Passyunk Square in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Joey Vento
philanthropist,
friend of first responders
and their families,
father, husband,
larger than life
Died August 23, 2011
Erected by FOP Lodge 5.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.
Location. 39° 56.022′ N, 75° 9.535′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Passyunk Square. It is at the intersection of South 9th Street and East Passayunk Avenue, on the right when traveling north on South 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1219 S 9th St, Philadelphia PA 19147, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At
this page online
Also see . . . Geno's Steaks about us page. Bio from Geno's history page:
Want to know the history of the famous Philly Cheesesteak?(Submitted on December 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Well fill you in. Well, at least about Genos but thats all you really need to know.
Genos was founded by one of Phillys own, Joey Vento in 1966. The man had two boxes of steaks, a few hot dogs, and $6 in his pocket when he turned on the grills at 9th and Passyunk. Neighboring joints predicted hed last six months, tops.
Joey didnt listen. He stuck to what he knew and what he knew was steaks. Joey learned the ropes working in hisold mans steak shop in the 40s. It was in that kitchen that Joey mastered cooking a steak to mouth-watering perfection and grilling an onion so it had just enough bite.
Little by little the shop at 9th and Passyunk drew more attention. Before long, people were saying they were the best steaks theyve ever had. Joey kept at it.
Business was booming in 1971 when Joey and his wife Eileen had a baby boy. Always one to do things his own way, Joey decided to name his son (yep, you guessed it) Geno.
As soon as he was old enough, Geno was right there beside his dad, learning about the family business. From 17 on, you could find him at the shop, making the famous Philly cheesesteak, taking orders, and meeting with customers learning every aspect of the business Joey built.
Joey Vento passed away in 2011. Geno has since taken over the shop and is carrying on Joeys legacy by serving up the famous Philly cheesesteak.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 4, 2025
3. Ad for Geno's Steaks on a local tourism map
We Deliver
Open 24/7
Geno's Steaks was founded by Joey Vento in 1966 at the corner of 9th and Passyunk. With $6 in his pocket he made his dream come true as Philadelphia's most iconic cheese steak, which is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. His son Geno Vento continues his legacy today.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 6, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
