Jerry's Sandwiches in Wicker Park

I didn't see a thread on the Wicker Park outpost, but I wanted to get a sense of what people think of the new location.

I went there about a week after it opened, and it was still pretty clear that it had just opened. Service was friendly enough, but slow (very slow), one table tried to order a burger but they were out, and they didn't have a lot of the beers on tap that were listed. But it's all good -- they had just opened after all.

The food was good, though. I can't fault them for that at all.

Jerry's does confuse me, though, in one way -- the decor. It really looks like it was going to be a different restaurant, then it fell through, and Jerry's moved in at the last minute. I mean, I'm not saying it looks bad, but it just doesn't look like what I'd expect a sandwich shop, however fancy, to look like.

A friend of mine tried to go recently on a Saturday night and the wait proved prohibitively long -- it looked like, too, that it's become something of a scene (as in, see and be seen) which is great for business, but bad if you just wanted a sandwich. They lamented the loss of Leo's (oh, Leo's!) and went somewhere else.

Yeah, it has a real lounge feel going on there.

As for the food: The fries with various dipping sauces were overcooked and served in the same container as the much better fries at Fredhots and Fries in Glenview, which charges less for 'em. That was disappointing.

That said, the sandwiches we had were great -- much better than the Madison location, which I wasn't impressed by on either of my two visits. Notably, they cooked the meats to order for us, which was a vast improvement.

The other nice bit: Sprecher root beer on tap.

had a mediocre @ best experience. after waiting quite a while for our food, i i was mid way into my meal when the waitress told me i had been served incorrectly and had the wrong sandwich. i honestly couldn't tell as there was very little in this case fish which turned out to be chix. after destroying the picking through the sandwich finding out, she left and never returned w/a replacement. i waited another 10 mins or so and then just ate what was left. the side salads were obviously not tasted after cooking. can't imagine they'd serve either on purpose. one was a "asian pasta salad" drowned in chili oil beyond hot, the other the "smoky spicy" mac and cheese which was neither. they appear to be overwhelmed and not handling it too well.

I agree with the general underwhelmed and mediocre comments. My husband and I went a week ago and thoroughly enjoyed the extensive beer collection and bar while we waited for our table outside. I had the Ani M, which included chicken and peanut butter (I am adventurous) and my husband had the Walker B which included fried eggplant, prociutto among other things. For having such interesting ingredients we found them both to be rather bland. We each ordered the mac and cheese and fries as our two sides and also found those to be unremarkable.
With so many choices for wonderful food, paricularly sandwiches, in the city we would not go back to eat.
We would happily go to drink beer in the bar area though. It is lovely.

My wife was just there with her office mates and had the identical experience and response: bland flavors, shredded Subway-style lettuce, mixed up food and drink orders, no real reason to go back.

An update to my earlier post -- I ate here last Saturday night, around 8 or 9, and had a perfectly lovely dinner. I don't know if Jerry's was hampered by pre-opening buzz, and it has since settled into a more workable flow, but my roommate and I had an excellent time.

We were able to get a table outside immediately (though the inside was empty, as well). Our server was friendly and prompt, and was very helpful with navigating the beer menu (draft beer appears to be a great deal since they pour more than 12 oz. into their tulip glasses). Our food was good, though my fries had clearly been sitting for a while. In general, I don't think Jerry's is about new and challenging flavor profiles -- they make sandwiches, sandwiches that are straightforward, big and well-priced. In other words, exactly what we wanted that night.

My earlier complaints, about the service, mostly, seemed to have been resolved, and I do look forward to going back.

As a side note, I think Jerry's won a soft spot in my heart when a table of obnoxious drunks (yes, I'm being a little judgmental here) sat down and immediately ordered a round of Miller Lite -- Jerry's could not oblige. In fact, the closest thing they have to a light beer anyway is Goose Island's 312 (125 calories). Good for them for holding their line and keeping their beer list free of crappy beer like Miller Lite (there, yes, I said it, Miller Lite is crappy).

Well, I said we wouldn't go back, but we did. We had tried to get into Via Carducci La Sorella last Wednesday and there was 45 minute wait, so we walked down to Jerry's. We were seated right away inside.

I will say we were more pleased this time. We had no service issues.
I had heard from a friend that their house-made veggie burger was terrific, and it was! I am a big fan of veggie burgers and I found it totally craveable. (I kind of want it right now, actually.)
The husband had a roast beef concoction and was extremely happy with it as well. Though the shredded lettuce has got to go! Absurd.

I went with the same sides as last time---The fries were better. The mac and cheese was awful. Don't bother even trying with it. They need a new recipe. It was basically plain, flavorless noodles.

It's a fine place for an inexpesive dinner, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there. It is really pretty inside.

I have not been to this locaito of Jerry's, but all the posts make it sound like more of a sit-down/prepared food place than the location on Madison. Are they going for a different approach in Wicker Park? If so, that sounds like a big mistake.

Doesn't seem to be much of a mistake if my numerous visits are any indication; it's usually quite full at lunchtime. Only my first visit had serivce issues (repeated 86'd beer orders). Since then it's been more than pleasant and often quite speedy.

