Monday, June 26, 2006
Filet con Queso
Joseph Vento is a great American. He is living proof that the American dream is alive and well in South Philly.
Joe is a second-generation Sicilian-American with a ninth-grade education, a strong work ethic, uncompromising principals and a thriving business. He is the owner of Geno's Steaks in South Philly, possibly my favorite spot to eat on the planet.
He is currently a lightning-rod of controversy since he posted a little sign in his window basically saying to place your order in English. (Of course, you don't place your order in English at Geno's. It's more of a cryptic language that is only spoken in Philly, "I'll have a Provolone wit," which simply means a steak sandwich with Provolone cheese and onions. See what I mean? Cryptic)
Actually, there are three signs as you can see to the right. Two of them are regarding the language and service issue, and the other is about a cop named Daniel Faulkner that was murdered in Philly 25 years ago. If you read the story about Faulkner, you would be very surprised that any of the Hollywood elite eat at his restaurant, considering many of them support his convicted murderer.
Anyway, back to the no English, no service issue, some people have called Joe a hypocrite for posting this sign, because his grandparents did not speak English when they immigrated here in the 1920's. But I completely disagree with that opinion, mainly because it is an apples-to-oranges comparison.
You see, Joe's grandparents came to this country legally. Many of his non-English speaking patrons are here illegally. Joe's grandparents wanted to be American's and struggled to learn English. Most illegal aliens only want the rights, protections and jobs that America affords them, and they have no interest in becoming Americans or speaking English.
I support Joe Vento, and I am proud to say so.
Incidentally, Geno's has never turned anyone away that was trying to place an order, in English or otherwise.
Comments:
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Good for him! That is what we need more people standing up for what they believe in. If you can't speak english, learn or go back home!!
If I wanted to get my husband OFF in 5 seconds... all I would have to sexily whisper in his ear is "Steak sandwich with provelone"... ;)
my conservative ass likes it.
my parents are immigrants...guess what? they learned english as fast as they could when they moved here. i grew up in little russia, for christ's sake, and even the most FOBby of individuals spoke enough english to get by.
what's so goddamn hard about learning english? legal, illegal...it doesn't matter. you can't sit there and expect an entire country to accomodate your ass, when you refuse to assimilate to begin with.
my parents are immigrants...guess what? they learned english as fast as they could when they moved here. i grew up in little russia, for christ's sake, and even the most FOBby of individuals spoke enough english to get by.
what's so goddamn hard about learning english? legal, illegal...it doesn't matter. you can't sit there and expect an entire country to accomodate your ass, when you refuse to assimilate to begin with.
I agree up to a point. Many immigrants have come to expect everyone to bend over backwards for them, but that can be blamed on the court system. There are just too many holes in this argument.
How does Joe know how many people are there legally or illegally? If he really wants illegal aliens to stay away, then he can check for green cards. But you can bet your ass Joe has hired illegals under the table to wash his dishes.
What of those that are still learning English? Tell them to fuck off until they learn the language well enough for Joe's sensibilities?
And what of foreign visitors to our country? If someone is visiting from Africa and doesn't speak English, should they be refused service?
English has never been declared the official language of this country. And even if it does become the official language, which it should, it does not give people the right to discriminate.
But I'm glad this pleases the conservatives. We wouldn't want them to be unhappy.
How does Joe know how many people are there legally or illegally? If he really wants illegal aliens to stay away, then he can check for green cards. But you can bet your ass Joe has hired illegals under the table to wash his dishes.
What of those that are still learning English? Tell them to fuck off until they learn the language well enough for Joe's sensibilities?
And what of foreign visitors to our country? If someone is visiting from Africa and doesn't speak English, should they be refused service?
English has never been declared the official language of this country. And even if it does become the official language, which it should, it does not give people the right to discriminate.
But I'm glad this pleases the conservatives. We wouldn't want them to be unhappy.
It doesn't matter what I think about his message. He has the right to say whatever he wants in his restaurant.
I think people should learn English, for their own benefit. If they choose not to, that's their right but they should face the consequences.
I don't think we need to declare an "official" language, but I don't think immigrants have a right to special protection if they choose not to learn English.
But, as I said, Geno has the right to say what happens in his restaurant. "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" discriminates against nudists and you don't hear them complaining, do you?
I think people should learn English, for their own benefit. If they choose not to, that's their right but they should face the consequences.
I don't think we need to declare an "official" language, but I don't think immigrants have a right to special protection if they choose not to learn English.
But, as I said, Geno has the right to say what happens in his restaurant. "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" discriminates against nudists and you don't hear them complaining, do you?
It has been all over the news here for weeks. I support Joe and to show my support I will get a steak wit wiz tonight from Genos.
Twisted - Somehow I knew that you'd agree with me.
NG - Doesn't that get EVERY guy off?
da buttah - If I were to relocate to Mexico, you bet your ass that I would have to learn the language. And I would.
