A blog post about Philly cheese steak on the NY Times web page makes me think of Yerks. Do any of the Oxford folks remember Yerks? It was here in the 80s and perhaps early 90s, run by a misplaced resident of Baltimore. He had one employee (and if you got a sandwich when Yerk wasn’t there it had more stuff on it). There were three things you went there for:
- The Philly Cheese steak, which was on bread and other ingredients he shipped in. It had provolone (not cheese whiz), the thin steak, and really good bread. Chopped Italian Peppers.
- The Italian, which was cold, had sliced meats and provolone and peppers.
- He was a sports bookie (so I’m told).
Either the Italian or the cheese steak were great; I’m told by a persnickety resident of suburban Philadelphia they were authentic and good ones. My experience with similar sandwiches in Pennsylvania suggests it’s so.
Any other memories of Yerks?
if locating it helps: It was next to C&M package store on South Lamar across from the hospital. The space was taken over by the convenience store next door when Yerk moved on.
never heard tell of a yerk. but now I’m hungry.
NMC. I moved to Oxford in June of 1989 and recall the convenience store but not Yerk’s. I remember hearing it fondly recalled though.
Yerk’s was one of the early sub shops started in Oxford. He had really good sandwiches. They were perfect for a Sunday afternoon, a couch, and an NFL football game on TV.
I don’t remember that one, but I do remember the philly place on Jackson Avenue in that scruffy building between the gas station and what used to be Pizza Inn (and is now Bad Boyz Pizza). Those were some fabulous philly cheese steaks. I think I may have seen Yerk’s, but never went in there (he was gone before I’d been in Oxford too long).
I can’t remember the name of the other philly place, and it didn’t last too long – it seemed to be run off a shoestring. Anybody else remember that one?
Never been to Yerks but as an ex-Philadelphian with what is no doubt cheese steak related coronary artery disease, who can recite Pat’s address from memory, and who has spent many years searching vainly for an acceptable cheese steak outside Philadelphia and its nearby environs (you can get great cheese steaks in NJ,) I submit that a fresh Italian Roll is crucial to the cheese steak gastronomic experience. If there was a good Italian Bakery in Oxford or close by when Yerks was operating, then maybe it was a good cheesesteak, otherwise probably not in my estimation.
He was overnighting in Italian Rolls. A guy who worked from me who group up in suburban Philadelphia swore by Yerks sandwiches and said they were the only authentic ones he’d encountered that weren’t from very close to the souce.
I loved Yerk’s and Yerk. I was told many times it was just a front for his sports bookieing, and if so, it was the best-tasting front in the land. The Italian was my Yerk of choice.
Meanderline, when the Yankees dispose of the phillies, you can buy me a Pat’s.
If there is a disturbance in the force and the team from the minor league somehow emerges victorious, I’ll have a Gino’s for you.
i loved yerks and my favorite was the ham and cheese. i was in oxford from 80 to 83 and have never had a better sandwich.
growing up my grandfather would insist on a Yerks night about every two weeks- they were AWESOME-
Bluzlover, you are referring to Rebel Deli, which was in the building where K’s barbecue once was. They would put your sandwich in a steamer. I ate there many a late night in the late 70s early 80s.
Oh, ok. I remember the Rebel Deli, although I never ate there. K’s, though I have fond memories of:
1) acceptable but not great bbq
2) wonderful onion rings
3) ok lemon meringue pie
4) They did delivery in Sunbeam Alpines, and had like three of them till the rusted out.
5) The owners were a really nice couple who lived in one of Concrete Cullen’s houses just off Old Taylor Road on South 11th.
Anyone else?
I remember Yerk’s very well. Those sandwiches were the best in Oxford —and most other places. He had one employee — a friendly black guy whose name I can no longer recall, but at the time I knew him on a first name basis (got a touch of that alzheimers apparently). The owner was one weird dude —weird looking and weird acting —but, dammit boy, he could make some good sandwiches. He would close down during the summers and reopen when fall semester at UM started.
Meanderline, I’ve eaten cheese steaks and other sandwiches all over Philly —- and none of them were any better (most not as good) as the ones I used to get at Yerk’s.
I think the first pizza I ever ate in Oxford was from K’s barbecue. Probably late 60s? I can’t remember when Dino’s opened, but I think it was early 70s. The first pizza I ever remember eating was at Shakey’s in Memphis.
The first I ever at was in Shakey’s, too. Weird place. Dino’s opened in either 1968 or 1969. I don’t remember pizza from K’s.
The one employee at Yerks always put more stuff on your sandwich than Yerk put on them– you knew you were going to have a better sandwich if Yerk wasn’t in the place.
Hell! I want to eat there, too bad i’m 20 years late. Oxford needs a good cheese steak place. NMC, you should start selling them out the front window of your office.
I imagine Pizza Den could produce a sublime cheesesteak sandwich if they were so inclined.
I have serious doubts about that, Chico.
Dino’s Pizza on the square. I think they opened around 1970. I do remember they served (my dad) draft beer if that helps. The crust was a thing of beauty. The first pizza I had was from Pizza Bob’s on University Avenue. Was it called Pizza Den? Anyway, everyone remembers it as Pizza Bob. His pizza’s were never my favorite, sort of sweet, but his muffaletta was awesome.
Pizza Bob = Pizza Den
Pizza Bob’s muffuletta was awesome, as the Pizza Den effort also stands today. To these tongue buds of mine, it is the best north of Central Grocery. The stromboli is of near-equal standing.
We approach the 10th anniversary of Pizza Bob’s passing.
I recall Yerk’s from when I was a young turk, going into C&M (which had that great rough-hewn wood, and whiskey, smell). I recall at the time that the sandwiches produced at Yerk’s were “submarine” sandwiches, as the abbreviated present-day term “sub” was yet to take hold, at least among Oxonians.
I wish it were still there, since it’s close to my house.
Meant to explain that I was going into C&M with my father. Always fun, and I always got some schwag from Chip Davis, such as perhaps an Early Times pen knife or some manner of small mirror in a rubber sleeve bearing a Scotch brand logo. Or perhaps a Rebel Yell t-shirt.
Was in Oxford early 80′s. Alternated between Pizza Den’s muffaletta and Yerks cheesesteak. Probably ate more of cheesesteak living in Benbow village. Only reason Im on this is to find Bob Yerk and learn from the master. Where did Bob go?
I remember Yerks. My favorite was the Italian, but all his sandwiches were great. I could never find a roll to make my own like his, now I know why.