Philadelphia Cheesesteak Origin: Pat's King of Steaks Invention in 1930

The Philadelphia cheesesteak was invented in 1930 by Pat Olivieri. This was during the Great Depression, a time when people needed affordable food.
By Newsroom | Food, History |

The Claimed Birthplace

Pat's King of Steaks, a long-standing eatery in Philadelphia, is widely credited with the invention of the cheesesteak. The sandwich, a culinary staple of the city, is described as chopped beef, often ribeye, grilled with onions (though this is optional), and served on a fresh roll with melted cheese. This claim is central to the establishment's identity, with current proprietor Frank Olivieri, nephew of the alleged inventor Pat Olivieri, continuing to uphold the legacy.

The Genesis of the Sandwich

The origin story, while celebrated, is not entirely without its fuzzy details. The prevalent narrative suggests that in 1930, during the Great Depression, Pat Olivieri, then a hot dog vendor, decided to try something different for his lunch. He purportedly sent his brother to a butcher for steak trimmings, cooked the meat on his hot dog grill, and placed it in a bun, possibly with onions, creating the precursor to the modern cheesesteak. A regular customer, often cited as a taxi driver, noticed the new offering and asked for one himself, a moment seen as pivotal in the sandwich's inception.

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Evolution and Rivalry

The sandwich has undergone changes since its early days. In the 1940s, Pat's King of Steaks began offering provolone cheese, and later, Cheez Whiz became a popular, and some would argue, standard, addition. This evolution is part of what draws people back to the original location, even decades later.

The culinary landscape of the cheesesteak is also defined by its rivalries. Geno's Steaks, located directly across the street from Pat's on South 9th Street, is frequently mentioned alongside Pat's in discussions of the cheesesteak's origins, highlighting a long-standing competition between the two establishments.

Background

Pat's King of Steaks operates 24/7 at its location on East Passyunk Avenue, near the intersection of 9th and Wharton Streets. The establishment has become a landmark in Philadelphia's culinary scene, drawing a steady stream of customers who seek to taste the sandwich at its purported birthplace. The question of its invention, while largely attributed to Pat's, remains a topic of local lore and discussion.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who invented the Philadelphia cheesesteak and when?
Pat's King of Steaks claims that Pat Olivieri invented the cheesesteak in 1930. He was a hot dog vendor who started cooking steak trimmings on his grill.
Q: What are the main ingredients of the original cheesesteak from Pat's?
The original cheesesteak likely included chopped beef steak trimmings, grilled with onions, and served on a roll. Cheese and Cheez Whiz were added later in the 1940s.
Q: Where is Pat's King of Steaks located?
Pat's King of Steaks is located in Philadelphia at 1237 E Passyunk Ave, near the intersection of 9th and Wharton Streets. It is open 24/7.
Q: Is there a famous rival to Pat's King of Steaks?
Yes, Geno's Steaks is a famous rival located directly across the street from Pat's on South 9th Street. Both are iconic cheesesteak spots in Philadelphia.
Q: Why is the cheesesteak invention story important to Philadelphia?
The cheesesteak is a famous food from Philadelphia. The story of its invention at Pat's King of Steaks is a key part of the city's food history and identity.