AP: Harry Olivieri, Creator of the Philly Cheesesteak, Dead at 90.

[MallRat]

Creator of the Philly cheesesteak dies
© 2006 The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Harry Olivieri, who with his brother Pat was credited with inventing the Philly cheesesteak in 1933, had died. He was 90.

Despite a heart condition, Olivieri had showed up at Pat's King of Steaks almost every day until about three years ago. He died of heart failure Thursday at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, N.J., his daughter Maria said.

Harry and his older brother opened a corner hot dog stand near south Philadelphia's Italian Market in 1930.

(snip)

Cheez Whiz was added to the steak and onions starting in the 1960s, and provolone, American cheese and pizza sauce later became options in the concoction along with various condiments and side dishes.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4064103.html

Remember the cheesesteak wars earlier this summer, with the controversy over Geno's Steaks insisting that all customers order in English?

Well, the Olivieri family, which owns Pat's King of Steaks, had a different take.

"We serve everyone here," (the manager) said. "It doesn't matter if you speak English or any language. If you need help getting through a cheese steak order, we'll help you."

Raise a toast to Harry today... damn the cholesterol.

[Sammy Pepys]

1. Had my first real cheesesteak at Pat's

Godspeed.

[Demit]

2. Pat's was always the best over Geno's. D'allesandro's is great too, if you

get up that way.

What's cholestorol? :)

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Obviously, cheese steaks are artery-clogging killers.

The founder died of heart disease. Think how long he would have lived without consuming all that cholesterol. :P

[Demit]

6. Yes, his life cut tragically short at age 90. Let that be a lesson to us!

:)

[saigon68]

9. Wid or Widout

[Tace]

3. Wow -- And He Gets To Go To Cheesesteak Heaven...

literally!

[LostinVA]

7. And eat a cheesesteak with a Tastykake pie for desert... every day

With no wight gain!

RIP, Harry!

[LostinVA]

5. Seriously -- a moment of silence from all

One of the finest culinary creations under the sun -- when made correctly. Unfortunately, I only get to indulge about one a year.

Rest in peace, Harry...

(but make mine with White American, the South Jersey way...)

[FlaGranny]

11. I'll have a

soft pretzel with mustard for desert, please. Having grown up in the vicinity, I like my cheesesteaks the original way - on a fresh Italian roll with only steak, cheese, lots of fried onions, and some ketchup. Mmmmmm.

May he be in cheesesteak heaven for all the pleasure he has caused.

[slackmaster]

8. He made it to 90 in spite of the artery-clogging food

Kudos to him.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

10. heaven's menu just got a lot better.