Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia

A few blocks from the banks of the Delaware River sits one of the oldest standing restaurants in all of Philadelphia — The Famous 4^th Street Delicatessen. This landmark of the city would appear to feature the same, unaltered interior design and old-fashioned service that it has retained since its opening in 1923, with its simple white floors, white walls adjourned in framed photos of celebrities and wait staff dressed in traditional white server’s garb.

Although Famous has a lengthy menu of nearly every American-Jewish delicacy ever created (even tongue), perhaps their best dishes are the simplest ones. Their chin-high overstuffed sandwiches full of fresh brisket, pastrami, corned-beef and more — available in both “regular” and “zaftig” — are what most regular patrons come for, and although they may be steeply priced, there is always enough left to take home for another meal or two. Another favorite dish is the Challah french toast ($13) best paired with a side of potato pancakes, a meal that can be eaten at any time of the day. Restaurants like Famous are a dying breed, but thankfully, it appears this local fixture will hold its ground well into the future.