"Everybody ate there, faculty, staff, students," he said. "If you had to meet somebody, you met them at Elsie's. It was definitely the eatery of choice."

Harvard Vice President of Government, Community and Public Affairs James H. Rowe '73 also had fond memories of Elsie's from his days as an undergraduate.

"I frequented Elsie's to supplement the dining hall food that wasn't quite as good as it is now," he said. "I lived in Lowell House and would often go across the street for late night snack runs, usually their sandwich fare. I was particularly fond of their turkey club. It was very good."

In addition to its roast beef sandwiches, Elsie's was best known for its Turkey Deluxe, or "T.D.," as restaurant regulars called it.

Harvard Law School graduate and roast beef devotee Eric C. Stoller holds Elsie's responsible for the eventual expansion of his waistline.

"I remember when I was there in the 60s you could get a roast beef sandwich for 50 cents," he said. "You could get the maximum amount of cholesterol for the minimum amount of money. We probably ate there two or three times a week. Harvard will never be the same.