Determining Your Cheesesteak Location

Your Cheesesteak Location

Much of the value of the cheesesteak experience is gained through external influences which include a consumer’s social environment and their situational influences (Babin/Harris, 27). The social environment is how others influence your decision making, where as, a situational influence is specific to a time and place (Babin/Harris, 27). These influence, whether one realizes it or not, make a large impact on where a consumer gets their cheesesteak.

Every Philadelphian has their cheesesteak place. For my Dad it was Pat’s. Why did he choose Pat’s? He went because all of his friends in college did. When he attended the University of Pennsylvania, his friends had a rule. Whenever someone said Pat’s, everyone else had to drop what they were doing and go to Pat’s for a cheesesteak. This was tradition, and he wouldn’t have purchased so many cheesesteaks from Pat’s, if it weren’t for his social environment. His friends and wanting to spend time with them, is what made my dad purchase so many cheesesteaks and not try another cheesesteak place in the area.

My social environment and the reason I always go to Jim’s, is because of my brother and the people who typically go to Jim’s after a major Philadelphia sporting event. My brother’s favorite place is Jim’s, so he always took me there. When I went the first time, I loved how lively the line was. Everyone is talking about whatever sporting event just ended, and if the Philadelphia team won, everyone is in a great mood and chatting your ear off. The people who go to Jim’s are normally people who just love Jim’s and not the tourists, who mainly go to Pat’s or Geno’s, so by going to Jim’s, you get a line of people who love what you love: a great steak and Philadelphia.

Even celebrities are expected to pick which they like best. But some are smart and try not to upset anyone in Philly by choosing to eat at both Pat's and Geno's, like Mark Sanchez did here.

http://www.crossingbroad.com/2014/11/video-mark-sanchez-stopped-by-pats-and-genos-after-the-game.html

While some people, like my dad, are influenced to go to Pat’s by their social environment, most of the people coming from outside of Philadelphia to try a steak, are influenced by situational influences. This is because most people from out of town go to Pat’s or Geno’s. Both are on the same street and both are regarded as the best in the city. The steaks and experiences are almost exactly the same. The biggest difference however, are the buildings and the history. The bright flashy lights of Geno’s tend to draw people to its line, while the the more traditional person might be drawn to Pat’s brick restaurant with florescent lights. Some people pick Pat’s because it is said to be the creator of the typical cheesesteak, but Geno’s tries to make the decision difficult on consumers by offering the same quality steak with different situational influences. 

So where will you decide to go when you visit? If you want to stick to the traditional Pat's or Geno's, this description of their rivalry might help you to decide. 

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/25/news/la-trb-philadelphia-cheesesteak-pats-genos-07201125

No More Motivation Necessary

No More Motivation Necessary!

Jim's Steaks on South Street in downtown Philadelphia provides much more than just the basic need for food. My motivation to go to Jim's stretches far beyond my hunger. If I only wanted a good cheesesteak, there would be much easier ways to get one that didn't involve driving an hour and a half to get there. These motivations are described by Maslow's hierarchy of needs. 

Maslow's hierarchy of needs provides us with a well recognized theory of motivation that states that people need to fulfill certain needs before they can fulfill others. These needs start from the most basic survival needs which provide utilitarian value and end with self actualization which provides hedonic value (Babin/Harris 86-87).

Yes it is true that Jim's satisfies the most basic level of this hierarchy: the physiological level. Jim's doesn't just provide a cheesesteak, but an authentic cheesesteak. The fresh Amoroso roll filled with perfectly chopped beef and onion slices hot off the stove and

topped with melted cheeses whiz, makes the perfect combination. What most people don't realize is that the roll is what makes the steak. Without the Philadelphia amoroso roll, a cheesesteak becomes a mediocre sandwich. Don't believe me...here is an article that captures a Philadelphian's love for the amoroso roll.

