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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Bratwurst vs. cheese steaks in Milw.-Phil. series

It’s bratwurst vs. cheese steaks in the Milwaukee-Philadelphia divisional baseball playoff series that starts Wednesday.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced Monday he’s putting a hometown product, Usinger sausages, on the line in a friendly wager with his Philadelphia counterpart, Mayor Michael Nutter, who is betting some of his city’s famous cheese steaks.

And their souls.

Gamingboy Posted: September 30, 2008 at 02:51 AM | 43 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: dodgers, phillies

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1. Halofan Posted: September 30, 2008 at 03:45 AM (#2960817)

Wait, brats are cool, but... what about... maybe... uh.... beer?

2. andrewberg Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:10 AM (#2960833)

Leinenkugel vs. Yuengling in the confusing vowels series?

3. retro-shiite Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:12 AM (#2960834)

Cheese steaks kick bratwurst's ass (but only with Whizz), but I'm still rooting for the Brewers.

4. andrewberg Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:14 AM (#2960836)

Ahh, retro, apparently you have forgotten the least kosher food in the world: the cheddarwurst

5. retro-shiite Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:21 AM (#2960842)

Haven't forgotten it. It's still inferior to the done-right cheese steak.

I suppose you could make the cheddarwurst even less kosher by wrapping it in bacon or something...you know, that sounds like a damn fine idea, actually.

6. Jay Z Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:24 AM (#2960847)

Interesting that Barrett is betting Usingers and not Klements, also a Milwaukee sausage and sponsor of the racing sausages. Usingers also advertises on Brewer games with ads featuring Uecker, though less frequently than Klements.

7. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:26 AM (#2960849)

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced Monday he’s putting a hometown product, Usinger sausages, on the line

Charlie Murphy is rolling over in his grave.

8. retro-shiite Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:28 AM (#2960851)

Actually, a bacon-wrapped cheddarwurst just might beat a Whizz steak.

9. Social media assassin (Templeusox) Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:30 AM (#2960852)

Is this a serious question?

10. I can out-debate Joe Biden; Nieporent said so Posted: September 30, 2008 at 04:46 AM (#2960863)

Mayor Nutter? I thought the Republican VP candidate was from Alaska?

11. SteveM. Posted: September 30, 2008 at 05:00 AM (#2960878)

Why do you have to chose? Why can't you have both?

12. BeanoCook Posted: September 30, 2008 at 05:56 AM (#2960900)

Cheese steaks kick bratwurst's ass (but only with Whizz)

Cheese Whiz was invented by a Wisconsin resident/scientist. Looks like Wisconsin take 2 out of 3, unless Pennsylvania can take credit for the buns.

13. Maholm Shuffle Posted: September 30, 2008 at 06:10 AM (#2960911)

Much better than a Twins-Rays lutefisk vs. grouper showdown.

14. DCW3 Posted: September 30, 2008 at 06:35 AM (#2960916)

Can cheese steaks race? I didn't think so. Next question.

15. Tim Stauffer, Trot Nixon's Coming (Dan Lee) Posted: September 30, 2008 at 07:05 AM (#2960920)

Can cheese steaks race?

Is Randall Simon chasing them with a bat?

16. vortex of dissipation Posted: September 30, 2008 at 07:45 AM (#2960921)

Is Randall Simon chasing them with a bat?

That actually made me laugh. Which is very hard to do. :-)

17. JoeHova Posted: September 30, 2008 at 10:30 AM (#2960929)

Usinger's is much better than Klement's, which is probably why Barrett is betting with them instead of Klement's. Usinger's are the best sausages in the country, imo, though I obviously haven't tried every brand out there. Their lunch meat is also great, if anybody ever goes to their factory (over on 3rd & State, a block from the Bradley Center). I was pleasantly surprised to find some Usinger's at a grocery store here in Minneapolis the other day. They only had Andouille and Chorizo, but I had to take what I could get.

18. RMc is the loyal supporter of the MLB event Posted: September 30, 2008 at 10:52 AM (#2960933)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: these type of bets are for wimps.

