Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Question: Which classic Pennsylvania food was invented in 1930 when hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri threw some beef on his grill instead?

Answer: The cheesesteak. According to legend, South Philly hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri grilled up some sliced beef and onions for his own lunch, when a passing cab driver caught a whiff and asked for one too. Word spread fast, and Olivieri’s stand grew into Pat’s King of Steaks, still slinging cheesesteaks at the same South Philadelphia corner today, directly across from its famous rival, Geno’s.