The original Lee's Hoagie shop closes
The landmark at 19th and Cheltenham is dark.
The original Lee's Hoagie shop closes
Michael Klein, Philly.com
The original Lee's Hoagie shop at 19th Street and Cheltenham Avenue in West Oak Lane - which dates back to the 1950s - has closed.
Partner Allan Lewin tells me that it changed ownership last year and was reflagged as Lee's at Cheltenham. But "when it wasn't running to the standard we needed it," Lee's corporate asked the new licensee to remove the "Lee's" name altogether. It closed.
Lewin says the building owner is trying to work a deal with Lee's to install a new operator.
The other Lee's locations are unaffected.
Post corrected to adjust location.
Comments (38)
This is not Mt. Airy at all. It's West Oak Lane.
It's also a shame that it came to this.— NickFromGermantown- This comment has been deleted.— Mystified
- Apparently you care enough to click on the article and read it. Either that or your a mindless sheep who just clicks on articles and reads them for no reason. So which is it? — tdog330
- On a clear day...from the top of Mt. Airy...you can see parts of Perkasie..— gogoruch
- I was there a few weeks ago. Had no idea it was going to close. WOW— SKYMAN
- In July we were on the way to Fern Rock to take the subway to the Phillies game. We decided to call Lee's and pick up a hoagie on our way. I called to place the order at noon. The guy who answered said the were closed and to try again at 1pm. No wonder. The signature hoagie oil splashed on by Koy will never be forgotten.— brio
- Lee's was great back in the day!— Lttim76(2)
- Finks gourmet hoagies in Mayfair outshines any Lee's, Freshworks, Prmios, or Steak & Hoagie Factory.— Niko
- I never knew the history of this location until now. I always wondered why it was there. Honestly though, I can't imagine how much of a chance it stood. I'm sure this location suffered from lack of investment. The outside looked at best grungy and for that kind of takeout place the parking was far from optimal.— NickFromGermantown
- Jim's Steaks is the same way-- the original is still alive, buried somewhere in W. Philly that makes it look completely out of place (like 56th and Haverford or something).— everydayguy
- The closing to me is another reminder of my youth. I and my friends first went to Lee's the day it opened and, living in the area, we went too many times to count. We were friendly with Lee, his son-in-law (who, originally, worked at the Sub Shop in AC and eventually took over the Lee's business)and all the great guys who worked there. The hoagies were outstanding, and the hoagie oil was one of its kind and, for me, never duplicated. RIP Lee's!— lport
- I was in this location dozens of times back in the early 60's...Lee himself was always there with his son's in law. They were the best around at one time. Surprised they lasted this long at that location.— Bigbirch
- I remember going to the Lee's in Bensalem coming home from Keystone Racetrack back in the day. Wolfie worked there then. Whatever happened to Wolfie?— georgekissel
- The Tonner's never had a Lee's but he's had a few Lisas...did they serve Genny Cream Ale there? If not, the Tonner knows why they went under.
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About this blog
Michael Klein, the editor/producer of philly.com/Food, writes about the local restaurant scene in his Inquirer column "Table Talk." Have a question? Email it! See his Inquirer work here.
Reach Michael at mklein@philly.com.
Michael Klein
Philly.com
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