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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
American, Deli
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Kosher
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
View all details
meals, features

Location and contact

Bella Vista / Queen Village
0.6 miles from Independence Hall
Reviews (392)
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All reviews pastrami potato pancakes sandwiches matzo ball soup cookies knish hash bread beef huge portions leftovers kosher kugel philly dill neighborhood
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Reviewed 8 December 2023 via mobile

Tried to order dinner from 5 pm on and unsuccessful. When you call they put you on hold and delivery is never available! Can’t count on eating here unless you go in.

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?
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Reviewed 9 September 2023 via mobile

The 4th Street Deli in Philadelphia is a know classic restaurant. I was surprised that my waitress was both rude and annoyed that I was sitting in the restaurant asking to be served. The matzo ball soup is terrific but the grilled Ruben, though paled...high with meet was terrible. The corn beef looked like scrapple and I have tasted spam that had more flavor. The texture of the chopped beef was disappointing, but the insulting behavior of the waitress was enough for me to leave after talking with management. Every one can have an off day. I've worked in service my entire lifetime so I understand but when I was made to feel unwelcome, well I will not be back. I can find a better Ruben closer to home. If you go pick something other then the corn beef.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 September 2023

Next stop on the Tour de CheeseSteak. And yup, this time at a classic Jewish Deli. With everything you would expect - tremendous portions, traditional appetizers, way too many sandwich choices. And being in Philadelphia, their cheesesteak interpretations. All FOUR of them - Steak, Chicken,...Brisket, Pastrami. Yup, Brisket and Pastrami. Ordered chicken, brisket and pastrami (last to go). But first, gotta start with Matzoh Ball Soup. With a Matzoh Ball the size of a softball. But nice and light and fluffy, in a wondeful chicken soup. Just like grandma made. Nice way to start. Chicken and Brisket sandwiches next. And these are different. Most important - they are oven baked, not from the grill. A completely different texture and taste. The brisket was very good, the chicken a bit dry. And the bread, while very good, is more toasted than grilled, again a different taste and feel. And the Pastrami was the same - very good, but not the `classic' style. And all three, way too big for one sitting. Next day lunches are always welcome. Friendly staff, helpful and efficient. Typical deli atmosphere with everyone marvelling at how much food they got. Nice neighborhood, near South Street and Society Hill. A change of pace from the more traditional cheesesteak wit wiz. Think next time I'll just go for a nice Pastrami sandwichMore

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 29 August 2023

I went to the 4th Street deli this afternoon (August 29th 2023) to pick up a large take out order. I have lived in the inner city for six years and have frequented this establishment many times over those years, but refuse to continue to...patronize this establishment any longer. The male manager who works behind the counter who has been there for may years needs some lessons in ANGER MANAGEMENT. After I refused to except the 1/2 pound of nova that was cut from an end piece and to complete this 1/2 pound opened up a new package and again cut from the bitter end. When I asked to see the thickly cut and chunky bits that they had cut I refused to accept it, thats when the manager decided that my request to recut the nova was unexceptable and verbally abused me while the rest of the patrons watched with jaw dropping expressions on the faces. Just one word sums up my experience at the 4th Street Deli is ABUSIVE.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 29 April 2023 via mobile

Amazing food, tentative wait staff. We had the beef with au jus, smoked turkey and chicken soup. Seriously great on all counts. The sandwiches were huge and the meat was smoked and spiced to perfection. Even the au jus was spiced! The pickle was like...none I’d ever had… light dill and buttery taste. Wait staff was excellent. We went back later in the day for dessert…the largest single piece of cake we’ve ever set eyes on. Also, quite possibly the best cake we’ve ever tasted. Had the Choc Peanut Butter and German Choc. If you can decide on one, a single piece will literally serve four people. If I could give six stars, I would.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 30 October 2022

We made a surprise visit to 4th visit on the way to the farmers market, had lox, knish, latkes and bagels and coffee (I ended up buying one of their mugs later). What a place, it is legendary, thank goodness we took a good walk...after, the service is great, the portions were a good size too, the hash looks as if it comes with its own base camp! on the way out buy a slab of cake for ten bucks it will feed the neighbourhood if you tire of it.More

Date of visit: October 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 18 September 2022

This was quite a walk from my hotel but it was worth it. Got right in even though it was Sunday afternoon. Had a pastrami on rye that was enormous. The potato pancakes were good. The potato salad isn't a mustard base. You get a...small cookie with your order--or you can order one that is the size of a dinner plate. They bakery items in the case looked amazing and were ginormous but I was stuffed after half a sandwich.More

Date of visit: September 2022
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 16 September 2022

Our table had a mix of breakfast and lunch offerings and everything was good. Lots of leftovers to enjoy later. Don't order cake unless you want enough for a week!

