BELLMAWR, NJ – Carmen’s Deli (42 E Browning Rd, Bellmawr, NJ), a South Jersey contender in my ongoing Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure, has been listening…partially. Five years after my last review, some changes have been made, but not all in response to my feedback. This visit revealed a delicious cheesesteak with a few lingering areas for improvement.
Carmen’s Deli (42 E Browning Rd, Bellmawr, NJ)
The Improvements (They Half Listened):
- Indoor Seating (and a Bathroom!): This is a major upgrade! Carmen’s now boasts indoor seating, a welcome addition that significantly improves the dining experience. Crucially, they’ve also added a bathroom—a basic necessity but a welcome one.
The Cheesesteak:
- The Roll: In my book, a “big seeded roll” is always a good start. This provides a solid foundation for the sandwich. However, a “blowout” due to improper cutting is a significant flaw, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
- The Meat: The review doesn’t provide many specifics about the meat other than implying it exists.
- The Cheese: A “perfect amount of cheese” is a positive, but the distribution could be better. Uneven cheese distribution is a common cheesesteak pitfall.
- The Onions: The onions, unfortunately, lacked flavor, a recurring theme in many cheesesteak reviews.
- Seasoning: The meat was seasoned with something, which is a positive step, though the review doesn’t specify the seasoning.
The Lingering Disappointment (RIP Chocolate-Covered Pretzels):
While adding indoor seating is a significant improvement, one beloved element from my previous visit is gone: the chocolate-covered pretzels (and the farm animals!). This is a personal disappointment, highlighting the subjective nature of restaurant experiences.
The Value:
Even at the regular price, this is a good deal. The fact that there was an $11.99 cheesesteak special at the time of the review makes it an even better value.
Overall:
Carmen’s Deli serves a “very good cheesesteak” that’s close to greatness. The generous amount of cheese and a good seeded roll are strong points. However, the uneven cheese distribution, lack of flavor from the onions, the cutting issue leading to a “blowout,” and (most importantly for the reviewer) the absence of chocolate-covered pretzels hold it back from achieving top-tier status.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (A delicious cheesesteak, with a few easily fixable flaws.)
Recommendations:
- To Diners: Carmen’s Deli is worth a visit, especially if you can snag the cheesesteak special.
- To Carmen’s: Focus on consistent cheese distribution and consider amplifying the onion flavor. And please, bring back the chocolate-covered pretzels! (This is a personal plea from the reviewer.) Careful cutting of the roll is also critical.
Address: Carmen’s Deli 42 E Browning Rd Bellmawr, NJ
Review by Jim Pappas, Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure
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