Randy Chandler
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beef steak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It is a popular regional fast-food item with its roots in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The name 'Philly' in Philly cheesesteak comes from the sandwich's origin in Philadelphia. The sandwich was invented in the 1930s by Pat Olivieri, who owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia. One day, he decided to grill beef instead of hot dogs, and served it on a roll with onions. The addition of cheese came later, with some sources claiming that it was added by Cocky Joe Lorenza, a manager at Pat's King of Steaks, in the 1950s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Inventors | Pat Olivieri, Pat and Harry Olivieri, or "Cocky Joe" Lorenza/Lorenzo |
| Date invented | 1920s, 1930, 1932, or 1940s |
| Original ingredients | Steak, onions, bread |
| Modern ingredients | Steak, cheese, onions, bread, peppers, mushrooms, tomato sauce |
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What You'll Learn
- The sandwich was originally called a 'steak sandwich' because it didn't contain cheese
- Philadelphians Pat and Harry Olivieri are credited with inventing the Philly cheesesteak
- The Olivieri brothers owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia
- Pat grilled beef and added onions, a cab driver asked for one, and soon a trend was born
- The addition of cheese is credited to Cocky Joe Lorenza, a manager at Pat's King of Steaks
The sandwich was originally called a 'steak sandwich' because it didn't contain cheese
The Philly cheesesteak sandwich is an iconic symbol of Philadelphia, with its roots in the United States city. The sandwich was originally called a steak sandwich because it didn't contain cheese. The story goes that in the 1930s, Pat Olivieri, who owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia, decided to grill some beef and make himself a sandwich. A passing cab driver asked for one too, and soon Olivieri had a following. This simple combination of thinly sliced beef with onions piled onto a roll struck a chord with hungry Philadelphians, and the steak sandwich was born.
The addition of cheese to the steak sandwich came later, in the 1940s or 1950s, according to different sources. "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, a manager at Pat's King of Steaks, is often credited with adding cheese to the sandwich, specifically provolone, in March 1951. However, other sources claim that Cheez Whiz, a bright orange processed cheese product in a jar, was the original cheese added to the sandwich. Cheez Whiz was invented in 1953 and became one of the three traditional cheeses used on Philly cheesesteaks, along with American and provolone.
There is some dispute over whether Pat's was the first to add cheese to the sandwich, as other members of the Olivieri family may have used provolone. However, to date, no concrete evidence has emerged to disprove the story of "Cocky Joe" Lorenza adding cheese to the sandwich in 1951. The exact story behind the creation of the Philly cheesesteak is debated, but what is certain is that the sandwich was originally called a steak sandwich because it didn't contain cheese.
Today, the Philly cheesesteak is a beloved regional masterpiece, with many variations available in restaurants, food carts, and even high-end establishments. It has become a staple food for local Philadelphians and tourists alike, and its fame has spread beyond the borders of Philadelphia. The process of making a Philly cheesesteak is simple, but achieving the perfect sandwich takes practice. The beauty of the Philly cheesesteak is that it's not just a sandwich; it's an experience.
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Philadelphians Pat and Harry Olivieri are credited with inventing the Philly cheesesteak
Pat Olivieri went on to open his own restaurant, which still operates today as Pat's King of Steaks. The original sandwich was prepared without cheese, and it wasn't until a couple of decades later that cheese was added, transforming the Philly steak sandwich into the Philly cheesesteak. There is some dispute over when and by whom cheese was first added to the sandwich. According to Pat's son Herb Olivieri, American cheese was first added by "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, a manager at the Ridge Avenue location in March 1951. However, other sources claim that Cheez Whiz, a bright orange processed cheese product in a jar, was first added in the late 1950s by Pat's nephew Frank Olivieri Sr. at Pat's South Philadelphia location.
Regardless of the exact timeline and specifics of its creation, the Philly cheesesteak has become a staple food in Philadelphia, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. It has also gained popularity outside of Philadelphia, with many establishments referring to it as the "'Philly' cheesesteak" to distinguish it from other steak sandwiches. The sandwich has even inspired variations, such as the pizza cheesesteak with tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Today, there are several popular spots in Philadelphia to get a taste of the iconic Philly cheesesteak, including Pat's, Jim's, Tony Luke's, Geno's, and more. Each restaurant may have its own take on the classic sandwich, but the core ingredients of thinly sliced beef, grilled onions, and melted cheese remain consistent. The Philly cheesesteak has truly stood the test of time as a beloved and iconic symbol of Philadelphia's culinary culture.
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The Olivieri brothers owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia
The Philly cheesesteak is widely considered to have been invented by Pat Olivieri, with his brother Harry Olivieri, in the 1930s. The Olivieri brothers owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia. The story goes that Pat, tired of his usual fare, asked Harry to buy some beef from a nearby butcher. Pat grilled the beef, added onions, and put it on an Italian roll. As he was about to eat it, a cab driver asked for a steak sandwich of his own. This simple combination struck a chord with Philadelphians, and the Philly cheesesteak was born.
The sandwich was originally prepared without cheese and was known as a "steak sandwich". It was only in the 1940s or 1950s that cheese was added to the sandwich, transforming it into the Philly cheesesteak. There is some dispute over who first added cheese to the sandwich. According to Pat's son, Herb Olivieri, it was "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, a manager at the Ridge Avenue location in March 1951. However, other sources, including Herb's cousin Frank Olivieri Sr., claim it was provolone, added by Joe Lorenzo in the 1950s.
