I had been a vegetarian for a little over a year when I made the mistake of admitting to a guy I worked with in radio that I had always wanted to, but never did, eat a real Philly cheesesteak. The next thing I knew I was being given permission to drive myself and friends down to the legendary corner of Pat's and Geno's during our show for what they were describing as the biggest event of the decade: Veggie Boy was gonna eat some meat. I wish I could say it was all just a stunt that I acted out for the entertainment of the fifteen people who cared to listen, but I seriously ate that thing as I had sworn I would.

It's been three years since, and thanks to the guilt and massive indigestion that ensued in the days after I ate that Cheese-Whiz laden slab of mooooooooooo, it's been the only former animal to grace my mouth in that time. I'm not gonna lie, though, I do still loves me a cheesesteak, but now I can get one guilt-free, as I will this weekend when an old college friend comes to visit and we make the obligiatory trip down for his first real cheesesteak.

The place to go for vegetarians in need of a pseudo-steak fix is Gianna's Grill just off of South Street, though a second location, Gianna Jr's, has recently opened on South 20th. Gianna's uses everything the people at Pat's, Geno's or any other place serving up steak in the greater Delaware Valley region would... including Cheese Whiz. I get the "GG Italiano," a vegetarian steak, cheese, roasted garlic and broccoli rabe sandwich made authentic with the hoagie bread you just can't get outside of the city limits. The best part is the fact that Gianna's makes food for carnivores and vegetarians alike (and even offers vegan options), so I don't have to wait in line with everyone at Pat's or Geno's knowing I'm not going to be eating anytime soon.

Now if only Yocco's could take a hint...

-Ryan