Ken and Skip Snockey of Snockey's Oyster and Crab House, on Second Street near Washington Avenue in South Philly, are marking their family's restaurant's 96th anniversary by rolling back prices to 1912 levels Friday through Sunday (May 2-4). Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
The 1912 menu consisted of fried oysters, fried clams, large oyster stew, small oyster stew, large clam stew, small clam stew, half-dozen raw oysters, half-dozen cherrystone clams, half-dozen little-neck clams, deviled crab, pork chop platter and steak platter.
Each party of two can order one item from the 1912 menu at 1912 prices when they order the same item from Snockey's present-day menu. There's a limit of one offer per party of two.
You'll see quaint prices, like a dime for a half-dozen raw oysters. According to a purchasing-power calculator I found, a dime in 1912 is worth $2.21 in 2007 dollars (the last year it calculates).
So that 10-cents-a-half-dozen tab really was cheap by today's standards. Snockey's now gets $5.75 for six little-necks or cherry stones. The large oyster stew that cost 25 cents in 1912 is now on the menu for $8.50. A 1912 quarter in 2007 dollars is $5.51.
Snockey's, 1020 S. Second St., 215-339-9578
