Full Breakdown
The Final Days of Steve Stein’s Famous Deli in Northeast Philadelphia
9/2/2026, 11:53:13 AM
Closure of Steve Stein’s Famous Deli
Steve Stein announced the permanent shutdown of his family-run deli on August 24, the day after the store officially closed following a “blowout sale.” The landlord’s lack of repairs left the business unable to continue operating.
History and Changing Jewish Community in Northeast Philadelphia
The deli’s roots trace back to the late 1950s when Mike Stein, his brother Arnold and cousin Jack began operating a produce concession at the Famous Deli in Philadelphia’s Castor Gardens neighborhood. Around 1960 they purchased the deli from the Auspitz family, who had run a chain of Philadelphia delis since the 1920s. Over the decades the Stein family moved the shop to Krewstown Road in the mid-1970s, later expanding to two locations, and finally to 1619 Grant Ave about 14 years ago. Longtime residents note that the surrounding area, once a hub of Jewish life with numerous synagogues and Jewish businesses, has seen those institutions disappear as families moved to the suburbs.
Official Statements & Responses
Steve Stein expressed mixed emotions, saying he will miss his customers, whom he described as “like family,” and that he looks forward to spending more time with his wife Sheila and their grandchildren. Lee Stein said he attempted to negotiate roof repairs with the landlord but “that wasn’t going anywhere.” He also indicated a desire to start a new, smaller venture elsewhere, noting that “the price affects you eventually.” Michael Young, owner of Ben & Irv’s deli in Huntingdon Valley, observed that the closure may benefit other establishments that blend restaurant and deli concepts, though he cautioned that “it’s a different world today.”
Impact on the Local Deli Landscape
With Steve Stein’s Famous Deli gone, the neighborhood loses what local reports describe as its last Jewish deli. Customers such as Rebecca Asheuer and Aileen Owens lament the loss of affordable Jewish food options and view the closure as a sign of the fading Jewish presence in the area. Competitors anticipate a shift in market share, but opinions differ on whether the change will be advantageous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I kind of expected it to go sooner or later,” — Aileen Owens
- “Lee wants to try something, but not here,” — Steve Stein
- “I’m upset another Jewish deli has closed and he’s been in business a long time and certainly has his whole clientele,” — Michael Young
- “But it’s a different world today; a different area. So I don’t know if it will help us.” — Lee Stein
