Miceli's Deli

A little bit surprised that Miceli’s hasn’t surfaced on LTH, but it definitely deserves a shoutout. It’s one of the remaining Italian Oakley stalwarts in Heart of Chicago, although it’s in a different category from the upscale valet places. This is black and white checkerboard floor, pure and simple. Assorted groceries line the walls around half the place—everything from toilet paper to imported olive oil. I guess the most immediate comparison for me was a smaller, less specialty food-focused Conte di Savoia on Taylor. The place has a wonderful openness about it, a little reminiscent of Manny’s, without the cafeteria-style process. The customers, too, are a bit Manny-esque as well, maybe a little more working class—a diverse bunch of people on lunch break from 26th and California, and a dozen Italian nonnas holding daily court.

They have a menu of set sandwiches, but these would be a tough sell for me unless I came in everyday. More alluring is their set daily special (Monday 5.50 Italian Sub with chips and a drink, Tuesday Meatloaf, etc.), and then they have a whiteboard, which sports various sandwiches without the side perks. I was surprised, however, to find a couple pasta dishes on the board—linguini in clam sauce, 6.95, mostaccioli with meatballs.

I figured these pasta dishes might be options thrown in for the sandwich weary, but they’re not to be overlooked. It became immediately (surprisingly, grinningly…) clear that the tomato sauce was homemade, retaining much more of the tomato flavor. And of course, I was extremely appreciative of the couple pieces of crusty bread they tossed in with the pasta to soak up that sauce. I may not be able to compare it to any of the fancy-pants places down the block, never having been, but Miceli’s might just hold its own. The sandwiches are exceptional, too. The focaccia de pollo was bright, flavorfully spiced shredded chicken pressed warm on parmesan bread that helped carry the sandwich to the finish. A different focaccia sandwich had pepperoni, mortadella, mozzarella, beautifully sweet roasted red peppers and just the right amount of oil to hold the hot sandwich together. Sandwiches are all about ingredients and ratios, and they nailed it on this one so well I almost overlooked the sundried tomato bread that was the vehicle. Some fantastic homemade soups round out the choices here.

Basically, few details are overlooked at Miceli’s. They do some typical eggsy breakfasts, too, if you’re there early enough. But the philosophy is likely the same—lunch shouldn’t cost more than $7.50, and for it, you should get some combination of quality Italian sandwiches, pasta, and soup. I think the court workers and grandmothers wouldn’t have it any other way.

-TK

Miceli's Deli & Food Mart
2448 S. Oakley Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
773-847-6873

I recently had dinner in the Heart of Chicago neighborhood, 24th and Oakley, and noticed Miceli's Deli is closed. Boo!!

I asked my waitress and she acted a little mysterious in her response, only disclosing that there was an accident.

Is there something that can be discussed here? Anyone know of future plans for the deli?