Brooke - Seriously, I doubt that this guy has ever knowingly hired an illegal. He's a different kind of cat altogether. And he isn't refusing to serve anyone, he's just putting it out there than he has that right.
Ubie - The "no shirt" thing really offends you, doesn't it?
TG - I AM SO JEALOUS RIGHT NOW!
NG - Doesn't that get EVERY guy off?
da buttah - If I were to relocate to Mexico, you bet your ass that I would have to learn the language. And I would.
Brooke - Seriously, I doubt that this guy has ever knowingly hired an illegal. He's a different kind of cat altogether. And he isn't refusing to serve anyone, he's just putting it out there than he has that right.
Ubie - The "no shirt" thing really offends you, doesn't it?
TG - I AM SO JEALOUS RIGHT NOW!
Yes, he has the right. But still, doesn't sound very Christian to me. And you are a Christian, aren't you Flounder? I mean let's face it, if Jesus were to come back, he wouldn't speak English.
I guess Jesus would just have to get a sub at the Jersey shore. Which he would anyway, cause he knows what's best.
I guess Jesus would just have to get a sub at the Jersey shore. Which he would anyway, cause he knows what's best.
I am a Christian, and Jesus does speak English. All those red words in my bible are in English, and they are Jesus' words, so he must speak English.
Duh!
...and his Dad is a huge baseball fan.
In the big inning, God created the heaven and the earth
Genesis 1:1
Duh!
...and his Dad is a huge baseball fan.
In the big inning, God created the heaven and the earth
Genesis 1:1
wow i see your in the hot seat this time....I agree with you...well we all know by my post how i feel....you come here you speak english...PERIOD!!!
i support joe and i am in california, where, by the way, hispanics (legal and illegal) out number all other races. the point about moving to mexico, you would have to learn spanish because they will not learn english for you, nor will they print literature in 27 different effing languages.
brooke,as for jesus speaking english... he really could speak anything he wants to and we would understand. are we not told to be good stewards of the blessings we are bestowed? is this, english speaking, country not a blessing? why should we stand by and allow it to be destroyed by foreign illegals and bleeding heart liberals who think we should give away everything to law breaking non conformist? we spend more on paying for "free" healthcare and "free" education for illegals than we would spend if we had to pay $20 for a head of lettace.
this america, if you decide to live here, legally, then you should learn english. i am proud to support joe and anyone else who feels like he does. he is the true american dream and should be damn proud of it.
brooke,as for jesus speaking english... he really could speak anything he wants to and we would understand. are we not told to be good stewards of the blessings we are bestowed? is this, english speaking, country not a blessing? why should we stand by and allow it to be destroyed by foreign illegals and bleeding heart liberals who think we should give away everything to law breaking non conformist? we spend more on paying for "free" healthcare and "free" education for illegals than we would spend if we had to pay $20 for a head of lettace.
this america, if you decide to live here, legally, then you should learn english. i am proud to support joe and anyone else who feels like he does. he is the true american dream and should be damn proud of it.
Greta - Me and you are so on the same page.
BV - He wants ice cream cake.
Bill - Moi?
MGC - I'm pretty sure that I have a man-crush on you.
Brooke - Come to the dark side. You know you want to.
BV - He wants ice cream cake.
Bill - Moi?
MGC - I'm pretty sure that I have a man-crush on you.
Brooke - Come to the dark side. You know you want to.
flounder - thanks, i'm good with my manhood and i can use all the love i can get. it is not easy being me. i sort of blasted brooke (our very first interaction) and i think she is pretty cool. but, a button was pushed, besides i think she does want to cross over to the right side.
egan, you sure are sensitive ever since you came home from your triathalon. i still think you need to sit and take a nice deep breath.
did you see i cheated and commented something in french, spanish and norwegian. have a good day!
i guess thanks for the space flounder.
did you see i cheated and commented something in french, spanish and norwegian. have a good day!
i guess thanks for the space flounder.
Brooke is as cool as it gets, and she appreciates anyone with a logical argument, even if she doesn't agree with you. She is an outstanding writer, and she is from my hometown at the Jersey shore, which makes her damn near perfect in my eyes.
thanks. i have never been to jersey. maybe someday.
don't you think ol' egan is being overly sensitive? maybe he needs a hug?
don't you think ol' egan is being overly sensitive? maybe he needs a hug?
Found you through Kuntucky Todd.
Genos is the only place I will eat cheesesteaks from. I love Joey Vento and what he stands for. He is 4 ft. tall but no one would ever fuck with him.
Genos is the only place I will eat cheesesteaks from. I love Joey Vento and what he stands for. He is 4 ft. tall but no one would ever fuck with him.
Spanish speaking people can say "cheesesteak". Really. I'm a cracker and I can say "enchilada". This seems like a publicity stunt to me.
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