A) I am a known lover and connoisseur of both cheesesteaks and mac 'n cheese. I seek the best and put the rest to the test.
B) On Cheesesteaks: Having grown up and lived in Philadelphia for 20+ years (and I don't mean the suburbs but the real deal, in the 215, 191, G-town, Mt. Airy, Manyunk, Queens Village, Italian Market, Bella Vista, South Philly, Graduate Hospital, Rittenhouse, Kensington, PBC and Yards drinking, Delaware Ave. driving, El taking, Mummer dancing, E-A-G-L-E-S flying, Phinatic cheering, U City venturing, E-factory and Mann listening, E-Center/Tweeter/Sony/Camden venturing, correctly pronouncing Sckuylkill kinda Philadelphian that the Fresh Prince, Roots, G-Love, and Aretha would be proud of), I know a thing or two about this elusive culinary treasure. And...if you don't know what all those things I mentioned mean, you don't have the right to judge a cheesesteak. Just sayin, "Uze guys better know your role"
C) Speaking of rolls, the vehicle in which the cheese and steak are delivered to your stomach is a crucial element. One could even say the "keystone" of making a successful cheesesteak. (If you did not pick up on the PA reference, please give yourself -2 points for being an amateur. I'm not sure you should even be allowed to keep reading...)
D) On Mac 'n Cheese: Knowing how much I love this food, my husband made it for me (along with mashed potatoes and steak) as part of his engagement strategy nearly 4 years ago. I have no concrete qualifications on this one (unlike with the cheesesteak) but I've always had a hard time turning down those creamy noodles once spotted on a menu. Just trust that I won't lead you astray when it comes to this #1 comfort food.
E) My husband and I just moved to Portland, OR from Philadelphia, PA. It appears as though 'Rip City' has its own obsession with mac n' cheese. This fact, combined with the love for a sandwich, which foiled all my plans of becoming a vegetarian and has proven hard to master by even the most renowned chefs, is why I started this blog.
F) Shall I make the purpose of this blog more clear? Ok.
I am on a mission to find the best mac 'n cheese dishes and cheesesteaks that this new home of mine has to offer. They say its a culinary playground here in Portland with its flourishing valley, abundant natural resources, and innovative food scene. Well, show me what you got PDX!
G) Judging criteria will be based on a series of quantitative and qualititave metrics that can be review here: METRICS AND BENCHMARKING STANDARDS for Mac 'n Cheesesteak PDX.
