Business & Tech

Levis Brings the Taste of South Philly to Abington

The traditional and famous Levis hot dogs can be found in Abington, as well as in delis around Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.

Levis Hot Dogs, which has been around in South Philadelphia for over 100 years, had been resurrected in Abington by Elliot Hirsch, owner of the new Levi Hot Dogs on Old York Rd.

Hirsh bought Levis in 1990, but closed the business for a few years when a number of different business plans failed.

A year ago, Hirsch opened the Levis Hot Dog shop in Abington, following the original Levis hot dog recipe for all beef, lean hot dogs, right out of South Philly.

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Hirsch, who has a background in product development, spent nearly two years testing the hot dog recipe with a number of manufacturers before finding the manufacturer that could produce hot dogs that look and taste like the ones everyone remembers.

However, Hirsch also produces and sells Champ Cherry soda, another South Philly favorite. Hirsch has been bottling and selling the sodas for 20 years, with the Champ Cherry being the favorite, and also bottling the Champ Root Beer and vanilla soda, and looking to expand.

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All Champ sodas are bottled in small quantities and are available in some of the Philadelphia region's favorite restaurants and delis, including locations in the suburbs, as well as Cherry Hill and center city.

While the original Levis hot dogs are the specialty, other South Philly foods are also on the menu, although you won't find cheesesteaks here. Fish cakes, roast beef, roast pork, pastrami on rye, and more, all available for dine in and take out. Diners can even use the new online ordering system for a quick pick up.

Hirsch said that Levis is a place not just for good fast food, but a place to treat the kids and a place to make new memories with your family, or relive a old memory of days gone by.

"There's a million stores about Levis," said Hirsch.

Levis is trying to maintain that original car hop diner feel of the 50s and 60s, Hirsch told Patch.

He said he would like to see the hot dogs and the brand once again be a part of Philadelphia and the region.

While the only Levis is in Abington, Levis hot dogs are sold at 15 locations throughout Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, including Costa Deli in Ambler, Collegeville Deli in Collegeville, and more.

Hirsch said he is also working on getting the packaged hot dogs into grocery stores.

Levi Hot Dogs is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Learn more about the Levis Hot Dog story, see the full menu and more on their website.


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