Harry Olivieri
Encyclopedia
Harry M. Olivieri was an Italian
-American
restaurateur
. He is credited, along with his brother, Pat Olivieri
, as the co-creator of the Philly Cheesesteak in 1933. The brothers opened Pat's King of Steaks
in 1940, one of the best known purveyors of steak sandwich
es in Philadelphia.
to Italian parents Michael and Maria Olivieri. The family returned to Italy when he was three, returning to Philadelphia four years later. He attended Southwark School before leaving to work as a carpenter. Olivieri married his wife, Anna DeLuca, in 1936.
stall with his older brother Pat Olivieri at the corners of 9th Street, Wharton and Passyunk Avenues. The brothers ran the restaurant while holding down others jobs; Harry worked as a carpenter, while Pat made sleds.
In 1933, as the family relates the story, the brothers invented the steak sandwich
, selling the first one to a cab driver for ten cents.
In 1940, the brothers rented space to open Pat's King of Steaks at the same spot that they had their stand. The two brothers worked at the restaurant for 15 to 18 hours a day for the next few decades while the restaurant was open 24 hours a day. Harry worked at the Philadelphia Naval Yard during World War II before returning to the restaurant.
Harry Olivieri had a heart attack in 1972 and retired from day to day management. He still visited the business for a few hours each day to meet and greet the customers. Pat's son Herbert Olivieri disputed ownership of the business with Harry and his children. Son Frank Olivieri eventually bought out his father, sister and cousin.
In the last few years of his life, he lived with his daughter in Brigantine, New Jersey
. He died of heart failure on July 22, 2006, in Pomona, New Jersey
, at the age of 90.
Harry's grandson, Frank Jr., now runs the business.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
restaurateur
Restaurateur
A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of the restaurant business.-Etymology:The word...
. He is credited, along with his brother, Pat Olivieri
Pat Olivieri
Pat Olivieri was an Italian-American restaurateur. He is credited, along with his brother, Harry Olivieri, as the 1930 co-creator of the Philly Cheesesteak...
, as the co-creator of the Philly Cheesesteak in 1933. The brothers opened Pat's King of Steaks
Pat's Steaks
Pat's King of Steaks is a Philadelphia restaurant specializing in cheesesteaks, and located at the intersection of South 9th Street, Wharton Street and East Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia, directly across the street from rival Geno's Steaks.-History: Pat's King of Steaks was founded by Pat...
in 1940, one of the best known purveyors of steak sandwich
Steak sandwich
A steak sandwich is a sandwich that is made out of steak that has been broiled, fried, grilled, barbecued or seared using steel grates or gridirons then served on bread or a roll...
es in Philadelphia.
Early life
Olivieri was born in South PhiladelphiaSouth Philadelphia
South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south, and the Schuylkill River to the west.-History:...
to Italian parents Michael and Maria Olivieri. The family returned to Italy when he was three, returning to Philadelphia four years later. He attended Southwark School before leaving to work as a carpenter. Olivieri married his wife, Anna DeLuca, in 1936.
Pat's King of Steaks
In 1930, Harry opened a hot dogHot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
stall with his older brother Pat Olivieri at the corners of 9th Street, Wharton and Passyunk Avenues. The brothers ran the restaurant while holding down others jobs; Harry worked as a carpenter, while Pat made sleds.
In 1933, as the family relates the story, the brothers invented the steak sandwich
Cheesesteak
A cheesesteak, also known as a Philadelphia cheesesteak, Philly cheesesteak, cheese steak, or steak and cheese, is a sandwich made from thinly-sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long roll...
, selling the first one to a cab driver for ten cents.
In 1940, the brothers rented space to open Pat's King of Steaks at the same spot that they had their stand. The two brothers worked at the restaurant for 15 to 18 hours a day for the next few decades while the restaurant was open 24 hours a day. Harry worked at the Philadelphia Naval Yard during World War II before returning to the restaurant.
Harry Olivieri had a heart attack in 1972 and retired from day to day management. He still visited the business for a few hours each day to meet and greet the customers. Pat's son Herbert Olivieri disputed ownership of the business with Harry and his children. Son Frank Olivieri eventually bought out his father, sister and cousin.
In the last few years of his life, he lived with his daughter in Brigantine, New Jersey
Brigantine, New Jersey
Brigantine is an island city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,450....
. He died of heart failure on July 22, 2006, in Pomona, New Jersey
Pomona, New Jersey
Pomona is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Galloway Township, in Atlantic County, New Jersey. At the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,019...
, at the age of 90.
Harry's grandson, Frank Jr., now runs the business.