Northeast Philadelphia’s Nicks Roast Beef has undergone a long, strange trip since its humble beginnings in 1969. It was born as an offshoot of a new public corporation “Nick’s Roast Beef Enterprises, Inc.” that spread to 5 Philadelphia area locations at its peak.

At the time, Nick’s in the Northeast was known as a neighborhood tavern that featured legendary roast beef sandwiches – the start of its tremendous following. Unfortunately, the fledgling corporation experienced tumultuous growing pains. This led to the eventual dissolution of “Nick’s Roast Beef Enterprises, Inc.” and the Nick’s Roast Beef on Cottman Ave was privatized in 1973.

The new ownership group completely dedicated themselves to the roast beef sandwich. The public continued to flock into the Northeast for the tasty offerings. While the quality of the Nick’s Roast Beef sandwich never wavered, the new ownership struggled with the highs and lows of the restaurant business. After 12 years, Nick’s in the Northeast changed hands once again.

The infusion of the new (and present day) ownership in 1985 was the starting point of the evolution of Nick’s Roast Beef in the Northeast.