Page 3A • The Leader • February 9, 2013 • @heightsleader
Review: Pappa Geno’s is Philly with the Whiz, but without the attitude Having never been to Philadelphia myself, Leader Eater wanted to make sure that I was armed with the right expressions and ordering acumen for my maiden trip to Pappa Geno’s, the revered Philly Cheese Steak joint in Lazybrook. “OK, so they say ‘Whiz with’ or ‘Whiz without,’” my personal Pennsylvania cultural consultant told me before heading to Pappa Geno’s about the banter that goes on in Philadelphia when you want the city’s iconic steak and cheese sandwich. The Whiz refers to the oozy and artificial brand of cheese spread of the same name that typically comes out of a jar, tin can or spray top. The “without” declares your preference to have onions on the sandwich or not. “But you have to order it quickly, and just like that, or they are going to hassle you,” my Philly expert explained about the infamously acerbic folks working at sandwich shops in the City of Brotherly Love. So, Leader Eater swung into the brightly-lit restaurant on the corner of Ella Boulevard and TC Jester on a recent week night ready for some verbal jousting to get myself a hoagie. As it turns out, the restaurant wasn’t bustling with patrons hollering out orders, and there was no foul-mouthed brute behind the counter – instead a well-mannered young lady who helped me through the nuances of the menu. The only thing at Pappa Geno’s that resembled the scenario that I was being prepped for was the Cheez Whiz that adorned the shelves behind the counter. But the low-key, orange and white checkered interior did not mean Pappa G’s Philly Cheese Steak did not pack a Rocky Balboa-sized punch of taste. When someone puts “Famous Philly Cheese Steaks” on the front of the menu, there is not much room for debate over your selection. After eluding any zestiness in the ordering process, I put
Time for chili throwdown at the Creek When the Thirsty Explorer recently paid a visit to one of the Heights’ local “Creeks,” (Onion, Cedar and Dry) she learned Onion Creek is hosting the Third Annual H-Town Chili Throwdown and Texas Beer Extravaganza from noon4 p.m. on Feb. 9. No football? No problem. It’s a perfect Saturday. Local breweries, restaurants and area chili teams will compete against each other in the throwdown for a $500 grand prize and smack-talkin’ rights. Among the participants are Karbach Brewing Co., Saint Arnold, Real Ale, 512, Buffalo Bayou, Lone
Leader Nibbles Barbecue legend helps Houston Heroes
Spotlight on Christian’s Tailgate
Cottonwood at 3422 N. Shepherd will be smokin’ Saturday, as one of Texas’ barbecue legends, John Mueller, sets up shop from noon-4 p.m. to raise funds for Houston’s Heroes homeless veterans support group. Admission is free. Smoked brisket, ribs and sausage will be sold by the pound, along with sides of beans, potato salad and baked squash. You can find Eat for a Cause on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @Eat4CauseHTX.
It was lights, camera, action at Christian’s Tailgate on Washington Avenue last Saturday, as the Travel Channel came calling. The cable network was taping a show based on the “Hamburger America” books – and Christian’s has been featured in both volumes.
Where to find vagabond Farm Stand
Pappa Geno’s Streak & Cheese 1801 Ella Blvd. www.pappagenos.com Phillys and Hoagies: $5.99-$8.99 Burgers: $3.99-$6.49 Assorted Cheese-Covered Fries: $2.99-$6.99 Kid Friendly: French fries and cheese are their specialty, enough said LE’s Favorite: Wicked Philly
some spice on my sandwich. Of Pappa’s eight Cheese Steaks, Leader Eater chose the Wicked Philly – a souped-up version of the original with Italian “Hot” Oil Peppers. Except I made some alternations to add some desired authenticity. I kept the sandwich’s staple of shredded beef and the mayo. But I went “Whiz with” – swapping out the melted American cheese for the sunny yellow and seeping sister version that they like in Ben Franklin’s old ’hood. I also added some mushrooms. I took the Philly (with fries and a Dr. Pepper) to-go, and when you have a foil paper-wrapped sandwich and a steaming box of fries in a paper bag, it just feels authentic. And it tasted – at least what I perceived to be – genuine. The pillowy bread was the perfect case for the concrete-like Cheez Whiz keeping the warm sirloin, sauces and spicy medley of peppers and carrots neatly in the doughy crevice. That neatness of the Philly didn’t last long, though, once I wrapped my
paws around it. The fries were hot as the sidewalk in August, a madeto-order masterpiece certainly not scooped out of a heap of pre-made taters. Sure, the Wicked Philly combo won’t do much for reducing your pant size, but it’s nothing compared to the New Year’s Resolution-obliterating doozies on the menu, such as the Fat Philly – a regular Pappa Geno’s Steak and Cheese but with the addition of two fried chicken strips, three mozzarella sticks, fries, Cheez Whiz and gravy. It makes my arteries hurt just typing out the ingredients. But that doesn’t mean my list of best sandwiches in the area is going to be Whiz without Pappa Geno’s near the top.