I've enjoyed several different sandwiches there, most with plenty of flavor and quality ingredients. While the sides aren't the highlight of any meal they've all been at worst passable, with some rising to quite tasty.

I'm also very happy to have a lunch spot with such an excellent beer list.

I think what Jerry's believes is that the customer base at Division and Damen is different than the customer at Madison and Racine/Halsted. There are, I think, a lot more people looking for a relaxed, sit-down lunch or brunch and then a lounge atmosphere in the evening, and fewer people looking to grab a sandwich and get back to their office.

They seem to be having no problems filling up the place, from what I've seen, so I think their decision was right.

I've always hated the LTO on Jerry's sandwiches. Shredded lettuce, watery tomatoes, and harsh onions. I'll pass.

stevez wrote:I have not been to this locaito of Jerry's, but all the posts make it sound like more of a sit-down/prepared food place than the location on Madison. Are they going for a different approach in Wicker Park? If so, that sounds like a big mistake.

I don't think it's only because the location is Wicker Park. They also wanted to try something a little different. You can get the lowdown from a Hungry Magazine podcast with the proprietors, which I enjoyed. I've never yet made it to any of the Jerry's locations, but after the interview, I thought I should go check it out. I think I will, despite the middling reviews, but I am really not in the neighborhood very often.

PS hope the link works; the HungryMag website seems to have just tanked before I could verify it...

germuska wrote:PS hope the link works; the HungryMag website seems to have just tanked before I could verify it...

You can also download it from iTunes if the site isn't working properly. Just search the podcast section for "hungry."

Chloe54 wrote:Well, I said we wouldn't go back, but we did. We had tried to get into Via Carducci La Sorella last Wednesday and there was 45 minute wait, so we walked down to Jerry's. We were seated right away inside.

I will say we were more pleased this time. We had no service issues.
I had heard from a friend that their house-made veggie burger was terrific, and it was! I am a big fan of veggie burgers and I found it totally craveable. (I kind of want it right now, actually.)
The husband had a roast beef concoction and was extremely happy with it as well. Though the shredded lettuce has got to go! Absurd.

I went with the same sides as last time---The fries were better. The mac and cheese was awful. Don't bother even trying with it. They need a new recipe. It was basically plain, flavorless noodles.

It's a fine place for an inexpesive dinner, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there. It is really pretty inside.

You did much better than going to via carducci. that place is the suck.

Yesterday we were trying for an early lunch at Crust before
a matinee of the new Indiana Jones (don't waste your money).
Despite the fact that their own website says they open at 11am on sundays,
we arrived around 11:30 and were told they weren't opening until noon, oh well.

We took a quick walk east for a very pleasant lunch at Jerry's.
There are places around town where I prefer the sandwiches, but
Jerry's still puts out a quality product. My Eli S (turkey, bacon, avocado)
was good and so was my kalamazoo, which they had on tap.

I'll be back for another good sandwich/great beer lunch soon.

I agree with a previous poster who stated that the restaurant on the inside doesn't exactly match the food choices....I've been there twice. The second time was much better. They were new the first time I went and were out of many of the meats essential to their menu which was a little frustrating. The second time was very good. I love their fries w/ the dipping sauces. They also had a very good organice beer. It will be one of the places I hit over the summer.


Anne

Jerry's Sandwiches Is Coming to Giddings Plaza in Lincoln Square

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140922 ... oln-square

Dave148 wrote:

Jerry's Sandwiches Is Coming to Giddings Plaza in Lincoln Square

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140922 ... oln-square

Was so excited to see this. (still 9 months away though) My hubby and I had just recently "found" them in Andersonville and LS is much closer to home (and easier to park!).

lizziebix wrote:

Dave148 wrote:

Jerry's Sandwiches Is Coming to Giddings Plaza in Lincoln Square

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140922 ... oln-square

Was so excited to see this. (still 9 months away though) My hubby and I had just recently "found" them in Andersonville and LS is much closer to home (and easier to park!).

I'm less enthusiastic - I like their back patio in Andersonville, but I've now been a few times and I've found the food ranges from slightly worse than mediocre to perhaps slightly better than mediocre. Anything in particular you'd recommend?

BR wrote:I'm less enthusiastic - I like their back patio in Andersonville, but I've now been a few times and I've found the food ranges from slightly worse than mediocre to perhaps slightly better than mediocre. Anything in particular you'd recommend?

I agree about the Andersonville patio. Their beer menu is pretty interesting. I've found most of the food to be middling.

Key words in DNAInfo story: "has signed a letter of intent to occupy." Sounds as though the lease is still being worked on.

The space is totally raw so nine months may be optimistic.

After 9 Years in Wicker Park, Jerry’s Sandwiches Will Close Next Month

http://chicago.eater.com/2016/8/31/1272 ... es-closing

Jerry’s Andersonville Closes For Good, Will Reopen As Fiya Middle Eastern Restaurant
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/03/09 ... estaurant/