'Bridgeport's Got Beef' Beef-Off Picks a Juicy Winner (PHOTOS)

BRIDGEPORT — It was the most important beef sandwich contest in the history of humanity.

Well ... that's how Lumpen Radio's Ed Marszewski described the first ever "Bridgeport's Got Beef" beef-off that went down at the Co-Prosperity Sphere Saturday.

That's where a panel of local celebrities — Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th), Deering District Police Cmdr. Daniel Godsel and Kevin Hickey of the nationally lauded Duck Inn — chowed down on portions of beef sandwiches from eight restaurants in the neighborhood. 

Contestants included Phil’s Pizza, Ricobene’s, Soluri & Sons Deli, Johnny O’s, Kathy De’s, Fabulous Freddies Italian Eatery, Turtle's Bar & Grill and Mangia Fresca.

When the votes were tallied, Phil's Pizza walked away with the People's Choice Award. But it was Mangia Fresca that went home with the first-place trophy.

Here's a look at some beefy photos of the weekend action:

^{Ed Marszewski, the man behind the madness. [All photos by DNAinfo/Ed Komenda]}

^{Behind the scenes at Bridgeport's Got Beef beef-off.}

^{Ald. Patrick D. Thompson (11th), sporting a napkin bib to battle au jus drippings.}

^{Deering District Police Cmdr. Daniel Godsel sinks his teeth into a neighborhood beef.}

^{Born and bred in Bridgeport, chef Kevin Hickey said he prefers breaded steak sandwiches over beef sandwiches.}

^{Time to pick the winners ...}

^{Tony Marotta, of Phil's Pizza, accepts to the People's Choice Award and tells the audience he wants to see a pizza competition next time.}

^{And the winner is ...}

^{Paul Impallaria accepts the championship trophy for Mangia Fresca.}

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