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New Yorkers just couldn’t let their Philadelphia rivals have anything better than them. Those PA people have hung the Philadelphia cheesesteak over our heads for a century.
But New Yorkers had had enough.
So they went and one-upped Philly with the chopped cheese sandwich, which originated in NYC just a few years ago. Now the chopped cheese has found its way to Long Island.
And we found the best we’ve tried at The Hero Joint, located at 74B East Main St. in Patchogue, which faces the back parking lot next to the rear entrance of Patchogue-Medford Public Library.
“I had never even heard of it,” laughed Hero Joint owner John Murray, III. “But we had all the ingredients, so we put it on the menu and it’s really taken off.”
This is New York’s answer to the Philly cheesesteak, he explained, “and it actually is amazing.”
His Johnny Chop Cheese remains true to the New York ingredients.
That’s chopped burger meat, Adobo seasoning, sautéed onions and green peppers, mayo, ketchup and American cheese on a hero roll.
[Our tip: Don’t add any lettuce and tomato; just let this deliciousness slide down the throat.]
“The availability of the chopped cheese is spreading but we’re an early mover on the whole thing,” Murray said. “This will be available nearly everywhere soon, but with us the difference will always be the amount of money we’re spending on better chopped meat.
“That will always come through when people bite into ours.”
One thing Murray knew not to do, was try to put his own “spin” on the instantly popular chopped cheese.
“It’s true to form,” he said. “We’re not looking to re-invent the wheel on this one. And whatever we’re doing they’re flying out of here.”
Even Barstool Sports caught wind of The Hero Joint’s chopped cheese.
Wanna try? Click here to order online. Click here for catering menu. The phone number in Patchogue is 631-636-0500. The Johnny Chop Cheese is also available at the Bay Shore location at 182 West Main Street.
