Pat’s King of Steaks owner wants justice after cheesesteak assault caught on camera

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The owner of Pat’s King of Steaks in South Philadelphia is demanding accountability after a customer threw a cheesesteak at the restaurant’s longtime general manager in an incident caught on video.

According to the restaurant, the incident happened around 5 p.m. Wednesday in front of the iconic cheesesteak shop.

Video recorded from multiple angles shows a customer throwing a cheesesteak at general manager Tom Francano before running away.

Francano, who said he has worked at the restaurant for nearly 50 years, described the encounter.

“My first reaction was, ‘He hit me in the face.’ He stood at the window and then he took off running down the street,” Francano said. “It hit me right on the side of the face, it went everywhere, glass, everything.”

Francano said the individual arrived with a camera and a tripod, making him believe it might be an influencer. After ordering a cheesesteak with whiz and onions, the customer returned a few minutes later and complained about the sandwich, Francano said.

“He turns around, he says to me: ‘It’s trash.’ I said – there was another couple eating outside – I said, “Guys, how were your steaks tonight?” They said, ‘Our steaks were great, they were good,'” Francano said.

Immediately afterward, Francano said the meat started flying and the customer ran away.

Pat’s owner Frank Olivieri said he believes the incident may have been motivated by a desire to attract attention online, although it remains unclear whether the individual is a well-known influencer or someone seeking views and clicks on online content.

“Why would you throw a cheesesteak in someone’s face? That’s assault,” Olivieri said.

Olivieri said police were called after the incident and he wants the person responsible to be held accountable.

“I’m thinking of offering a reward of $500, no, maybe $5,000 cash, for the arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of this person for assault and battery on my manager,” Olivieri said.

Police have been contacted regarding the nature of any investigation or possible charges.