Knife & Fork Inn

Address:

3600 Atlantic Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Phone:

(609) 344-1133

Hours:

Mon: 4pm-10pm
Tue: 4pm-10pm
Wed: 4pm-10pm
Thu: 4pm-10pm

Fri: 4pm-10pm
Sat: 4pm-10pm
Sun: 4pm-10pm

Payment:

Nice to Know:

Noise Level Average
Parking Valet
Wifi No

Accepts Credit Cards Yes
Good For Groups Yes
Recommended Meal Dinner

Other Details:

Over the past century, the Knife & Fork Inn has led a long and colorful life, making it one of the oldest and most historically charged establishments in Atlantic City. Standing where Atlantic, Pacific and Albany Avenues converge, the Knife & Fork was originally established in 1912 by then Atlantic City Mayor William Riddle, the Commodore Louis Kuehnle, and their cronies as an exclusive men's drinking and dining club. The second floor was graced with curtained dining alcoves and a separate ladies lounge where women, who were not permitted at the bar, waited to be summoned. Private rooms on the third and fourth floors were used for gambling and, perhaps, other activities. During Prohibition, rebellious club members defied the laws of an alcohol-free society and continued to openly serve liquor at the bar. The club survived without being raided for some time, perhaps due to the influence of Enoch Nucky Johnson, the reigning political boss, who was aKnife & Fork regular. Eventually, however, federal agents decided to crack down and, in true roaring twenties style, entered the bar and destroyed all of its contents. After the raid, the club's membership declined and in 1927 the building was sold to Atlantic City's Latz family. Convinced Prohibition was here to stay, the Latz's removed the bar, which once occupied what is now the Hearth Room, and converted the building into a public restaurant. During the depression, Milton and Evelyn Latz moved the family into the third and fourth floors of the restaurant, where they lived for several decades. Milton and Evelyn successfully managed the Knife and Fork until Milton died in 1948. Their sons Mack, a decorated war hero, and Jim, an accomplished runner, then took over and redefined the business through the post war decades, surviving the advent of gambling in Atlantic City. Over the years, the Knife & Fork became a favorite of local politicians, wealthy vacationers, and Hollywood celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Vic Damone. In a famous scene from the movie Atlantic City, Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon dined in the restaurant's popular porch, now known as the Terrace. In 1985, Mack and Jim, famously unable to get along, decided to part ways. Mack bought out his brother, becoming the sole owner of the Knife & Fork, and continued to operate the restaurant with his own irascible style for more than a decade. As Mack approached 80, however, he decided to retire from the grueling restaurant business. Unfortunately, Mack's attempt to find a buyer for the Knife & Fork was unsuccessful and the historic restaurant closed in 1997. Two years later, Mack's son Andrew leased the restaurant, reopening in 1999. By 2003, however, Mack once again decided to find a buyer for the Knife & Fork. His search eventually led to Frank Dougherty, a friend and member of the family owning the other Atlantic City dining landmark, Dock's Oyster House. Frank had always been intrigued by the iconic building, and could not pass up the opportunity to restore the legendary restaurant. In January 2005, Frank and his family purchased the historic restaurant and embarked upon an extensive renovation project to refurbish the landmark and wow a whole new generation of guests. Mack and Jimmy eventually reconciled and celebrated Mack's 90th birthday together at the Knife & Fork surrounded by friends and family. Mack can still be seen at the Knife & Fork, enjoying Friday lunch at the bar. The 2005 renovation of this legendary Atlantic City steak and seafood restaurant was designed to recapture the look and feel of the Knife & Fork's Prohibition era roots, including rich mahogany millwork, hand-painted ceilings, a sweeping staircase, and lushly appointed dining rooms. The Knife & Fork's famous red roof tiles were removed and replaced to allow for the repair of the roof. Gone is the peeling exterior, replaced with a fresh white stucco surface, just like the original. The distinctive crossed knife and fork e

Restaurants, Seafood

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