Pat Olivieri
Pasquale "Pat" Olivieri (c. 1907 – c. 1974) was an Italian-American hot dog vendor and restaurateur from South Philadelphia who's widely credited with inventing the Philadelphia cheesesteak in 1930. His creation has become one of the most iconic foods in American cuisine and is now inseparable from Philadelphia's culinary identity.
The Invention of the Cheesesteak
The story goes like this. In 1930, Pat Olivieri was working his hot dog cart near South Philadelphia's Italian Market when he decided to grill some thinly sliced beef and throw it on an Italian roll for his own lunch. A taxi driver happened to pass by, caught the smell, and asked for a taste. He apparently told Pat to ditch the hot dogs and focus on these steak sandwiches instead.[1]
People in South Philadelphia caught on fast. Pat started selling the steak sandwiches straight from his cart, and they became incredibly popular. The original sandwich was just chopped beef on an Italian roll. No cheese.
Addition of Cheese
Cheese came later. One of Pat's employees, Joe Lorenzo, is credited with adding provolone cheese to a sandwich in the 1940s. That simple addition transformed the "steak sandwich" into the "cheesesteak" as we know it today. Then in the 1950s, Kraft developed Cheez Whiz, which became another popular topping option and remains one to this day.
Pat's King of Steaks
Eventually Pat moved from his cart to a real storefront at 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia. Pat's King of Steaks was born. It's been operating continuously since and remains one of Philadelphia's most famous tourist destinations.
The place is known for several things:
- Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Its distinctive ordering system where you say "wit" or "witout" for onions
- The legendary rivalry with Geno's Steaks right across the street
- A neon-lit exterior that glows from blocks away
Legacy
The cheesesteak isn't just a sandwich anymore. It's a symbol of Philadelphia's working-class roots and has gained recognition worldwide. Pat Olivieri's simple idea spawned hundreds of cheesesteak shops throughout the city, national and international chains, fierce arguments about which shop makes the best one, and a permanent spot in practically every Philadelphia tourism guide.
Today the intersection of 9th and Passyunk, where Pat's and Geno's sit facing each other across the street, draws tourists and cheesesteak pilgrims from all over. It's become a must-visit destination.
Family Continuation
The business stayed in the family. Pat's King of Steaks is still operated by Pat Olivieri's descendants, who've kept the original recipes and traditions intact while turning Pat's into an international brand that's recognized worldwide.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Pat's History". Pat's King of Steaks. Retrieved December 2025