Pat's King of Steaks

Pat's King of Steaks

Pat's King of Steaks (also known as Pat's Steaks) is a Philadelphia restaurant located at the intersection of 9th Street, Wharton & Passyunk Avenues in south Philadelphia.

History

Pat's King of Steaks was founded by Pat and Harry Olivieri in 1930. The brothers are generally credited as the 1933 co-creators of the Philly Cheesesteak.cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5573992|title=NPR Interview with Frank Olivieri "Harry Olivieri, Philly Cheesesteak King, Dies"] cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/22/us/22olivieri.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title="New York Times", "Harry Olivieri, 90, Co-Inventor of Cheese Steak in Philadelphia, Dies" July 22, 2006 retrieved July 25, 2006] cite web|url=http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/|title=Pat's King of Steaks official website.]

In 1930, the brothers opened a hot dog stall at the corners of 9th Street, Wharton and Passyunk Avenues.

In 1933, as the family relates the story, the brothers were working their stand when they decided to try something different for lunch. Pat Olivieri sent Harry Olivieri 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. Pat sold him the sandwich for ten cents. [Citation
last =Sims
first =Gayle Ronan
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title =Obituary: Harry M. Olivieri / Philadelphia cheesesteak's co-creator
journal =Philadelphia Inquirer
volume =
issue =
pages =
date=July 22, 2006
year =2006
url =
doi =
id = ]

Soon after 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 same spot that they had their 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. Harry worked at the Philadelphia Naval Yard during World War II before returning to the restaurant.

By 1950s, 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's son, Frank, claims he first added Cheese Whiz in 1960s.Fact|date=January 2008 The two restaurants, located diagonally across from each, became cultural and culinary landmarks.

After pulling back from expansion and franchising efforts in the 1980s, the business was divided up by the Olivieri family.cite web|url=http://www.citypaper.net/articles/083195/article007.shtml|title=Food Fight] Harry and his son kept the original location, today run by Harry's grandson, Frank Jr. Pat's son Herbert opened "Olivieri's Prince of Steaks", later to be the source of a family dispute (see below).

Olivieri family feud

Pat's King of Steaks is the original shop opened by Pasquale "Pat" Olivieri and his brother, Harry. Harry's grandson, Frank, owns Pat's. Pat's grandson, Rick, owns Rick's Original Philly Steaks at Reading Terminal Market.

Pat's son, Herbert (Rick's father), expanded the business by opening franchises of Pat's King of Steaks. In 1980s, the Olivieris split up the business. Harry and Frank Sr. kept the original location, Herbert ("King" Pat's son) opened Olivieri's Prince of Steaks in Reading Terminal Market. Herbert's son Rick renamed it "Rick's" in the mid-1990s, still using the crown logo and mentioning his grandfather, Pat Olivieri. [cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101802108.html|title=Cousins Feud in Philly Cheesesteak Suit] [cite web|url=http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_RDJDQQJ|title=A fratricidal way about sandwiches]

In October 2006, Pat's sued Rick's, alleging trademark infringement, trademark dilution and unfair competition, based on the use of the crown logo and the name "Pat Olivieri". [cite web|url=http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/ip/patsricks101606cmp.html|title=Two Cousins Have a Philly Cheesesteak Legal Food Fight]

The suit was settled in August 2007. Terms were not disclosed. Frank Olivieri Jr. said he was "happy with the settlement and I'm sure my cousin Rick is as well." Rick Olivieri told the newspaper "It's an agreement we can both live with. Everybody is happy." [cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmtpi/is_200708/ai_n19460790|title=S. Phila. cousins settle steak legacy]

ee also

*Italian Market

References

External links

* [http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/ Pat's King of Steaks website]
* [http://www.fortune.com/fortune/smallbusiness/articles/0,15114,455236,00.html Fortune magazine story on Pat's and Geno's]


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