Eater Chicago Checks-in at Three South Loop Jewish Delis

The Sloop is blessed with three distinctly different places that serve variations of "Jewish Deli".  Yeah, let that sink it for a sec.

The good peeps at Eater Chicago take a look at the Jewish Deli scene and check in at our spots:

Half Sour (755 S. Clark)While it doesn’t offer staples such as blintzes and kasha varnishkes, it’s impossible to deny Half Sour’s strong Jewish deli influence. Since its opening in 2018, the Printer’s Row spot smokes its own pastrami, ferments its own pickles, and makes fresh bagels every morning. In addition to latkes with apple sauce, corned beef sandwiches, and bowls of matzo ball soup; Half Sour brought deli-inspired dishes into 2019 with hip menu items like pastrami chili, smoked salmon dip with everything spice crackers, and even Sephardi-style fried artichokes.

Eleven City Diner (1112 S. Wabash)The Eleven City Diner’s remaining Chicago location, after closing its Lincoln Park restaurant, is thriving. The massive South Loop space serves breakfast all day, plus tons of Jewish standards like turkey pastrami, corned beef, knishes, and so much lox. In addition, the menu has trendy “health” options like Impossible burgers, a quinoa scramble bowl, many ice cream and soda fountain treats, Mexican-inspired chilaquiles, various burgers, and a whole section of loaded mac and cheese. Eleven City also opened a Los Angeles location in 2019.

Manny's (1141 S. Jefferson)Manny’s is the last Jewish deli seemingly everyone in Chicago knows. The cafeteria has a 75-year history with the city, from its humble beginning opened by Russian immigrants on Van Buren and Halsted to its landmark status as a generations-owned establishment on South Jefferson. The menu is traditional Jewish fare and the portions are massive. It’s one of the few places left in the city eaters can still order matzo brie, kishke, and kasha and noodles, all in one sitting. For ex-Chicagoans missing a taste of home, Manny’s can now be delivered nationwide via Tastes of Chicago.