How To Get To Pats And Genos
Pats and Genos are located caddy-corner from each other close to the Italian Market in Philadelphia. You can take the bus line that goes along 9th street to get there or it is about a 10-minute walk from the Broad and Federal Street subway stop.
We took an uber from the historical area since we were short on time and it costs us about $7. If you are driving, there are several parking lots you can use.
Note: While you are in the neighborhood, its worth visiting the Italian Market too. Its a great place to experience Americas diversity.
The Cheesesteak Cometh: An Oral History Of The Cheesesteak
Of all of the contributions Philadelphia has given the world , none has become more identified with our city than the tasty concoction Pat Olivieri invented back in 1930. The cheesesteak has evolved into our signature icon, the most Philly of Philly symbols, recognized around the world. Here, an oral history of the sandwich we cant live witout.
Frank Olivieri, owner, Pats King of Steaks: My great-uncle, Pat that was my grandfathers older brother he had a hot-dog stand he opened around 1930. The neighborhood was always busy, with one of the countrys first open-air markets thats the Italian Market a block away.
Celeste Morello, South Philadelphia historian and author of Philadelphias Italian Foods: By the time Pats came along, the whole area was a largely Italian neighborhood.
Frank Olivieri: The workers would line up. He would sell them hot dogs off his little cart. And then one day Pat wanted something different for lunch he was tired of the hot dogs. So he asked my grandfather to go down to the butcher and pick up some scraps of meat. When my grandfather came back, Pat cooked it up on a hot dog roll. There was a cab driver there who saw the sandwich and said, Wow, that looks really great. Make me one. Pat told him he only had enough beef for one sandwich, so they split it. The cab driver said, Thats terrific. You should stop selling hot dogs and sell these things. And that was the invention of the steak sandwich.
An old Genos Steaks ad.
Pat’s King Of Steaks At 9th And Passyunk In Philadelphia
Following a playbook usually adopted by out-of-state presidential contenders, Senate candidate Mehmet Oz last week stopped by Cheesesteak Vegas while visiting Philadelphia.
The Republican nominee, who won Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate primary by a margin so slim it required a recount, and who will face Democrat John Fetterman in November, made sure to hit up both Pats and Genos.
There was a notable difference between the two pics Oz posted to Twitter showcasing his visit. In one, he stands shoulder to shoulder with Geno Vento, owner of the neon-bedecked shop after which the second-gen proprietor was named. In the other photo, third-gen Pats King of Steaks owner Frank Olivieri is nowhere to be seen.
Anyone who missed the significance had it underlined when Pats offered a blistering reply.
Do you even live in Pa? And can you spell the town you live in? the official @PatsSteaks account tweeted, referencing the narrative that Oz, a heart surgeon best known as a TV celebrity made famous by Oprah, has long lived in New Jersey and only recently moved to Huntingdon Valley which was misspelledHuntington on his official declaration of candidacy.
Pats post quickly went viral . It was boosted not only by Fetterman supporters, but by political pundits who know how influential cheesesteak politics can be.
Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day.
Also Check: How Good Are Omaha Steaks
Our Top Quality Products
Our products are sourced from the finest ranches, are hand cut by experienced master butchers and go through a quality control process that ensures every cut of meat is far superior to those generally available to consumers. Additionally all our steaks are wet aged for a minimum of 21 days, with most for 28 days. Our hamburger is all 100% Black Angus and some of the finest dining restaurants in the country trust only us to provision their meat.
Whats The Best Cheese For Philly Cheesesteak
The Best Cheese for a Philly Cheesesteak: American cheese. Mild provolone is the most often consumed cheese. Weve tried a number of different provolone brands, and the only one that didnt work for us was the aged provolone from Costco. This dish was overpowered by the flavor of old provolone cheese. Among the other options is white American cheese, which is quite popular.
Don’t Miss: Is Omaha Steaks Any Good
This Is Not A Time For Second Guesses Stuttering Or Confusion
Get more Spoon in your feed.
Philadelphias claim to fame is loved by locals and outsiders alike. Over the decades, the Philly cheesesteak has become as American as its neighbor, the Liberty Bell. But this American staple is not every citizens right of passage. It must be earned. Im here to teach you how to go about achieving iconic cheesy greatness.
Best Reasons To Visit Pats
- First cheesesteak in history
Ultimately, these two Philly cheesesteak shops are so similar that it will be up to you to decide which one you like best.
Although some people will argue that the meat is blander at Genos or the onions arent grilled enough at Pats, the biggest difference of note is the atmosphere at each location and the speed of service.
While Pats is arguably a little faster than Genos, they also want to get you in and out quickly and they dont spend much time on the presentation of the food.
