Harvey’s (3121 4th Street N) is one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in St. Pete. The gem famous for its big Sunday brunch, and renowned grouper sandwich will turn 40 in 2024 — and it’s basically a St. Pete history museum on the inside. The patio is constructed of wood pulled from the demolished Soreno Hotel, and the interior features wood pulled from the old Vinoy Hotel ballroom.

Pictures on the wall celebrate the vibrant, kitschy history of the Sunshine City. You can find homages to tourist attractions such as the old Webb’s City, in addition to beautiful black-and-white photos of old hotels, structures, a St. Pete personas.

While there’s a lot to explore and love on Harvey’s menu, there are 5 dishes in particular that come highly recommended by the owners themselves:

The French Dip Sandwich

Is there anything more satisfying than dipping a stacked sandwich? That drip, the crunch of toasted bread, it’s foodie ASMR. This masterpiece is roasted in-house. Harvey’s hot roast beef sandwich has Swiss cheese and grilled onions and is paired with hand-cut French fries. The owners recommend getting a side of horse radish sauce, too.

The Walnut Chicken Salad

It’s hard to imagine any respectable deli/lunch hub not having chicken salad on the menu. It’s a consummate favorite amongst diners across America. Harvey’s chicken salad is made in-house with walnuts, mandarin oranges, and celery. It’s juicy, with a fine crunchy texture. The salad is served with 1000 island dressing. If you need some carbs, this chicken salad can also be served on a wonderfully flaky croissant.

Salmon Dinner

It’s a light, yet filling treat — and the salmon is high quality. The blackened salmon has a flavorful crust on top (just run a knife along the top for a crisp symphony), but cuts smooth like butter when you sink a fork through it. This meal is served with a large baked potato on the side, so you’re sure to get your fill.

Red Eye Chicken Sandwich

This is the sandwich to get when you’re in need of a fiery kick. OK, it’s not that spicy, but it will surely invigorate your taste buds after the first bite. The Red Eye Chicken Sandwich features homemade buffalo sauce and fried chicken, all topped with cheddar cheese and served with blue cheese dressing. This is all paired with house-made potato salad on the side.

The Grouper Sandwich

We saved the best for last. This legendary grouper sandwich is one of the best in St. Pete. The gulf grouper is always fresh and always cut in-house. My preference (and recommendation) is to enjoy the grouper blackened. Harvey’s cole slaw is addictive, and a great side with the legend.

Harvey’s 4th Street Grill officially turns 40 on April 1, 2024. Keep up with the restaurant on Facebook for updates on major events leading up to the milestone.

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