Old-school Jewish delis used to sit on half the corners of Philadelphia, and now finding a real one can feel like a scavenger hunt. Folks who grew up with stacked sandwiches on rye and a free bowl of pickles on the table know exactly what has gone missing.
The good news is that one family-run favorite just north of the city never stopped doing things the classic way. It started in a Philadelphia neighborhood, packed up, and kept its loyal crowd following it to the suburbs.
Today it still turns out a pastrami special so tender that people drive across the region for it. Its menu is huge, its deli cases are full, and its regulars have been showing up for decades.
Keep reading to find out where it is, what to order, when to go, and why so many families treat it like a second kitchen.
A Deli Tucked Into a Shopping Center
Some of the best things in life hide in plain sight, and this deli is a fine example. Ben & Irv’s sits at 1962 County Line Rd, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, in the Just A Farm Shopping Center.
Huntingdon Valley is in Montgomery County, just outside the northern edge of Philadelphia. That makes it an easy trip for city folks and suburban families alike.
The restaurant calls itself a traditional Jewish deli and restaurant. It serves classics like kippered salmon, pastrami, and matzo ball soup, and everything can be eaten at a table or packed up to go.
A shopping center might not seem like the home of a legend. Still, the location has real perks, starting with plenty of parking right outside the door.
There is no need to circle the block or feed a meter. Families with kids, older relatives, and big groups can all pull in without fuss.
The building holds both a full sit-down restaurant and a deli area stocked with items to take home. So one stop can cover lunch today and dinner tomorrow.
It is the kind of place that looks ordinary from the parking lot. The story behind it, though, goes back a lot further than the strip mall.
From Ogontz Avenue to the Suburbs
Long before County Line Road, there was Ogontz Avenue. The original Ben & Irv’s stood in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia.
Kids went there with their parents and grew up on its corned beef specials. Then the original store closed, and some longtime fans lost track of it for years.
The happy twist came later. The deli had moved to Huntingdon Valley, and former neighborhood kids found it again as adults.
Many of them say the sandwich tastes just like it did when they were young. That kind of consistency is rare in the restaurant world.
Some regulars have been coming for around 30 years. One longtime fan even made the trip from South Philly for a 45th birthday lunch.
That loyalty says a lot about how the deli handled its move. It did not reinvent itself into something trendy.
Instead, it brought the same menu spirit and the same comfort food habits along for the ride. Old customers came back, and new ones joined them.
A deli that survives a relocation and keeps its fans has clearly earned its stripes. Now for the part that brought everyone here in the first place.
The Pastrami Special Everyone Talks About
Pastrami is the headline act, and it earns top billing. The pastrami special sandwich here is tender, juicy, and cooked so well that it practically falls apart with each bite.
That is exactly why people say there are not many great Jewish delis left, but this one still counts. It is a big claim, and the sandwich backs it up.
Pastrami comes up again and again when people talk about this place. It sits right near the top of the most mentioned items on the menu.
The special style here usually means piled-high meat on rye bread. Coleslaw and Russian dressing round it out in true deli fashion.
Rye bread itself is a big deal at Ben & Irv’s. It gets mentioned so often that it almost deserves its own fan club.
Portions are large, so a sandwich here is not a light snack. Plenty of folks plan on taking half home for later.
Fans of pastrami can relax knowing it has not been watered down for modern tastes. It is a meaty, old-fashioned deli sandwich made the way people remember.
Of course, pastrami has a famous cousin on this menu. That one has its own loyal crowd.
Corned Beef Royalty
No item gets more attention here than corned beef. It leads the conversation by a wide margin, with around 100 mentions.
The corned beef special is stacked on fresh rye with coleslaw and Russian dressing. Self-described sandwich experts call it one of the best around, if not the very best.
The quality of the meat is the big selling point. It is lean and tender rather than tough, so it does not pull out of the sandwich in one chewy clump.
For those who want to go bigger, there is a club with corned beef, chopped liver, tomatoes, and onions on seeded rye. It is a serious stack.
Fair warning on cost. The corned beef special has climbed to about $19, up from around $13 not long ago.
Loyal fans grumble a little but keep ordering it anyway. When a sandwich is that good, people tend to make room in the budget.
Roast beef also has its supporters. The roast beef club with Swiss, coleslaw, and Russian dressing on rye comes lean, thinly sliced, and huge.
Every sandwich arrives with a little something extra on the side. And that side dish has its own following.
The Famous Free Pickle Bowl
Free food has a way of winning hearts. At Ben & Irv’s, the pickle bowl lands on the table before the main meal even starts.
It comes with both sour and half-sour pickles. Some people end up calling the pickles the best part of the whole visit.
Pickled green tomatoes are also part of the tradition. These days, though, they may need to be requested.
So it pays to speak up and ask. Fans call them wonderful, and it would be a shame to miss out over a simple question.
Takeout sandwiches come with a new pickle and a small bag of chips. Even the to-go crowd gets a taste of the tradition.
The pickle bowl is one of those small touches that defines a real deli. Many modern spots have dropped it to save money.
Here, it is still part of the routine, which is one more reason the place feels like a throwback in the best way.
Once the pickles are gone, it is time to think about the bowl that warms up more than just the table.
Soup Bowls With a Following
Matzo ball soup is basically a deli handshake. At Ben & Irv’s, it ranks among the most talked about dishes, with dozens of mentions.
The soup lineup goes beyond the classic, too. A cabbage soup with chunks of brisket is a favorite among regulars.
Some fans make a habit of picking up soups to take home. They pair them with breads, chopped chicken liver, and fish from the deli counter.
Soups here fit right into the comfort food mood that defines the whole menu. They are a go-to on chilly days and when someone at home needs a pick-me-up.