If youre looking for a flashier service, Genos isnt always as fast, but they always make sure to wrap up their sandwiches and their storefront is always a sight to behold.
You can also purchase memorabilia from this restaurant!
For a quick Philly cheesesteak without the pomp and circumstance, head to Pats but if you want more of an experience, Genos has got you covered.
Recommended Reading: Shun Classic 4 Piece Steak Knife Set
Where Was The Original Philly Cheesesteak Made
Known variously as a cheesesteak, a Philly cheesesteak, or just a cheesesteak, is a sandwich consisting of thinly sliced or chopped steak and melted cheese served on a long sandwich roll. Even though the exact roots of the concept are disputed, brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri are frequently attributed with coming up with the concept in South Philadelphia in the 1930s.
Cheesesteaks Wit All The Right Lingo
Steeped in history, culture, and the arts, Philadelphia also boasts one of the countrys top food scenes. Before you go visit the City of Brotherly love, make sure you know how to order a cheesesteak like a Philly local.
I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs of Delaware County, PA. Thats Delco in local parlance. Growing up, ordering a cheesesteak was second nature, like breathing. Not until I went to college in the South did I learn how much artistic license had been taken with both the name and the filling.
Lets get down to basics with the authentic way to order a real cheesesteak.
Current Pats Steaks owner Frank Olivieri standing on the famous cheesesteak spots roof in 1982.
You May Like: Easy Side Dishes For Steak
Delivered To Your Doorstep For A Fine Dining Experience At Home
To maximize freshness and preserve quality, our products are frozen in a blast freezer and packaged individually. This locks in all of the natural juices and preserves texture. Each steak is then carefully nestled into a polystyrene cooler containing more than enough dry ice and/or gel packs to ensure safe delivery. Our painstaking shipping process spares no expense in providing you with a superior-quality steak delivered straight to your doorstep.
Who Opened First Pats Or Genos
This is the point at which the well-known rivalry begins. Mr. Genos Steaks, located across the street from Pats, claims to have introduced the Cheez Wiz first when he launched his establishment in 1966. Yes, they are directly across the street from each other and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can weigh in on the competition to see who is the best.
Recommended Reading: What To Season Steak With
The Acceptable Cheesesteak Variations
Plain steak sandwiches and cheesesteaks wit or witout are the most common orders, but there are a few other variations you may want to know about.
Now that you know how to order a cheesesteak in Philly, heres how to make one at home.
Congratulations! Rocky is proud of your cheesesteak ordering skills. / Photo by David Nieto via Unsplash
Recommended Reading: Best Way To Cook A Steak On A Pellet Grill
Expert Tips For The Two Famous Philly Cheesesteak Places In Philadelphia
- You will need cash for your cheesesteaks neither shop accepts credit cards.
- Both shops only offer outdoor seating, so be prepared for the weather conditions.
- Dont stress too much about ordering your cheesesteak. I didnt do it exactly right, but I still got what I wanted.
- If you want to sit down, have one person in your party scope out a table while you are waiting in line.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means we will receive a small commission for some purchases made using links in our blog with no additional cost to you. Please be assured we would not promote any product unless we believe that our readers will also benefit. The commission does not influence the editorial content of this site.
Two Traveling Texans is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Steak
Immigration And Cultural Diversity
| 4,385 |
Apart from economic growth, another factor contributing to the population increase is Philadelphias rising immigration rate. Like the millennial population, Philadelphias immigrant population is also growing rapidly. According to research by , the citys population had increased by 69% between 2000 and 2016 to constitute nearly 20% of Philadelphias work force, and had doubled between 1990 and 2017 to constitute 13.8% of the citys total population, with the top five countries of origin being China by a significant margin, followed by the , , , and .
Irish, Italian, German, , English, Russian, , and French constitute the largest ethnic groups in the city. Philadelphia has the second-largest Irish and Italian populations in the United States, after New York City. remains one of the largest neighborhoods in the country and is home to the . The neighborhood and section of South Philadelphia, home to many clubs, are well known as neighborhoods. The , , and neighborhoods have historically been heavily Irish and Polish. Port Richmond is well known in particular as the center of the Polish immigrant and community in Philadelphia, and it remains a common destination for Polish immigrants. , although known for its Irish and Irish-American population, is also home to a large and Russian population. in also contains a large Jewish community, while nearby is historically known as an community.
What Kind Of Cheese Do You Put On A Philly Steak
Many Philadelphia steakhouses provide customers with a selection of cheese, yet the majority of them choose the manufactured joy that is Cheeze Whiz as the warm, gooey, delightful default topping. While many steakhouses provide whiz, many others also offer American, provolone, or mozzarella cheese, in addition to the traditional cheese selection.
