ALEX'S BROWN BAG

2550 5th Ave. Suite 171 (619)231-2912

Due to a major photographic mishap, the Laurel restaurant review has been postponed until next week.  Revisiting the site of Laurel did however, present the opportunity to feature Alex's Brown Bag, located across the street.  Alex's offers fresh, made to order Italian and American East Coast style food.  For the purposes of this article, I decided to focus on the Brown Bag's rendition of the legendary Philly cheese steak.

Philadelphia natives constantly argue the relative merits of Pat's, Geno's, Jim's and dozens of neighborhood cheese steak purveyors.  These denizens pose questions like;  1:Do they use Amoroso's bread and if not, what kind?  2:Should you order "wit or wit-out" onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers?  3:How fine should the meat be chopped?  4:Is the meat better wet or dry?  5:Finally, the most contentious of points, Cheez Whiz, American, or mozzarella cheese?  Not meaning to offend Pat's fans the world over, I must say I am just not a Cheez Whiz guy.  I don't know what is in that yellow/orange goo, but I am pretty sure that it is not cheese.  To my satisfaction, Alex's goes the mozzarella route.  Another belief I subscribe to is that the meat, preferably thinly sliced rib eye, should be really juicy.  Eating a good cheese steak should entail juices running down your forearms.

As you can see from the bag and wrapper, Alex's cheese steak passed this test with flying colors.

I ordered the original Philadelphia cheese steak ($6.75) which came with grilled onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms all topped with melted mozzarella cheese.

The quality of the bread can make or break any sandwich.  Upon the first bite I knew this was great bread.  The baked fresh Solunto's Italian roll had a perfectly crisped crust, with an interior that was soft, tender, and tasty.  Next I focused on the meat.  The authentic, thinly sliced rib eye, is finely chopped, much to my liking.  Naturally juicy, the meat had a rich flavor reminiscent of a quality home made beef stock.  It turns out that Alex's supplier is Liberty Meats in Philadelphia.  Liberty also supplies Jim's Steaks, part of the triumverate of cheese steak royalty in South Philly. The onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms had been sauteed until tender and flavorful.  The next step was to see how the flavors stood up to hot sauce.

The classic addition of hot sauce enhanced the flavor nicely but did not over power the cheese steak.  This is an excellent rendition of the famous Philadelphia sandwich.  Next I tried the house potato salad (8oz $1.49)

Tender potato chunks were mixed with a slightly sweet mayonnaise dressing that had a hint of mustard.  Tiny pieces of sweet pickle and celery were also blended in.  I liked this potato salad a lot, almost as much as D.Z. Akin's fabulous offering.  I also tried the house macaroni salad (8oz $1.49.)

The pasta had a firm al dente feel, toothsome but not under cooked.  The mayonnaise based dressing with pimento and sweet pickle pieces had a sweetness that was pleasant.  This is a simple but enjoyable version of macaroni salad. 

If, like many of us, you are having trouble finding a good Philly cheese steak in San Diego, I recommend giving Alex's Brown Bag a try.  Owners Dave Sherako and Jim Mullen were raised in the Philadelphia suberbs, and are producing high quality, made to order Italian and American specialties.  I believe they have earned the title of "San Diego's King of the Philly Cheese Steak."

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7am-5pm Closed Sat. Sun.

Comments

[Cathy]

This place looks good, CJ...
is it open on weekends? (trying to miss crowds and the whole downtown parking thing...)

[Captain Jack]

Hi Cathy,
No weekends, Monday-Friday 7am-5pm. Best bet is an early lunch around 10:45 before they get slammed with giant take out orders faxed in from the office crowd. Parking is no problem, there are always empty meters near 5th and Laurel. Also, if like me you can eat a cheese steak for breakfast, that works out well too.

[Alice Q. Foodie]

Ah, I remember those greasy wrappers well! I used to work in that building - and somehow that grease infuses everything they serve. My husband is partial to their Reuben sandwich (he worked around the corner)

[Cathy]

7 am cheese steak sounds like it will hit all the food groups....if I can do a Carls Jr Breakfast Burger, then this may become a new craving....probably a bit less calories too...

[Captain Jack]

Hi Alice Q.
I will have to give the Reuben a try.

HI Cathy,
We may be on to something here :)

[Kirk]

Hey Capt Jack - Have you tried the Cheesesteaks at Gaglione Bros? They are sure to let you know they aren't Philly Cheesesteaks(I did have a Pat's when in Philly), but I thought they were quite good.

[Captain Jack]

Hi Kirk,
I like Gaglione Bros. alot. The Turk with homemade turkey breast, herb stuffing and cranberry sauce is my favorite. I like their cheese steaks, but like you said, they are not Philly style.

[Jim]

Hey Jack,

I finally had a chance to stop in there during business hours. You were right on...the sandwich is good!!! Thanks for the review.

[Captain Jack]

Hey Jim,
I am glad you enjoyed it. The owners Dave and Jim are great guys.

[Lynne]

Have you tried Philly Grill on University? Really good.

[Fekfek]

How big was that cheesesteak above? What other sizes do they offer? and for how much?

[Captain Jack]

Hi Lynne,
No I have not, but I will give them a try. Thanks for the tip.

Hi Fekfek,
It has been a while but I believe the Cheesesteak was a 12" for $6.75. I looked at their menu and it appears that is the only size.

Cheers