Philadelphia Cheesesteaks

Philadelphia’s most iconic food is a sandwich: hot beef and melty cheese on a long flaky roll. Often imitated, the cheesesteak endures, whether served slathered with Cheez Whiz at a corner deli or dressed up with Kobe beef at an elegant restaurant.

In 1930, the cheesesteak was invented when Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor and namesake to Pat’s King of Steaks, threw beef on his grill to make a sandwich. A passing cab driver asked for one, too, and soon Olivieri had a following.

However a cheesesteak is consumed (with provolone, Whiz, or American cheese; “wit” fried onions or not) or wherever one is eaten (scarfed down before a ballgame or munched on several hours into a night out), each bite is always worth savoring.