Sandwich Maker 'Threatened' After Refusing to Put Ketchup on Cheesesteak

KSEE24 news ^ | 5 Jan 2013 | NBC news staff

[smokingfrog]

A Florida man just wanted ketchup on his Philly cheesesteak sandwich at Subway. When he didn't get it, a confrontation with the sandwich maker ensued, leading to a 911 call.

Now-former Subway employee Lawrence Ordone told TV station WFTV he was working behind the counter at the sandwich restaurant in an Orlando Walmart on New Year's night, when a man ordered a Philly cheesesteak.

"He (the customer) wants ketchup on the Philly cheesesteak and I have never put -- we don't even have ketchup at Subway -- I've never put ketchup on anybody's sandwich," Ordone told WFTV.

The restaurant chain -- famed for its "$5 footlongs" and diet commercials with "Subway Guy" Jared Fogle -- does not offer ketchup, according to a menu on the Subway website. Only condiments like mustard, mayo, vinegar and oil are available.

[twister881]

For us Southerners, ketchup (catsup anyone?) is a basic food group.

That said, ketchup on a Philly — a popular Yankee sandwich — is a bit odd.

[BilLies]

Never been to a Subway shop, their sandwiches on TV advertisements look like the bread is made of soft,soggy hot dog buns rather than crisp, chewy, baguette-type bread.
No ketchup in the store? Obviously they do not sell American style french fries!

[steelwheels]

If you eat at my house, the steak will be medium rare and I will not serve A1 or ketchup.

If you eat at my house, the steak will be anyway you like it, I will serve A1 or ketchup.

[Freestate316]

I grew up in Newtown Square, 10 miles west of Philly. I have eaten many cheesesteaks in my time, and enjoyed ketchup on them. I also like onions, sweet and hot peppers on them as well. Pat’ s and Geno’ s are not the best, IMHO. I once ate a bellyfiller at Larry’ s that immobilized me for several hours, but the family pizzerias usually made the best cheesesteaks.

[Ax]

I have NEVER had a hot dog without ketchup. Hot dogs without ketchup are sold in Cuba, Red China and North Korea. Oh, wait. They don’t have hot dogs in NORK. Any live dogs remaining are in fear for their lives.

[SeminoleCounty]

Being a southern boy, I have never seen a Philly Cheese steak, and I have no desire to even try.
That being said, no one is going to tell me what and what not I can put on my food.

---

It’s one of the few things those yankees get right...Philly CheeseSteaks are pretty good ;)

[Robert DeLong]

From the article:

Whatever the details, Ordone said he regrets his actions that led to his dismissal.

[Paddyboy]

I grew up in Kensington,right in the heart of Philly and all I can say is What kind of a knuckle dragging barbarian puts ketchup on a cheesesteak?...Freakin’ savages

[DaveA37]

You don't like ketchup? Outrageous!

Do you know that by not eating ketchup you are depriving John Kerry's wife from making millions from the sale of her company's number one product, “HIENZ” Ketchup. Disgraceful I tell you, absolutely disgraceful!!

[dagoofyfoot]

I will not serve A1 or ketchup


There's a place out here in Newport Beach, So Cal that is a little hole in a wall kind of place that serves up some pretty tasty steaks called Sid's.

One time I asked for some salt and the waitress whispered to me,
"Don't let Sid hear you say that, he'll throw you out."
So I asked why? She said,
"Because Sid beleives your steak is already salted to perfection"
So I just laughed and enjoyed my steak, which even without the extra salt was quite tasty.

So when in Rome...

[Dr. Sivana]

Is Subway called GrinderWay in Boston?

Oddly, Subway was founded in Milford, CT, where the term grinder is also normative. I grew up in Wallingford, home of the second or third Subway, which was then kitty korner from the train station. In those days they sold primarily to the pothead album rock crowd (pushing WPLR-FM) who needed late night munchies and the lunchtime crowd. Less than two blocks from that location is Rosa's Deli, where you can get an exceptional 14" griner (sausage and pepper or suppresata recommended ... Yum!)

[TigersEye]

So....putting Whiz on it is okay?

I don't know, I've never had any on a PCS sand. Cheese Whiz kept me alive in the '80s when I was a near-starving carpenter. Along with sardines, cheap wheat crackers and my own garden. Cheese Whiz was good then. Velveeta is my fake cheese of choice these days.

[TigersEye]

Not THAT kind of fluffed up! Get your mind out of the gutter ... and back to the dumpsters. lol

[Eye of Unk]

If I want catsup on my Kobi steak and I am paying for it then I better get what i am asking for.

I get so pissed off at these chain food establishments that are so lofty smug with their patented marketed ideas and products, like Subway and Starbucks. If i went into a Subway store I would open a can of Spam and slather it on their liberal unicorn land sandwich.

With catsup AND mustard.

[TigersEye]

like ordering a non fat philly sandwich.

Finally someone who understands the winning principle of the Philly Cheese Steak. Each bite should contain enough saturated fats to sustain a pride of lions for a month.

[SaraJohnson]

You wierdo! LOL : )

[boop]

LOL! Actually that's true. At fine steak houses, they consider it an "embarassment" if you want steak sauce.

I worked with some woman who's husband puts ketchup on everything. He treated her to a fancy steak dinner and asked for ketchup for his well-done steak. Now that's low-class. (Sorry!)

[King Moonracer]

Any kind of steak sub at SubWay-—Yuck!!!!

[Rebelbase]

“That being said, no one is going to tell me what and what not I can put on my food.”

Go to Waffle House and ask for Texas Pete and they’ll hand you a bottle of Tabasco. It’s that or bring your own Pete.