Pat’s vs. Geno’s: An Expert Guide to Philadelphia’s Most Famous Food Rivalry
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Pat’s King of Steaks
- The History: The originator. The story begins in 1930, when founder Pat Olivieri, then a hot-dog vendor, decided to grill thinly sliced beef and put it on a roll. The sandwich was an instant sensation, and thus, the steak sandwich (the precursor to the cheesesteak) was born. Pat’s is historic ground zero for all cheesesteaks.
- The Steak: Pat’s famously chops its ribeye steak on the griddle. Proponents argue this allows the meat, cheese, and onions to meld together into a perfectly integrated, harmonious bite.
- The Vibe: A classic, no-frills stand that feels like a cherished piece of Philadelphia history.
Geno’s Steaks
- The History: The flashy challenger. Geno’s Steaks was opened directly across the street in 1966 by Joey Vento, who boldly decided to take on the king. Geno’s is known for its bright…