Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich, History of Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich

History of Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich
History and Recipe

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Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich History


Photos from Pat's King of Steaks and Rick's Steaks in Philadelphia.

A cheese steak sandwich is not really a steak at all – it is a sandwich made with chipped steak, steak that has been frozen and sliced really thin) and cooked on a grill top.

Locals think in terms of steak sandwiches with or without cheese. Without cheese, the sandwich is referred to as a “steak.” With cheese, it is a “cheese steak” or "cheesesteak." Cheeze Whiz is the topping of choice for serious steak connoisseurs. However, you can also use provolone cheese.

The Philadelphia cheese steak is truly one of the most delightful and beloved foods available in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is said by most Philadelphians that if a restaurant offers something called a "Philly Cheese Steak" then it's not authentic. According to Philadelphians, you simply cannot make an authentic Philadelphia Cheese Steak sandwich without an authentic Philadelphia roll. The rolls must be long and thin, not fluffy or soft, but also not too hard. They also say that if you are more than one hour from South Philly, you cannot make an authentic sandwich.

1930s - During the 1930s in the Italian immigrant section of South Philadelphia, brothers Harry Olivieri (1916-2006) and Pat Olivieri sold hot dogs and sandwiches.

Tired of hot dogs, Pat suggested that Harry go to a store and buy some beef. Harry brought it back, sliced it up and grilled it with some 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. Pat never got a bite because a cab driver drove by, smelled the sandwich, and asked how much? He didn’t know what to charge, so he charged a nickel. The cab driver supposedly said, “Hey . . . forget about those hot dogs, you should sell these.” It was not until 20 years later that cheese was added to the sandwich by a longtime employee, Joe Lorenzo, who was tired of the usual sandwich and added some cheese.

In 1940, the brothers opened Pat's King of Steaks at 1237 East Passyunk Avenue. The business has been there ever since, open 24 hours a day. Cheez Whiz was added to the steak and onions starting in the 1960s, and provolone, American cheese and pizza sauce later became options in the concoction along with various condiments, and side dishes.

In 1970, Pat Olivieri quit for southern California. A dispute over ownership broke out with Pat's lawyer son Herbert on one side and Harry and his children, Frankie and Maria, on the other. In 1974 Pat died, and later Frankie bought the business out.

Residents and tourists who come for paper-wrapped Philly cheesesteaks and sodas can study the wall of celebrity photos before taking seats at the no-frills picnic tables. For the uninitiated, a sign explains the drill: with or without onions; specify provolone, American or Cheez Whiz; have your money ready; go to the back of the line if you make a mistake.

Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich Recipe

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium onions, sliced as thin as possible and rings separated
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
12 ounces chipped steak (thin sliced eye of round, rib eye, or sirloin tip roast)*
Salt and coarsely ground black pepper
Cheese Whiz or provolone cheese slices
1 Italian, French or hoagie roll
Dill pickle spears

* Freeze steak before sliced. Slice it paper thin.

In a large frying pan over high heat, add olive oil and heat so that a drop of water will sizzle when you drop it in the oil; lower heat to medium. Add onions and mushrooms, stir and cook until mushrooms darken and onions start to look transparent. Add steak slices and cook for 3 minutes or until meat lightly browns. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Heap cooked meat mixture in a long pile across pan, Lay cheese slices over meat until melted. If using Cheese Whiz, melt in a double boiler or in the microwave.

Slice bread lengthwise. Using a spatula, scoop meat mixture and cheese and lay on bread with cheese on top. If using melted Cheese Whiz, ladle it on top. slice sandwich into 2 or 4 pieces, and serve with a dill pickle.

Makes 2 servings.