Harry Olivieri, 90, Co-Inventor of Cheese Steak in Philadelphia, Dies

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 22, 2006

PHILADELPHIA, July 21 (AP) — Harry Olivieri, co-founder of the Pat’s King of Steaks cheese steak emporium and generally credited with being the co-inventor of the Philly cheese steak, died on Thursday in Pomona, N.J. He was 90 and lived in Brigantine, N.J.

The cause was heart failure, his family said.

Mr. Olivieri and his older brother, Pat, were running a corner hot dog stand near the Italian Market in South Philadelphia in 1933 when they made the first version of the sandwich that put the city on the street-food map.

The story goes that Pat, who was tired of hot dogs, suggested that Harry go to a store and buy some beef. Harry brought it back, sliced it and grilled it with onions.

The brothers piled the meat on rolls and were about to dig in when a cab driver arrived for lunch, smelled the meat and onions and demanded one of the sandwiches.

Harry sold the cabby his own sandwich in a transaction they counted as the birth of Pat’s King of Steaks, named after Pat because he was older.

Cheez Whiz was added to the steak and onions decades later, and provolone, American cheese and pizza sauce later became options in the concoction along with various condiments and side dishes.

Pat Olivieri died in 1970. Harry’s son, Frank, now runs the restaurant.

In addition to his son, Harry Olivieri’s survivors include his wife of 70 years, the former Anna J. DeLuca; his daughter, Maria; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The death of a legend