The Farm Stand at Petrol Station is on the move again this week, displaced from its parking lot at the corner of Golf and Wakefield by construction. Look for it in the parking lot of the volleyball courts on Wakefield, just a few yards down from the original site from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
Corner Bakery comes to Yale St. The Corner Bakery Cafe has opened its fourth Houstonarea location at 107 Yale Street in Washington Heights, at the site of the Walmart Supercenter. The café is known for its baked goods, breakfasts, soups, salads, sandwiches and pastas, plus hand-roasted coffee and espresso.
Sweet deals on Valentine’s meals Valentine’s Day is always big for romantic dinners, and Leader-area eateries are offering a variety of choices. Doyle’s, 2136 W. 34th St., is offering its famous spaghetti for two (think Lady & the Tramp’s scene with the two pups slurping down two ends of the same noodle, to meet in the middle for a kiss). Couples get two spaghetti dinners, two dinner salads and two pieces of pie for $30 from 4-8 p.m. Feb. 14-16 – dine-in only. Phone 713-6868271 to learn more. Frida Mexican Kitchen, 3452 Ella Blvd., has lobster and fajitas on its dinner-for-two full-course menu, which also includes dinner salads and desserts. Call 713-683-3980 for reservations. Table 19, usually just a breakfast and lunch spot, is offering a special Valentine’s full-course dinner by reservation only – BYOB, with a $1 per glass corkage fee per person for wine or champagne. Call 713-864-3301 to snag a table. Address is 632 W. 19th St. in the Heights. – Charlotte Aguilar
Arts Calendar HISTORY OF LOUISIANA Opening 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Feb. 20 Feb. 15-March 5 HCC Northeast Art Hub Gallery 555 Community College Dr. northeast.hccs.edu Louisiana Remembered: Visual Stories linking Past to Present will take viewers on a journey through time to reflect upon various events and experiences in Louisiana’s history. The opening reception and exhibition is free and open to the community. Gallery hours are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.
HIEROPHANY AND PAEREIDOLIA By Peruvian Artist Wilo Vargas G Gallery 301 E. 11th Street 713-869-4770 www.ggalleryhouston.com Peruvian artist Wilo Vargas makes his Houston debut with the G Gallery presentation of Hierophany and Paereidolia. Exploding with color and complexity, Vargas’s paintings are rooted in the symbols and historical richness of his native Peru but also possess a chaotic, psychedelic sensibility derived from a painting technique the artist first began developing following hallucinations brought on by a spider bite.
SHOW YOUR METAL Houston Metal Arts Guild Member Show Until Feb. 14 18 Hands Gallery 249 W. 19th Street 713-869-3099 www.18HandsGallery.com Join us in celebrating some of Houston’s finest metal artists: Corey Ackelmire, Benjamin Barr, Nathan Dube, Priscilla Frake, Tarina Frank, Mary Jarvis, James Leavell, Leslie Litt, Robert Mullen and Chuck Schwarz. Juror is Curator Anna Walker, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Light refreshments will be provided along with the opportunity to meet the artists.
Mojdeh Zahedi, M.D. Family Medicine The Heights
Thirsty Explorer Star, Beaver’s, Bernie’s Burger Bus, Boheme, DownHouse and more. Tickets are $25 and include a throwdown T-shirt, commemorative pint glass, first beer, swag bag, people’s choice vote – and lots o’ chili! There will be $2 raffle tickets to benefit their favorite local charity, with fine, fine goodies and big prizes, including two Rockets tickets in the Silver Eagle Box. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.onioncreekcafe.com. – Ivee Sauls
Melissa Montoya Celi, M.D. Family Medicine Northwest
Jorge Luengas, M.D. Family Medicine Northwest
OUR DOCTORS WILL SEE YOU NOW. Stay healthy this year. We treat a wide range of health needs, including acute and chronic illnesses, such as hypertension and diabetes. From preventive medicine to treatment of colds and flu to well woman exams and physicals, you can count on us to care for your whole family. Two convenient locations in your neighborhood:
Gustavo Ahaulli encounters the witches of Macbeth in the Opera in the Heights production. (Photo by Kinjo Yonemoto)
Curtains come down on Opera in the Heights vivid Macbeth This weekend is the last chance to see and hear Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth, the third production in Opera in the Heights Shakespearean-themed season. The opera is fully staged with an orchestra and presented in Italian with English surtitles projected above the stage.
Performances will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 at Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. Tickets are $25-55, with senior rates $21-47 and student tickets selling for $10 in designated areas. For more, visit www.operaintheheights.org or call 713-861-5303.
Northwest Medical Plaza 3 1801 N. Loop West, Suite 30 713.802.9781
The Heights 225 West 19th Street 713.242.2980
Schedule your appointment online at mhmg.memorialhermann.org.