TASTE the New Cheesesteak Bar

Philly's New Casual Hangout

Hey there, foodie fam! We recently embarked on a cheesesteak adventure at "The Taste," a cozy little spot nestled on 18th and JFK Boulevard in the heart of Philly. Spoiler alert: cheesesteaks were consumed, opinions were formed, and taste buds were tested. So, grab a snack, settle in, and let's dive into the flavorful world of The Taste.

Picture this – we stroll into The Taste, and immediately, it feels like we crashed a Philly block party. The place was buzzing, loud laughter echoing, and the scent of sizzling steaks in the air. Now, it's not the biggest spot on the block, but hey, that adds to the charm, right?

The atmosphere? Urban vibes meet a touch of chaos. It's like stepping into the heartbeat of the city. And let's not forget the quirky logo – those lips had us doing a double-take. Subtle, Taste, real subtle. The joint's trying to tell a story before you even order.

Nice Lips Tatste! Sensual lips they put on display for the masses.

Alright, let's get to the star of the show – the cheesesteaks. One classic beef and one rule-breaker, the jerk chicken cheesesteak. The beef one? Decent, hitting a solid three out of five pretzels. It's like your reliable friend – always there, not too flashy, but you appreciate its presence.

Now, the jerk chicken cheesesteak. We were ready for a party in our mouths – jerk seasoning, Caribbean vibes, the whole nine yards. Did it deliver? Well, kinda. A modest three and a half pretzels. The jerk flavor played it cool, not stealing the show but making its presence felt.

Amidst the buzz and cramped space, the service held its own. A shoutout to the crew hustling behind the bar. They were on it, weaving through the sea of people with a smile. Even with a bit of a wait, they kept the vibes friendly. Props, Taste, props. Oh, and speaking of unexpected extras – we caught a whiff of hookah in the air. Apparently, The Taste is not just about cheesesteaks; there's a side of mystery too.

To Wait or Not to Wait? Quick heads up: patience might be your best friend here. The girl behind the counter hit us with a 30 to 40-minute wait for our cheesesteaks. Meek got hers around 35 minutes, and yours truly had to practice the fine art of patience for nearly an hour. Was it worth the wait? We'll get to that.

Chicken Philly Steak on the left, Classic Beef Steak on the right

The Cheesesteak Verdict

Let's break it down. The classic beef cheesesteak gets a three-pretzel salute. It's decent and hits the spot, but not going to blow your mind. Now, the rebel in the game, the jerk chicken cheesesteak, nabs a cool three-and-a-half pretzels. It's got its own groove, not a total game-changer, but definitely a worthy experiment.

Final Thoughts on The Taste

Despite a few quirks and a dash of the unexpected, The Taste has its own groove. It's like the neighborhood hangout, where you grab a cheesesteak, enjoy the city buzz, and maybe question the suggestive logo.

So, would we go back? Absolutely. The Taste might not be gunning for Michelin stars, but it's a vibe. It's the kind of place where you don't stress the small stuff, and you dive into cheesesteaks without overthinking it.

If you find yourself wandering the streets of Philly, looking for a no-fuss cheesesteak joint, give The Taste a shot. Embrace the chaos, enjoy the flavors, and soak in the urban Philly vibe. After all, it's not just about the steaks; it's about the experience, the unexpected, and the stories you bring home.

In the grand Philly foodie diary, The Taste gets at least 3 pretzels for keeping it real, keeping it casual, and keeping those cheesesteaks coming. 🥨

Meek: 🥨🥨 Chicken Steak  🥨🥨 Beef Steak 

Service: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

Steffi:  🥨🥨🥨+1/2 Chicken Steak  🥨🥨🥨 Beef Steak

Service: ⭐⭐⭐

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Service:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ fantastic

⭐⭐⭐⭐ pretty good 

⭐⭐⭐ so-so

⭐⭐ needs some work

⭐ freaking SUCKED!