Kamil Perry
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It is a popular regional fast food that originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The original Philly cheesesteak was invented by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s, although some sources also credit his brother, Harry Olivieri. Pat owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia, which later became the popular restaurant and original Philly cheesesteak company, Pat's King of Steaks. The Philly cheesesteak didn't include cheese until the 1940s, when a restaurant manager at Pat's King of Steaks decided to add some melted provolone cheese to the sandwich.
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What You'll Learn
- The original Philly cheese steak was created in the 1930s by Pat Olivieri
- Pat Olivieri owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia
- The sandwich was originally made without cheese
- The first cheese used in the Philly cheese steak was provolone
- The sandwich was made with thinly sliced beef, onions, and a roll
The original Philly cheese steak was created in the 1930s by Pat Olivieri
Pat Olivieri's original creation has since become a beloved staple in Philadelphia and beyond. The sandwich caught on, and Pat opened his own restaurant, which still operates today as Pat's King of Steaks. The addition of cheese to the steak sandwich is often attributed to a restaurant manager at Pat's King of Steaks, "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, who added melted provolone cheese to the mix. This variation became what we now know as the classic Philly cheese steak.
While the original Philly cheese steak was made with thinly sliced beef, grilled onions, and provolone cheese on a roll, the sandwich has evolved over time. Today, there are many variations of the Philly cheese steak, with different types of cheese, bread, and toppings. Cheez Whiz, a processed cheese sauce, has become a popular alternative to provolone, especially in restaurants, due to its convenience and ability to melt easily.
The Philly cheese steak has also inspired numerous spin-offs, such as chicken Philly, buffalo chicken, and vegan versions, where seitan or mushrooms replace the steak and soy-based cheese is used. The sandwich has become so popular that it has spread beyond Philadelphia, with many locations outside the city offering their own takes on this delicious creation.
The exact origin story of the Philly cheese steak may be debated, but what remains undisputed is the enduring popularity of this simple yet mouthwatering sandwich, which has become a symbol of Philadelphia's rich culinary heritage.
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Pat Olivieri owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia
Pat Olivieri's hot dog stand eventually became the popular restaurant and original Philly cheesesteak company, Pat's King of Steaks, which still operates today. The original Philly cheesesteak did not include cheese, which was only added in the 1940s. According to some sources, the addition of cheese is attributed to a manager at Pat's King of Steaks named "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, who added provolone. However, there is no documentary evidence to support this claim, and the cheesesteak may have been invented by anonymous cooks.
The creation of the Philly cheesesteak is relatively undisputed, with most Philadelphians agreeing on its inventor and timeline. The sandwich has become a popular regional fast food, with many locations independently owned and family-run. The original recipe of steak, onions, and cheese has evolved over time, with new ingredients and variations such as chicken cheesesteaks and pizza cheesesteaks.
Pat Olivieri's invention of the Philly cheesesteak has left a lasting impact on the culinary landscape of Philadelphia and beyond. The sandwich has become a beloved comfort food, with fans all over the world. Today, visitors to Philadelphia can explore the city's sandwich trinity, which includes the hoagie, the roast pork sandwich, and, of course, the iconic Philly cheesesteak.
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The sandwich was originally made without cheese
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It is a popular regional fast food that originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The sandwich was invented in the 1930s by Pat Olivieri, who owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia. One day, he decided to experiment with thinly sliced beef instead of hot dogs. He grilled the meat, piled it onto a roll, and added onions. This simple combination proved to be a hit with Philadelphians.
However, the original sandwich created by Pat Olivieri did not include cheese. In fact, the Philly cheesesteak sandwich didn't include cheese until the 1940s, when a restaurant manager at Pat's King of Steaks, named "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, decided to add some melted cheese. There are differing accounts of what type of cheese was first added to the sandwich, with some sources claiming it was provolone, while others suggest it was Cheez Whiz.
