Apologies for a personal note. Bob Koch, the owner of Koch's Deli on 43rd & Locust Street in West Philadelphia, died suddenly on Monday at the age of 58. I didn't go to Koch's as often as I'd have liked, even though I lived just a block away from the place for over two years, but that was partly a testament to its popularity: the tiny store could be guaranteed to be chock-full of people almost every day of the week (Sundays a particular impossibility), and you'd have to anticipate at least an hour's wait for your food. But what food! The most wonderful hoagies and sandwiches I've ever eaten. And to describe Bob as a 'character' doesn't do him justice: he was a one-man vaudeville act with an apron. Koch's was opened by Bob's parents 39 years ago; it's not clear what'll happen to it now. University City will never be quite the same again.
Posted by Alan Allport at August 10, 2005 12:26 PMCondolences.
Posted by: Martha Bridegam at August 10, 2005 02:41 PM