Tender, juicy, titillating … pepper steak. After waiting way too long on the pending list, I've finally let myself succumb to the seduction. To dive past temptation and strait through to animalistic desire. Because really, I can't stop thinking about you Giamela. I can't sleep, I can't eat (well, we all know that's not true), but you don't answer my calls. At least I have the photographs … the memories. Why didn't Steven M. (aka Smurphey) warn me? Sure he told me to hit up the Italian sub shop over in Los Feliz to check out the pepper steak … but still, somehow, even after a few years of doing this … I never quite prepare myself for these blind dates with GRUB beauties. I drove over on a blue-skied, sunny afternoon with our buddy Sideshow Bobby, surveyed the menu and ordered with confidence a large pepper steak (bypassing the "with marinara" and "with egg" options at the guidance of our friendly cashier) and paired it up with a small turkey and capicola (to 50/50 cross-share of course) … and a large Coke and Orange Bang for good measure. Both sandwiches were amazing … giant subs overflowing with meat and topped with a medley of diced pickles, onions, and tomatoes. But it was the pepper steak that definitely took home the blue ribbon. Thinly sliced, dripping with flavor, tender strips of steak is really the best way to start off any great GRUB session. And at Giamela's it was almost too much to handle, especially when you add to it the sweet roasted peppers and spicy sport peppers … kicking the whole experience to another level. But before you overlook the turkey and cap … a great sub on its own right and an even greater sidekick to the pepper steak … you need something cool and refreshing to be the Robin to the Batman. Giamela also throws in some carrot sticks with each sandwich … just to create the awkward juxtaposition of childhood innocence and full-fledged GRUB-lust. If you're reading this Giamela, just know that I miss you … and I'll be back … and don't be jealous of all the other great spots I've hit up in the past (and will surely hit up in the future) … because for at least this week, it's all about you baby. And trust us, as long as you've got that pepper steak of yours … you've got nothing to worry about.
