Pat's King of Steaks, Philadelphia

Pat's King of Steaks is a renowned restaurant located in Philadelphia, specializing in the preparation of cheesesteak sandwiches. Established in 1930, this restaurant was founded by the Olivieri brothers, Pasquale (Pat) and Harry. These two brothers are widely acknowledged as the originators of the iconic cheesesteak. Presently, the restaurant is under the ownership of Harry's grandson, Frank.

Legend has it that one day, the Olivieri brothers, who had previously focused on selling hot dogs, decided to diversify their lunch offerings. Pat entrusted Harry with the task of procuring affordable steak from the market. They proceeded to thinly slice the steak and grill it, along with finely chopped onions. The irresistible aroma of their creation attracted the attention of a regular customer, a cabdriver, who expressed a keen interest in trying this novel culinary creation. The brothers dubbed it a "steak sandwich," a moniker that would eventually evolve into the modern-day cheesesteak.

Since 1976, this iconic Philadelphia eatery has remained immensely popular, particularly among fans of the fictional boxer Rocky Balboa. In the film franchise, Pat's King of Steaks serves as the backdrop where Tony Gazzo takes Rocky for a meal. Even after several decades, Pat's continues to thrive and has the distinction of having a memorial plaque affixed to the pavement, commemorating the filming of the iconic motion picture Rocky on November 21, 1975.

It is worth noting the proper ordering procedure: After specifying the type of cheese you desire, which includes options such as Cheez Whiz, provolone, or American cheese, as well as opting for plain (no cheese), you should humorously employ the local parlance by declaring "wit" or "wit-out," indicating your preference for the inclusion or omission of onions, in a nod to the distinctive Philadelphia accent.