POP'S JERSEY STYLE CHEESE STEAKS

1730 Garnet Ave. San Diego (858) 483-2600

(Next to VONS in Pacific Plaza)

 

Many of my longtime readers know that I harbor a deep and abiding affinity for the working class hero of the sandwich world, the cheese steak.  I was therefore thrilled when I spotted Pop's Jersey Style Cheese Steaks during a recent shopping junket at Pacific Plaza in Pacific Beach.  Having already eaten, I secured a menu to peruse at home, intent on returning first thing the next morning for the true breakfast of champions, a cheese steak. 

  

Upon arriving, I entered a bright and cozy dining space, and was warmly greeted by half of the family ownership team, Pop and his son Junior.  It turns out that this operation is run by the Guadagni family, which also includes Nunzio and Mama, both of whom have menu items named after them.  My first line of inquiry was, "What do you feel constitutes a Jersey-style cheese steak?" 

 

Pop explained that it all starts with thinly sliced marinated beef rib eye, shipped in from New Jersey.

Junior added that in comparison with a South Philadelphia cheese steak, the bread (brought in daily from Little Italy's Solunto's Bakery) is grilled longer in order to provide a crispier surface.  In addition, a Jersey cheese steak includes grilled peppers, onions, and mushrooms; none of which are standard equipment on a Philly style.  The discussion of all this food had me raring to go, so I placed my order, causing Pop and Junior to spring into action.

 

Here you can see Pop tending to the innards of my sammy on the griddle. 

Stage one of the morning's feast was the restaurant's eponymous Jersey Style Cheese Steak ($7.49).

 

On the first bite, I was immediately taken by the flavor of the steak.  It was perfectly seasoned, and possessed a rich beefy flavor that worked nicely with the melted mozzarella.  The inclusion of the grilled peppers, onions, and mushrooms made for quite a flavor explosion.  No sandwich can make it without good bread, and the fresh baked Solunto's roll filled the bill perfectly.  Pop's is a serious contender in the cheese steak arena, and if you are an aficionado, you owe it to yourself to give them a try.

The next stage in the festivities was the Pork Roll sandwich ($7.49).

 

For those of you that are not familiar with the near-mythical New Jersey specialty called "pork roll," it's a ground  pork shoulder fermented sausage product that is flavored with bacon fat, salt, pepper, port wine, and maple powder.  The finished sausage is often smoked, and is not readily available in other parts of the country.  Pop proudly imports original Taylor brand pork roll from Trenton, New Jersey.  For this sammy, Pop sautes thin slices of  pork roll on the griddle, stacks them on a grilled Solunto's roll spread with deli mustard and mayonnaise, and finishes it all off with sliced tomatoes and shredded lettuce.  The end result is far more than the sum of its parts.  The flavor of this sausage is unique and addictive.  There is a hint of smoke, a tangy sour component from lactic fermentation, and a subtle sweetness derived from the port wine and maple powder.  These three elements all pair well with the deli mustard's vinegar aspect, and the acidity of the tomatoes.  Talk about a complex flavor profile!  This decadent treat is a treasured find in San Diego, and should be indulged in often.

Lastly, I rounded out my breakfast with a made to order Homemade Cannoli ($3.50).

  

Made to order is critical in the world of the cannoli, as they quickly become soggy when left sitting.  This specimen had a nice crispy shell, and for a truly indulgent twist, the rich ricotta-based cream filling is infused with Amaretto.  Don't tell Pop though, Nunzio and Junior tell him it's almond extract.

While I was eating, two other customers ordered more traditional breakfasts, and they both looked great.  One order consisted of Two Eggs Any Style, Grilled Ham, East Coast Style Breakfast Potatoes, and Choice of Toast ($5.99).

 

The other order was the Italian Special Omelet filled with Sauteed Capocollo, Provolone Cheese, Bell Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, and served with Potatoes and Toast ($7.49).

 

Pop's Jersey Style Cheese Steaks is a welcome new arrival on San Diego's casual dining scene.  They make an excellent cheese steak, a delicious cannoli, and their pork roll is my new favorite sandwich obsession.  The breakfast items looked great, and the menu offers a plethora of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and Italian favorites, including chicken, eggplant, and sausage&peppers parmigiana.  I also like the fact that this establishment is a family-run operation.  Pop and the gang are all extremely friendly, welcoming, and helpful.  Many may consider my menu selections to be odd choices for consumption at nine in the morning.  I would urge them to keep an open mind.  This food tastes fantastic at any time.  My Breakfast at Pop's proved to be the real Breakfast of Champions.

