Geno’s Photo: Kirsten Henri

Anyone who ever took one side or the other in the supposed blood feud between Philly cheesesteak-makers Geno’s and Pat’s King of Steaks should consider ordering a steak with crow the next time they find themselves standing in the forever endless lines at either of the South Philly landmarks. The rivalry, which everyone from Dr. Phil and Sarah Palin to Marc Summers and electro-hop quartet Far East Movement has tried to quell, incite, or simply understand, knows no end. Well, until now.

In a post about the passing of Geno’s founder Joey Vento, Philly Gossip reports that the four-decades-long standoff is and has always been a big sham. Turns out that Vento and Frank Olivieri Jr., grandson of Harry Olivieri who, with his brother Pat, gave life to the cheesesteak back in 1933, were actually pretty good friends. “We were business competitors but we were friends,” Olivieri was quoted saying. He added that the media was largely responsible for creating the perception of a bitter rivalry between the two businesses.

Pat’s Steaks owner praises Joey Vento [Philly Gossip]

Earlier: RIP Joey Vento: Somewhere in Heaven Angels Shed Tears of Cheez Whiz