Pats King of Steaks
| Address | 1237 East Passyunk Avenue |
|---|---|
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Passyunk Square |
| Phone | (215) 468-1546 |
| Website | Official site |
| Cuisine | Cheesesteaks |
| Price range | $ |
| Established | 1930 |
| Owner | Frank Olivieri |
| Hours | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
Pat's King of Steaks is a cheesesteak restaurant at 1237 East Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia. It's widely credited as the birthplace of the Philadelphia cheesesteak. Pat and Harry Olivieri, Italian-American brothers, founded it in 1930, and it's been serving cheesesteaks at the same triangular intersection for over 90 years. The place runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, pulling in locals and tourists alike for one of Philadelphia's most iconic foods.[1]
Still family-owned, Pat's is now run by Frank Olivieri. It occupies the original spot at the intersection of 9th Street, Wharton Street, and East Passyunk Avenue. Across the street sits Geno's Steaks, Pat's longtime rival. This corner is one of America's most famous food destinations.
History
Founding
1930 marks the year Pat and Harry Olivieri opened their hot dog stand at the corners of 9th Street, Wharton Street, and Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia. Pat lived from 1907 to 1974, while Harry lived from 1916 to 2006.
Invention of the Cheesesteak
Pat Olivieri invented the cheesesteak in 1930, according to the widely accepted story. The Olivieri family passed down the account of how it happened more or less by accident:[2]
One day, Pat decided to make something different for lunch. He ordered chopped beef from the local butcher. He grilled it on his hot dog flat-top and threw it on an Italian roll with grilled onions. Before he could eat it, a cab driver who regularly bought hot dogs from the stand spotted him and asked what he was eating.
The driver wanted one for himself. After taking a bite, he supposedly told Pat: "Hey, forget 'bout those hot dogs, you should sell these!" Pat charged him ten cents, which works out to roughly $2.43 in today's money.
Word spread fast among Philadelphia's taxi drivers and working-class customers. The steak sandwich beat out hot dogs in popularity. Pat's King of Steaks was born.
Addition of Cheese
The original didn't have cheese. Just steak and onions on an Italian roll.
Cheese came later, creating what we call the "cheesesteak" today. According to Pat's son Herb Olivieri, a manager named "Cocky Joe" Lorenza first added cheese at a Ridge Avenue location in 1951. Some family members say provolone was the original; others credit American cheese. After Cheez Whiz hit the market in the 1950s, it became an option and exploded in popularity.[3]
Current Ownership
Frank Olivieri currently owns and operates Pat's King of Steaks. He started working there at age 11 and never left. The restaurant's still entirely family-owned with no franchises or branch locations. He's kept the original recipes and ordering system that made Pat's legendary for generations intact.
How to Order
Ordering System
The ordering system at Pat's is famous for its speed and efficiency. You need to know what you want, have your money out, and say it fast. Here's how it breaks down:
Step 1: Choose Your Cheese
- Whiz - Cheez Whiz (most popular)
- Provolone - Provolone cheese
- American - American cheese
- Cooper Sharp - Cooper Sharp American cheese
- Plain - No cheese
Step 2: Specify Onions
- Wit - With fried onions
- Wit-out - Without fried onions
Step 3: Order Quickly Combine your choices into one quick phrase. Have your money ready.
Examples:
- "One whiz wit" means one cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz and onions
- "Two provolone wit-out" gets you two cheesesteaks with provolone, no onions
- "One American wit" is one cheesesteak with American cheese and onions
"Wit" and "Wit-out"
Wit is Philadelphia slang for "with." Here it means with fried onions specifically. Wit-out (sometimes "witout") means "without" fried onions. This shorthand lets customers order fast and efficiently. The onions get grilled on the same flat-top as the steak, caramelized and mixed with the chopped beef before landing on the roll. They add sweetness and moisture to the whole thing.
Cheese Options
Five cheese options are available at Pat's:[4]
| Cheese | Description |
|---|---|
| Cheez Whiz | Processed cheese product, creamy and orange; most popular choice |
| Provolone | Sliced provolone cheese, traditional Italian choice |
| American | Sliced American cheese |
| Cooper Sharp | Premium American-style cheese, slightly tangy |
| Plain | No cheese |
Cheez Whiz is the signature cheese and remains most requested. Traditionalists usually go for provolone instead.
