N.Y. cheesecake wins out over Philly cheesesteak

One one side was Philly’s champion,the cheesesteak. On the other, the pride of New York, its cheesecake.

It was a battle designed to test the loyalties during the Democratic National Conventionof even the most devoted hometown fan.New York City vs. Philadelphia, Cheesesteak vs. Cheesecake at the Union League on Broad Street.

U.S. Reps.Carolyn Maloney of New York and Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania chowed down Tuesdayon Pat’s Steaks (Philly) and Junior’s Cheesecake (NYC) with additional regional menu challenges coming from DiNic’s Roast Pork (Philly), Katz’s.Pastrami (NYC), Sarcone’s hoagies (Philly), Ross & Daughter lox and bagel and other delicacies representing their cities.

“I have to apologize to Michelle Obama,” said Boyle, for contradicting the first lady’s healthy eating initiative with this array of calorie-laden food. Boyle alsojoked that this food was “calorie-free” in keeping with the lies told by some of this season’s presidential candidates.

“You can get a heart attack from our debates, but uoi getheartburn from this food,” said Maloney.

With judges such as Top Chef Kevin Sbraga and Foobooz’s Arthur Etchells joining Maloney and Boyle in the eat-a-thon, the team sampled pizza, soft pretzels and cannolis with each city having its own victories.

Ultimately, however – though Philly’s cheesesteak lost out to New York City’s cheesecake– the City of Brotherly Love beat out the Big Apple in overall points when it came to the championship dining city.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all food are not created equal,” said Maloney, contradicting the Declaration of Independence.