When you hit up Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia,Watch Vacances A Ibiza (1982) one thing your cheesesteak won't come with is the restaurant's controversial sign proclaiming, “This is AMERICA. When ordering please ‘speak English." The sign has been removed, reports NBC.
SEE ALSO: 'Merica-themed restaurant allows you stuff your face with patriotism topped with cheeseThe sign was hung by founder Joey Vento in 2005 and resulted in discrimination charges (that were eventually denied) by Philadelphia's Commission on Human Relations.
Vento was adamant that, "he never refused service to anyone because they couldn't speak English," but the sign was still the cause of much controversy. The sign was not taken down before Donald Trump visited it in September as part of his campaign trail.
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Vento passed away in 2011 and the current owner, his son Geno, tells NBC he took the sign down because, "I'm here to make people happy, and believe it or not, being a cheesesteak in Philadelphia known all over the world. That's amazing[...] He [Joey Vento] basically was proud of America and being American, and that's the way he stood [...] The way I do it is a little differently, you know? I like to hug."He also says the rumor that it was his father's "dying wish" to see the sign remain up at the store is nothing more than a myth.
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Now the only controversial aspect of Geno's is whether to get Provolone or Cheez-Whiz on your cheesesteak.
