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The longtime owner of Pat’s King of Steak’s Frank P. Olivieri died at 87The former restaurant owner ran the family business for nearly 30 yearsPat’s King of Steaks is considered one of the most popular cheesesteak spot’s in Philadelphia
Frank P. Olivieri, the longtime owner of Pat’s King of Steaks, died on Sunday, Jan. 18. He was 87.
The restaurant owner had been receiving care for dementia, his son Frank E. Olivieri told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
He is survived by his wife Ritamarie, aforementioned son Frank Jr. (also known as Frankie), and daughters Danielle Olivieri and Leah Tartaglia. He is also survived by nine grandchildren—Julian Travaglia, Jade DelGiorno, Nicolette and Blake Olivieri, Vienna O’Brian, Joseph Tartaglia, Francesco Tartaglia, Haillie Marandola and Stephanie Marandola—and three great-grandchildren: Verona, Bray and Luna Rose O’Brian.
Pat’s King of Steaks, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jon Bilous/Alamy
Frank’s father, Harry Olivieri, and uncle, Pat Olivieri, opened Pat’s in 1930, per his obituary. Originally, the pair sold hotdogs on the corner before switching to steak sandwiches, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Frank’s obituary claims that the restaurant “introduced the world to what became known as the Philadelphia cheesesteak.”
Frank started working at the stand at 11 years old and Frankie reported that Frank turned down the opportunity to attend the University of Pennsylvania and study to become an attorney to support the family business. Frank and Harry bought the original stand from Pat in 1968, according to the restaurant’s Instagram post.
Under the father-son duo’s ownership, Pat’s became a 24-hour restaurant open 365 days a year for locals, tourists and celebrities. His obituary says that under Frank’s leadership, “Pat’s grew from a beloved neighborhood institution into an internationally recognized landmark.” It has been featured in pop culture, including Rocky, Mad Men and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Frank, who is also remembered for being an expert handyman and avid fisherman, retired in 1996 and Frankie has been running the business since.
Part of Pat’s lore is the supposed rivalry with Geno’s Steaks, another landmark cheesesteak spot located across the street and opened by a former Pat’s employee in 1966. But, per The Philadelphia Inquirer, the feud is “overblown” and Frankie and the Geno’s current owner, Geno Vento, are friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 23, and the family is asking for donations to St. Maron Church in lieu of flowers.