One suburban deli lets you choose just how lean you want your corned beef. I love that someone looked at a sandwich and decided even the fat deserved its own menu.
That kind of care is the whole point here. Across Illinois, a handful of counters still slice meat, stack rye, and set pickles on the table like the calendar never moved. One Chicago spot has been carrying on its traditions since 1942.
I can’t think of a better lunch for a gray afternoon than a heavy corned beef sandwich. The rye should hold together, the mustard should bite back, and the meat should lean toward too much. These counters seem to understand that rule without needing it written down.
So which one earns the first napkin? Grab a fork for the slaw and let’s find out.
1. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, Chicago, IL
Chicago lunch has a pecking order, and a tray sliding down a cafeteria line sits near the top. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen has been carrying on its traditions since 1942, and the setup still feels proudly no-frills.
You grab a tray, move down the line, and point at what you want. It’s an old-school lunch counter format that turns ordering into a small parade.
The corned beef is the headliner here. Sandwiches come huge, with generous portions of tender, flavorful meat stacked high.
Pastrami gets equal billing, so choosing can feel like picking a favorite child. My advice is simple: bring a friend, order one of each, and trade halves.
The menu runs well beyond sandwiches. Potato pancakes, liver and onions, pepper steak, and a turkey sandwich round out the lineup.
Breakfast deserves its own plan. Babka French toast sounds like a dessert that snuck into the morning, and that’s a compliment.
Coffee is on the menu, and you’ll want it. A sandwich of this size calls for something to keep you upright afterward.
The doors stay closed on Mondays. Tuesday through Saturday, you can drop in from morning until early evening, and Sunday wraps up mid-afternoon.
Getting there is easier than plenty of Chicago lunch runs, thanks to a free on-site lot. Takeout and delivery work too, though a sandwich this big tastes best fresh off the line.
Think of this as a living piece of Illinois deli history. Just don’t expect to need dinner afterward.
Address: 1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607
2. The Bagel Restaurant and Deli, Chicago, IL
Free pickles before you even order? That’s how The Bagel Restaurant and Deli says hello on Broadway.
A complimentary plate of dill pickles lands on the table, along with a basket of fluffy challah and bagel toasts. It’s the kind of old-school deli move that has survived here since 1950.
The corned beef on rye comes stacked, and it’s a classic order for good reason. Reuben fans get their own reward, since the Reuben here earns serious praise.
This is a Jewish deli and diner rolled into one. The menu is extensive, so blintzes, matzo ball soup, and bagels share space with burgers.
Yes, burgers. The bacon double cheeseburger has its own fan club, which tells you this kitchen doesn’t stay in one lane.
Breakfast runs big too. An everything bagel with eggs, bacon, and cheese arrives in a giant portion, so pace yourself.
Can’t decide? A half sandwich with soup splits the difference nicely, and a lox platter covers the fish lovers at your table.
Families get an easy time here. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a casual diner mood that suits a crowd.
Great coffee and a solid tea selection round things out. Dessert is worth saving room for, if you can manage it.
Hours run daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. That makes a corned beef dinner just as doable as a bagel breakfast. Parking in Lakeview can test your patience, but a free lot helps.
Address: 3107 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
3. Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen, Skokie, IL
Most delis ask how you want your sandwich. Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen takes things further by letting customers choose how lean they want their corned beef.
Its published menu has offered everything from richly marbled deckle to super-trimmed beef. It’s a small detail, but it tells you the folks behind the counter take their meat seriously.
This Skokie spot is a long-standing kosher bakery and deli. Sliced meats, bagels, bialys, and sweets share the space, and plenty of it is homemade.
The counter service is quick and organized. You order, you get your food, and you’re on your way to happiness without much fuss.
Corned beef and pastrami both shine here. The pastrami even turns up on a regular bagel for breakfast, which feels like a smart rule-bend.
Lox fans should pay attention. The lox bagel sandwich has a near-legendary reputation, and an everything bagel with lox is a strong pick.
The menu names are half the fun. Look for The Looney Tuna and a sandwich called Zeide’s Favorite Heartburn, which is honest advertising if you ask me.
Don’t skip the bakery case on your way out. The baked goods and boxed items make an easy gift, or an easy snack in the car.
