Pat’s King of Steaks, the South Philadelphia shop credited with originating the Philly cheesesteak, is planning to open a new location in State College.
Philadelphia Magazine reported on Tuesday that owner Frank Olivieri is partnering with Philly restaurateur Rob Wasserman to open what the magazine described as a “Penn State location” for Pat’s Steaks. Wasserman has ties to the State College area as an owner of Snap Custom Pizza and Big Dean’s Hot Chicken.
The location for what will be a standalone store — i.e., not a concession stand at Beaver Stadium — was not revealed. A spokesperson for Pat’s Steaks told StateCollege.com that the company was “not ready to discuss this yet.”
It will be only the second Pat’s Steaks location.
Frank Olivieri is the grandson of Harry Olivieri and the grand nephew of Pat Olivieri, who are credited with inventing the Philly cheesesteak in 1930 at the South Philadelphia Italian Market. In 1940, they opened the restaurant on Passyunk Avenue, which remains the only Pat’s King of Steaks — for now — and where it has a famed rivalry with neighboring Geno’s.
Olivieri told Philadelphia Magazine that other family members have attempted to open Pat’s offshoots, but none were successful.
The State College location could lead to other Pat’s shops around the country.
“If it works out well, we plan on opening throughout the country,” Olivieri told the magazine. “But not franchises. By opening these the way we are, it allows me to keep an eye on the shops more than I could if they were franchises. Franchises come with all sorts of rules and regulations. And you lose some control.”
