Ashkenaz Deli - should've gone, instead got Eppy's (bleh)

I couldn't find too much on this place on Chowhound. Is it any good? I'm sure it probably doesn't compare to Manny's, but for someone who can't stray too far from the Chicago/Michigan aves area for lunch, is it a good alternative?

Ashkenaz Deli
12 E Cedar St

I think they make some good sandwiches. They use Vienna Beef products for most of their meats (at least the salami that hangs behind the counter).

They offer hard, medium and soft salami and a variety of other combos along with the regular suspects. I've also had their Knishes, Hot Dog and Egg Salad. All of it was well-made.

I've heard they have great breakfast as well, but I've never made it in the mornings.

Let me know what you think...

I think that Ashkenaz Deli is one of the hidden gems of the Gold Coast.

In particular a few things they do very, very well.

Cabbage Soup - only place I have had one that equals my mom's rendering of the family recipe (this is high praise) - sweet and sour, one of my favorite meals on a cold winter's night.

Bagels. They have some of the better bagels in the Chicagoland area.

I tend to get an egg bagel or two and the cabbage soup, occasionally trying another deli item as well. I have not had their fish, but they do tend to have a nice selection of smoked fishes.

Definitely a great little place and worthy of support.

Shannon

Well, given the weather outside at lunchtime, I didn't quite make it to Ashkenaz today.

Instead I walked over to Eppy's Deli on Ontario a few doors west and across the street from Chipotle. After the lunch I had, though, I should've saved myself the extra few feet and gone to Chipotle.

At Eppy's I ordered the hot pastrami on marble rye, which came w/ a soda, two small sides, and a pickle spear.

All I can say is DRY, DRY, DRY. It was like eating thinly sliced leather slathered in mustard. The coleslaw and macaroni salad were only marginally better, and I only got about two forkfuls at that.

Total was just under $8, and, in retrospect, I think the girl overcharged me $.50 for one of the sides, though they told me to choose 2. She was also a bit pushy about getting me to order, although I was the only person in line.

There's nothing worse than paying for a meal you could barely choke down. In a sitdown restaurant, I would've said something to the waiter, but wasn't sure how to handle a deli/counter situation.

Needless to say, I won't be going back. Next time, I'll just make the trip to Ashkenaz or go to Potbelly's for a decent sandwich

I'm not too happy with Eppy's either. My day job is in Streeterville, so I've tried Eppy's a few times. I'm not happy at all with the meats. They are all thinly sliced Eisenberg products, which aren't that great. I think the turkey pastrami is Vienna.

Also, every sandwich is part of the "meal deal" that you described. I'd rather not pay over $7 for a sandwich, just because I'm getting the whole package of sides and a fountain drink (which I don't want). Most of the time, I just want a sandwich and maybe a side of slaw. If I'm in the mood I want a can of cream soda, but usually just water is fine.

They seem to try really hard but just fall a little short in every respect. Every time I walk into a deli like Eppy's I feel like dusting off the deli business plan I've been working on and giving it the old college try.

Eppy's Deli
224 E. Ontario St.
312-943-7797

Yes, I hear you about those meal deals. Ideally, I wanted just a half sandwich and maybe a matzo ball soup, though I don't know if that is even worth trying.

I was quite the disgruntled customer walking out of there nearly 8 bucks poorer and with a lump of shoe leather (just can't get away from the leather comparisons) stuck in my throat.

Giving your deli plan the old college try might not be a bad idea given the shortage of decent places around here.

Have you tried Chalfins on Chestnut in that hotel? I went there once a couple of years ago for potato pancakes, but never tried their sandwiches or soups.

Janet C. wrote:Have you tried Chalfins on Chestnut in that hotel? I went there once a couple of years ago for potato pancakes, but never tried their sandwiches or soups.

I've been to Chalfin's and I would rate it as just OK. Decent sandwiches and soups but nothing that keeps me coming back.

I am told that Chalfin's has great kreplach but I've never had the chance to find out. The few times I've been in and asked for a bowl, I've been rebuffed.

"Not today," they tell me.
"When?", I ask.
"Whenever he feels like making it", I'm told.

When it's cold outside, I'll start calling in the morning to find out if they'll have some for me by lunch. I look forward to tasting it one day, but I'm sure it won't hold a candle to my grandmother's (which will be a staple in my future deli).

eatchicago wrote:Also, every sandwich is part of the "meal deal" that you described. I'd rather not pay over $7 for a sandwich, just because I'm getting the whole package of sides and a fountain drink (which I don't want). Most of the time, I just want a sandwich and maybe a side of slaw. If I'm in the mood I want a can of cream soda, but usually just water is fine.

Hehe. Manny's may not be for you, then.

$9.95 for a sandwich, pickle, and potato pancake.

Mind you, it's a good sandwich, but it's still $10.

-ed

gleam wrote:

eatchicago wrote:Also, every sandwich is part of the "meal deal" that you described. I'd rather not pay over $7 for a sandwich, just because I'm getting the whole package of sides and a fountain drink (which I don't want). Most of the time, I just want a sandwich and maybe a side of slaw. If I'm in the mood I want a can of cream soda, but usually just water is fine.

Hehe. Manny's may not be for you, then.

$9.95 for a sandwich, pickle, and potato pancake.

Mind you, it's a good sandwich, but it's still $10.

-ed

Manny's at $10 is a bargain compared to a "typical" corned beef sandwich in this city, viz the miserable excuse for a corned beef I had yesterday from White Hen. I know, I was being lazy, but I just wanted to eat quickly and White Hen was handy. I got a "super stuffed" corned beef on rye. It was sliced (too thin for my taste) from a prepackaged Vienna Beef, on spongey bread. It had maybe half the meat a Manny's sandwich has (although considering the lousiness of the meat, tasting more like Hormel chipped beef, maybe in this case, "less was more"). With NO sides, it was $5.50. So I would've paid $12.99 if a Manny's sandwich had fallen from heaven for me (and the potato pancake would've been a lovely bonus).[/i]

There is a new sign in front of Chalfin's notifying that the place is under new management. I haven't been there yet, so I'm not sure what they have changed. I did pick up a new menu from there and noticed the same slightly surly Russian waitress that has been there as long as I can remember. The prices looked a bit higher to me (some new management), but I can't confirm that. I've always preferred Chalfin's for matzoh ball and mish mosh soups. Ashkenaz is clearly superior for pastrami, corned beef and pretty much anything else.