Eppy's Deli

There are so many reasons I want to like Eppy's Deli. Start off with the fact that is has two locations right near downtown (162 N Franklin, convenient to the Loop, and 224 E Ontario, right off the Magnificent Mile). The proprietor is Larry "The Jew" Epstein, who you would think walked right out of a comedy set in the Catskills. He makes an effort to stock his place with good stuff: bagels from New York Bagel and Bialy, S. Rosen rye bread, Eisenberg meats (which he prefers to Vienna Beef because he likes the flavors milder and with more garlic), and ten different kinds of mustard. I don't even understand how he sells his food and makes a profit. $7.50 for an overstuffed corned beef sandwich (cheese is $.50 more), but it comes with two large sides, a pickle (only if you ask), and a bowl of soup costs the day's temperature (9 cents today). I think there was also a discount for working in the area, but I don't know this for sure.

The problem is that the food is really bland and forgettable, except for the soup, which was genuinely bad. The meat was probably good quality once, but based on the presentation when they were making my sandwich, they portion controlled by cutting all the week's meat at once and wrapping each serving in Saran Wrap to be reheated in the microwave when ordered. The flavor of the meat is subtle, so you don't want too much mustard. I don't know if this is just a function of the preparation. The sandwiches are really only overstuffed because they got the smallest loaves of rye bread I've ever seen in my life to put the meat on. The sides were not bad. You want a fruit cup. They have a variety of melons and berries (when in season) and they let them sit overnight in a honey mixture so it comes out sweet but not overpowering. The potato salad was okay, but I wouldn't order it again. The soup, as I said above, was terrible. It was all grease and no flavor. I've never had soup stick to my lips before, and salt didn't help bring out the flavor of the added later chicken breast and noodles.

I come back every six months because I want this place to be as good as my gut tells me it could be, but until then, go somewhere else for your corned beef needs.

The Ontario location is next door to a Subway sandwich shop. I think the best part of eating at Eppy's (when it's warmer outside) is watching Epstein kick Subway patron's out of his outdoor dining area.

I agree with everything you said above about Eppy's.

I went to the Loop location a couple of weeks ago and was beyond disappointed. I stepped up to order a hot pastrami on rye. First question from the guy working the counter: "What kind of cheese would you like on that?"

I should have known.

I haven't been to Eppy's in several years, but I remember their sandwiches being not bad. Faint praise indeed. The soup, however, was not good at all, as noted, and the macaroni and potato salads weren't particularly interesting. I stopped going because it wasn't possible to order just a sandwich--you were locked into buying a combo of sandwich + sides, and I didn't like any of the sides. I'd rather pay less for just the sandwich and not be subjected to subpar sides, and I hated letting them go to waste. I never noticed a problem with the meat being dry, but perhaps I got lucky and only went in on days when it had just been sliced.

My other problem with Eppy's: the time it takes to grab a sandwich there. I have nothing against waiting to have a sandwich made to order, and in fact, I think that's a good thing. I don't like needless wastes of time, however. The last time I went in there, the kid making my sandwich assembled the entire thing, took it apart, then heated the meat and slowly reassembled it, futzing with it the whole time. This, despite the impatient lunchtime rush crowd behind me. Aggravating, to say the least, and not an atypical visit.

I work around the corner from the Franklin location of Eppy's. I was happy to see they had NY Bagles and Bialys. Thought they would be a nice breakfast option. . . .only drawback is that they don't open until 10 a.m.

Had a Reuben from there the other day. Not bad. Not good. Only real benefit is that it's the best Reuben within and easy walk. I don't really care for Perry's. Really big, but not much taste.

I love Eppy's. I eat there twice a week. Why? Because it's real food. You want a turkey sandwich, fruit and some chips? Go to Eppy's. You want some ridiculous "artisan," preservative-laden, sundried-mushroom-pesto hybrid focaccia and a cup of soup that was heated in a giant, pre-frozen plastic bag? Go elsewhere.

For $7.58, I get a sandwich, chips, fruit cup (with actual orange segments in it!), a pickle and a soda. I don't even have to ask for my works-in-the-area discount - the cashier asks me! My belly is always full - full of yummy goodness: rich, leafy romaine and freshly sliced red onions on my sandwich. I, too, love the bread: fresh and flavorful without trumping the ingredients contained within. While one might complain the loaves are too small; I think they're just right. I don't think a sandwich should be the size of a football or a foot long.

While Eppy's isn't a "food in 30 seconds" type of joint, I do appreciate not having to graze like cattle and wait for my name to be called after I've ordered and paid. You place your sandwich order, move down the line to pick your sides, grab a drink cup, and then you pay - with your food in hand! Actually, this is only if you're getting food to-go. If you eat at the restaurant, you pay once you've finished. Nice.

I could go on... but I won't. Eppy's is great. Go try it and see for yourself.

bittypie wrote:I love Eppy's. I eat there twice a week. Why? Because it's real food.

Yes, real food that starts as a plastic wrapped ball of meat before being placed on a sandwich (that's how my hot pastrami was made...at least it wasn't microwaved first). I'm sorry, but this place (and I'm talking about the Loop location) is a major disappointment.

I'm not sure what your definition of "real" food is, but you also might want to try Hannah's Bretzel. Ingredients are fresh and (where possible) local. It's more expensive than many other places in the Loop, but well worth it IMHO.

bittypie wrote:I love Eppy's. I eat there twice a week. Why? Because it's real food. You want a turkey sandwich, fruit and some chips? Go to Eppy's. You want some ridiculous "artisan," preservative-laden, sundried-mushroom-pesto hybrid focaccia and a cup of soup that was heated in a giant, pre-frozen plastic bag? Go elsewhere.

Are you under the impression that Eppy's cooks their own Turkey? I'm glad you like them. If I worked in the area, I'd eat there too. It wasn't bad. Not great, but not bad. But they are absolutely serving the same preservative-laden meat and chips you get at most sandwich shops, sorry to say.

Eppy does make his soup in-house, and most of his sides. Actually, a lot of his stuff is made in house, from what he told me. Honestly, I haven't eaten there for lunch, but his breakfast sandwich on a bagel is really awesome, and cheaper than most other decent breakfast options.

Closed. Signs say Capri Sogno and FoodFellas Pizzaria opening soon.