Hours are daytime-focused. Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday close at 3 PM, while Wednesday through Saturday stretch to 5 PM.
Skokie has a deep deli tradition, and this counter is a big part of that Illinois story. Bring an appetite and maybe an antacid for Zeide.
Address: 4905 Dempster St, Skokie, IL 60077
4. Max and Benny’s, Northbrook, IL
A pound of meat on one sandwich sounds like a dare. At Max and Benny’s in Northbrook, it’s just how the corned beef and pastrami come.
This sprawling deli and bakery treats the hot corned beef sandwich as a headliner. Rye is the classic call, and it lets the meat do the talking.
Soup is the other big draw. Freshly made matzo balls float in hearty chicken broth, and mushroom barley gives you an earthy alternative.
Gluten-free diners get a gluten-free chicken noodle soup. Chicken tortilla soup shows up too, proving the soup pot here likes to travel.
Smoked white fish and potato pancakes keep the menu rooted in deli tradition. The San Francisco Reuben adds a twist if you want to wander a little.
Then there’s the chocolate phosphate. It’s an old soda fountain classic, and seeing it on a menu today feels like finding a pay phone that works.
Save some room for the bakery. The selection explains why the bakery side matters as much as the sandwich side.
The menu is extensive, which can be a happy problem. Great service is part of the package, so don’t be shy about asking for help.
Doors open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. A free lot makes parking painless. Takeout, pickup, and delivery are all options if you’d rather eat on your own couch.
Northern Illinois families have counted on this place for years, and the consistency shows. It’s a dependable stop on the North Shore side of the state.
Address: 461 Waukegan Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062
5. Morry’s Deli, Chicago, IL
Sky High Triple Decker. That’s the phrase that matters at Morry’s Deli, where the menu includes towering combinations of corned beef, pastrami, cheese, and other classic deli favorites.
You’ll find this counter on West Taylor Street in Chicago. It’s a casual, unpretentious spot built around hearty, flavorful sandwiches.
The corned beef is the star, and it’s earned a loyal following. If you only order one thing, make it that.
Pastrami gets the same tall treatment, so you may need a game plan. Squeeze gently, tilt your head, and accept that napkins are part of the meal.
The menu stretches beyond classic deli fare. An Italian sausage sandwich nods to Chicago tastes, and a bacon, egg, and cheese handles breakfast.
Chips are an easy side. Keep it simple, since the sandwich is already doing plenty of work.
Counter service keeps things moving. Order up, grab a seat if you’re staying, or take your stack to go.
Friendly staff help the line feel less like a line. The mood is family-friendly, with a kids’ menu for smaller appetites.
Sports fans, take note. The place works well for catching a game while you eat.
Hours lean toward the workday, with the Taylor Street location generally open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. Check the deli’s current schedule before visiting.
No reservations are taken, so just show up hungry. Street parking is available nearby, along with some on-site spots.
Taylor Street has long been one of Chicago’s great food corridors. A towering corned beef sandwich fits right in on this Illinois stretch.
Address: 2227 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60612
6. BNY Deli, Homewood, IL
Reuben egg rolls exist, and BNY Deli in Homewood serves them. It’s the kind of mash-up that makes you wonder why it took so long to catch on.
Don’t let the fun twist distract you from the classics. Corned beef on rye sits right on the menu, served in the tradition of a New York-style deli.
Pastrami on rye gets equal love. Seeded rye with mustard is the old New York style, and the deli carries that tradition into the south suburbs.
Lean meats are a hallmark here. If you prefer your corned beef on the trimmed side, you’re in luck.
Homemade soups round out the order. Matzoh ball soup is a natural partner, and a soup of the day comes by the quart to take home.
Potato pancakes are on hand too. They’re a classic side for a stacked sandwich.
Seafood salads earn high praise. Tuna salad sandwiches and a lox and bagel sandwich give fish fans plenty to choose from.
Feeding two? Debbie’s Lox Platter for 2 makes a relaxed weekend brunch at home.
The space is clean and cute, with a fun atmosphere. There’s also a BBQ chicken wrap if someone in your group skips deli meat.
Plan around the hours. Weekdays run 9 AM to 6 PM, Saturday runs 11 AM to 3 PM, and Sunday is closed.