A small heads up for delivery orders. Ordering through apps can sometimes lead to substitutions when an item runs out.
Calling the restaurant directly or dining in tends to give more control over what lands in the bag. That is a smart move for anyone with a specific soup in mind.
Still, the matzo ball soup remains a big part of why people return. It is the dish many think of first when they hear the word deli.
And speaking of the deli, there is a whole other side of the building waiting to be explored.
Deli Cases Worth a Second Lap
Lunch is only half the story. The deli counter at Ben & Irv’s is packed with items for taking home, and it has something for just about everyone.
Lox and whitefish salad are popular picks. Kippered salmon is part of the house lineup too.
Chopped chicken liver, salads, and a range of desserts fill out the cases. Shoppers often grab breads and fish to stock the fridge for the week.
Bagels deserve their own shout-out. They come up often, and many regulars buy a batch to take home after breakfast.
For anyone with dietary needs, there are gluten free options available. That is a welcome surprise at a place built around rye and bagels.
The counter makes the deli useful even when there is no time to sit down. A quick stop can turn into a full spread for a family brunch.
Catering is also part of the service, so bigger gatherings can get covered too.
Just try to leave some room in the car. Those cases have a way of turning a quick errand into a full shopping trip.
Sweet Endings at the Bakery Case
Saving room for dessert is a tough job here, but it is worth the effort. The bakery side of Ben & Irv’s has its own loyal crowd.
Jewish apple cake gets a mention from fans who know their classics. It is the kind of treat that shows up at family gatherings and holidays.
Carrot cake is another favorite. Some regulars pick up a slice to go along with their bagels, which seems like a very reasonable plan.
Cakes and other desserts also sit in the deli cases for easy pickup. They make a handy addition to a holiday table or a weekend visit with relatives.
Timing matters if a cake purchase is on the list. The register may begin closing out near the end of the night, so it is smart to buy desserts before the last few minutes.
That small tip can save a lot of disappointment, especially during busy holiday seasons. Passover dinners and similar events can run late.
Desserts may not be the main reason people drive out, but they often seal the deal. A good slice of cake has a way of ending a meal on a high note.
A Menu Big Enough to Need a Guide
First-timers often need a minute. The menu at Ben & Irv’s is huge, with options for everyone at the table.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all covered. Some regulars come in mainly for breakfast and dinner, while others stick with lunch sandwiches.
Beyond deli classics, there are diner-style plates like a BLT, a Monte Cristo, a turkey burger, tuna sandwiches, and blintzes. Picky eaters will usually find something.
Servers help out when the choices feel like too much. Friendly suggestions can steer newcomers toward the house favorites.
Not every dish shines equally. The deli meats and sandwiches tend to get the loudest praise, while some side items and other plates land more in the okay range.
So the safest bet is to lean into what the place does best. Corned beef, pastrami, soups, and rye bread are the heavy hitters.
Coffee is part of the old-time diner experience too. It pairs well with a long breakfast and a big conversation.
A menu this size practically demands repeat trips, which might be the whole point.
Old-Time Diner Spirit for Every Generation
Grandparents, parents, and little kids often share the same booth here. The deli welcomes all ages and all walks of life.
No one needs to be of a certain faith to feel at home. The staff and the crowd both reflect a mix of backgrounds and cultures.
The vibe is an old-time diner experience with real tables and seasoned waitresses. It feels warm, friendly, and a little nostalgic.
Large parties are handled well, even on packed Sunday afternoons. Families celebrating birthdays find the staff helpful, sometimes even snapping a group photo.
Service gets plenty of praise for being friendly and attentive. Certain servers become favorites for regulars over the years.
Like any busy spot, it has off days. Waits for a server or a cashier can stretch when the room is crowded, and front counter moments can vary.
Patience goes a long way, especially at peak hours. Most people agree the wait to be seated is worth it.
It all adds up to a place where comfort food and family time go hand in hand.
Hours, Costs, and Smart Timing
The doors open at 8 AM every day of the week, which is great news for breakfast fans. Closing times change by day, so a quick check helps.
- Monday: 8 AM to 3:30 PM
- Tuesday through Thursday: 8 AM to 7 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 8 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM to 5 PM
Monday is the short day, so late lunch plans should shift elsewhere in the week. Friday and Saturday offer the most evening time.
Prices lean toward the higher end compared with similar restaurants nearby. The corned beef special costs around $19.
That said, portions are very large. Many diners carry leftovers home, which stretches the value further.
A value menu is available too, and it gets good marks from first-timers. Email deals, such as percentage discounts, sometimes pop up as well.
Lunchtime crowds can mean a short wait, even for takeout. A takeout order at a busy lunch hour can take about 15 minutes.
Parking is plentiful in the shopping center lot. Getting in and out is easy, even with a carful of relatives.
Why the Rye Still Rules Here
Real Jewish delis keep disappearing, so the ones that stick around deserve a little extra love. Ben & Irv’s has held onto its classics for decades.
It moved from Philadelphia to Huntingdon Valley without losing its loyal fans. Many of them still order the same sandwich they ate as kids.
With a 4.6-star standing from nearly 2,000 opinions, the place clearly keeps most people happy. The pastrami and corned beef lead the charge.
The free pickle bowl, the soups, and the full deli counter add to the appeal. Gluten free choices and a huge menu make it easy to bring a mixed group.
It is not perfect, and prices have crept up. Busy times can test patience at the counter.
Even so, the deli delivers what so many places have forgotten. It offers big portions, familiar recipes, and a room full of families sharing a meal.
For anyone missing the old neighborhood deli, this suburban stop is well worth the drive. Bring an appetite, and maybe a container for the leftovers.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.