Cold Cheese Whiz

The "usurper" must be feeling the bad press, since he felt compelled to comment on the cheesesteak controversy via Press Release. As an update on the Reading Terminal Cheesesteak War, I'll have that TRO wid, Philebrity reported that replacement vendor Tony Luke doesn't have a lease with the Reading Terminal Market, Tony Luke Does Not Have A Lease For The Reading Terminal And Other Strange Truths About The Cheesesteak Wars. To date, the parties have a signed Letter of Intent -- and it looks like everything has been put on hold until this matter with Rick Oliveri is resolved. Philebrity adds:

But like so much cold Cheese Whiz, the plot thickens: Polgar went on to tell us that the first Tony Luke had learned of Olivieri’s ousting was when the rest of us did, on the news a few weeks back. “Nobody at the RTM had brought up the situation with Rick,” says Polgar. Furthermore, Tony Luke didn’t think twice about sharing floor space with Olivieri: They already both have stalls at Citizen’s Bank Park. (It’s also important to keep in mind that, purported media wars aside, Rick’s is known for cheesesteaks, and Tony Luke’s is famous for roast pork, broccoli rabe, and so on; so while Tony Luke’s does in fact serve cheesesteaks, this is not the head-to-head war it’s made out to be. In fact, in preliminary discussion, the RTM told Tony Luke they would not have a space available for him until October.) So if free market competition is not at the heart of the Rick’s ousting, then what is? Same as it ever was: For years, Olivieri headed up the merchant’s association at the Terminal, going to mat for his fellow vendors. Keep in mind that the RTM is essentially run by the city, and like anything else run by the city, the RTM is a petty fiefdom run on the noxious fumes of patronage and ego wars. As evidenced by his standoff today, Olivieri apparently has brass balls and has surely pissed some people off.

Meanwhile, Rick's Steaks might open a stand at the Courthouse, since he may be spending a lot of time there. He was served with eviction papers yesterday and he has filed his own lawsuit challenging his ouster from the Reading Terminal Market. Olivieri won't pull up steaks.

Philebrity sums it all up best:

We are also hearing that none other than District Attorney Lynne Abraham will be brought in to mediate. Stay tuned with Philebrity as we continue to follow this utterly bonkers Piece Of Everything That Makes Philadelphia Great.

Tags: Philadelphia, Philly, Reading Terminal Market, Rick's Steaks