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S&S Deli, a Cambridge landmark, to close after 107 years
The Inman Square institution is ending its century-long run serving pastrami, knishes, matzo ball soup, and other comfort-food staples.
For more than a century, S&S Deli has anchored Inman Square, dishing out pastrami sandwiches, knishes, matzo ball soup, and more recently, chicken wings, to generations of Cambridge diners.
But the landmark restaurant will close in June, owner Gary Mitchell told The Boston Globe.
“I’m proud of the chapters behind us and looking forward to what’s next,” he told the Globe, adding that “it’s time to make time for other restaurants, and other things are coming,” though he declined to share what those future projects may be.
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Founded in 1919, S&S takes its name from the original owner Rebecca “Ma” Edelstein’s trademark Yiddish greeting to customers: “Es and es” or “eat and eat.”
The restaurant has remained in the Mitchell-Wheeler families since. Edelstein is the great-grandmother of the owners and siblings Mitchell and Aimee Baum. Their mother, Doris Mitchell, helped run the restaurant with her husband, Chester.
In 2019, the restaurant marked its 100th anniversary by opening a time capsule from 1994.
At the ceremony, the family read a letter written by 92-year-old Doris and her husband, Chester, who passed away in May 2018.
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“When you open this capsule in 2019, it’s iffy if I’ll be with you,” the letter began, going on to wish for the health and happiness of the couple’s children and other family members and stressing the importance of finding a meaningful, enjoyable job. “I hope the world is at peace,” it continued.
Customers online shared their love not only for the traditional Jewish fare but also for the chicken wings, clam chowder, and crab cakes.
A Phantom Gourmet video raved about the chicken wings, saying they are “sweet, spicy, and oh so good.”
Others raved about the reasonable prices and the restaurant’s own parking lot, a rarity in the area.
As one reviewer said, “Inside it’s old school, no frills, nothing fancy, just food and a place to enjoy company.”
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