Philadelphia, PA
- Philadelphia's ultimate cheesesteak competition, March Cheesesteak Madness, is back for its sixth year! This unique, bracket-style tournament, organized by the Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure and Jim Pappas, pits 64 of the region's top cheesesteaks against each other in a battle for culinary supremacy. This article explains how the tournament works, how you can participate, and how the champions are crowned.
March Cheesesteak Madness Finals
Amato Bros - Wins The Cheesy Cup
The Bracket: 64 Contenders, Four Regions: Inspired by the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, March Cheesesteak Madness features a 64-cheesesteak bracket, divided into four regions:
- Philadelphia: Cheesesteaks from within Philadelphia city limits.
- Delco (Delaware County): Cheesesteaks from Delaware County, PA.
- NJ/DE: A combined region featuring cheesesteaks from New Jersey and Delaware.
- Other Counties: Cheesesteaks from Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Berks Counties in Pennsylvania.
This regional division ensures representation from across the greater Philadelphia area and allows for the crowning of "Best Of" winners in each region.
Two Paths to Victory: Judges' Choice and Popular Vote: March Cheesesteak Madness crowns two champions:
- Judge's Champion: A panel of expert judges will taste and score each cheesesteak in head-to-head matchups, advancing the winners through the bracket. The judges evaluate cheesesteaks two rounds at a time, ensuring consistency is rewarded.
- People's Champion: This champion is determined entirely by online voting. Cheesesteak fans can cast their votes for their favorites in each region, influencing the outcome of the early rounds.
How to Vote: Voting is open to everyone! Visit the following links to cast your votes in each region:
The Cheesy Cup: The Ultimate Prize: The winner of the Judge's Champion bracket will be awarded the prestigious Cheesy Cup trophy. The winning restaurant will have its name engraved on the cup and will be able to display it proudly.
