January 31, 2007
Cuisine: Panini, coffee, salads

20th and Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone: 215-568-1994
Website: none

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Applegate Farm Roast Beef – Cooked medium-well with chipotle mayo, grilled red onions, cheddar cheese, and romaine lettuce on Italian Ciabatta Bread ($6.50)

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In a city where hoagies and cheesesteaks rein supreme, it’s been difficult finding the perfect panini. The paninis I had at Paninoteca and Felinni were good, but nothing special.

Thank goodness for Già Pronto! The roast beef panini was stellar and definitely worth writing home about (or maybe just blogging about).

I only have two requirements for panini: 1. the bread must be toasted and feature grill marks 2. the cheese needs to be melted. My roast beef panini came through on both points. Additionally, the sandwich’s ingredients were top-notch featuring only 100% natural ingredients and hormone-free meat.

The Ciabatta was perfectly toasted and sturdy. The cheddar cheese had a deliciously strong flavor. The grilled red onions added a layer of sweetness, while the chipotle mayonnaise added some kick. The roast beef, seasoned with salt and pepper, was naturally flavorful. My only complaint was the wilted romaine lettuce. Perhaps the sandwich artists should add the romaine post-toasting to avoid soggy greens. Overall, an outstanding sandwich. I’ll be back.