A beloved and eccentric sandwich shop will close in Raleigh. Here’s the last day
A Raleigh deli that championed the world of sandwiches both wonderful and weird will close at the end of March.
Ish Delicatessen, a sandwich shop with enormous ambitions in a tiny space, announced Friday that its last day will be March 29.
Ish is the longtime dream of Triangle hospitality veteran Matt Fern, who built the deli as a collection of creatively exquisite, indulgent and funky sandwiches.
The name of Ish points to its intersections of cuisine, blending Jewish, Italian and Northeast American deli traditions. Given Fern’s background in some of Raleigh’s best restaurants, Ish also punched above its weight with its beverage program, which included a curated wine selection.
In the Instagram post announcement, Fern thanked the staff and diners who made the restaurant possible.
“There aren’t words for how much respect | have for the crew that has clocked into this weird place for the past 5(ish) years,” he said. “The consistency and dedication to quality put forth everyday is a testament to the fiber of this team. I’m also at a loss for words for how in awe I am for all of our amazing guests, whether we see you once a year, or twice a day (thanks Jason). So many amazing interactions have happened over these years and if joy and community could pay bills we would be the richest.”
Ish Delicatessen opened in 2021 in the former Pharmacy Cafe space at 702 N Person St. in Raleigh. But the project had been in the works for much longer. Fern, who is the former beverage director for Ashley Christenen’s AC Restaurants, wrote his first pastrami recipe in 2016 and tinkered and tested until Ish opened in the summer of 2021.
Serving breakfast and lunch, Ish developed a passionate fanbase with breakfast sandwiches and burritos, housemade pastrami, a smoked fish melt and a BLT with bleu cheese dressing.
Ish Delicatessen is among a class of artisan sandwich shops popping up in the Triangle over the last several years, many counted among the best new restaurants in our region.
“This can only go so far, and unfortunately we’ve reached that limit,” Fern wrote. “March 29th will be (ish) delicatessen’s last day of service. Thank you for a great 5 years.”
This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 4:46 PM with the headline "A beloved and eccentric sandwich shop will close in Raleigh. Here’s the last day."
