Frank Olivieri Jr. Pat’s King of Steaks, Owner Local Business Success Story by Maria Merlino
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rowing up the grandson of the man who invented the cheesesteak, Frank Olivieri Jr. says he’s proud of his family’s business. It fed his passion for fine food and inspired him to learn more about the history of cuisine and the cultures that inspired them. In 1930, brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri (Frank Jr.’s grandfather) opened a hot dog stand at the corners of 9th, Wharton and Passyunk Avenue. One day, they grilled a piece of thin steak with some chopped onions for lunch. The aroma caught the attention of a customer. Pat sold him the “steak sandwich” for ten cents. And so it began. The demand was so great that the brothers soon replaced their hot dog stand with a steak shop and started a culinary revolution. A long line of customers craving the grilled specialty became a signature sight in the neighborhood. Snapshots of celebrities soon decorated the walls. “Food is an ever changing thing,” Olivieri Jr. explains. “Classic French cuisine has been
Q&A Q: What was your first job? A: I was 11, wiping off the
countertops outside at Pat’s Steaks. My father thought I was too small for the kitchen. I would be wiping the tops and dreaming of going into the kitchen for a cheesesteak.
Q: What was your favorite pasttime as a kid? A: My parents bought me
2016
a subscription to receive a toy model every month. It was The Model of the Month Club. This was in the ’70s and some of the models were Dodge Chargers, Corvettes. I would wait all month for the mail to arrive with that model. I would be done in an hour and a half and then I would have to wait another month!
Q: Best friends growing up? A: John Ferullo, who sells insurance now, and
replaced by other small plates. Creative ways of plating and different ways of presenting food are on trend. Fresh minds bring fresh ideas. We have a global influence now.” One thing that won’t change, though, is Pat’s Steaks. Olivieri Jr. sees no reason to move from their original location. “I look at the past and I look at the future. Obviously, we’ve been doing something right for 86 years. The authenticity cannot be replicated.” He loves the transformation our city is experiencing and enjoys collaborating with other local chefs for camaraderie, fundraisers and just to learn. In April, he told RowHome Magazine that he wants to get certified in something new every year. “My future is education,” he said. Olivieri, Jr. recently returned from Cuba. He says it was an educational trip and a sight to see all the historic places but also was very rigid, very tightly shielded. “It was an awesome experience, though. When I was leaving, the custom agent wanted to know what I learned from my trip. I told him that the United States is the greatest country in the world and he agreed with me!”
Billy DiDonato, who owns Billy D’s on Passyunk Avenue. The three of us lived on the same block from K-6th grade.
Q: Best advice anyone ever gave you? A: I was outside wip-
ing the tables off. It was Christmas and we had Frank Sinatra playing on a speaker outdoors. I was singing along and one of the customers looked at me and said, ”Kid, don’t quit your day job.” Instead of dashing through the snow, I got my hopes dashed on becoming a crooner.
Q: Best advice you ever gave? A: An employee wanted to
go back to school, but wanted me to hold his job. I said ‘Yes! Go back to school. Get as much education as possible. I’ll hold your job!’ He never came back for the job. He became a success.
Q: Favorite song from
way back that always makes you smile?
A: “September of My
Years” by Frank Sinatra. I listened to this song when I was younger and didn’t understand the lyrics. Now I’m 52 and I completely understand. Wisdom is gained through experience. Now I know what George Bernard Shaw meant when he said ‘Youth is wasted on the young.’
Q: What is your best memory from summer 2016? A: Going to Italy. It was my
first trip and I went with a bunch of vegans! And here I am, Pat’s Steaks, Mr. Carnivore. The people are so genuine and the country is beautiful. But there is no place like America.
Q: Who is your Philadelphia-based idol? A: Hands-down, Georges Perrier. He is the best saucier ever. And he is real.