Before crossing Ninth Street, the unmistakable aroma of fresh hoagie rolls, grilled strips of ribeye steak, sautéed onions and gooey Cheez Whiz whiffed into her nostrils. Judging from the broad shoulders and wavy black hair, he was already sitting at a red metal picnic table at Pat’s King of Steaks. The neighborhood restaurant began as a hot dog stand in 1930 by brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri. Three years later, they created the first cheesesteak and sold the unique sandwich for ten cents. Little did they realize they had invented an American classic. Across the street is Geno’s Steaks. Any Philadelphia resident will be quick to tell you who serves a better cheesesteak.
