- Attraction: Schmaltz Delicatessen
- Location: 3011 Ogden Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532
- Industry: Jewish Delicatessen
- Website: https://schmaltzdeli.com/
Chicago foodies drive thirty minutes west to discover what might be the most authentic Jewish deli experience outside of Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Schmaltz Delicatessen opened in 2004, founded by a Culinary Institute of America graduate and former Four Seasons chef who believed his neighbors deserved premium New York-style deli food that was actually accessible.
What started as one man’s culinary mission has grown into the #1 ranked restaurant in Lisle on TripAdvisor and winner of “Best Sandwiches and Deli 2023” by readers of the Naperville Sun and Aurora Beacon.
After 17 years in Naperville, Schmaltz moved to their expanded flagship location in Lisle, bringing with them everything that made the original famous: overstuffed sandwiches that require two hands, steaming bowls of matzo ball soup, and bagels so authentic they’d make a New Yorker weep.
You’ll quickly understand why West Suburban Living Magazine proclaimed that you could “fly to New York to eat at Carnegie Deli, or drive to the 3000 block of Ogden Avenue and enjoy very similar fare and equal quality”.
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Keep Exploring →Menu Standouts That Define Deli Excellence
The Legendary Sloppy Paul: Known as “the sandwich that made us famous,” this is Schmaltz’s signature Reuben featuring overstuffed warm corned beef on marble rye with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing. You’ll taste why customers travel from across Chicagoland for this towering creation – the corned beef is so tender it practically melts in your mouth, while the tangy sauerkraut provides the perfect acidic contrast.
Wall Street Perfection: The Chicago Tribune regularly names their “Wall Street” sandwich among the top 25 corned beef sandwiches in Chicagoland. This straightforward masterpiece features warm corned beef with mustard on seeded rye bread, served with half-sour pickles and bagel chips. The simplicity lets the quality shine – each slice of corned beef is perfectly seasoned and impossibly juicy.
Matzo Ball Soup Magic: Their famous chicken soup is made fresh daily with chicken, onions, carrots and seasonings, featuring floater matzo balls. You’ll discover why this soul-warming soup has earned devotees who plan visits around their monthly soup calendar. The matzo balls are fluffy clouds floating in rich, golden broth that tastes like a Jewish grandmother’s love in liquid form.
Bagel Brilliance: These amazing NY-style bagels are boiled, topped on both sides, proofed and baked following traditional methods. You’ll find over 16 varieties daily, each with a perfect chewy interior and slightly crisp exterior. The everything bagels are particularly spectacular, loaded with seeds and garlic that create satisfying bursts of flavor.
Acme Sandwich Artistry: Their “Acme” sandwich even graced the cover of West Suburban Living Magazine. This lox and bagel creation features the finest buttery and lightly smoked lox served with house-made cream cheeses on fresh bagels. The lox melts like silk on your tongue while the house-made cream cheese provides creamy richness.
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Potato Latkes Excellence: Made from a “combination of shredded and mashed potatoes, finished with a crisp outside and a creamy center”. You’ll discover these golden pancakes achieve the perfect balance – impossibly crispy exteriors giving way to fluffy, creamy interiors that pair beautifully with their homemade applesauce.
Atmosphere & Setting
Modern Deli Comfort: The new Lisle location features an expanded dining area, larger deli retail store, outdoor patio dining and a private dining room.
You’ll find yourself in a space that honors classic Jewish deli tradition while offering contemporary comfort. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between neighborhood gathering spot and destination restaurant.
Multiple Dining Options: The location offers both traditional counter service and tableside dining, giving you flexibility in how you experience your meal.
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Keep Exploring →The dining room feels warm and welcoming, with enough space to accommodate the crowds this popular spot regularly draws.
Outdoor Patio Pleasure: The spacious patio provides a delightful setting for enjoying overstuffed sandwiches in fresh air.
You’ll appreciate this option particularly during Chicago’s beautiful spring and fall weather, when dining outside enhances the already exceptional food experience.
Convenient Drive-Thru: The location includes a drive-thru window, making it easy to grab their famous bagels, sandwiches, or soup even when you’re pressed for time.
This modern convenience doesn’t compromise the quality – you’ll receive the same carefully prepared food whether dining in or driving through.
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Premium Pricing with Portions to Match: You’ll find prices reflect the premium quality ingredients and generous portions. As one regular customer noted, “They are expensive who isn’t? Any sandwich is 2 meals and it’s great!” Most sandwiches range from $15-20, but the overstuffed portions truly provide enough food for two meals.
Value Through Quality: They cook many meats in-house, including incredible beef brisket and roast beef, and have received accolades and awards for overall food taste, quality and service. You’re paying for authentic preparation methods and premium ingredients that justify the cost.
Convenient Parking: The location offers ample parking in their dedicated lot, eliminating the street parking challenges you might face at urban delis. You’ll find it easy to visit even during their busiest weekend breakfast hours.
Extended Hours for Dinner: They recently extended hours for dinner Tuesday through Saturday nights, featuring tableside dining and rotating specials including Smoked Brisket and Whitefish Dinners on Friday followed by BBQ Salmon and Prime Rib on Saturday. This expansion shows they’re more than just a lunch destination.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The spacious dining room and patio make this an excellent choice for families, while the authentic deli experience appeals to food enthusiasts of all ages. You’ll find everyone from families with young children to elderly couples sharing meals and creating memories.
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Keep Exploring →Catering and Shipping Options: All menu items are available for catering, delivery, or shipped nationwide, allowing you to bring Schmaltz’s quality to special events or share it with distant friends and family.
Schmaltz Delicatessen
📍 3011 Ogden Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532