South suburban Illinois doesn’t always get credit for its deli game. This counter makes a strong case that it should.
Address: 18064 Martin Ave, Homewood, IL 60430
7. Schmaltz Delicatessen, Lisle, IL
Beef bacon with a pun for a name? Schmaltz Delicatessen in Lisle calls it Schmacon, and that tells you this place has a sense of humor.
The jokes stop at the meat case, though. This daytime counter-serve Jewish deli takes classic sandwiches seriously, and they come huge.
Corned beef and pastrami are the heavy hitters. Navel pastrami is even sold by the pound, so you can build your own sandwich at home.
Sit-down or counter service both work for lunch. Pick whichever matches your patience level.
The #5 with chopped liver is a strong move for traditionalists. Pair it with a bowl of Mish Mosh soup for the full old-school experience.
Matzo ball soup and chopped chicken livers are crowd favorites too. Chicken noodle soup and brisket chili round out the bowl options.
Breakfast gets plenty of attention. A classic hot lox bagel is on the menu, and bagels come by the dozen for a crowd.
The modern side shows up in the salads. The Schmaltz House Salad is there for lighter days, which you may need after a big sandwich.
A Chicago Dog also sneaks onto the menu. It’s a fun local touch at a deli out in DuPage County, Illinois.
Potato salad makes a solid side. Keep it classic and let the sandwich carry the show.
The deli opens at 8 AM Tuesday through Sunday and stays closed on Mondays. Check the current closing time before heading over, especially if you’re planning a late lunch.
Free Wi-Fi is available if you’re lingering. Just try not to drip mustard on the keyboard.
Address: 3011 Ogden Ave, Lisle, IL 60532
8. Max’s Deli, Highland Park, IL
Scratch-made deli food is the promise at Max’s Deli, and it’s a big one. This traditional Jewish deli in Highland Park builds its menu around hearty corned beef, pastrami, and matzo ball soup.
Sandwiches come generously portioned. The corned beef is a classic order, and hot pastrami sits right beside it on the menu.
The space feels like an old-fashioned deli, only polished. It’s a beautiful room that still leans into tradition.
Max’s covers several roles at once. There’s a carry-out deli, a bakery, and an eat-in restaurant under one roof.
Beyond sandwiches, the comfort food runs deep. Chopped liver, corned beef hash, and Mish Mosh soup are strong picks.
The chicken sandwich on challah is worth a look if someone in your group wants a change. The fries are excellent, too.
The doors open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM. It’s an easy place to fit into a late breakfast, lunch, or early dinner plan.
Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates. Free parking, both in a lot and on the street, is usually plentiful.
No reservations are taken, so plan to walk in. Catering is available if you’d rather bring the deli to your party.
Delivery and takeout are options too. A corned beef sandwich travels well if you wrap it tight.
The North Shore of Illinois has strong deli roots, and this counter carries them proudly. Order the corned beef and see why.
Address: 191 Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035
9. JB’s Deli, Chicago, IL
Unfussy is the word for JB’s Deli, and that’s a compliment. This Andersonville counter skips the frills and puts the focus on piled-high sandwiches.
A lean corned beef sandwich on rye is the classic order. It’s the sandwich that defines a classic Jewish deli visit.
Pastrami on rye earns equal praise. The Reuben has a strong reputation too, so choosing might take a minute.
The supporting cast is deep. Potato pancakes, matzo balls, bagels, and chopped liver are part of the lineup.
Soups get standout praise. If the weather turns gray on Clark Street, a bowl alongside your sandwich makes good sense.
Lox fans have reason to visit too. The lox here is considered some of the best around.
Bagels make an easy grab for breakfast. Pair one with lox for a classic start to the morning.
The sides deserve a shout-out. Coleslaw, pasta salad, and carrot salad add crunch and color to the plate.
Quick visits are the norm here. Order at the counter, grab your bag, and you’re on your way.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM, with Saturday and Sunday visits available from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Parking is paid street parking, so budget a few minutes to find a spot. Andersonville is a fun neighborhood to stroll anyway.
Chicago has plenty of flashy restaurants, but a no-nonsense deli keeps Illinois food history alive. This one does it with a sandwich and a smile.
Address: 5501 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
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