Philly Cheese Steaks (FD)

Deep in the south of Philadelphia, located in an largely Italian neighborhood, at the intersections of 9th Street, Wharton & Passyunk Avenues, lies the pulsing not so culinary heart of the city. On this hardly holy ground, you will find both, the birth place and sources of the world re-known Philly Cheese Steak.

And I'm (almost, but not totally) ashamed to say, I've never been there, but the history and ongoing family and political controversies are fascinating.

So, get in line, order yourself a "Cheese Wit" or perhaps a "Cheese wit-out-insides out" while you read on.


Pat's King of Steaks was founded by Pat and Harry Olivieri in 1930 when the brothers opened a hot dog stand in south Philadelphia. The brothers are generally credited as being the co-creators of the Philly Steak Sandwich.

In 1933, the brothers were busy in their hot dog stand, when they decided to try something new for lunch. I guess three years of nothing but hot dogs will do that to you - or perhaps they ran out of Ketchup.

Legend has it, Pat sent Harry to the market for some inexpensive steak. The brothers thinly sliced the steak, then grilled it along with some chopped onions. The aroma attracted a cabdriver who was a regular customer; he asked to try the dish which the brothers called a steak sandwich. So, Pat sold him a sandwich for ten cents.


Soon afterwards, the brothers started selling steak sandwiches instead of hot dogs. By 1940, they had saved enough to rent space to open a restaurant at the very same spot that they had their hot dog stand. The two brothers worked at the restaurant for 15 to 18 hours a day for the next few decades while the restaurant was open 24 hours a day.


By 1960s, there were other businesses in the area selling similar steak sandwiches. Long-time competitor Geno's Steaks claimed they were the first to add cheese to the recipe, though Harry Olivieri's son, Frank, claims he first added Cheese Whiz in 1950s.

The two restaurants, located diagonally across the street from each other, became cultural and culinary landmarks.

Technically, Pat's does not claim to sell cheese steaks, but steak sandwiches, although the Cheez Whiz variant is the most popular. Pat's menu is very similar to that of Geno's; both use thinly-sliced rib eye steak. Pat's chops up its meat, however, while Geno's does not.

A sign at the door explains how to order; you ask for what variety of sandwich you want and then say "wit" or "wit-out" (that is, whether you want the sandwich with or without onions), a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Philadelphia accent.

"Insides out" means to tear out (and feed to the pigeons) some of the bread found in the hearty sandwich rolls.

You can have your Cheese steak with Cheez Whiz, Provolone, Cheez Whiz, American cheese, Cheez Whiz, Swiss cheese or with Cheez Whiz, or have it "Plain" (no cheese at all).

I've never quite understood the "Cheese Steak Plain" business... I mean, its just a Steak Sandwich to me...

A "real" Philadelphia native, I'm told, orders his or hers, "Whiz, wit."

Ugh, Cheese Whiz. It's definitely a good thing that I live in the 'burbs... :)


Geno's Steaks was founded in 1966 by Joe Vento. Geno's is located directly across the street from rival Pat's King of Steaks.

According to Vento, the name Geno's was chosen because Joe's Steak Place was already being used by another business (imagine that!) He improvised the name from a broken door on which someone had painted GINO and modified the spelling to prevent confusion with a regional fast food chain called Gino's.

Vento later named his own son Geno, and the latter now works in the family business.

Both the Olivieri and Vento families have been in the news, as their extended families have opened up restaurants selling, what else? Cheese Steak Sandwiches, complete with trademark and copyright infringement suits along with claims and counterclaims of being the "one true real purveyor" of the Philly Cheese Steak.

I'm told this is authentic recipe (here) for those of you that just can't wait to get to Philadelphia to try one out.

As for me, I'm just going to have a hot dog and a soft pretzel.

Pat's King of Steaks
Geno's Steaks