Frank Olivieri Sr., the Longtime Owner of Pat's King of Steaks, Passes Away at 87
Frank Olivieri Sr., a man behind one of Philadelphia's most iconic institutions, has left an indelible mark on the city's culinary scene. The 87-year-old patriarch of Pat's King of Steaks, which he co-founded with his brother Harry and nephew Pat in 1930, passed away without disclosing the cause.
For nearly three decades, Olivieri Sr. led the beloved South Philly eatery to international recognition, transforming it from a neighborhood staple into an internationally renowned landmark. His dedication to preserving the "authenticity, simplicity, and quality" of the restaurant and its working-class roots earned him a loyal following among locals and tourists alike.
Under his watchful eye, Pat's King of Steaks became a destination for celebrities, athletes, and public figures seeking a taste of Philadelphia's iconic cheesesteak. Olivieri Sr.'s commitment to maintaining a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year operation demonstrated his unwavering passion for the business.
As one of the original founders of Pat's, Olivieri Sr.'s contributions cannot be overstated. His son, Frank Olivieri Jr., took over the reins in 1996, following his father's retirement from the family-run eatery.
In lieu of traditional flowers, the Olivieri family has requested donations to St. Maron Church in honor of their beloved patriarch. A viewing and memorial service will be held on Friday at Baldi Funeral Home in South Philly, a fitting tribute to a man who forged an indelible mark on Philadelphia's culinary landscape.
Frank Olivieri Sr., a man behind one of Philadelphia's most iconic institutions, has left an indelible mark on the city's culinary scene. The 87-year-old patriarch of Pat's King of Steaks, which he co-founded with his brother Harry and nephew Pat in 1930, passed away without disclosing the cause.
For nearly three decades, Olivieri Sr. led the beloved South Philly eatery to international recognition, transforming it from a neighborhood staple into an internationally renowned landmark. His dedication to preserving the "authenticity, simplicity, and quality" of the restaurant and its working-class roots earned him a loyal following among locals and tourists alike.
Under his watchful eye, Pat's King of Steaks became a destination for celebrities, athletes, and public figures seeking a taste of Philadelphia's iconic cheesesteak. Olivieri Sr.'s commitment to maintaining a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year operation demonstrated his unwavering passion for the business.
As one of the original founders of Pat's, Olivieri Sr.'s contributions cannot be overstated. His son, Frank Olivieri Jr., took over the reins in 1996, following his father's retirement from the family-run eatery.
In lieu of traditional flowers, the Olivieri family has requested donations to St. Maron Church in honor of their beloved patriarch. A viewing and memorial service will be held on Friday at Baldi Funeral Home in South Philly, a fitting tribute to a man who forged an indelible mark on Philadelphia's culinary landscape.
, i mean, pat's king of steaks is like an institution in philly, and frank olivieri sr was the one who kept it going for so long... 87 years old is no joke 
, i guess you could say he had a good run with the cheesesteak empire 
. it's crazy how much history is tied to that place, from celebs to athletes to regular folks just lookin for a good meal 
. hope his family finds comfort in all the love and support 
.
. I mean, you're 87 and still working at your family business? That's dedication 
! Pat's King of Steaks was more than just a restaurant to me growing up – it was an institution, a piece of history. It's wild that he got to see his son take over and continue the legacy 
. I guess you could say he left a pretty lasting mark on Philly's food scene 
️ Philly wouldnt be same without Pat's King of Steaks, I still remember going there as a kid with my fam, got that iconic cheesesteak taste 
Anyways, so sad to see him go, 87 is old age for anyone but it feels like just yesterday he was leading the charge at Pat's 
. what really gets me is how he kept the "authenticity" of the place so intact... no fancy-schmancy stuff, just good ol' fashioned cheesesteaks 
. the fact that his son took over in 96 shows that they've got a solid legacy going on... i wonder if pat's king of steaks will keep thriving now that frank's gone 
I'm really gonna miss him... 87 years young is no joke, you know? 
I used to go to Pat's with my friends all the time back in college and we'd always order those iconic cheesesteaks 
. Frank Olivieri Sr. was more than just a businessman, he was like a part of the community, you feel? 
The fact that he kept it real and authentic all these years is somethin' to be admired 
. Don't know what we'd do without Pat's King of Steaks now 
.
. And with celebs always floodin' in, it's hard to keep that 'authenticity' feel goin'. Not sayin' his son did anything wrong, but it's just weird to think about the place changin' so much now 
. Don't even get me started on the crowds! I miss when you could walk in and grab a cheesesteak without waitin' forever 
. Guess that's progress, huh?
. And it's not like he was old or anything, 87 years young 
. It just feels off, you know? Like he was taken down before he could spill any beans about what really went on at Pat's 
. I'm thinkin maybe his son Frank Jr had somethin to do with it... all that power and control over the restaurant... it's a lot to handle 
. And now they're makin donations to St Maron Church? That just feels like a cover-up, u feel me? 
anywayz, its sad 2 hear that frank olivieri sr didnt disclose the cause of death 2o much about his legacy shud b celebrated in philly n not just on social media 
pat's king of steaks is still gonna b da bomb 
still weird how he passed away without telling anyone tho 
So sad to hear about Frank Olivieri Sr., the king of cheesesteaks! 
His dedication to the business is truly inspiring - only 24/7 operation? That's commitment 
. What I want to know is: who's gonna fill those iconic shoes now? 
And don't even get me started on how long they've been operating - 24/7 for nearly three decades? That's dedication, I'll give 'em that.
. I mean, it's sad that Frank Olivieri Sr. is gone, but honestly, Pat's King of Steaks was always gonna be a tourist trap 
no matter who ran it. Still, gotta give credit to the guy for keeping Philly on the food map - now if he could've figured out how to get the lines in Pat's moving faster than 30 seconds... that'd've been something 
He built Pat's King of Steaks into a global brand, but you could always tell it was run by family, not just some corporate suit 
.