R I P: Harry Olivieri

It's not barbeque, but it's good eats. Harry Olivieri the Philly cheesesteak creator, died at age 90 the other day. He will be missed. So out of respect for a great foodie, the fires were not lit today in Brooklyn. Instead we feasted on his creation. Goodbye Harry.

PHILADELPHIA - Harry Olivieri, co-inventor of the Philly cheesesteak, has died. He was 90.

Despite a heart condition, Olivieri had showed up at the store almost every day until about three years ago. He died of heart failure Thursday at Atlantic City Medical Center.

Harry and his older brother, Pat Olivieri, were running a corner hot dog stand near South Philadelphia's Italian Market in 1933 when they made the first version of the sandwich.

Tired of hot dogs, Pat suggested that Harry go to a store and buy some beef. Harry brought it back, sliced it up and grilled it with some onions. The brothers piled the meat on rolls and were about to dig in when a cab driver arrived for lunch, smelled the meat and onions and demanded one of the sandwiches.

Cheez Whiz was added to the steak and onions starting in the 1960s, and provolone, American cheese and pizza sauce later became options in the concoction along with various condiments and side dishes.