Philadelphia, PA

Rick Olivieri serving up a Philly Cheesesteak at his shop in Reading Terminal Market (photo taken from philly.com)

In an earlier post I had mentioned that Rick’s Steaks, in the Reading Terminal Market, was in danger of losing it’s lease after 25 years. The rally that was supposed to be held in support of Rick’s was cancelled when owner, Rick Olivieri, made an appointment with the board to possibily discuss terms of a new lease. A decision was reached, however, it has yet to be made public.

Why is the Terminal Market Board so eager to give Rick the boot? Rick claims that the board is retaliating against him for advocating for other terminal merchants, though board members deny those allegations. Another theory is the board couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring in Tony’s Luke’s, with it’s great reputation in Zagat’s guide. But can Zagat’s compete with family history? The name Olivieri sounds familiar, doesn’t it? That’s because Rick Olivieri is grandson to Pat Olivieri, founder of Pat’s King of Steaks and the philly steak sandwich. Herbert Oliveri opened Rick’s in 1981 inside Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, with son Rick Oliveri taking over in 1995. Despite being blood, family ties are strained between the Oliveri’s. In October 2006, Pat’s operator Frank Oliveri Jr. sued Rick’s Steaks in dispute over Rick’s references to Pat’s in its signage and literature (Rick’s advertises and promotes its connections to the Oliveri family). The lawsuit stems from Rick’s gain in notoriety after it opened a second location at Citizens Bank Park in 2006, a spot Geno’s Steaks abandoned after two seasons. With the law suit still pending, it could be another factor motivating the board to evict Rick.

Whatever the reason may be, one thing is for certain, Rick Olivieri is not going down without a fight.

If you’re in support of Rick’s or want to share your opinion with him, there’s a page here on his website where you can send in your comments.

Other articles about the Rick’s battle against the Terminal Market Board
Reading Terminal Market: Rick’s Steaks widout? By Joseph A. Slobodzian
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Posted on Thu, Jul. 05, 2007

Rick’s owner, market board to discuss lease by mike benner / metro philadelphia JUL 23, 2007

and don’t forget to vote for your favorite cheesesteak stop!

Rick’s Steaks, Rick Olivieri, Reading Terminal Market, Cheesesteaks, Pat Olivieri, Pat’s King of Steaks