Back to Northeast Philly for Another Steak and Pie

Joseph’s Pizza Parlor in the Fox Chase section of Northeast Philadelphia goes back to the late 19th century. I first ate there during the 1980s and posted about them last year after they were sold to new owners who made changes to the menu and food. 

While I wouldn’t hesitate to call the cheesesteak and pizza they are now serving upgrades, the steak didn’t impress me enough to merit serious consideration for the top ten list I put out later in 2022. 

But several very convincing raves I’ve read since then combined with the fact that it hadn’t been that long since they reopened under the new management when I made that previous visit led me to conclude I should give them another shot at some point. It happened Friday for lunch with my mother and stepmother. 

The lighting in Joseph’s is very dim. I wasn’t sure how the photos would turn out and only took one of the interior that highlighted their Halloween decorations. 

They’ve expanded their menu since I was last there to include pasta, but we decided to share a white pizza with spinach on half and I ordered a steak with American cheese and fried onions on an optional seeded roll.

My cheesesteak arrived first. After taking the requisite photos, I dug in and noticed two things immediately. First, the beef was seasoned as well as just about anywhere I’ve posted on over the past couple years. It really tasted fantastic. The American cheese was also well proportioned and mixed in nicely with the meat. 

The other aspect of the sandwich that stood out was the roll and it was unfortunately in a negative sense. It was one of the softest ones I’ve had with the crust having no body to it at all. I realize some people prefer soft rolls, but this one reminded me of something I’d expect to find in another part of the country where they don’t have access to quality Philly-style rolls. 

So the question for me when it comes time to determine whether this steak belongs on the top 20 list I’ll be releasing next month is whether the greatness of the meat and cheese package was enough to overcome such a weak roll. It will be a difficult decision.

There was no need to weigh pros versus cons when it came to the pizza. It was outstanding in every respect. 

The crust was abundantly sturdy with a bit of crispness while also having a nice chew. My mother and I commented on the garlicky accent to the pie’s flavor, and the spinach was nicely proportioned on the Popeye half. 

Overall, it was great pizza from both a taste and texture standpoint. 

In spite of how good the meat on my cheesesteak tasted, the white pizza was the highlight of this meal. Perhaps the fact that I feel that way answers the question I posed above with regard to whether the steak merits consideration for my upcoming top 20 list.