After nearly 40 years, this Jewish deli will soon close in Phoenix

Scott’s Generations, a New York-style restaurant and deli run by the Snyder family for more than 37 years, will close its doors later this month.

Father and son Gene and Scott Snyder founded the uptown Phoenix eatery shortly after they moved to the Valley from New York, eager to share a taste of home with Arizonans. 

The restaurant is named for the generations of Snyders who run it, including Scott’s son Ross. The restaurant became a destination for towering deli sandwiches, homemade matzo ball soup, smoked fish and other traditional Jewish deli staples, such as knishes, kugel and rugalach.  

“This restaurant has been part of our family for nearly four decades, but somewhere along the way, our customers and employees became part of that family too,” Scott Snyder said in a news release announcing the impending closure. “We have watched kids who came in with their parents grow up and bring in children of their own. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and countless milestones together. That is what makes closing this chapter so difficult.”

Scott’s Generations, located on Glendale Avenue and Seventh Street, will serve its last diners on Oct. 25. 

‘A Phoenix treasure’ says goodbye

The restaurant is Phoenix New Times’ 2026 Best of Phoenix winner for Best Jewish deli. Customers flock to the comfortable restaurant for filling latkes or bagels and lox in the morning, or opt for a gravity-defying pastrami reuben on rye with a heaping side of crinkle-cut potato wedges for lunch. The deli cases brim with slices of cheesecake, potato salad and cured meats. During Jewish holidays, the restaurant also fills its counter and cases with traditional foods, including Hanukkah sufganiyot. 

Fans shared their appreciation for the restaurant and the opportunity to visit one last time.

“Scott’s Generations will truly be missed. It is a Phoenix treasure!” Cindy wrote on Instagram.

The announcement comes on the heels of another Valley institution, Cafe Lalibela, shutting its doors after 30 years in business. Diners shared their disappointment at the mounting losses.

“Noooo, not Scott’s this year too! All my favorite spots are closing,” Dominic wrote on Instagram. 

The Snyder family thanked its devoted customers and encouraged them to stop in over the next few weeks.

“To everyone who has eaten at our tables, ordered from our deli counter, trusted us with a family celebration or simply stopped in for a cup of coffee over the past 37 years, thank you,” said a statement from the family. “It has been an incredible privilege to serve this community. The restaurant may be closing, but the relationships, stories and memories created here will always be part of our family.”

Scott’s Generations

742 E. Glendale Ave., #142