No English, No Cheese Steak at Geno's

[Liv]

No English, No Cheese Steak at Genos

By now I'm sure you've heard of Geno's steaks "English only policy". It hit the news a few days ago, and has been the source of constant debate on the Internet lately. Why? The irony, of an ethnic restaurant in the Italian side of town in Philadelphia, requiring its customers to order in English.



Now I've been to Philadelphia, and as most of you know, I was there just 3 short months ago. I can tell you for a fact no one in Philadelphia, let alone Geno's Steak & Cheese, speaks English. They speak Philly. It's absurd to think you should require Hispanic, and Mexican immigrants to speak English, when most locals orders their food in secret code as is.

For instance Cheese isn't cheese, it's "wiz". Secondly, the phase "with onions" is shortened to "wit":

How to order a Steak
by I. M. Hungry

1. Specify if you want your steak with (wit) or without (wit-out) onions.

2. Specify Plain, Cheez Whiz, Provolone, American Cheese or a Pizza Steak. (we have lettuce and tomatoes but if we have to read your mind it's 50 cents extra)

3. Have your money ready. (do all of your borrowing in line)

4. Practice all of the above while waiting in line.
(if you make a mistake, don't panic, just go to the back of the line and start over)

cite: Geno's official website.

The funny part of this all is I felt the people at Geno's were actually the nicer group of guys when we were there then Pat's, their rival. Both have killer cheese steaks, but the Geno's guys were friendlier. Either that or they don't get many North Carolina, "not dressed for the weather", in the middle of Philly, 20 something girls, at their restaurant all that often.

[Guest]

I completely agree with this "requirement" What make this any different that jobs that post "Must be bilingual"??? If I were to go to Spain do you think they would adapt to the English language just for me....more people should have this and then hopefully, more people would WANT to learn our language instead of just knowing that our country will accommodate them- leaving them with no drive to learn-

[Liv]

Correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm tired, and I'm just getting up, but this isn't a employment requirement, but a requirement to order food at Geno's.

[Guest]

......"This Is AMERICA: SKEAK ENGLISH"

I commend Geno's for posting the sign. If you choose to live in this country then you should learn the language and use it.

[Liv]

So when the majority of America speaks Spanish in 50 years, should you be forced to speak Spanish?

[Guest]

What ever happened to Freedom of Speech?

I lived in Philly most of my life. I am tired of Americans worrying about offending everyone else. If you want to be an American Citizen, you should be required to learn to speak the language.

I heard that Genos is being sued because of the sign.

This may be a harsh example, but I’ll say it anyway.

In America a 10 year old girl can have an abortion without her parent’s knowledge, but you can’t hang a sign that says to speak English. Kids are also required to learn additional languages in school, but apparently they don’t have to learn English.

What a bunch of crap

[rosibaby]

Bravo to Genos Steak and Cheese...This is America and you should speak the language "English" When you travel to other countries like France, they expect you to speak French. So if the sign offends people then just do this: when they place an order and you can't understand them just say "Next Please"

[Milander]

I just loved the fact that, in the picture, the restaurant seems to be completly empty... LOL nuff said really

[Liv]

We went twice while we were up there, and while the picture looks sunny, let me explain. It's about 15 degrees outside and this was about 10:30am in the morning if my recollection is correct. Not probably the budding time for cheesesteaks. Of course we were tourists, so they were glad to serve. When we went back, it was alot busier, (it was later in the day)

[[email protected]]

Thank God For a Dam Good American For Standing UP for Our English God Bless You and There Is Always a Liberal Bastered Tring To Discrass Him For Speaking Our Own Language and Change You NON DISCRIMINATION Sign I'm Behind you Clint Tuscaloosa AL

[Sanjuro]

GENO SAW YOU ON GLEN BECK MON 12/17/7
I LOVED YOUR SIGN AND WE NEED MORE OF THEM THE MEXICANS ARE TAKING OVER AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WELL, U R TRYING. IN AMERICAN SPEAK ENGLISH WHY SHOULD WE CATER TO SOME OTHER NATIONALITY? THIS IS AMERICA AND GENO IF YOU CAN GET A PETITION TOGETHER I BET YOU WOULD EVEN MAKE MORE OF A VOICE BECAUSE SO MANY OF US ENGLISH SPEAKING AMERICANS THAT HAD TO LEARN TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE WOULD SIGN IT. WE ARE THE USA LETS STAY THAT WAY
THANK YOU SPEAK ENGLISH ONLY!!!!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT LEAVE.
COCONUTTIE

Well, who can argue with a well written and brilliantly constructed argument like that?

[me]

when did " this is america" stop referring to the melting pot? None of us describe our genetic history as "AMERICAN" we are all of german, irish, italian, english......on and on ....descent. The only true americans are native americans and they weren't english speakers( and they didn't call themselves americans!!). Get over yourselves " AMERICANS" it won't be long and you will be too embarrased to leave the country proclaiming "I'm American" this country is becoming the laughing stalk of the world, no thanks to our uneducated but LOUD citizens!

