Cultural Happenings: Philly Cheesesteaks

For one year, exchange visitors from India and the Dominican Republic have joined the Loews Philadelphia Hotel team to train in American hospitality, learning American methodologies and offering their cultural perspective. In addition to professional development, the exchange visitors will spend their year becoming part of Philadelphia’s community and gaining a deeper understanding of American culture.

While visiting the exchange visitors, LifeTRAVELED introduced them to a Philadelphia icon: the cheesesteak (from the creators, no less!). In the 1930s, a hot dog vendor, Pat Olivieri, threw together beef and onions on an roll for his lunch, catching the eye (nose?) of a passing cab driver who endorsed the creation. Thus, the cheesesteak was born, although the essential cheese component was not added until the 1940s. Through the decades, the cheesesteak has gained popularity - inspiring new business owners to set up shop, influencing variations from fine dining chefs to vegans, and becoming a beloved part of Philadelphia cuisine.

While there is debate about what establishment boasts the best cheesesteak, we chose to bring our exchange visitors to Pat’s, still standing in its original location, to honor the dish’s roots and appreciate the venue’s historical significance. Ordering two classic cheesesteaks, one chicken cheesesteak, and classic fries, the exchange visitors gave their verdict - delicious!