A content creator has been charged with harassment after throwing a Philly cheesesteak at a worker at Pat’s King of Steaks in Philadelphia.
Tom Francano, the restaurant’s manager, was behind the counter when the sandwich was thrown at him earlier this week. He has worked at the famous cheesesteak stand for nearly 50 years.
Security footage showed the unidentified man sitting outside the restaurant and taking apart the cheesesteak without eating it. He then returned to the counter, threw the food at Mr Francano and ran away.
The incident was later traced to videos uploaded to YouTube and Instagram. Frank Olivieri, the owner of Pat’s, said he and his IT team found footage of the confrontation online.
“How brazen are you to assault somebody and then post it?” Mr Olivieri told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Thank God for stupidity.”
The YouTube account h4ll0w33n posted a video titled “I Threw This Cheesesteak in His Face Geno’s Steaks”, incorrectly naming the restaurant. Its thumbnail showed a cheesesteak hitting a man, alongside the words: “THIS CHEESESTEAK SUCKED!”
The same footage appeared on a newly created Instagram account called YAM TV, which described itself as a reality food critic show. Neither account identified the man involved.
Mr Olivieri offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the attacker’s arrest and conviction. On Friday, he reportedly gave the money to someone who contacted him with information, although police said the content creator turned himself in.
Police charged the man with harassment. His name has not been disclosed.
The motive remains unclear, but the content creator reportedly told police that he reviews restaurants and throws food at employees when he dislikes it.
Mr Olivieri criticised the charge as too minor. “What are they going to give him, community service?” he said. “Maybe he should come over here and sweep the pavement.”
He said his efforts to identify the man were intended to prevent similar incidents involving restaurant workers and online food critics.
Pat’s King of Steaks is now reportedly considering banning cameras from the restaurant in future.
