Anyone who has ever enjoyed the food at Frankie’s South Philly Cheesesteaks knows that TastyKakes are all part of the experience. But apparently there are some issues with the company and owner Frankie Santos can no longer get TastyKakes delivered to his shop of North Campbell Avenue. There are faux TastyKakes out there, but people who know want the real thing.

Inside Tucson Business (a sister paper of Tucson Weekly) columnist Matt Russell has the info:

Recent developments at the TastyKakes parent company, involving complex mergers, debt payoffs and exclusive distribution rights, have resulted in Santos’ inability to sell them at his restaurant. The plot has all the makings of a Martin Scorsese thriller, with the requisite drama and mystery, and Santos — who I imagine would be played by Joe Pesci in the film adaptation — is loaded for bear.

In short, a corporate merger has dramatically changed the distribution mechanism through which Santos has historically obtained the product. As a result, TastyKakes are no longer being shipped to Southern Arizona. What is now available is what Santos calls a “TastyKake knock-off,” a competing product that looks similar to the original, but a poseur nonetheless. “It ain’t a real TastyKake, and I ain’t selling it!”

Last week on Facebook, Frankie asked his fans to write to TastyKakes and I’m passing on the info and ask that you help the cause.

Tell them you want the real thing back at Frankie’s!

This article appears in Jun 20-26, 2013.

It's all about the food.

11 replies on “TastyKakes Controversy Hits Tucson”

  1. I’ve never even been to Frankie’s or eaten a TastyKake, but I can’t imagine he is the only person in Southern Arizona who is ordering them. Sounds like the company that was distributing them needs to get their stuff together and arrange a Southern Arizona route. Better yet, Mr. Santos might want to explore local bakeries that could do these TastyKakes justice or better; that way he can tell the distribution where they can strategically place these TastyKakes.

  2. AZ/DC: I have not seen anyone else selling them here, and to be quite frank (pun intended) it is not the bakery goods that is the draw of Tastycakes (I think they are pretty gross) its the fact that they are a Philadelphia staple, much like the cheesesteak itself.

    On a side note, my character can be Frankie’s muscle, (I am played by Ray Liotta of course)

  3. I have tasted TastyKakes, and I’ve had yummy cheesesteaks at Frankie’s. PLEASE sell TastyKakes in Tucson!! Yes, they are a sweet indulgence for a healthy eater, but they are SO good. We need to be able to get them here, and Frankie’s is the BEST place to buy them.

  5. I just brought 6 boxes of Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets back from PA. Up until they were sold to another company, the D-M Commissary sold them. I have seen them in the Fry’s here in Tucson but they did not have the Butterscotch Krimpets – My favorite.

    That said, when I go to Frankie’s I go for the cheese steak. I also occasionally purchase a couple of packs of scrapple to bring along home to make for breakfast.

  7. Grew up on all that yummy Philly food!! Lived 10 minutes outside of Philly till I was 21. Bring the Tastykakes to Tucson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. …it is not the bakery goods that is the draw of Tastycakes (I think they are pretty gross) its the fact that they are a Philadelphia staple, much like the cheesesteak itself.”

    I understood that the TastyKakes are part of the whole Philly “experience” BURNIE, I only suggested what I did because if they are not obtainable, I’m sure Mr. Santos is gonna wanna provide his customers with another option. His sandwiches aren’t being made in Philly, but it appears that he has the style down pat. The next step is to duplicate the TastyKake experience.

  11. I see where you are going AZ, and yes that is definitely an option I suppose.

    However, I say, just stick to the sandwiches and Wise chips anyway

Comments are closed.