Here in Philadelphia, there are a few things that are absolutely sacrosanct. These are no mere icons or idols, but irreplaceable symbols of our history, life and tradition in the City of Brotherly Love. Among them, The Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Eagles, William Penn’s statue atop City Hall, and the city’s official sandwich, the Cheesesteak.
And now, horror of horrors, Rick’s Steaks is being unceremoniously ousted from it’s 25-year home at the Reading Terminal Market. The Market’s board voted to replace Rick’s, who was on a month-to-month lease, with Tony Luke’s, rival cheesesteak tycoon. Tony Luke’s, the board said publicly, was a bigger name and a better “fit” for the Market than the popular Rick’s, and demanded that Rick vacate by July 31.
Rick’s owner, Rick Oliveri, is the grandson of cheesesteak inventor Pat Oliveri, who made Pat’s King of Steaks a South Philly landmark for generations. Having grown up with grease and onions in his veins, and in South Philly no less, Rick is one tough hombre, and wasn’t about to give up without a fight. He hired a lawyer, and filed a complaint in Common Pleas Court seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow the sandwich maker to stay put until a judge decides if Rick has a valid lease or not.
“As far as I’m concerned, my lawyer thinks I have a lease,” Rick Oliveri told the Philadelphia Daily News. “I’m staying.”
Oliveri has vowed to fight the good fight, and says he’ll be there frying cheesesteaks until someone comes to drag him out. Several of his fellow Reading Terminal merchants have joined him in protest, and now the annual Dutch festival, scheduled for early August, has been cancelled.
Rick Oliveri says the board’s problem with him is more personal and political than commercial. Oliveri has been acting as the advocate for his fellow merchants (at their request) in their various grievances and negotiations with the Reading Terminal Market Board. Oliveri says it was that vocal advocacy that got him the boot, not the prospect of a “bigger” name sandwich shop.
For now, on this last day of Rick’s authorized stay at the Market, he’s there at his usual station, making sandwiches for the masses. The board looks like the villain in the court of public opinion, and the stalwart entrepreneur is the put-upon hero. Cheesesteak eaters from all over Philadelphia, (and you cannot imagine how many there are) are rallying to the cause, and join Rick and his fellow merchants in their protest of the board’s callous treatment of a Reading Terminal Market anchor.
We have nothing against Tony Luke’s, and in fact, have praised his roast pork sandwiches as among the best we’ve eaten. But even Tony would have to admit that he didn’t want a spot at the Market this way. Political retaliation should never be at the expense of Philadelphian’s stomachs. It’s in the city charter.
We cheesesteak eaters here at Ross Associates, (and yes, that’s ALL of us) join the chorus of support for Rick’s, and hope he gets to stay put right there at the Reading Terminal Market, and close to our offices.
Long live grease! No cheesesteaks, no peace! The gluttons united can never be defeated!
(Okay, so we’ll come up with better protest slogans. Give us time. We’re still eating lunch.)
And now, horror of horrors, Rick’s Steaks is being unceremoniously ousted from it’s 25-year home at the Reading Terminal Market. The Market’s board voted to replace Rick’s, who was on a month-to-month lease, with Tony Luke’s, rival cheesesteak tycoon. Tony Luke’s, the board said publicly, was a bigger name and a better “fit” for the Market than the popular Rick’s, and demanded that Rick vacate by July 31.
Rick’s owner, Rick Oliveri, is the grandson of cheesesteak inventor Pat Oliveri, who made Pat’s King of Steaks a South Philly landmark for generations. Having grown up with grease and onions in his veins, and in South Philly no less, Rick is one tough hombre, and wasn’t about to give up without a fight. He hired a lawyer, and filed a complaint in Common Pleas Court seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow the sandwich maker to stay put until a judge decides if Rick has a valid lease or not.
“As far as I’m concerned, my lawyer thinks I have a lease,” Rick Oliveri told the Philadelphia Daily News. “I’m staying.”
Oliveri has vowed to fight the good fight, and says he’ll be there frying cheesesteaks until someone comes to drag him out. Several of his fellow Reading Terminal merchants have joined him in protest, and now the annual Dutch festival, scheduled for early August, has been cancelled.
Rick Oliveri says the board’s problem with him is more personal and political than commercial. Oliveri has been acting as the advocate for his fellow merchants (at their request) in their various grievances and negotiations with the Reading Terminal Market Board. Oliveri says it was that vocal advocacy that got him the boot, not the prospect of a “bigger” name sandwich shop.
For now, on this last day of Rick’s authorized stay at the Market, he’s there at his usual station, making sandwiches for the masses. The board looks like the villain in the court of public opinion, and the stalwart entrepreneur is the put-upon hero. Cheesesteak eaters from all over Philadelphia, (and you cannot imagine how many there are) are rallying to the cause, and join Rick and his fellow merchants in their protest of the board’s callous treatment of a Reading Terminal Market anchor.
We have nothing against Tony Luke’s, and in fact, have praised his roast pork sandwiches as among the best we’ve eaten. But even Tony would have to admit that he didn’t want a spot at the Market this way. Political retaliation should never be at the expense of Philadelphian’s stomachs. It’s in the city charter.
We cheesesteak eaters here at Ross Associates, (and yes, that’s ALL of us) join the chorus of support for Rick’s, and hope he gets to stay put right there at the Reading Terminal Market, and close to our offices.
Long live grease! No cheesesteaks, no peace! The gluttons united can never be defeated!
(Okay, so we’ll come up with better protest slogans. Give us time. We’re still eating lunch.)
No comments:
Post a Comment