Geno's Steaks

THE STORY OF GENO’S STEAKS

Geno’s Steaks was started by Joey Vento back in 1966. He figured that if he was going to sell cheesesteaks, it needed to be where they were already eating them – at the “X” shaped intersection of 9th & Passyunk in South Philadelphia. Joey learned the ropes of the cheesesteak business from his father who, in the early 1940′s, opened a steak shop named “Jim’s Steaks” across the street from where Geno’s now stands. In 1966, Joey started “Geno’s” with 2 boxes of steaks, some hot dogs, and $6.00 in his pocket.

His competitors predicted the doors would close within 6 months and as a twist of fate, there was already a “Joe’s Steaks.” In Joey’s attempt to come up with a new name, he noticed a broken door in the back of his store on which a neighborhood boy by the name of “GINO” had painted his name. Joey liked the name but at that time there was already a food chain by that name. Joey simply changed the “I” to an “E” and proceeded to name his steak shop Geno’s Steaks. In 1971, when his son was born, Joey and his wife Eileen decided to name him after their business.

Geno Vento worked alongside his father from the age of 17 until Joey’s passing in 2011. Geno continues to work hard everyday to make his father proud and continue the cheesesteak legacy.

The ingredients are simple and never greasy – thinly sliced rib-eye steak, melted cheese, oven-fresh baked bread and delicately grilled onions. Awaiting your piping hot sandwich on the counter outside are ketchup, mustard, and relish.