Date of visit: September 2022
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Reviewed 12 September 2022

The service was excellent and packed just right 'to go'. Nothing spilled or leaked. They allowed a half order of potato pancakes, and the sour cream & applesauce were perfect for 1 person! The hamantaschen was a little short on the prune filling, but otherwise...very good.More

Date of visit: September 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 September 2022 via mobile

Some things are great, others are not. Frum people pay attention, and to clarify: THIS IS NOT A KOSHER RESTAURANT. There's no rabinical supervision, and meats are definitely not Kosher by any means. I guess it's what some would call Kosher Style. But if you...are frum, go somewhere else. The only kosher restaurant in the area is Judah's Grill. Good place if you like Israeli food, or are craving a nice steak, or some chicken soup. This is the place. Definitely delicious Israeli food. Not Eastern European. Let's explain better. It's more of a Sephardic menú, not an Ashkenazi deli or eastern European one. It's mostly about what your grandma made. 😛😊😀👍 So check the menu in advance. Menu is online. Desserts are delicious! Enjoy!More

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed 29 August 2022

There were five of us for lunch. I had an over-the-top sized corned beef sandwich for lunch, took the rest home and ate it for snack and for dinner. Then shared the other half with family. Meat on the bread was at least three or...four inches high. We had wonderful potato pancakes, pastrami. kasha varnishkas, and a sweet fruit tzimmes. Good pickles and cole slaw. The cakes are multi-layered and about eight inches high. I also had a cottage cheese kugel that I took home. Waitress was very nice and helpful, patient. She gave us chocolate chip cookies as a table gift - as if we needed more food.More

Date of visit: August 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 13 July 2022

Famous would be able to charge less for all their items if they just put less food on the plate! There is no way, absolutely no way, anyone needs a 10" tall sandwich! Waste must be outrageous. How much of that food taken home is...ever really eaten? Service is good though. I hadn't been to Famous in quite some time and won't be back. I resent having current prices make up for their Covid-closure time.More

Date of visit: July 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 5 June 2022 via mobile

So good. Reasonable prices and very delectable food. Word of advice: the portions are enormous; so unless you haven’t eaten in a month or you’re thinking of taking some of the rest back home, share your order. The matzah ball soup is exquisite.

Date of visit: June 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 23 May 2022

Ordered the smoked fish platter for 10 people. A huge step above the smoked fish platter we have gotten here in Cherry Hill. Highly recommended!

Date of visit: May 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 13 May 2022 via mobile

If you like a lot of food, this is your place. Small deli in Old City Philadelphia that has all day breakfast and huge sandwiches with lots of extras. Tables are close together and service is slow but food is filling. Too much food for...me but most people love more than less foodMore

Date of visit: May 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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Colette F
30 December 2019|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from mamahamill5057 | Reviewed this property |
I don't remember. sorry.
0
Votes
mark b
7 June 2018|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from Jimmy L | Reviewed this property |
If i were you, i would drop by to ask to see the portion(s) of the food(platter) then decide. Platters are various in sizes (mostly the same everytime) but depends on what you order.
0
Votes
mark b
7 June 2018|
Answer
Response from valie520 | Reviewed this property |
I definitely think you can order for a few less. My sister-in-law and I split a pick-four-meats plate and we had tons left over, although we did eat a ton of appetizers and soup. Maybe order for 8-10.
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FAMOUS 4TH STREET DELICATESSEN, Philadelphia - 700 S 4th St, Bella Vista / Queen Village - Restaurant Reviews & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

Yes, Famous 4th Street Delicatessen offers takeaway services.

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4