by Alex Lloyd Gross
Today, August 25,2026 a staple of the Northeast will close it’s doors forever. Steve Stein’s Famous Deli located at 1619 Grant Avenue. “It’s time,” said Steve Stein, owner. He was the owner when it first opened and he saw it through rough times, COVID, and the relocation from Krewstown Road, just a half a mile away.
Contrary to popular belief, this is not a Kosher deli. “It’s Kosher style,” Stein said, which is why they also sold ham and other non Kosher products. His steady stream of customers did not seem to care. Eventually, they added a small dining area, where people can eat prepared foods with their friends.
He also experimented with selling beer for take out. Within a year or so the beer was removed. The business was run like the 1980’s. With the exception of a website, Stein eschewed modern media and technology. “It;s not for me”, he would say.
As a promotional gimmick at one time he had shirts made for his employees to wear stating that they survived Yom Kippur. The deli counter was packed with customers around the High Holidays for those of the Jewish Faith. You could wait upwards of an hour for service if you arrived during the holiday crush. He went to marketing T shirts with his deli slogan “I’m just here for the food”. Occasionally, someone would buy one.
With the store gone, there is no Jewish deli anywhere close, unless someone wanted to go to the Short Hills in Cherry Hill New Jersey, or go to Ben and Irv’s which is not close.. His employees are all out of work, or are they? Lee Stein, his son and General Manager is actively looking for a new spot to relocate to.
“One thing we have to realize is this place would not have lasted without dedicated employees. Some have been there 55 years, others for 14,.I have to find the right numbers with a new landlord and if I can do that, I am going to take a lot of these employees with me”.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com Lee Stein, the General Manager hopes to have a new spot opened shortly.
The one thing is that people won’t see these prices again. You won’t see some of these items again. The volume of people that shop in deli’s has dropped off. The other places that exist are way more expensive than us”, Stein said.
Steve Stein is going to retire, he is in his 80’s and wants to enjoy life. He has worked for close to 60 years running this deli.”I’m tired and I’m old”, he said.