Cheese was not part of the original recipe, but it quickly became a staple ingredient in the Philly cheesesteak. Today, there are several acceptable cheese options for an authentic Philly cheesesteak, including provolone, Cheez Whiz, and American cheese. The addition of cheese to the steak sandwich caught on, and now it is a beloved comfort food in Philadelphia and beyond. The Philly cheesesteak has even inspired variations, such as chicken cheesesteaks, pizza cheesesteaks, and vegan cheesesteaks, showcasing the sandwich's versatility and enduring popularity.
While the exact origin story of the Philly cheesesteak may be debated, with some disputing the Olivieri story, it is clear that the sandwich was originally made without cheese. It is a testament to the sandwich's evolution and the creativity of its makers that cheese was eventually added, transforming the simple steak and onion sandwich into the iconic Philly cheesesteak we know today. The addition of cheese not only enhanced the flavor but also contributed to the sandwich's widespread appeal, solidifying its place as a staple of Philadelphia cuisine.
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The first cheese used in the Philly cheese steak was provolone
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It was developed in the early 20th century, but the exact story behind its creation is debated. Many accounts credit the creation of the sandwich to Pat and Harry Olivieri, two brothers who ran a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia. According to the story, in the 1930s, the brothers wanted to offer new sandwiches, so they created a sandwich with grilled beef and onions in a toasted roll. However, the original sandwich did not include cheese.
It wasn't until the 1940s that a manager at the Olivieri's Ridge Ave location, named Joe Lorenza, or "Cocky Joe," added provolone cheese to the sandwich. Lorenza was reportedly always drunk and "a waste of time," but he was indeed the first person to put cheese on the sandwich. While there is no documentary evidence to support this story, it is widely accepted by Philadelphians.
Over time, the Philly cheesesteak has evolved, and different types of cheese are now used, including Cheez Whiz, American cheese, and mozzarella. However, provolone is still considered the traditional cheese for an authentic Philly cheesesteak experience. When making a Philly cheesesteak, it is recommended to use eight thin slices of provolone cheese, about 6 ounces or 160 grams, with four slices torn into 1-inch pieces and the other four slices melted on top of the beef.
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The sandwich was made with thinly sliced beef, onions, and a roll
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich that originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The sandwich is typically made with thinly sliced beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. The exact story behind the creation of the Philly cheesesteak is debated, but most sources agree that it was invented by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s. According to the story, Pat owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia and decided to experiment with thinly sliced beef instead of hot dogs. He grilled the beef and piled it onto a roll, adding onions.
The Philly cheesesteak sandwich didn't include cheese until the 1940s when a restaurant manager at Pat's King of Steaks, "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, added provolone. However, some sources claim that the Olivieri brothers, Pat and Harry, included cheese in their original sandwich in the 1930s. They grilled beef and onions and added them to a toasted roll. The addition of cheese to the steak sandwich caught on quickly, and today, there are many different cheeses used in Philly cheesesteaks, including Cheez Whiz, American cheese, and provolone.
The Amoroso roll is a popular choice for the Philly cheesesteak, as it is long, soft, and slightly salted. The roll has a semi-hard crust that flakes off, revealing soft bread underneath. It is said that the unique saltiness of the roll comes from the Philadelphia water used in the baking process. This roll is considered essential for an authentic Philly cheesesteak experience.
While the original Philly cheesesteak was made with thinly sliced beef, onions, and a roll, the sandwich has evolved over time to include new ingredients and variations. For example, the chicken cheesesteak replaces beef with chicken, and the pizza cheesesteak adds pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese. The vegan cheesesteak is another variation that substitutes steak and cheese with vegan ingredients, such as seitan or mushrooms for the steak and soy-based cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
The Philly cheesesteak was invented by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s. Pat owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia and 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.
No, the original sandwich created by Pat Olivieri did not contain cheese. It was only in the 1940s that a manager at Pat's King of Steaks, named "Cocky Joe" Lorenza, decided to add some provolone cheese to the sandwich.
While provolone is the cheese to use if you want an authentic Philly cheesesteak experience, Cheez Whiz and American cheese are also now considered acceptable Philly cheesesteak cheese options.
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