Carnegie Deli
New York City, NY
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
You haven't really experienced a New York deli until someone puts a sandwich in front of you that's almost too tall to eat. Carnegie Deli was a Midtown institution, serving up mountains of pastrami and corned beef just down the street from Carnegie Hall. Their old motto said it best: "If you can finish your meal, we've done something wrong." Well, they did something right here because finishing one of these sandwiches was quite a challenge. 05-20
Opened in 1937, the Carnegie became as much a New York attraction as it was a restaurant. Celebrity photos covered the walls, and the deli even got some screen time in Woody Allen's Broadway Danny Rose. Over the years it also popped up on television, including Seinfeld and Law & Order.
Unfortunately, the original 7th Avenue location closed on New Year's Eve 2016 after nearly 80 years. For a while, it looked like another piece of old New York had slipped into the memory bank.
UPDATE: Well, here's a roadside comeback we didn't expect. In August 2026, new Carnegie Deli signage appeared on 7th Avenue near 52nd Street, and the original family announced that Carnegie is returning to Midtown. Better yet, the new location is reportedly taking over the former home of longtime rival Stage Deli. Somewhere, a pastrami sandwich is having the last laugh. Stay tuned. 08-26
Tout Va Bien Restaurant
New York, NY Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The little red neon sign for Tout Va Bien is a familiar sight along West 51st Street in Midtown Manhattan. Head downstairs and you'll find an old-fashioned French bistro that's been serving up French favorites since around 1949. The checkered tablecloths, old photos and cozy surroundings give the place a bit of old New York flavor. 05-20
The restaurant closed during the pandemic, but fortunately this wasn't the end of Tout Va Bien.
UPDATE: Tout Va Bien has reopened under longtime employee Vincent Caro, and the vintage neon is once again glowing above the sidewalk. 08-26
Big Lou (Gone)
Revere, MA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Cruising along Squire Road in Revere, it was pretty hard to miss the big piggy sitting up on the roof of Big Lou Rib House. Located across from the Northgate Shopping Center, Big Lou served up ribs and barbecue to many a hungry eater over the years. Of course, that rooftop pig was probably responsible for pulling in more than a few wayward travelers who suddenly realized it was time for lunch. Nothing like a giant pig on the roof to let you know you've found the local rib joint. 11-20
Big Lou was one of those roadside places where the building itself was part of the attraction. The big fiberglass pig watched over Route 60 traffic while the restaurant below served up its share of barbecue. Even if ribs weren't on the day's travel plans, it was tough to pass by without at least giving that porker on the roof a second look. Roadside advertising doesn't get much more straightforward than that.
Big Lou
Revere, MA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
After Big Lou closed, the old building didn't immediately disappear. For a time it became the 338 Grill, though the days of the roadside rib house were already in the rear view mirror. The pig and the old Big Lou identity eventually disappeared, and the building itself was later cleared from the property.
UPDATE: Big Lou's old building has been demolished and unfortunately the rooftop pig is gone too. The site at 338 Squire Road is now home to a Joe's Market Mobil gas station and convenience store. No word on whatever became of the old pig, but this stretch of Squire Road certainly lost a little of its roadside personality when he came down. These days, hungry travelers will have to find their barbecue without the help of a giant pig pointing the way. 08-26
Carnegie Deli
Tout Va Bien Restaurant
Big Lou (Gone)
Big Lou