 

Hours:

Monday through Friday 9:00am - 8:00pm

Saturday 9:00am - 7:00pm

Sunday Closed 

 

 

Comments

[clayfu]

Looks good man! Hard to find a good cheesesteak in San Diego! I'll try this ASAP!

[dave]

that's a good looking cheese steak! i will have to head over there for a pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich sometime.

[sawyer]

This is awesome! I was able to go to Philly last year and try a cheesesteak at Pat's, and have been craving for one around the area ever since. Although I don't live in San Diego anymore, this is definitely something for me to note. I was wondering the same thing when you wrote Jersey style cheese steaks, and these look delicious. The pork roll looks great too...I've never heard of it before, and will have to try that as well, next time I head back down to sd, sometime next month. Glad to hear all is well!

[Roger]

SWEET. Nice find, Capt. Jack! I'll put my diet on hold for this. :D

[caninecologne]

hi there cj! nice post and great pictures! looks like me and bert will be heading there soon!

[Kirk]

Welcome back CJ - we missed ya'. What is the rib eye marinated in? Very interesting...I'm kinda wandering how Solunto's roll compares to the classic Amoroso roll as well. I had the pleasure of being dropped on E Passyunk on a trip to Philly back in the mid-nineties.....it was cheese steak heaven. Through I thought Rick's in Reading Terminal made a good one as well.

[Alan]

About eight months ago, Jack graciously replied to my Chowhound thread asking about good eats in PB. He was pretty much dead-on with everything. I hit that Von's a couple times a week and didn't even notice that place. Will definitely try it.

[Captain Jack]

Hey Clafu,
You really should.

Hey Dave,
The family that runs Pop's is very nice.

Hi Sawer,
Pork roll is a strange yet wonderful thing.

Hey Roger,
Yup, definately not diet food :)

Hi CC,
Great to hear from you!

Hi Kirk,
I have been told by Alex's Brown Bag, and Pop's that the Amaroso rolls ship par frozen by necessity, and don't reconstitue the way you would like. But compare for yourself, Olde City uses the Amorosos.

Hey Alan,
Thanks for the kind words. We have some pretty good chow in PB.

[Michael]

Hey CJ!.....gotta try this place, anything wrapped in a Solunto roll has got to be great!!

[Chubbypanda]

Man, I love cheesesteaks, but the pork roll is what's making my mouth water. I gotta find one!

[Foodista.com]

Delicious! You had my mouth watering looking at those beauties...i sure love cheese steaks!

[Captain Jack]

Hey Michael,
Solunto's does bake excellent rolls.

Hi CP,
if you make it down this way you should stop in.

Hi Foodista,
yup, cheesesteaks rule.

[Jim]

Hey Jack,

I had a chance and stopped by there for lunch today. The cheese steak was quite good. Pop wore his long pants today...a bit chilly.

Only 3 concerns...location, location, and location. That is a tough place to survive.

[Tom]

BY FAR the best cheese steak I have had in quite some time! Most places don't do Philly steaks justice but you could transplant Pop's right between Pat's and Gino's and they would do good business. Will be back frequently.

[Alan]

Just tried this earlier. It's great stuff and I'm sure I'll hit this place again for the pork roll.

One word of caution: one sandwich will basically disable you with a food coma.

[Roger]

Yo Jack! When are we going to see a new tasty post? Don't leave us hanging :D

[VSanchez]

Captain Jack, this looks to be a great place to eat in San Diego. When I am in San Diego again, I will definitely go to this place.

[Jollibee Food Corporation]

Want to try the beef chip steak.

-Ava

[Vicki]

Yumm, good Philly Cheese steaks in San Diego are def. hard to find. You should write an entry on Burger Lounge, San Diegans have seriously fallen in love with it and there's a new one opening in Little Italy! It'd be cool to read about your take on it...

[Craig B]

Stay away from this one. I tried this place for 3 days last week. Then I came by to eat and get directions to a local store. When I asked the owner for directions. Which I was very polite and nice. The owner went off on me and started to cuss and scream to the point that I had to leave. I was a good customer and was treated very nasty by the owner. The sons did not even come out and apoligize for what happened. We dont need businesses like this here. What happened to the old saying the customer comes first.

Craig

[tamica bispham]

Jersey Reminder. I love the food it brings back home. I am so glad to know that I found POP's and his sons here in San Digo, to die for on the real. Cheeze Wiz :>)