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Pat's King of Steaks
Pat’s claims that its founder, Pat Olivieri, invented the cheesesteak back in 1930.
Since then, Pat’s has grown from a little stand at the southern end of South Philly’s Italian Market to one of the most famous cheesesteak shops in the world, albeit still in the same location (and still the only location).
Countless celebrities, politicians, musicians and athletes flock to Pat’s anytime they’re in Philadelphia, as much for the ambiance and the history as for the actual sandwich itself.
Pat’s operates 24/7, but don’t be discouraged if you arrive at a peak time and the line looks long; the staff has its craft down to a science, speedily churning out sandwiches, fries and drinks to rush your order to you.
Just be sure to order succinctly; employees and regulars frown on unnecessary delays caused by last-minute indecisiveness.
Pat's is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. — Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia
When ordering a cheesesteak, the idea is to clarify as concisely as possible the requested type of cheese and whether or not to add onions.
Locals have become so adept at this practice that they basically have it down to three words: saying “one whiz wit” to the person behind the counter means that one cheesesteak [denoted by the “one”] with Cheez Whiz [denoted by the “whiz”] and fried onions [denoted by the “wit”].
Similarly, saying “one provy wit’out” means a single cheesesteak [one] made with provolone cheese [provy] and without fried onions [wit’out].
Capisce?
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.