Earlier this year, I went with my friend from Easton to Philadelphia to have cheesesteaks at Angelo’s. I asked him if there was a place with great cheesesteaks closer to him, since there really aren’t any where I live (which is in Morris County in the middle of north Jersey) and he recommended a place called SMP near Bethlehem. When I got there, they were closed, so I needed to make something out of my trip, and it turned out, this place was not only still open, but actually had way more reviews on Google, so I stopped by to give it a try.
What I liked:
Really cool at comic book and video game themed decor, i’m sure local kids come by to grab something to eat here on a regular. The girl working the counter was very friendly and helped me find better parking for my car. I ordered two cheesesteaks, one Philly style with whiz and onions, the other was a 610 (Lehigh Valley, PA-Warren County, NJ style) with Cooper Brand white American, onions, red sauce, and pickles (yes, pickles, don’t knock it till you try it). Both came on some very good quality seeded hoagie rolls from Liscios Bakery in south Jersey. I also got some buffalo-ranch pierogies that I enjoyed.
What I didn’t like:
While the sandwiches as a whole were good and well portioned, they don’t use actual shaved ribeye, but rather those frozen chip steak patties that you’ll see at a place like Jersey Mikes that are just a step above steak-umm but a step below actual shaved rib ribeye. I’ve had pretty good cheesesteaks before that were made with chip steak and this is no exception, but the BEST ones I’ve had always use real ribeye, so theirs by default fall short of that. Also, the parking by the place does suck, thank God the woman at the counter knew a better place for me to park walking distance away.
Overall verdict:
This place as a whole is worth 4 stars. It’s got an awesome decor and family friendly atmosphere, and very good customer service. I would rate their cheesesteaks a 7 1/2 out of 10 (really good rolls, Cooper Brand American cheese and real Kraft cheese whiz, well portioned, sauce on the 610 was on point, chip steak was OK, but if they used real ribeye, this would’ve been a whole point higher and a top 10 ever steak for me). Better parking would definitely help this place out as well.