There's only one way to do this: loser gets their head shaved in front of 50,000 screaming fans and/or on live TV.

19. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: September 30, 2008 at 12:04 PM (#2960941)

Pennsylvania can take credit for the buns.
Rolls, please, cheese steaks come on rolls. And only Amoroso's please.

20. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: September 30, 2008 at 12:07 PM (#2960942)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: these type of bets are for wimps.
Agreed. The bet should be that the loser pays 1 year's worth of corporate welfare, excuse me, tax abatements of the winning city.

21. Padraic Posted: September 30, 2008 at 12:42 PM (#2960952)

Rolls, please, cheese steaks come on rolls. And only Amoroso's please.

Well done Edmundo. Buns are used for some weird inedible thing I've seen advertised in various Boston eateries as a "steak sandwich." Your guess is as good as mine.

"And their souls."

Hey, don't take away our only champions!

22. tribefan Posted: September 30, 2008 at 12:56 PM (#2960960)

Why do you have to chose? Why can't you have both?

Thank you, I'm glad someone finally stated the obvious. There are no losers in this battle, other than one's health.

23. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: September 30, 2008 at 01:02 PM (#2960966)

Cheese steak only with whiz?? I went temporarily blind after reading that.

Provolone, wit' onions, fresh roll, and I am happy. I will say, though, in an effort to disown any foodie cred that I've tried to develop, that it's actually the touristy places that do the steak right - Jim's on South St, Pat's and Geno's, and that place in the Reading Terminal Market is probably the best. I went to Dalessandro's, and I thought I could get the same thing at any random place down the street in Ardmore.

Tony Luke's roast pork is on another level, but it's not a cheese steak, so don't tell me about it.

24. CraigK Posted: September 30, 2008 at 01:03 PM (#2960967)

I think reading this thread doubled my cholesterol.

25. retro-shiite Posted: September 30, 2008 at 01:08 PM (#2960973)

Cheese Whiz was invented by a Wisconsin resident/scientist.

A cheese food from Wisconsin? Who knew?

26. McCoy Posted: September 30, 2008 at 01:12 PM (#2960978)

I went to Dalessandro's, and I thought I could get the same thing at any random place down the street in Ardmore.

Should have gone to the place across the street. Chubby's makes a much better cheesesteak then Dalessandro's. Chubby's is probably the best cheesesteak in the Roxborough/Manayunk area. It took me a while to like cheesesteaks when I first moved to Philadelphia and now I kind of miss them every now and then. "Philly" cheesesteaks served on menus outside of Philadelphia are horrible knock offs that just don't do the simple cheesesteak sandwich justice.

As for brats, brats are brats the world around. Scrape the meat off the bones, grind it up, add some more fat to it, add some spices and stick it in a casing. Besides bratwurst are second class citizens when it comes to the meat in a casing family. The Italian sausage is king in that family.

27. Win one for Agrippa (haplo53) Posted: September 30, 2008 at 01:21 PM (#2960986)

Tony Luke's roast pork is on another level, but it's not a cheese steak, so don't tell me about it.

They make a fine cheesesteak with the sharp provolone, though (and an even finer steak italian).

28. Sean Forman Posted: September 30, 2008 at 01:47 PM (#2961005)

Should have gone to the place across the street. Chubby's makes a much better cheesesteak then Dalessandro's. Chubby's is probably the best cheesesteak in the Roxborough/Manayunk area. It took me a while to like cheesesteaks when I first moved to Philadelphia and now I kind of miss them every now and then. "Philly" cheesesteaks served on menus outside of Philadelphia are horrible knock offs that just don't do the simple cheesesteak sandwich justice.

I went to Chubby's once and wasn't that impressed. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood. I should stop there again as I drive by it all the time.

29. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: September 30, 2008 at 01:58 PM (#2961008)

I eat about 2 cheesesteaks a year any more -- can't afford the chloresterol. So I go over the top when I do. I will get a "Jaws" at Phil's in Broad Axe -- Steak, Provolone, touch of Russian Dressing and salami. Absolutely messy, absolutely heart unhealthy and absolutely delicious.

30. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: September 30, 2008 at 02:02 PM (#2961015)

The Italian sausage is king in that family.

You live in Chicago and you've never had real Polish sausage?

31. WholeCamels Posted: September 30, 2008 at 02:02 PM (#2961016)

Tony Luke's roast pork is on another level, but it's not a cheese steak, so don't tell me about it.

Tony Luke's Italian Roast Pork -- pork with sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, and Italian seasoning -- is a reason to live.

Happy New Year!!

32. Cabbage Posted: September 30, 2008 at 02:16 PM (#2961028)

John Kerry agrees.

33. Sean Forman Posted: September 30, 2008 at 05:05 PM (#2961202)

I will get a "Jaws" at Phil's in Broad Axe -- Steak, Provolone, touch of Russian Dressing and salami. Absolutely messy, absolutely heart unhealthy and absolutely delicious.

This reminds me that I should probably get a Schmitter before the playoff game on Thursday. I'm limiting myself to one a year and haven't had one this year yet.

34. scotto Posted: September 30, 2008 at 05:39 PM (#2961248)

I thought the cheese steaks with hot sauce at Joe's in Phillipsburg, NJ were superior to any that I've had in Philly.

And if you think brats are that simple, think again. Go to a small town in N. Wisconsin and get some made on premises at a small butcher shop. It's a whole new world of tasty pig fat.

35. Dan Szymborski

Posted: September 30, 2008 at 05:49 PM (#2961267)

Why must we pit bratwurst vs. cheesesteaks? Both are personal faves, though I'm only allowed rarely. There's no reason to have to pit those wonderful creations against each other!

36. McCoy Posted: September 30, 2008 at 05:54 PM (#2961275)

I've had the polish sausage, I've had the locally made stuff as well and I still say Italian sausage is king. Texture, smell, look, flavor it has it all and it trumps the eastern european equivalents.

37. McCoy Posted: September 30, 2008 at 05:55 PM (#2961276)

I went to Chubby's once and wasn't that impressed.

Cheesesteaks aren't great sandwiches (that's a French Dip) but they are good ones and Manayunk/Roxborough doesn't have a lot great cheesesteak places but I think Chubby's out of all them is the best at making the good sandwich.

38. retro-shiite Posted: September 30, 2008 at 06:04 PM (#2961286)

Besides bratwurst are second class citizens when it comes to the meat in a casing family. The Italian sausage is king in that family.

Ever been to Hot Doug's (the self-proclaimed "encased meat emporium")? They serve up some crazy shite.

EDIT: Hm...link seems to be broken.

39. The Polish Sausage Racer Posted: September 30, 2008 at 08:06 PM (#2961415)

A cheese food from Wisconsin? Who knew?

That's cheese food product. One further generation removed from actual cheese.

And I am understandably miffed about Klement's being overlooked in this wager.

Though frankly I prefer the Johnsonville cheese brat over both Klement's and Usinger's offerings, they're all yummy.

40. Slivers of Maranville (SdeB) Posted: September 30, 2008 at 08:28 PM (#2961425)

Haven't forgotten it. It's still inferior to the done-right cheese steak.

If it's done right it doesn't have any Cheez-Whiz.

41. retro-shiite Posted: September 30, 2008 at 08:33 PM (#2961429)

If it's done right it doesn't have any Cheez-Whiz.

Despite being a Cub fan, you, sir, are worse than Hitler.

42. jwb Posted: October 01, 2008 at 07:41 AM (#2962155)

Besides bratwurst are second class citizens when it comes to the meat in a casing family. The Italian sausage is king in that family.

Actually, bratwurst is a more than acceptable substitute for luganega sausage in terms of taste. It does not crumble well, though, and must be diced.

43. TVerik Posted: October 01, 2008 at 11:20 AM (#2962175)

Aren't these two cities near the top of that "fattest cities in America" poll that came out last year?

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Bratwurst vs. cheese steaks in Milw.-Phil. series

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