http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/my ... 951598.htm

Posted on Sun, Jul. 02, 2006

PENNSYLVANIA

English-only cheesesteak protest fizzles


The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - An attempt to put the spotlight on a South Philadelphia cheesesteak stand's policies by having a group wearing matching T-shirts order in Spanish yielded a welcome in Spanish from a disc jockey, followed by service in English from the man taking orders.

The group appeared on Saturday afternoon wearing shirts reading "Pan, bisteck y queso, por favor" and got in line at Geno's, a South Philadelphia landmark that got national attention for small signs telling customers, "This is America: When Ordering 'Please Speak English.'"

The business owner has said his staff have never turned away a customer because of a language barrier, but he wanted people to order in English because he thinks immigrants should assimilate, as his family did.

A disc jockey broadcasting a live oldies and doo-wop show noticed the group and welcomed them in fluent Spanish, saying Geno's serves everybody.

When the first customer tried to order in Spanish, he was served.

Other customers ended up speaking English. One who ordered with the Spanish words on her shirt (literally "bread, steak and cheese, please") was asked if she wanted onions. She repeated her order in Spanish and the man said, "I know all that. You want onions?"

"Yes, I want onions," she said in accented English.