HAVERTOWN, PA –My latest stop on the Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure took me to Centrella’s Deli & Italian Market (10 Brookline Blvd, Havertown, PA) in Delco. The visit started with a bit of a hiccup, but ended with a decent cheesesteak that shows potential.
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: they lost points right at the start because they didn’t begin making my cheesesteak immediately. A delay like that can throw off the whole rhythm. The good news? While waiting, the nice lady working in the cheese section complimented my sweatshirt, which always scores points in my book. So, the wait itself was kind of a push, balancing out the initial delay with some friendly interaction.
The Cheesesteak (Post-Transport):
I took this cheesesteak to go and enjoyed it at Ship Bottom Brewing in Swarthmore. This detour, unfortunately, wasn’t ideal for the roll – transporting a cheesesteak almost never is. Keep that in mind.
- The Roll: Likely affected by the travel time, so it’s hard to judge fairly.
- Meat & Cheese: This is where Centrella’s shines. There was a “good amount” of both meat and cheese, and crucially, they were “mixed very well together.” That proper integration is key to a good cheesesteak bite.
- The Onions: Sadly, the fried onions got lost in the mix. They didn’t contribute much flavor, which is a missed opportunity.
- Overall Flavor: While the components were present, I was left wanting more flavor overall.
Overall:
Centrella’s Deli serves a cheesesteak with a solid foundation. The meat and cheese quantities are good, and they are mixed together properly, which is a big plus. However, the flavor profile felt a bit lacking, particularly from the onions. The delay in starting the order and the transport time impacting the roll also slightly hampered the experience. It’s a good cheesesteak, but it needs a flavor boost to reach the next level.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars (Good components and mixing, but needs more overall flavor and faster initial service.)
Recommendations:
- To Diners: Eat it there if possible to get the best roll experience. Maybe ask for extra onions or seasoning if you prefer a bolder flavor.
- To Centrella’s: Definitely work on getting those orders started promptly. Look into ways to enhance the onion flavor or offer more seasoning options for the meat.
Address:
Centrella’s Deli & Italian Market 10 Brookline Blvd Havertown, PA
Review by Jim Pappas, Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure
Follow Us!