Iconic S&S Deli in Cambridge to Close After 107 Years of Serving Loyal Customers

The food service industry can be cruel. Even if you have established yourself as a culinary institution across decades of service, you might still face the tough decision of having to shut down your business.

That's the situation a legendary Boston-area deli finds itself in after more than 100 years in operation.

S&S Deli is shutting down soon after 107 years

S&S Deli in Cambridge, Massachusetts' Inman Square, has been in business since 1919. Sadly, owner Gary Mitchell confirmed to the Boston Globe that the deli's final day of service will be in June.

“I’m proud of the chapters behind us and looking forward to what’s next,” said Mitchell, who has worked at the eatery since he was 12.

“I understand people may love S&S. It’s time to make time for other restaurants, and other things are coming,” Mitchell added.

More on an iconic local institution

Known for its classic fare such as Reubens, knishes, matzo ball soup and potato pancakes, along with breakfast and dinner specials, salads, burgers, wraps and more, S&S was named after one of original owner Rebecca “Ma” Edelstein’s favorite expressions.

"Four generations ago, our great grandmother would welcome her customers in Yiddish: 'Es and es,'" says the official S&S website. "A very maternal expression for eat and eat. Ma Edelstein’s special saying inspired the name for today’s S&S Restaurant. Over the years we’ve changed, but great food and great value are still the order of the day."

Loyal customers mourn S&S's pending closure

On social media, longtime S&S customers offered tributes to the esteemed deli, which has only weeks of business left.

"I’m so hurt S&S deli is closing," one X/Twitter user said.

"My mother is 103. She’s grew up with the S and S and we’ve been there 100’s of times," another person commented on Facebook.

"Been a customer since I'm 5yrs old. Now I'm 65. I don't know Cambridge without S&S," a second Facebook commenter added.

"I ate there a lot. Sat next to one of the Kennedys once," a fourth person said.

"My grandfather and his siblings probably ate there in the 1920s, 30s, 40s, etc.," someone else wrote.

As of now, there has been no announcement regarding the actual final day for S&S Deli.