Giorgino's — Restaurant in San Diego

Giorgino's definitely left me underwhelmed for being the so called best cheesesteak in town. To say they are the best is, IMO, at best a far stretch of the imagination and at worst, a ball-faced lie. I'm not even sure they should be advertising that they are the best on the block. The ordering was simply not very smooth as the Cashier changed right before my order (switched order takers) and other employees kept interrupting the new cashier while I was attempting to place my order. Apparently there was some confusion in the BOH that they needed her assistance with. Overall the Cheesesteaks we ordered were large and quantity wise, good for the price. Quality wise though we are talking something totally different. The sandwich was a big ball of mush. Everything in the sandwich had the same mushy texture from the bread to the meat. The sandwich was hot and the cheese was melted (melted in a weird way though almost like it too was whiz and not sliced American cheese) which was good, but the canned mushrooms were a big no-no and made the sandwich very off-putting. I mean really, can't we sauté fresh mushrooms? Like I said, the sammich was full of meat and good sized but it definitely lacked in taste and quality. Don't even get me started on the skimpy $4 orders of garlic fries that uh... Don't have any garlic on them? Tasted like they may have sprinkled them with garlic salt and Italian seasoning. No visible signs of garlic anywhere but you definitely saw and tasted lots of Rosemary/Italian seasoning. The $4 small fries is definitely out of wack. I suggest a slight increase to the cost of the sandwich and a decrease in the price of the fry. That will make the value feel more appropriate. This visit reminded me why I had only went here once and that was years ago. Final cost of 2 Cheesesteaks and 2 fries was $28+.Forgot to mention my Yelp check-in which would have netted me 10% off but the cashier threw in 2 free drinks so that made up for it. Overall, at that price point there are many better things I'd rather eat....

I have been here twice. The first time was a couple months ago and was pretty good. We had the “Works” cheesesteak and the Pizza steak. They both were good. My family enjoyed the cheesesteak but were not impressed with the Pizza steak. I enjoyed them both but I’m from Philadelphia and have had Pizza steaks many times before.

Unfortunately, the second visit, which was today, wasn’t so good. We ordered the Works cheesesteak again; this time with extra cheese. We also ordered an Italian hoagie and a turkey and cheddar sandwich. The cheesesteak had way too much cheese; so much that it ruined the sandwich. Maybe it was my mistake for ordering extra cheese but I was quite disappointed. The turkey and cheddar sandwich came on sourdough and just did not taste that good. Ok. The bread did not seem fresh and the lettuce and onion with Italian dressing just didn’t help. Maybe it’s still me.

Lastly, I tried the hoagie. It was not good. First off, the meat was sliced too thick. Anyone from Philly knows that you do not slice lunch meat thick. The onion, lettuce and tomato were just not helping the hoagie at all. Too little of the veggies and too much vinegar, oil and oregano. Everything should be proportionally in balance.

I was just in Philly last week for ten days so maybe I got spoiled. I did enjoy the whole pickle that I ordered and enjoyed the three bags of Wise potato chips as well.

Next time, I’m trying the Taylor pork roll sandwich. I hope it’s as good as my memories of eating them as a kid.

I like this place because I can see that it’s being run by someone who grew up in the Philadelphia area but today, the quality control was completely lacking. I will go back because I want to give it one...

I grew up in Philly, and Giorgino's does it just right! There used to be four great cheesesteaks in San Diego, but with Olde City Grill in PB and Philadelphia Sandwich Shop in Kearny Mesa no longer around, now we're down to two: Giorgino's and Philly Franks. They're both excellent and worthy of my endorsement, but Philly Franks is a hike, as it's in San Marcos. So when I want a taste of home, I head on over to Giorgino's for a cheesesteak american witout! No, I did not forget the "h". In Philadelphia you say "witout" to order it without onions. The "american' means american cheese as opposed to cheese whiz. So here's a test for you! How would you order one with onions and cheese whiz?

The answer is: "Cheesesteak whiz wit".

Also, if you're not from Philly, try a bag of Wise potato chips. They're the best! I also get a Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer whenever I go there, which is amazing! Or a Frank's Black Wizniak Cherry Soda. And of course, some Tastykakes. Either Butterscotch Krimpets or a Chocolate Junior. Sometimes both. lol

Jesus, I can smell all this great food just writing this review. If you could see me right now, my nostrils could be arrested for indecent exposure! That does it, I'm going...