Philly Takes L.A. by Storm

Business Wire, Jan 17, 2002

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2002

South Street, the City's Newest Eatery Featuring the Most Authentic

Cheese Steak Sandwiches This Side of Philadelphia, Attracts Stellar

Patrons to Its Westwood Home

Following a week of "invitational tastings," South Street, L.A.'s newest eatery featuring the most authentic Cheese Steak Sandwiches this side of Philadelphia, opened its doors last Friday (January 11th) to exceptional business, making it the hottest new restaurant on the Westside.

The restaurant is already attracting a stellar group of patrons and lays claim to a plethora of celebrity patrons (many of Philadelphia lineage) including actors Chris Tucker, Sela Ward, "Baywatch"'s Alexandra Paul, "Dallas"' Peter Mark Richman, Robert Wuhl, Stephen Macht and his son Gabriel; directors Melanie Mayron and Bob Levy; producers Debra Hill, William Binley, Martin Wiley, Mark Goodman, John Morrisey, Susan Dietz, Carl Borack, Chip Rosenbloom, Michael Tollin, and Larry Turman; writer Barry Glasser; athletes Gene Shue (former 76ers and Clippers coach), Marcus Pollard (Colts), Demarco Farr (Rams) and sports radio personalities Tony Bruno(Fox Sports Network) and Ralph Garman (KROC), amongst others.

Pre-opening festivities included a visit by the Phillie Phanatic, the long-time mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, who was so eager to experience South Street that he arrived in L.A. four days in advance of opening. Prior to taking off for colder climes, the Phanatic gave South Street his overwhelming stamp of approval saying: "It's great to know that L.A. has finally served up a Philly-class Cheese Steak that it can be proud of."

Located at 1010 Broxton Avenue in the heart of Westwood, South Street features Cheese Steaks and other Philly delectables that are truly made with "brotherly love." The steak is rib eye, not the lesser cuts of meat used at other cheese steak restaurants; the bread is brought in from Amoroso's Bakery in Philadelphia and is baked fresh in South Street's ovens, as are the Philly Pretzels. Also brought in are L.A.'s widest assortment of Tastykakes and an array of Italian Water Ices made from authentic old Philadelphia neighborhood recipes. The menu also boasts Philly Chicken Cheese Steak Sandwiches, genuine Philadelphia Hoagies and salads as well as the best Fries anywhere.

ABOUT SOUTH STREET

When entertainment marketing executives Mitchell Goldman and "Smitty" left Philadelphia for careers in Los Angeles more than twenty years ago, they took with them cherished memories of the Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers and their other great hometown symbols. The Liberty Bell. Independence Hall. The Museum of Art. And, of course, the single most memorable icon of a proud city: the Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich. A fleeting memory. That's all it would ever be to Mitch and "Smitty" because outside of Philadelphia, it was impossible to find an authentic sandwich that would meet their high standards. Until now. Determined to recreate a sandwich that would please purists and make believers of the rest of us, Mitch and "Smitty" founded South Street, for all of Los Angeles to experience and savor.