ST. NICK VS. SAINTS
Eagles fever sweeps across Delco; bars, restaurants, fans set for big day
NEW ORLEANS >> Who dat Delco guy selling Philly cheese steaks in Nawlins?
When the Philadelphia Eagles take on the New Orleans Saints Sunday in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game, not all of the overthe-top cheering for the Birds will be coming place from people in the tri-state area viewing the action on TV, and from fans lucky enough to be watching the game live at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Four four miles away, over at Liberty Cheesesteaks, 5039 Freret Street, in the heart of New Orleans, Philly fans likely will be holding their own in hollering “EA-G-L-E-S” as loud as anyone else, while enjoying watching the defending Super Bowl champions give it their best against the Saints.
It’s no surprise that Eagles fans seek out Liberty Cheesesteaks as a perfect spot in the midst of Saints territory to bleed green with fellow fans. The restaurant is co-owned and operated by former Delaware County resident Mike Casey, a native of Drexel Hill and a self-proclaimed lifelong Eagles fan.
“I grew up watching and rooting for the Eagles with my dad and grandpop, for as long as I can remember,” Casey shared fondly. “That’s all my dad and I still talk about every time we’re in a conversation!”
Casey went to St. Dorothy’s grade school and graduated from St. Joseph Preparatory School, Class of 2002. His parents, Joe and Nancy Casey, and grandmother Claire Johnson still live in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby. While away studying at Tulane University, Casey met Joe Seremet and the college roommates quickly became best friends. After graduation, Casey launched a career in teaching in New Orleans, while Seremet, a Connecticut native, began a career in finance.
They often talked about starting a restaurant in The Big Easy that would feature quality cheesesteaks, subs and maybe a few other Philly favorites. Casey would bring cheesesteaks from back home to share with his college buddies and they were always a hit. While at Tulane, both friends quickly realized that the one thing missing from the New Orleans food experience was a proper cheesesteak. Seremet’s family owned a restaurant so he already knew the ins and outs of operating one. However, it would be a short while before they would transform their dream into reality.
During the young men’s senior year, Hurricane Katrina hit and interrupted their college education. After returning home to Delco for a bit, Casey returned to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to finish his senior year and then give a hand with the city’s rebuilding effort. It was during the reconstruction period, Casey said, that he began to feel a strong pull to remain in the South. He taught a few years at a school in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, and then moved back up north.
When he made a trip to New Orleans in February of 2011 so that he could stand as Best Man in Seremet’s wedding, Casey said that he clearly felt the desire to move back to New Orleans. The friends also decided that the time had come to open the long-discussed cheesesteak restaurant, modeled after the
Philly legacy, but catering to the New Orleans foodie. The friends agreed on the importance of the food experience in daily life and wanted to share their background in good food with others. Together with Seremet’s wife, Alisha, they opened up Liberty Cheesesteaks NOLA under the simple premise: the best foods are always second to the people you share them with. They coupled a high-quality menu with a friendly atmosphere.
“I took a huge leap of faith, giving up life with my family in Delco to move back to New Orleans to make the dream a reality,” the restaurateur stated.
Both the leap and the move in 2012 proved beneficial. Now engaged to fiancée Natalie Beasley, Casey is also the face of his and the Seremets’ successful restaurant that offers authentic Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks and subs.
“After countless days of prototyping and perfecting, we bought to New Orleans the best cheesesteak, bar none,” Casey says proudly.
To get the true taste of “home,” Casey says he imports rolls from Liscio’s in New Jersey and his beef from Conshohocken to make sure that his cheesesteaks, ‘wit’ or ‘wit-out’ whiz, provolone or American cheese, measure up to the “real deal” sandwiches that he grew up with and enjoyed from places like Dalessandro’s in Roxborough and the former Z’s Deli on State Road in Upper Darby. Every time he visits his family in the Philadelphia area, he takes a cheesesteak taste test tour. Even if his visit is only for two days, he said, he’ll stop by for a quick bite at about 10 popular sandwich shops, including Tony Luke’s, Primo’s, Nick’s, Jim’s and others.
“I want to make sure that I’m staying on top of it all,” Casey laughs. “I have to make sure that my best is as best as the rest!”
In the age of social media, Casey says that he doesn’t need to advertise to attract those who have roots in the Philadelphia area, hungry for a taste of home. Tristate residents and former residents just seem to find Liberty Cheesesteaks, he claimed. At times, he says that customers have waited six hours to get into his legendary cheesesteak haven.
“Liberty Cheesesteaks didn’t start out to be the unofficial Eagles restaurant/ bar of New Orleans,” Casey said proudly. “It just sort of happened.”
The crew at Liberty Cheesesteaks NOLA has been busy all week, gearing up for Sunday and the highly anticipated showdown with the Saints. The restaurant staff is expecting a huge crowd and all six TV sets will be set to the game. Nothing really new there. Casey said the televisions at Liberty are always set to Philly sports. He’s also getting ready with 45 cases of Pennsylvania’s Yuengling beer, a few kegs and lots of fresh rolls for the cheesesteaks and hoagies. Casey said that he thinks the restaurant sells more Yuengling beer than any other establishment in the state of Louisiana. Last year, when the Eagles played in the Super Bowl, Liberty Cheesesteaks was so packed, that the restaurant crew had to take out the furniture to make room for the fans.
“We sell Yuengling for only $2 a bottle during the games, so people also come for our cheap beers,” Casey chuckled.
Casey said that he has turned many southerners into Philadelphia Eagles fans.
“I am making Eagles fans, one by one, as I go,” he said good-naturedly.
When asked if he considered going to the game, since the Superdome is only a five-minute drive from the restaurant, Casey, who predicts an Eagles win Sunday, quickly answered.
“No way, I would much rather be here with my people,” he said. “You’d be surprised at how many Philly transplants are down here. It’s the same cast of characters as back home, and let me tell you – they are characters! Being at the restaurant is like being at a tailgate party for four hours – it’s always a lot of fun and this Sunday will be amazing!”