Pat's King of Steaks
Pat's King of Steaks was opened by brothers Pat and Harry Oliveri in 1933, although they opened the stand as a hot dog vendor from 1930 to 1933. Pat's King of Steaks is known as the first cheese steak stand, and the Oliveri brothers are credited with creating the first cheese steak, although the recipe consisted of only steak and onions at the time and was called a "steak sandwich." Pat's King of Steaks is still open in the same location as the old hot dog stand and features lines of faithful customers stretching around the block 24 hours a day. As of 2009, Pat's King of Steaks is owned by Harry Oliveri's grandson, Frank Jr.
Pat's King of Steaks
1237 E. Passyunk Ave.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
(215) 468-1546
patskingofsteaks.com
Geno's Steaks
In 1966, Joe Vento's Geno's Steaks opened directly across the street from Pat's King of Steaks. Vento is credited with putting cheese on the steak sandwich for the first time. Despite the obvious rivalry created due to Pat's and Geno's being across the street from one another, each restaurant makes its cheesesteak a little differently. For instance, Pat's chops up the thin slices of steak, while Geno's serves them in thin slices on the sandwich itself. To keep up with Pat's, Geno's is also open 24 hours a day, and loyal customers of each restaurant keep up the rivalry by yelling at each other from opposite sides of the street.
Geno's Steaks
1219 S. Ninth St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
(215) 389-0659
genosteaks.com
Rick's Steaks
Rick's Steaks opened in 1982 at Reading Terminal Market, which has been closed since 2008, and reopened below the Bellvue Hotel on Philadelphia's famous Broad Street. Rick is the grandson of Pat Oliveri, who opened Pat's King of Steaks with his brother, Harry. Rick branched out with his father after Pat's King of Steaks was handed down to Harry's grandson, Frank Jr. After Rick's Steaks opened, however, Pat's King of Steaks sued Rick's Steaks for copyright infringement, claiming Rick and his father were using a derivative logo and using the name of Pat Oliveri to further the business. As of 2007, the suit was settled and besides the location change from Reading Terminal Market to the Bellvue Hotel, neither restaurant was visibly affected.
Rick's Steaks
200 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
(267) 519-9253
rickssteaks.com
