William Riddle and Louis Kuehnle opened the Knife and Fork Inn as a private club in 1912. William Riddle was mayor of Atlantic City at the time. The restaurant then opened as an exclusive dining room in 1927 just before the start of prohibition. After all this time, the Knife and Fork Inn is still a “MUST” for both locals and visitors!
Fun Note!
This writer’s grandmother’s sister, Elsie Purzner, at just 18 years old was Mayor Riddle’s stenographer back in the day.
More Recent Years
In 2005 the establishment was sold to the Dougherty family, its current owners. The Dougherty family also owned and operated Docks Oyster House located on Atlantic Avenue. Docks opened in 1897 and was the first restaurant in the city.
Frequently you would find celebrities such as Bob Hope, Vic Damone, Rosemary Clooney and Steve Wynn enjoying a meal at the restaurant. It was also a favorite of former governors Christine Todd Whitman and James Florio.
What helped make the Knife and Fork Inn a household name however was Atlantic City racketeer and power boss Enoch “Nucky” Johnson. You might remember that he was fictionalized in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire which of course was about the early days of Atlantic City.
The Knife and Fork Inn has a large, delectable menu including seafood and shellfish. It also does a remarkable job with its a raw bar, steaks, chops and soup and salads, and offers private dining and hosts special events.
Please also visit sister restaurants Dock’s Oyster House, Linwood Country Club and Dougherty’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar. The new Dougherty’s is located in Resorts Casino Hotel.
The famous Knife & Fork Inn is located at 3600 Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City and can be reached at 609-344-1133. Check here for current hours of operation.
We look forward to serving you!
As mentioned above, you might want to try is Dock’s Oyster House. They’ve been a fixture in Atlantic City for well over a hundred years. They specialize in seafood, although their other offerings are top tier also. There’s a reason they have passed the test of time!
So, you’re feeling like seafood tonight? Take a look at some of the other options here at Finding the Best Seafood in Atlantic City!
