R.I.P Joey Vento
By Wyatt Earp | August 23, 2011
Philadelphia has lost a true icon today. Joey was 71.
Outspoken Philly cheesesteak legend Joey Vento died of a massive heart attack Tuesday, Geno’s Steaks confirmed.
Besides bringing Geno’s to prominence as one of the premiere cheesesteak joints in the city of the steak sandwich, Vento also took stands against illegal immigration making international news for asking patrons to “Speak English” and gave his support to fallen police officers.
Vento opened Geno’s in 1966 across the street from Pat’s Steaks at 9th and Passyunk in South Philly. He had learned the business from his dad who owned South Street staple Jim’s Steak, according to Geno’s website. Geno’s became known for not chopping up its meat and its bright neon signs that lit up the South Philly night.
Funeral arrangements weren’t immediately released.
This news saddens me to no end. I have a lot of fond memories of Joey and Geno’s Steaks. It was the place where I first met Bitter, Sebastian, and Right Wing Prof – who is probably welcoming Joey into Heaven as we speak. I took Code Monkey there in June, and she was awestruck that Joey made our sandwiches. When Jim was creating this site, he asked me what I wanted in the top banner. One of the first things I requested was a photo of Geno’s Steaks.
While he was definitely old school in his views, Joey was a terrific man. He always went out of his way to support the city’s police officers and firefighters, and loved this city very much.
Godspeed, Joey. You will be sorely missed.
Topics: Philly | 23 Comments »
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Sad.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:24 pm
I’m glad we went. It’s one of those “bucket list” kind of things, especially to see him at the grill.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:32 pm
JeffTea – A very sad ending to a very eventful day.
CM – And the police/fire memorial walk, and the massive crowds. It was a great experience, but it always is there.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Still find myself smiling thinking back to your response when I asked you why the fallen K-9′s brick was larger than then ones for the cops…
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:48 pm
How sad! He will be missed by a lot of people. He seemed to be a very generous man.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:51 pm
CM – “Because they (police dogs) aren’t a**holes like us.” Yeah, I had teh funneh that day.
RT – Yeah, a true Philadelphia icon.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Indeed a Philly icon, who will be missed.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Philly is going to miss hearing his voice on WNTP.
Joey was a moral compass for us Full-delphia Conservatives.
We won’t let your banner touch the ground, Joey.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:13 pm
911 – Agreed.
Tom – I just heard his ObamaCare commercial a few minutes ago on Levin. Such a shame. Guys like Joey should live into their 90′s.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:17 pm
RIP Joey. We will remember a great American.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:26 pm
God bless ya, Joey.
(aka Tony)
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Oh I am so sorry to hear this. He was a true Philadelphia icon. Today is the anniversary of my father’s death – I know he will give Joey a hero’s welcome into heaven.
August 24th, 2011 at 12:10 am
Bob – He truly was.
JT – Amen.
Jeanne – I’m sure he will. Thoughts going up for your father as well.
August 24th, 2011 at 1:42 am
Condolences to his family and friends.
August 24th, 2011 at 2:19 am
[...] Joey Vento, the proprietor of Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia, died of a heart attack. Wyatt Notes: While he was definitely old school in his views, Joey was a terrific man. He always went out of his way to support the city’s police officers and firefighters, and loved this city very much. [...]
August 24th, 2011 at 4:52 am
We even knew about Joey in Vegas.
Rest in the Arms of Our Lord………………
August 24th, 2011 at 6:48 am
Joey was a great guy, always had a fantastic smile and a warm hello for you. He will be sadly miised. Rest in peace my friend.
August 24th, 2011 at 7:29 am
A MAN has died! He did it his way! RIP
August 24th, 2011 at 10:58 am
Wyatt, have a cheese steak “wid” for me today.
August 24th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I need new family members. They’ve been spouting all kinds of tasteless crap on FB since Joey Vento passed.
Sickening. They make me sick.
August 24th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Very sad. I stopped by Geno’s back in March. I was impressed with the level of support for Law Enforcement at the establishment. I wish we had more men like Joey. Rest in Peace.
August 24th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Jon – Seconded.
LDIV – He transcended Philly – in a good way.
Lou – And still worked every day, making steaks on the grill. One of a kind.
Danny – And now he can enjoy a much-deserved rest.
Jim – I’m gonna try to get down there within the week. I heard it’s a madhouse now with the well-wishers and mourners. Oh, and they’re staying open, because that’s what Joey would have wanted.
Orchid – It’s always bad form to speak ill of the dead – especially so close after one’s passing. I remember DailyKos commenters were joyously celebrating Tony Snow’s death.
Enano – He was always a big supporter of police, fire, and military. The sidewalk memorial is as much a tribute to him and his employees as it is to us.
August 25th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Wyatt:
I had to leave a short tribute to Joey at my blog, too.
Been to Geno’s a LOT of times when I lived in Philly.
He was a great guy, and you didn’t have to KNOW him to “know him”…
One in a MILLION…that’s for certain.
Roll safe.