[Guest]

Go Genos! and how dare you make fun of our philly language.

[No Hablo Ingles]

It was very dissapointing to drive 110 miles to try the so called "best cheese steak", only to find racist signs posted all over the place, including "buy SPEAK ENGLISH tees for $10". What happened to customer service? If someone orders in a different language other than English, is it too much for the cashier to say "I don't understand." The message getting accross to the customers is that non-English speaking customers are not welcomed PERIOD. I should have ordered 100 cheese steaks and then said "perdon, no hablo ingles" and walked away.

[Liv]

I do suppose that all the items on a Mexican restaurant menu should be translated to their English form, correct? Or perhaps no one who works for these establishments actually eat foreign foods?

[Liv]

[Liv]

Dinner... believe it or not... low fat too:

mmmm.... Cheesesteak....

[Sanjuro]

Looks like you made enough for me too...I'm coming over.

[Serendipitous]

These were seriously good... Sort of made up for my vegetarian lunch... but hey... gotta have da protein.

Yeah, call me jealous... had to have quick dinner last night and couldn't make anything as yummy as a cheezsteak! Glad they were "seriously good."

Speaking of cheesesteaks, I think I'm in love with Penn Station. The bread... OMG... THE BREAD! And the fresh cut fries... THE FRIES!!!!!

[Minorkle]

I invented the Tokyo Cheesesteak while I was performing as an ambidextrous batsman and part time mascot for the Yakult Swallows. I was wise beyond my years. When I struck out to end the Japanese World Series, I was shamed from my own dojo. Fortunately my Tokyo Cheesesteak business was booming!

[That just sad]

im an american and when i see things like that, its just sad. Yea i understand how american feel, we shouldnt have to force our self to understand someone who orders in a different language, but must the sign be so harsh? I bet it wouldnt have offend no one if the sign was just "Please order in English, we dont understand other language" or something alone those lines. Really must American have such big ego, that they dont know the line between racist or not. When american see things like that in other countries our ego scream "Look at them, they dont know how it like to be in AMERICA, the freedom...etc. etc. blah blah blah" but doesnt that make us a hypocrite? i say if we act like this in our own country what gives us the right to talk about other countries?

[Liv]

"Please order in English, we dont understand other language"

Iz believes we'z has us ahz winner bubba.

[Joe]

GENO SAW YOU ON GLEN BECK MON 12/17/7
I LOVED YOUR SIGN AND WE NEED MORE OF THEM THE MEXICANS ARE TAKING OVER AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WELL, U R TRYING. IN AMERICAN SPEAK ENGLISH WHY SHOULD WE CATER TO SOME OTHER NATIONALITY? THIS IS AMERICA AND GENO IF YOU CAN GET A PETITION TOGETHER I BET YOU WOULD EVEN MAKE MORE OF A VOICE BECAUSE SO MANY OF US ENGLISH SPEAKING AMERICANS THAT HAD TO LEARN TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE WOULD SIGN IT. WE ARE THE USA LETS STAY THAT WAY
THANK YOU SPEAK ENGLISH ONLY!!!!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT LEAVE.
COCONUTTIE

Well, who can argue with a well written and brilliantly constructed argument like that?

I hope that bozo likes paying 50 percent of his income to the French Government. He must be happy that his socialist buddy is President.

[Joe]

when did " this is america" stop referring to the melting pot? None of us describe our genetic history as "AMERICAN" we are all of german, irish, italian, english......on and on ....descent. The only true americans are native americans and they weren't english speakers( and they didn't call themselves americans!!). Get over yourselves " AMERICANS" it won't be long and you will be too embarrased to leave the country proclaiming "I'm American" this country is becoming the laughing stalk of the world, no thanks to our uneducated but LOUD citizens!

I have a college degree. This country is the laughingstock of the world because of your President and his appeasement policies. How dare you insult the hard working individuals of this nation? I know it is probably difficult for you to read, Americans work more hours than any nation on this earth. Since you are more than likely a socialist, work is probably a dirty four letter word to you. By the way, Jethro, the Gross Domestic Product of the United States is larger than the next four nations combined. It is arrogant people like you who think they know how to run the lives of millions of people. So, how is that hope and change working for you, now, at 10 percent unemployment? Your buddy in the White House has no business experience, zip, zero, and nada. The people at the local Geno's shop are more qualified in business than your man in the White House. The working people are tired of being ripped off by you and your elite buddies. Trillions and trillions in social spending and more poverty, what a great track record.

[Liv]

I hope that bozo likes paying 50 percent of his income to the French Government. He must be happy that his socialist buddy is President.

I'd gladly give up 40% of my income to live abroad and have the benefits of doing so.

We pay it here in gas, cars, and our wasteful lives... it all works out the same IMHO, it's just you get a better infrastructure abroad for your money.