Bill would make Pat's seating legal

Pat's is going legal.

Although the legendary cheesesteak establishment has featured outdoor seating for more than 20 years, a recent city inspection revealed that the owners never had approval for the tables, trash cans, signs and awning on the sidewalk where Passyunk Avenue intersects with Wharton and 9th streets.

Councilman Frank DiCicco, who counts Pat's King of Steaks among the eateries in his district, has introduced legislation that will give Pat's belated permission for the picnic tables and benches where patrons chow down. The bill was approved yesterday by the Council Committee on Streets and Services.

"I don't think it's that unusual," DiCicco said of the licensing problems, noting that many businesses aren't fully compliant with city regulations.

Tommy Francono, general manager at Pat's, said that they thought they were fully legal until a Licenses and Inspections visit about six months ago.

"We always thought we had a cafe license," he said.

But Francono stressed that the outdoor eating isn't going anywhere: "The tables have been out here for so long. People have to sit down here and eat."

So, is this just a Pat's problem? DiCicco aide Brian Abernathy said that he isn't aware of any outstanding violations for Geno's, the rival South Philly cheesesteak stand.