Background
Olivieri was born in South Philadelphia to Italian parents Michael and Maria Olivieri.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Harry M. Olivieri
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended Southwark School before leaving to work as a carpenter.
Career
The brothers opened in 1940, one of the best known purveyors of steak sandwiches in Philadelphia. The family returned to Italy when he was three, returning to Philadelphia four years later. The brothers ran the stall while holding down other jobs.
Harry worked as a carpenter, while Pat made sleds.
In 1933, as the family relates the story, the brothers invented the steak sandwich, selling the first one to a cab driver for ten cents. In 1940, the brothers rented space to open at the same spot that they had their stand.
The two brothers worked at the restaurant for 15 to 18 hours a day for the next few decades while the restaurant was open 24 hours a day. Harry worked at the Philadelphia Naval Yard during World World War II before returning to the restaurant.
Harry Olivieri had a heart attack in 1972 and retired from day-to-day management.
He still visited the business for a few hours each day to meet and greet the customers. He died of heart failure on July 22, 2006, in Pomona, New Jersey, at the age of 90. Harry"s grandson, Frank Junior., now runs the business.
