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 the other counties region
- The Ugly Oyster vs. 16. Tony Joe's House of Great Eats
This is a fun match-up and probably a good road trip. Tony Joe's House of Great Eat’s would probably do well in a lot of different food/drink tournaments. Located in an old house, they have an outstanding craft beer selection and a fun hip vibe. On top of all this, they have a delicious cheesesteak that is made with love. Unfortunately, they are up against The Ugly Oyster, which also has a hip vibe with a bigger craft beer selection and a crazy good Cheesesteak complete with, wait for it, peanuts. Yes, for $0.75, you can get peanuts on your Cheesesteak. $0.75 will change your life. I think the ugly oyster Will Survive the first round.
- DiBruno Bros vs. 15. Sly Fox Brewhouse and Eatery
Another great matchup. The Sly Fox could be your go-to after any event, perfect for inexpensive beers and delicious cheesesteak. They have plenty of seating, the right size menu, and TVs; unfortunately, they're up against DiBruno Bros in the first round. DiBruno Bros is in the Ardmore Farmers Market and makes a delicious cheesesteak. This mainline cheesesteak uses quality ingredients, their secret weapon is the chocolate chip cookie whoopie pies from the booth across the aisle. The Bruno Brothers should survive the first round.
- Hoagie Xpress vs. 14. Stable 12 Brewing Company
You can't help but fall in love with a stable 12 Brewing Company, they have a great selection of beer, plenty of seating, and great staff. Hoagie Xpress has a wide range of cheesesteaks, like their unique deep-fried cheesesteak, just one of 10 different Cheesesteak. They have a perfect roll, good cheesesteak, and the best combination of ingredients. Hoagie Xpress should move on in the tournament.
- Penn Brew Station vs. 13. Marshall’s Market
This should be a closer match then the 14 & 3 seeds would lead you to believe. They both make an excellent traditional cheesesteak with a craft beer store. At the other end of the world tucked away in a small strip mall on Route 30 across from the train station is a man and his grill making delicious cheesesteaks, aka Marshall’s market. This is going to be close.
- Collegeville Italian Bakery Pizzeria Napoletana vs. 12. Zandy’s Steak Shop
Collegeville Italian Bakery Pizzeria Napoletana has a beautiful Brick Pizza Oven, and the walls are adorned with pictures of celebrities pulling the pizza out of the Brick Pizza Oven. Much to my surprise and delight, they make an equally good cheesesteak, and it’s a Bakery, so they make their own rolls and cookies. The celebrity pictures on Zandy's walls are from the 1960s. Dom DeLuise and Chuck Bednarik, to name a few. Zandy’s has been serving Cheesesteak in Allentown since 1940. In that area, most places, including Zandy’s, use a soft roll and have their own special sauce. It's a small Cheesesteak, so you might want to get 2. I would not be surprised if Zandy's pulls off the upset.
- Hog Island steaks versus 11. Don Giovanni's classic Bakery
I have very, very strong feelings for Hog Island Steaks. They have excellent finely chopped great-tasting meat. The staff was great and willing to make any sandwich I could think of. I am apprehensive about Hog Island Steaks because I had a great time with my Don Giovanni's Classic Bakery cheesesteak. I called my order in, and the woman on the phone was great. I took my Cheesesteak to naked Brewing Company (naked is just the name, not the dress code). Don Giovanni makes their own roll, and it is an excellent cheesesteak roll. ‘Cheesesteak’ being the keyword. Some bakeries make great rolls that are not necessarily a perfect match for a cheesesteak.
- Bella Cucina vs 10. Berwyn Tavern
This is an exciting matchup. Phil at Berwyn Tavern puts a lot of Brotherly Love into every meal he makes. He made me a flank steak cheesesteak, and the flank steak was marinated wonderfully. I could be nitpicky about a few things, but it was a very well-made cheesesteak, and I was having a great time at Berwyn Tavern. At the other end of the cheesesteak, the spectrum is Bella Cucina, where four different people came in to pick up catering orders while I waited for my cheesesteak. If cheesesteaks become their focus, they could easily have the best cheesesteak in the area. The ingredients were beautiful but just didn’t work great together, and I would like to see them mixed together better. With that said, if you follow me, you will be seeing more of Bella Cucina because it is a perfect cheesesteak. Berwyn Tavern may be an upset winner here.
- Yardley Inn vs. 9. Venice Pizza & Pasta
The big meaty cheesesteak at Yardley Inn makes having to fake class and make polite small talk bearable. You have to pay the Yardley premium, but it's a delicious cheesesteak, and it does come with a lot of french fries. Venice Pizza and Pasta is when you only need to be a touch more classy than your corner pizza shop. This match is a toss-up, pizza pun intended.