How many of us have been devastated when our favorite restaurant closes? I know it is always a kick to the gut to see a quality restaurant close its doors.

With so many restaurants coming and going, it is exciting to see a place survive decades of service. Some of the most iconic restaurants of the past century are still alive and thriving today. This is a short list of some of the eating establishments that are still alive and well today.

Ben’s Chili Bowl- Washington D.C.

Newlyweds Ben and Virginia Ali put their life savings into this run-down diner in 1958. For over sixty years, they have continued to serve homemade chili, half-smokers, and banana pudding, and their future looks equally optimistic.

The spot has made the famous D.C. half-smoke famous. Celebrities like Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, and Barack Obama have enjoyed the larger, spicer hot dog. I’m sure the city looks forward to many more years of this culinary staple.

El Charro- Tuscon, AZ

Monica Flin, the original owner of the Sonora-style Mexican restaurant, has been serving up their iconic chimichanga since 1922. Legend says the delicious dish was created by accident as she dropped a burrito into a frying pan and let some selective curse words fly, resulting in the Spanish word for “thingamajig.”

The restaurant has multiple locations, but Monica Flin’s legacy lives on at the original location, where it still serves the famous chimichangas, hand-made salsas, and tamales. If you are visiting southern Arizona, please make a stop at El Charro.

Katz’s Delicatessen- New York City, NY

The name Kazt’s has become synonymous with New York Delis. It could be because they have served the public for over a hundred years.

That’s right. The original Katz’s Deli opened on the Lower East Side and catered to upcoming actors in the Yiddish Theater. Today, it is still cranking out its famous pastrami on rye, which was featured in the film When Harry Met Sally (1989). If you have seen the movie, I’m sure you understand how good of a sandwich they make.

Huber’s Cafe- Portland, CA

Frank Huber, a career bartender, bought the place in 1879 to try his hand at ownership. He quickly turned it from a poor man’s saloon to one of the city’s finest restaurants, serving roasted turkey and ham dinners with the help of his chef, Way Fung.

Today, Chinese chef Way Fung’s grandchildren run the restaurant. They have stuck to tradition, serving up Fung’s original recipes. Stop in for some Spanish coffee being created tableside and a recipe that has been perfected for over 100 years.

Bright Star- Bessemer, Al

The Bright Star in Bessemer — Image Credit: Magnolia677, Own Work – CC BY 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Back in 1907, Bill and Pete Koikos had a vision to feed the hungry factory workers of Bessemer, Alabama. The brothers purchased the 25-seat cafe and introduced Greek food to the heart of the South. The fresh seafood combined with their Mediterranean flare flourished, and Bright Star became more than a local cafe.

In 2024, Bright Star is still thriving. The dining room has grown to over 300 seats, has received a James Beard “American Classic” Award, and still claims to be the oldest restaurant in Alabama.

Saugus Café- Santa Clarita, CA

Saugus Cafe — Image Credit: Craig Baker.

Originally named the Saugus Eating House, founder James Herbert Tolfree started cooking steak and eggs for travelers and workers at the city’s newest train station. In 1903, Teddy Roosevelt sampled the steak and declared it remarkably, thus kickstarting the allure of Saugus Cafe.

Twenty years later, the site was popular among Hollywood film locations. Patrons of the now diner can browse photos of famous actors like Clark Gable, John Wayne, and Marlene Dietrich as they scarf down country-fried steak and corned beef and hash.

Jones Bar-B-Q Diner- Marianna, Ar

It’s hard to believe that Joe Jones would be in the BBQ Hall of Fame when he was selling smoked pork out of a washtub in his backyard. Still, that’s how this “Bucket List” BBQ spot got its humble start in 1910.

Over a hundred years later, Joe Jones’s grandchildren run the business. They are committed to their grandfather’s principles: BBQ pulled-pork sandwiches on Wonder bread, sliced meat by the pound, and sides of slaw. That has won the family a James Beard Award and attracted visitors from all around the globe.

Tadich Grill- San Francisco, CA

California’s oldest restaurant was started by three Croatian immigrants, who served coffee and mesquite fish to optimistic gold rushers. The restaurant was so beloved that in 1960, Wells Fargo Bank delayed the development of the property until Tadich Grill found a new home. I guess it didn’t help that the bank’s CEO was a regular customer.

Today, Tadich Grill sits in the home of San Francisco’s financial district. It serves classic cocktails and fresh seafood in an old-school dining room, which is reminiscent of its humble roots.

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse- Oklahoma City, OK

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse has a long history of feeding quality beef to local ranchers and farmhands. Ever since 1910, the establishment helped the city become known as “Packing Town,” providing protein for multiple restaurants in the area.

In 1945, local rancher Gene Wade won the restaurant in a gambling ring and helped the restaurant thrive for the next 50 years. Since then, the spot has served steaks to Ronald Reagan and the Presidential Bush family. Customers still flock to the original location for their prized cuts of beef, lamb, and pork.

Columbia- Ybor City, Tampa, FL

When Colombia opened in 1905, it was an instant hit for quality Cuban coffee and authentic sandwiches. But, when prohibition hit in 1920, family owners transitioned to live music and fine dining. The spot attracted public figures like Babe Ruth and Marilyn Monroe.

The restaurant is still as vibrant today as it was in the 1920s. Guests can enjoy a flamenco show while they dine on Cuban arroz con pollo and drink authentic Latin drinks.

Antoine’s- New Orleans, LA

New Orleans. Antoine's Restaurant in the French Quarte — Image Credit: Infrogmation – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

New Orleans is home to some of the best restaurants in the country, but few have stood the test of time like Antoine’s. Antoine’s has been serving its trademark Cajun cuisine for six generations. Their most famous dish is the Oysters Rockefeller.

The restaurant has been featured in numerous books, including the 1948 best-seller Dinner at Antoine’s by Frances Parkinson Keyes. Today, the restaurant is still a hot spot in New Orleans. Be sure to stop by next time you are in town for Mardi Gras.

Ralph’s- Philadelphia, PA

In 1900, Francesco Dispigno, an Italian immigrant from Naples, opened an eatery named after his late son, Rafael. As the restaurant’s success grew, the family continued to pass it down from generation to generation. Today, the fifth generation of Dispignos runs the iconic Italian spot.

The restaurant is a staple among Philly eateries. Celebrities among the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, Joe Biden, Frank Sinatra, and Taylor Swift have all dined at the restaurant. The only thing that could make this place more popular is if Taylor Swift wrote a song about it.

White Horse Tavern- Newport, RI

The White Horse Tavern Newport Rhode Islan — Image Credit: Kenneth C. Zirkel, Own Work – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

The White Horse Tavern has a lot of allure surrounding it. Originally built in 1673, it was a tavern until it was rumored to be owned by a pirate, then by the British, until it was a safe haven for George Washington to plan the Battle of Yorktown.

Nowadays, the place serves beef wellington, duck confit, scallops, lobster, and catch-of-the-day seafood. Since it opened it’s doors in 1673, it is easily the oldest restaurant in the United States. It will be exciting to see how this historical landmark moves into the future.

Source: History.