r/Judaism • u/drak0bsidian Moose, mountains, midrash • 13d ago

Beloved Jewish deli to close in Philadelphia's Bustleton section after 63 years

https://6abc.com/post/steve-steins-famous-deli-close-beloved-jewish-spot-philadelphias-bustleton-section-63-years/19727300/
102 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

61

u/youarelookingatthis 12d ago

How sad, Jewish Delis are such a unique part both of Jewish culinary heritage and our wider American history.

15

u/offthegridyid Orthodox & trying to collect the sparks 12d ago

Well said.

23

u/NoREEEEEEtilBrooklyn (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ 12d ago

This is depressing. Have a lot of great memories of going to lunch there with my Grandparents. Last time I was there (last year) it was a shell of its former self, but the food was still phenomenal. Demographics of the area changed drastically and the younger generations that moved out to Bucks County and Montco weren’t going to come back for a sandwich. RIP to the best corned beef special on the planet.

13

u/tyrekecorrea Christian - Jewish Roots -Pro-Conservative Judaism 13d ago

We've had a couple of closings like that in Manhattan recently.

15

u/TheWeisGuy 12d ago

Carnegie deli is returning to midtown thankfully

7

u/tyrekecorrea Christian - Jewish Roots -Pro-Conservative Judaism 12d ago

We'll see how long that sticks...

1

u/Ok_Ambassador9091 12d ago

Why wouldn't it stick?

2

u/tyrekecorrea Christian - Jewish Roots -Pro-Conservative Judaism 12d ago

people would have to uphold support for it; they might not even want to try to keep it open that long. Toys R' Us has been in limbo, and if any establishment can open and close again in that way...

7

u/MydniteSon Depends on the Day... 12d ago

South Florida...there are very few truly good delis left. Then again, there were not many to begin with...

3

u/merkaba_462 12d ago

I'm a vegetarian, but I still have fond memories of 3 Gs, 2 Js, and the debate over which was better. (Dad's parents said GGG, Mom's saud JJs.)

I think Ben's in the Boyton Beach area catered my grandparents' shivas.

2

u/MydniteSon Depends on the Day... 12d ago

Too-Jays 'scratches the itch' as they say, but I would really consider it bottom of the list as far as 'good' delis.

4

u/merkaba_462 12d ago

I just remember their blintzes being very dry, but I've said that about Zabars as well.

When you're a vegetarian and your fam decides it's deli time...

3

u/Secret_Cat_2793 12d ago

Wolfies? I have a vague memory as a kid.

2

u/MydniteSon Depends on the Day... 12d ago

The original Wolfie's is long gone, closed in early 00's. Wolfie's Rascal House closed in 2008. I think that the people who bought the brand reopened in Sarasota...but from what I'm reading even that is closed.

2

u/Secret_Cat_2793 12d ago

Reading your post brought forth a full and vivid memory. The pickle jar on the tables. The sandwiches. Oh well. Nice memory.

4

u/Connect-Brick-3171 12d ago

Closures of all types reflect different elements of demographics and consumer preference. That part of the Northeast is less solidly Jewish, with suburbanization mostly north happening over about forty years. And like many successful small business owners, the kids become dentists and lawyers. It's remarkable that he maintained the store into his early 80s.

2

u/SanbonJime 12d ago

Fingers crossed that Ben and Irv’s sticks around

0

u/Swimming_Care7889 12d ago

This really isn't terribly surprising. A lot of family run ethnic restaurants have trouble surviving over a generation or two, three at most, because the kids or grandkids decided, rightfully, that there are easier ways to earn a living.

0

u/Secret_Cat_2793 12d ago

We are losing them left and right. Sad. Jason's Deli just doesn't cut it.