If breakfast for you means a bagel stacked with smoked fish, you should start your morning at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Queen Village. This Jewish deli is an institution—it’s been serving enormous pastrami specials, matzah ball soup, and challah french toast for over 100 years—and definitely one of the best places for brunch in Philly. They don’t take reservations, so expect a wait on the weekends, but there’s no one in town stacking corned beef higher or spreading cream cheese thicker.

Decked out in black and white tile and filled with long, gleaming glass cases displaying lox, knishes, and salamis, Famous 4th looks, smells, and sounds like the Jewish delis of yore. Sure, there’s a bit of schmaltzy nostalgia—but with a history it can trace back nearly 95 years, this spot is entitled to heap it on. Like its classic deli brethren in New York, Famous's portions are easily big enough to share, or better yet, to enjoy as leftovers.

On weekend mornings, lines go long at this black-and-white-tiled Queen Village Jewish deli. Pickle platters hit the table while brunchers wait for monster-sized plates of challah french toast, salami and eggs, and corned beef hash. A sharable smoked fish buffet feeds a crowd of lox lovers with whitefish, herring and sable plus bagels, cream cheese and all the appropriate accoutrements.

In a notoriously difficult industry, few restaurants make it to the century milestone, and those that do are usually tourist traps. But since 1923, Famous 4th Street Deli has been a Queen Village staple for gathering around heaping, perfectly executed hot pastrami or chopped liver sandwiches, bowls of matzo ball soup, and other Jewish delicatessen standards. The wooden tables, set amid deli cases of knishes and black and white cookies, are always overflowing with neighborhood families, well-dressed office workers, and everybody in between.

A post shared by Joe • Toronto & Kingston Food (@foodpharaoh). This corner delicatessen has kept its 20’s charm with its vintage white tiles and antique sign, but it’s also adapted with the times, appearing in several movies and serving notable patrons, including former president Barack Obama. Located on 4th street (duh) in the Queen Village neighborhood of Philadelphia, Famous Fourth Street is famous for smoking the pastrami and pickling the corned beef in their overstuffed sandwiches.

One important asset included in the recent sale of Famous 4th Street Deli was the recipes, passed down from the founders, the Auspitz family. The menu star very well may be matzo ball soup, a not-too-salty chicken broth with bowtie pasta and chunks of chicken and carrots, surrounding a matzo ball roughly the size of a softball. Famous’ matzo balls are “sinkers” and not “floaters,” so they maintain their integrity as you cut them with the side of your spoon to share with a friend.

In the heart of the Gayborhood in Midtown Village, small restaurants have long found ways to expand their footprint with outdoor seating. Along 13th Street between Chestnut and Pine — and many of the side streets and alleys in between — find charming courtyards, extended sidewalk seating and pop-up in-street dining. ’s Mediterranean eats come with a side of people-watching from an extended sidewalk structure that includes clear protective screens, lighting and HVAC ductwork.

Yes, it’s a bit touristy, and yes, it’s a tick more expensive than other delis, but Famous 4th Street Delicatessen is famous for a reason: it is extremely and inarguably great. The interior is old-school, with crowded tables, curtained windows, a black-and-white checker floor, and perpetual loud, boisterous conversation. The menu is pretty straightforward, with sandwiches available in regular and Zaftig (larger) sizes; bountiful fish options; and dozens of salads and soups.

An iconic Jewish deli that’s been serving corned beef and smoked fish for over 100 years. It’s a perfect place, full stop. Picture black-and-white tiled floors, pickles galore, old framed photos lining the walls, tables that turn efficiently, and tenured servers that toe the line between geniality and “hurry up and order, hun” with such swiftness you’ll wonder if they’re a distant relative of yours.

Famous faces & family photos cover the walls at this Jewish Deli with ample portions & a '20s flair. Although Famous changed ownership in 2005, The Deli continues to keep the Jewish delicatessen tradition alive. To this day, the Deli attacks locals, and celebrities and several films have even been filmed at Famous, most notably Philadelphia (1993) and In Her Shoes (2005).

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen 700 S 4th Street (215) 922-3274famous4thstreetdelicatessen.com. Since 1923, this corner delicatessen has been a Philadelphia tradition, owned and operated by one family for over 80 years. In 2005, after years of building and running other delicatessens in the area, Russ Cowan acquired the restaurant and has maintained the tradition.

What better place to enjoy classic soups such as Matzo Ball, Chicken Noodle, Split Pea or Vegetable than a diner that embodies the classic diner deli atmosphere. It’s almost like stepping back in time entering this joint. The soup variety is great and the yumminess factor is amazing.

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen has been a Philly favorite since 1923. Everything is done in-house, so don’t miss the home-smoked pastrami or the freshly baked rugelach and chocolate babka. Hershel’s Deli is located in Philadelphia’s beloved and lively Reading Terminal Market.

Delicatessen -- "Modern Jewish" translates to overstuffed corned beef sandwiches, matzo ball pho, "Sephardic" (salmon) seviche, pressed pastrami, brown mustard, pickles and American cheese "Jubano" sandwiches -- served to customers seated along wooden pews.

Famous 4th Street Deli's chicken soup is one of Philadelphia's most popular menu items. Its chicken soup is so famous that it's named one of America's best comfort foods by Food Network. The best way to enjoy it is to get a cup on a cold winter night.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (381 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Deli- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 700 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147-3102- Read more on Tripadvisor

A staple of Queen Village, Famous 4th Street Delicatessen is a classic Jewish deli serving traditional fare with a modern twist. This deli restaurant is a favorite for brunch and breakfast in Philadelphia as well as grabbing a bite on the go.

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen is a Jewish deli that offers ample portions and a 20s flair. The deli serves jumbo-sized sandwiches, soup, and other nosh. The staff is professional and pleasant, and the dishes are delicious and clean.

Over in Queen Village, check out Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, which has earned four stars out of 486 reviews on Yelp. You can find the deli and breakfast spot, which offers sandwiches and more, at 700 S.

700 S 4th StPhiladelphia, PA 19147(215) 922-3274 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Famous 4th Street Delicatessen became popular for serving large handhelds in Queen Village.