Smackdown: Cheesesteak

Kisling's Tavern

Basics: Kisling's is quite a mouthful. Not the name, but the cheesesteak. Kisling's cheesesteak isn’t bad. It’s mediocre. The size is generous. The chips and pickles don’t hurt, either. Eat quickly, though, because the bread gets soggy, which makes the meal a game of "Beat the Clock." (We hate that game, by the way.) Served warm, the cheese (provolone) is invisible and the fixings (lettuce, tomato, mayo, grilled onions, hots) overwhelm the cheese and steak. Should a cheesesteak remind the eater of a Wendy’s hamburger? Probably not.

Damage: The 10 oz. cheesesteak hits the wallet at a modest $7.95. Its size, combined with the pickles and chips, earns it an excellent cost to value ratio. Throw quality into the formula, however, and the results are less than favorable.

Decision: Kisling's is forgettable. If you live within walking distance of the 2100 block of Fleet Street, it’s worth your time to stop in once. But just once.