Read Also: What Is The Best Mail Order Steak Company
Decide What You Want Before You Even Get In Line
GIF courtesy of giphy.com
The ordering process is a very precarious situation. No matter where you go, theres going to be a crowd of hangry Philadelphians trying to get their fix in a timely fashion. Trust me when I say, you dont want to be the clueless patron who stands between them and their sandwich. You will get hurt.
Can You Ship A Philly Cheesesteak
Getting a Philly Cheesesteak Delivered You may order a standard cheesesteak with any of the usual fixings, sauces, and cheeses, or you can go vegan and get a vegan cheesesteak on a gluten-free bun. Nobody does a better job of delivering authenticity than Campos when it comes to ordering a Philly cheesesteak to be delivered to your door.
You May Like: Steaks On Sale Grocery Store
How To Order A Philly Cheesesteak
If its your first time ordering the iconic Philly sandwich, fear not: We got you.
OK, youve chosen your cheesesteak, whether its from one of our food-team-approved spots, one of Phillys more famous and popular joints, or maybe something off our list of vegan cheesesteak best bets.
What do you do now?
If this is your first time, fear not: Heres a handy cheat sheet to how to order your sandwich.
Pats Or Genos The Great Philadelphia Cheesesteak Wars
It is a pretty simple culinary invention, but one that carries a whole heap of history and divides a citys loyalties as completely as any sporting rivalry. It is the cheesesteak and, if you are a Philadelphian, youll instinctively know the answer to the question Pats or Genos?.
There are certain things everyone can agree on with respect to the Philadelphia cheesesteak. It is a sandwich. It features thin pieces of steak and melted cheese. It is served in a long, white roll.
After this, it starts to get messy. Who invented the cheesesteak? Probably impossible to say putting steak, cheese and bread together is not the most revolutionary of culinary steps. There are Philadelphian records of a sandwich combining frizzled beef, onions and cheese in a small loaf of bread. But this is not exactly the Philly cheesesteak we see today.
The modern cheesesteak is often credited to Pat and Harry Olivieri, who sold their sandwich on hoagie rolls in south Philadelphias Italian Market in the early 1930s. Pat Olivieri would be the namesake for Pats, the first of the two great cheesesteak rivals.
The great cheesesteak rivalry is a thing of wonder. Head down to the intersection of South 9th Street, Wharton Street and East Passyunk Avenue and youll see two large buildings facing, and facing off, each other. Pats is almost demure and discreet with a large blue sign and a white front. Genos screams its presence in loud orange and neon signs.
How to order
Recommended Reading: Omaha Steaks Filet Mignon Recipe
Pats Vs Genos: The South Philly Cheesesteak Rivalry
Home » Food & Drink » Pats vs Genos: The South Philly Cheesesteak Rivalry
Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission .
Philadelphians are fiercely loyal and have strong opinions on just about everything. Food is no different. So the Pats vs. Genos cheesesteak rivalry brings out a lot of strong feelings.
Most true Philadelphians are likely to name someplace else when you ask them about the best cheesesteak in the city. Everyone has their favorite and it is rarely one of the places at 9th and Passyunk. Yet the mystique of a cheesesteak war in the heart of Italian Philly captures the imagination. And the tourists flock here in droves.
Prevailing sentiment is that locals dont eat at Pats or Genos. Thats probably overstating it a bit, but there is some truth to the statement. This stop is often at the top of the list for most people visiting the city.
We break down this much-hyped rivalry in the cheesesteak wars:
Steve’s Prince Of Steaks
The Prince of Steaks has sat on its throne in Northeast Philly for almost four decades, and hasn’t changed a thing. Rib-eye, shaved to 1/8 of an inch, gets drenched in whiz for a delightfully chewy, flavor-packed bite. The location lends itself to an organic locals-only vibe, so fit in or get out. Three Steves Prince of Steaks shops are open, including the original on Bustleton Avenue, the one on Comly Road, also in the Northeast, and the Langhorne location. Call ahead to order in advance and make pickup quicker.
Tony Luke’s has made quite the name for itself, with locations far beyond the city’s boundaries. But the original on Oregon Avenue, complete with impossible-to-miss neon signs, is where to start. Served on fresh Liscios rolls, Tony Lukes cheesesteaks tend to be less greasy than other iterations, but the flavor is still just right. Given the location near the ballpark, its especially fun to go after a Phillies game. Along with the shops, Philly-born cheesesteak chain Tony Lukes is shipping frozen sandwiches packed with rib-eye and American cheese right to customers doors. Thaw, pop in the oven, and eat.
Also Check: Best Steaks Shipped To Your House