http://www.phillymag.com/articles/icons-bread-winners/

Next Jim's satisfies the second stage of the hierarchy: safety and security. There are multiple, quality place in Philadelphia to get a cheesesteak, but Jim's is in a very safe neighborhood with lots to do. Part of the experience of going to Jim's is walking down State Street and exploring all of the interesting shops along the way. From fun t-shirt shops that make fun of Philadelphia sport teams' rivals to old time record stores, there are shops to interest everyone. Once you get to Jim's, you will then most likely have to wait outside in the line before you can get inside the restaurant. There are many cheesesteak places that are in bad neighborhoods of Philadelphia, and it would not feel safe to wander down the street or wait outside of those restaurants with a complete set of strangers. Jim's however, is in a great location that conveys a sense of security.

A mosaic on made of pieces of glass on South Street says
South Street Loves People.

Finally Jim's provides the third need in Maslow's hierarchy: belongingness and love. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area before moving in elementary school, there is nothing better to me than the brotherly love that you find in Philadelphia. This feeling of brotherly love and belongingness to the Philadelphia community is my final and most impactful motivation for going to Jim's. The tradition surrounding the trip and the sense of community that accompanies standing in the line and bonding with strangers over which cheesesteak is the best, is what keeps me wanting to go back!

Check out all of the cool events that take place and the shops on South Street with the link below!!

http://southstreet.com

  Jim's Steaks: More than a Restaurant...It's an Experience

The ongoing battle cooks on! Philadelphia has long been known for the Philly cheesesteak, but there still is not a clear cut winner as to who makes the best in the city. Everyone has their own opinion, and those opinions are engrained in the brains of those who hold them. There is no compromise. These opinions are the cause of much controversy and, at least in my family, have caused major debates. 

It’s 11 o’clock pm on a Saturday and the Philadelphia Flyers game has just let out. The Flyers just beat their rivals and the city is starting to come alive with excitement. We walk out of the stadium and head for the subways which will take us into downtown. It is packed full of people and there is no need to hang onto the rails as the sheer volume of people crammed together will prevent everyone from falling over. People are singing and cheering as their excitement continues from the game. This is the time to go get a cheesesteak. People will head towards their favorite spot, and for my brother and I, that spot is Jim’s Steaks on South Street.

Jim’s Steaks has been around since 1976 and has been making a top-notch cheesesteak ever since. The cheesesteaks haven’t changed: cooked the same, and have the same great flavor as years ago. Every time I go I get a steak “whiz wit”. In other words...a steak with cheese whiz and onions. To the city of Philadelphia, this combination is known as the classic. The second I bite into the cheesesteak, I am satisfied!

The line to enter Jim's Steaks stretches outside and around the corner

Jim’s provides much more than a fantastic cheesesteak though, and I realized recently why I love Jim’s so much. I love it partially for the amazing steak sandwich, but in reality, I love it for the experience it creates. Some of my favorite memories are taking the subway to South Street and then standing in line with everyone else who has just watched the game. There is excitement all around and everyone is extremely friendly. No one cares that they are going to have to stand in a half hour line that leads out the door and around the corner, because it is tradition. I treasure the time I have spent in line with my brother and his friends, the conversations we have had with strangers about Philadelphia sports teams, or teaching the out-of-towners how to properly order their steak before they have to order. The line waiting experience instills Philadelphia pride within me and makes me feel like I am a part of something special. It isn’t just a cheesesteak, it’s an experience!

Autographs line the walls of Jim's 

Once inside the restaurant, the atmosphere continues to enhance the experience and the memories which create utilitarian value. There isn’t a big difference between Jim's steak sandwich as compared to others in the city, but the space is small and filled with signatures and pictures of celebrities all over the walls. It creates a fun atmosphere to be in and I’m always wondering when the next celebrity will make an appearance. 

So the next time you are in Philadelphia, I suggest finding your cheesesteak place so that you can enjoy the same value that Jim's brings me. But before you do...

Click on the link below to learn the art of ordering a cheesesteak!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BXNnr-eqgY#t=57