Editing Pats King of Steaks (section)

== History ==

=== Founding ===

Pat's King of Steaks was founded in '''1930''' when brothers Pat Olivieri (1907-1974) and Harry Olivieri (1916-2006) opened a hot dog stand at the corners of 9th Street, Wharton Street, and Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia.

=== Invention of the Cheesesteak ===

'''Yes''', according to the widely accepted account, Pat Olivieri invented the cheesesteak in 1930. The story, passed down through the Olivieri family, describes how the sandwich came about by accident:<ref name="visitphilly">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/food-drink/pats-king-of-steaks/ |title=Pat's King of Steaks |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

One day, Pat decided to prepare something different for his own lunch. He had the local butcher send over some chopped beef, which he grilled on his hot dog flat-top and placed on an Italian roll with grilled onions. Before Pat could take a bite, a cab driver who regularly bought hot dogs from the stand asked what he was eating.

The cabbie insisted that Pat make one for him. After tasting it, the driver reportedly told Pat: "Hey, forget 'bout those hot dogs, you should sell these!" Pat sold the sandwich for ten cents—the equivalent of about $2.43 today.

Word spread quickly among Philadelphia's taxi drivers and working-class customers. The steak sandwich became more popular than hot dogs, and Pat's King of Steaks was born.

=== Addition of Cheese ===

The original sandwich was served without cheese—just steak and onions on an Italian roll. Cheese was added later, creating what we now call the "cheesesteak."

According to Pat's son, Herb Olivieri, cheese was first added to the sandwich in '''1951''' by a manager named "Cocky Joe" Lorenza at a Ridge Avenue location. Some family members claim provolone was the original cheese, while others credit American cheese. Cheez Whiz was added as an option in the 1950s after its commercial introduction and became extremely popular.<ref name="6abc">{{cite web |url=https://6abc.com/post/pats-king-of-steaks-philly-cheesesteak-the-dish-pat-olivieri/13946858/ |title=Frank Olivieri shares his family's secrets about their famous cheesesteak |publisher=6ABC |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

=== Current Ownership ===

Pat's King of Steaks is currently owned and operated by '''Frank Olivieri''', a member of the Olivieri family who has been working at Pat's since he was 11 years old. The restaurant remains entirely family-owned and has never franchised or opened additional locations.

Frank has continued the family tradition, maintaining the original recipes and ordering system that have made Pat's famous for generations.