Our Story

CLASSIC NEW YORK STYLE JEWISH DELICATESSEN RESTAURANT

The Whole Megillah

The Whole Megillah
Schmaltz Delicatessen and restaurant was founded in 2004 with the goal of providing premium quality authentic Jewish Deli experience to everyone! That includes not cutting any corners.

We are known for our award-winning, overstuffed sandwiches, matzo ball soup, savory breakfast plates and other Old World favorites. Schmaltz Deli was originally founded by a Culinary Institute of America graduate and former chef at the Four Seasons, who decided his friends and neighbors deserved a great New York style deli that was accessible. Thus, our motto: ๐™Ž๐™‹๐™๐™€๐˜ผ๐˜ฟ๐™„๐™‰๐™‚ ๐˜ฟ๐™€๐™‡๐™„ ๐™‚๐™Š๐™Š๐˜ฟ๐™‰๐™€๐™Ž๐™Ž ๐™€๐™‘๐™€๐™๐™”๐™’๐™ƒ๐™€๐™๐™€.โ„ข

Today, our Executive Chef has very exclusive culinary credentials that have only been bestowed on only 100 people in the world. In addition to premium quality, overstuffed corned beef, pastrami and beef brisket sandwiches, we developed a great all-around sandwich menu, with traditional Jewish favorites, including homemade soups, salads, bakery and a full-service deli. All are available in-store, at our drive thru, catered, by delivery or shipped nationwide.

World-Class Chef

World-Class Chef
You wonโ€™t find a chef with the credentials that Executive Chef Michael Garbin has. He is well-known having worked at the Union League Club for 26 years. He holds three designations: CEC (Corporate Executive Chef) and AAC (American Academy of Chefs) which represents the highest standards of professionalism in the organization, society and industry. His greatest achievement is that he is one of only 100 lifetime members of the HGT (Honorable Order of the Golden Toque).

Featured on TV

We were recently featured on Americaโ€™s Best Restaurants. Co-owner Mark Goodman and TV host Luis Rivera talkin about the deli business and sampled some of our sandwiches, and bakery items. Michael Goodman, co-owner in charge of operations, and host Luis Riviera talk about the deli being a family run business and our fresh in-house Bakery program. Luis sampled our Eclairs and Chocolate Blackout Cake. It also featured our Schmaltz Hot Dogs and talked about the move from Naperville to Lisle.

The Deli Man Movie

The Deli Man Movie
We have toured some of the most famous Jewish delicatessens across America. Weโ€™ve builtrelationships with some of the finest people in the deli business. Weโ€™ve talked about the history and traditions of New York style delis and the food itself. One of the delis we visited was Kenny & Ziggyโ€™s New York Delicatessen in Houston, โ€œarguably the finest delicatessen restaurant in the U.S.โ€

David โ€œZiggyโ€ Gruber has a long time passion for delicatessen food and when heโ€™s not doing that, he loves watching movies. In 2014 he became part of one, โ€œDeli Man,โ€ released in 2015. Itโ€™s a New York โ€“ produced film documentary looking at the men behind the food and traditions of delicatessens and Jewish culture.

The film is an entertaining study on how delis were an integral part of every Jewish community in the first half of the 20th century and raises the alarm on how their numbers are diminishing. Ziggy Gruber is featured prominently in โ€œDeli Man.โ€ Itโ€™s a popular film.

Watch the Official Trailer Here.

Watch the Movie Here.

Schmaltz Deli Featured on Chicagoโ€™s Best

For more on the history and traditions of Schmaltz Deli. check out the video from WGN-TVโ€™s Chicagoโ€™s Best. Ted Brunson with Schmaltz founder Howard Bender. Brunson claimed that no deli has been suggested more by their Facebook fans than Schmaltz Deli. Fans of Windy City Live may remember our delicatessen and restaurant being featured on Chew On This.

Deli Celebrity Sandwiches

Deli Celebrity Sandwiches
Jewish delicatessens have a long history with celebrities. It was not uncommon for a deli located near a theater to honor a visiting star with their own sandwich. There were DOZENS of celebrity sandwiches served in delis coast to coast. Schmaltz had one too. We catered a book signing by Henry Winkler in Naperville, honoring him with The Winkler: Brisket, melted cheddar cheese, pickled onions and chipotle barbecue sauce on a hero roll. AAAAYYY!

Join Us

So, come on in, take a seat, and letโ€™s share a meal. At Schmaltz Delicatessen, you're not just a customer; you're family. We canโ€™t wait to see you soon! ๐Ÿฅฏ๐Ÿงก