Written by Nick Simard on 18.04.17
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There’s no question that Philadelphia is one of the most iconic and influential cities in America. Once our nation’s capital, Philadelphia is the home (or birthplace) of some of the most recognizable cultural favorites: the Liberty Bell, the Declaration of Independence, the movie Rocky, and, of course, the Philly cheesesteak.
If you’re lucky enough to live in an apartment in Philadelphia, there’s a good chance you’ve had a cheesesteak — and also become well aware of the importance they hold for residents of the city. Cheesesteaks (perhaps made famous worldwide by their depiction in Rocky) have now become synonymous with the City of Brotherly Love, and both their taste and their story have become a source of pride for Philadelphia residents young and old.
Cheesesteaks, which are sandwiches made up of thin-sliced beef and melted cheese on a long roll (often topped with cooked onions and peppers), were invented by Philly hot dog cart vendors Pat and Harry Olivieri in 1930. The Olivieris got tired of serving their regular dogs and decided to throw some steak on hot dog buns — and the result was a smashing success. In 1940, they opened a real restaurant called Pat’s King of Steaks, and the cheesesteak joint still stands today.
What cemented the cheesesteak as a cultural icon, though, was not merely its invention — but a rivalry. In 1966, a man named Joey Vento opened up a new cheesesteak-focused restaurant just feet from Pat’s. He called it Geno’s Steaks and gave it a nearly identical menu — forcing Philly residents and visitors like to choose which place they wanted to buy a sandwich from when they visited, sparking a fierce competition between the restaurants, and creating an iconic geographical destination in South Philly.
While brothers Pat and Harry are no longer around, the Olivieri family still owns Pat’s and it still does huge business. In fact, the restaurant is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it may still be the best cheesesteak joint in the city. However, Geno’s gives it a run for its money — claiming once to have sold 4,500 cheesesteaks in one day! It’s also open around the clock, so you can visit whenever you get the urge.
Pat’s and Geno’s may be the most famous, but there are other cheesesteak joints that may — it’s only honest to say — be even better. So, depending on where you find an apartment, odds are that you’ll be able to find an excellent cheesesteak. For more information on fine eateries around Philadelphia and the best living spaces in the city, contact Carlyle Property Management today.
Topics: Philly Restaurants
