt like I was walking into an old-school butcher shop. Dattilo's also has an exceptional roll. I wouldn't be surprised seeing Dattilo's upsetting Mama's. But at the end of the day, I think Mama's cheese game is going to carry up through the first round.
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Del Rossi's Cheesesteak Co. vs. 13. Saad's Halal House
This is another match-up of similar cheesesteak experiences. Both Del Rossi's and Saad's have dining areas, no parking, and neither seems to get the attention they deserve. The cheesesteaks themselves are very similar, and I would categorize them as traditional cheesesteaks. Saad has a delicious Cheesesteak, but I think being in University City and having their customer base be on a four-year rotating schedule might put them at a disadvantage. Del Rossi's roll, which is baked in an undisclosed location, and a stable customer base should get them through the first round.
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Oh, Brother vs. 12. Woodrow's Sandwich Shop
This could be our big upset of the first round. Oh, Brother makes a delicious Cheesesteak and has a fabulous online presence. Woodrow's makes a delightful cheesesteak themselves. Their neighbors on South Street Get a lot of cheesesteak publicity. Woodrow's puts their own little personal touches on their cheesesteaks and does have the courtyard out back so you can have an excellent intimate Cheesesteak with a special person. This should be an exciting match.
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Dalessandro's Steaks vs. 11. Steve's Prince of Steaks
Wow!! Another big first-round match-up. Considering 1/3 of Philadelphians eat Dalessandro's Steaks, another 1/3 eat at Steve's, and the last 1/3 eat everywhere else, I could lose 1/3 of my audience after this match. This is the Cheesesteak world's version of East Side Story. Dalesandro's Finely Chopped Meat versus Steve's Flat Steak Society. Good Luck to everyone!!
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Tony Luke's vs. 10 McNally's Tavern
Two Titans in the cheesesteak world. McNally's Tavern was established in 1921. Tony Luke Jr is trying to get a cheesesteak in every kitchen across the United States. McNally's The Schmitter has a sneaky big following. Tony Luke Jr has a delicious cheesesteak, and he's hustling to make Tony Luke's America's Cheesesteak. I think it's going to be close, but I wouldn't be surprised if McNally's rallies the troops and pulls off an upset.
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Barclay Prime vs. 9. Kitty's Luncheonette
David vs. Goliath. Kitty's Luncheonette could be Kitty's dining room because you feel like you have walked into kitty's dining room. Kitty is in her 90s, so the younger generations are taking over, and they are doing Kitty proud. At the other end of The Cheesesteak, the universe is Barclay Prime. Home of the $125 cheesesteak. Your Cheesesteak does come with a half bottle of champagne. So it's a $118 cheesesteak if they use the champagne I buy. Barclay Prime has a decadent cheesesteak and probably worth building a special event around. At the end of the day (aka 1st round), I think most of us are good with our $10 cheesesteaks, and Kitty pulls off the upset.