The original Philly cheesesteak consisted of thinly sliced beefsteak, grilled onions, and cheese in a long hoagie or Italian roll. The cheese was typically American, provolone, or Cheez Whiz, though other options, like cheddar, were also used. The sandwich became so popular that Pat Olivieri opened his own restaurant, Pat's King of Steaks, which still operates today. The Philly cheesesteak has become a staple food in Philadelphia, with many restaurants and food carts throughout the city serving their own variations.
The exact story behind the creation of the Philly cheesesteak is debated, but what is certain is that it has become an iconic symbol of Philadelphia. It is one of the most famous sandwiches in the world, with many establishments outside of Philadelphia offering their own versions, such as "Philly Cheesesteak Wraps" and "Philly Steak and Cheese" Hot Pockets. The sandwich even has its own day—National Philly Cheesesteak Day is celebrated on March 25.
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Pat grilled beef and added onions, a cab driver asked for one, and soon a trend was born
The story of how the Philly cheesesteak got its name is a fascinating one. It all started in the 1920s or 1930s in South Philadelphia, when Italian Americans Pat and Harry Olivieri, tired of their usual hot dog fare, decided to experiment with something new. Pat grilled some beef, added onions, and placed it all on an Italian roll. As he was about to indulge in his creation, a cab driver happened to pass by, enticed by the mouthwatering aroma. The cabbie asked for a steak sandwich of his own, and so a trend was born.
The simple yet genius combination of grilled beef and onions struck a chord with hungry Philadelphians, and soon the Philly cheesesteak became a staple food in the city. The original sandwich, however, did not include cheese. It wasn't until the 1940s or 1950s that cheese was introduced, transforming the Philly steak sandwich into the iconic Philly cheesesteak we know today.
There are several variations of the story of how cheese was added to the sandwich. According to Pat's son, Herb Olivieri, it was "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, a manager at the Ridge Avenue location, who first added American cheese in March 1951. However, other members of the Olivieri family claim it was provolone. Another account credits Pat's nephew, Frank Olivieri, with introducing Cheez Whiz, a bright orange processed cheese product, at Pat's South Philadelphia location in the late 1950s.
Regardless of the exact timeline and specifics of its creation, the Philly cheesesteak has become an iconic symbol of Philadelphia. It is celebrated by locals and tourists alike, with many establishments outside of Philadelphia offering their own versions of this beloved sandwich. The beauty of the Philly cheesesteak lies not just in its taste but also in its ability to bring people together, creating a community of enthusiasts who passionately debate the "right" way to prepare and enjoy this culinary masterpiece.
Today, a classic Philly cheesesteak is made with thinly sliced rib-eye beef, grilled to perfection, and piled high on soft Italian-style bread. The beef is topped with melted cheese—cheddar, American, provolone, or Cheez Whiz—and grilled onions, creating a cohesive whole that's better than the sum of its parts. The Philly cheesesteak has earned its place as one of the most iconic sandwiches in American history, with its name forever linked to the city of Philadelphia.
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The addition of cheese is credited to Cocky Joe Lorenza, a manager at Pat's King of Steaks
The Philly cheesesteak is an iconic sandwich that has become synonymous with its city of origin, Philadelphia. The addition of cheese to the Philly cheesesteak is an important part of its history and evolution. While there is some debate over the exact timeline and the person responsible for this innovation, "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, a manager at Pat's King of Steaks, is often credited with this delicious addition.
According to sources, "Cocky Joe" Lorenza introduced cheese to the sandwich in the 1950s, specifically in March 1951 at the Ridge Avenue location. This addition transformed the Philly steak sandwich into the beloved Philly cheesesteak. The original sandwich, as created by Pat and Harry Olivieri, consisted of grilled beef and onions on a roll. While it was already a popular dish, the addition of cheese took it to a whole new level.
There is some variation in the accounts of which cheese was first added to the sandwich. Some sources claim that "Cocky Joe" Lorenza added provolone, a type of Italian cheese, to the steak sandwich. Provolone has been a popular choice for Philly cheesesteaks since the beginning and is one of the traditional cheeses used, along with American cheese and Cheez Whiz. However, other sources suggest that American cheese was the first to be added to the sandwich.
The addition of cheese to the Philly cheesesteak marked a significant evolution in the sandwich's history. It elevated the simple combination of beef and onions, creating a cohesive whole that was greater than the sum of its parts. The melted cheese added a new dimension of flavour and texture, making the sandwich even more indulgent and crave-worthy.
Today, the Philly cheesesteak is a staple food in Philadelphia, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The addition of cheese by "Cocky Joe" Lorenza played a crucial role in shaping the sandwich's identity and its enduring popularity. It is a testament to the impact a single ingredient can have on a dish, and it continues to be a beloved feature of this iconic sandwich.
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Frequently asked questions
A Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll.
The Philly cheesesteak was invented by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s. Pat owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia. One day, he decided to experiment with thinly sliced beef instead of hot dogs. He cooked the meat on his grill, piled it onto a roll, and then added onions.
The original Philly cheesesteak did not have cheese. Cheese was first added in the 1940s or 1950s. "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, a manager at Pat's King of Steaks, is credited with adding cheese to the sandwich.