Menu
Pat's keeps things simple and focused:
Steaks
- Steak (plain, no cheese)
- Cheesesteak
- Extra Cheesesteak (larger portion)
- Pizza Steak (with marinara sauce)
- Mushroom Steak/Cheesesteak
- Pepper Steak/Cheesesteak
- Mushroom Pepper Steak/Cheesesteak
Other Items
- Roast Pork sandwich
- Hot Dog / Large Hot Dog
- Fish Cake (Small/Large)
- French Fries / Cheese Fries
Drinks
- Soda
- Bottled Water
The cheesesteak's the star. They've been making it the same way for over 90 years.
Hours and Location
Hours of Operation
Pat's King of Steaks operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It never closes, making it a go-to spot for late-night and early-morning cheesesteak cravings.
Peak times tend to be:
- Friday and Saturday nights (especially after 11 PM)
- Weekend afternoons
- Game days when Philadelphia sports teams play
Want shorter lines? Go on weekday mornings or early afternoons.
Address and Directions
Pat's sits at 1237 East Passyunk Avenue in the Passyunk Square neighborhood of South Philadelphia.
The location's the famous triangular intersection where 9th Street, Wharton Street, and East Passyunk Avenue meet. Geno's Steaks, Pat's rival, sits directly across the intersection.
Address: 1237 East Passyunk Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19147
Getting There:
- SEPTA Broad Street Line (The B): Oregon Station (6 blocks)
- SEPTA Bus Routes: 29, 45 serve nearby streets
- Parking: Limited street parking; off-peak hours work best
Pat's vs. Geno's
The Rivalry
Philadelphians have argued about Pat's versus Geno's for decades. Both sit at the same intersection, less than 100 feet apart, serving cheesesteaks around the clock. It often comes down to taste.
Pat's King of Steaks
- Founded: 1930
- Claim to fame: Birthplace of the cheesesteak
- Atmosphere: No-frills, utilitarian
- Meat: Finely chopped, well-mixed with cheese
Geno's Steaks
- Founded: 1966
- Claim to fame: Iconic neon exterior
- Atmosphere: Flashy neon signage
- Meat: Sliced rather than chopped
Key Differences
Both serve authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks, but they differ in important ways:
Meat Preparation
- Pat's: Finely chopped beef mixed together on the grill
- Geno's: Thinly sliced beef, kept in distinct strips
Cheese Distribution
- Pat's: Cheese melted throughout the chopped meat
- Geno's: Cheese melted on top of sliced meat
Bread
- Both use Amoroso rolls with slight preparation differences
Atmosphere
- Pat's: Plain exterior, minimal signage
- Geno's: Famous for elaborate neon lights
Try both and decide for yourself. Many locals recommend this. You can literally walk across the street between bites.
Ordering Tips
Get the most out of Pat's with these tips:
1. Know your order before reaching the window - Lock in your cheese and onions choice ahead of time 2. Have cash or card ready - Keep the line moving 3. Be decisive - "One whiz wit" gets you served faster than hemming and hawing 4. Eat standing - There are no tables; find a spot along the outdoor counters 5. Bring napkins - It's a messy sandwich by design 6. Visit late night - You'll get the authentic South Philly experience
Cultural Impact
Pat's King of Steaks has become a pilgrimage site for cheesesteak lovers from everywhere. TV shows, movies, and food publications have all featured it. Presidents, athletes, and Hollywood stars have visited, and their photos line the walls.
Its influence stretches far beyond Philadelphia. The cheesesteak became one of America's beloved sandwiches. Pat's creation helped put Philadelphia on the culinary map.
See Also
References
- ↑ "History". Pat's King of Steaks. Retrieved December 22, 2025
- ↑ "Pat's King of Steaks". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
- ↑ "Frank Olivieri shares his family's secrets about their famous cheesesteak". 6ABC. Retrieved December 22, 2025
- ↑ "Pat's King of Steaks". Wikipedia. Retrieved December 22, 2025