Chicago’s Bakery & Deli

I reviewed the first time and said no good, and magically they are out of business.

Friendly service. Owners are from Chicago. Vienna beef products are great. I recommend the Italian beef it’s like a French dip but better. The best sandwich you will ever have.

I stopped by yesterday to check it out. I walked out with mixed feelings about the experience. We’ll start with the décor, I honestly felt like I was in a set straight out of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The downstairs area has antique shelves full of every flavored Soda known to man. When you go up the staircase, you’ll find a sitting area that has a baby-​grand in the back far wall where a plasma TV hangs above it. The sitting (couches and chairs) are made out of red velvet material. They also managed to stick a hot-​dog stand or cart in there as well. I know, it only gets better right? I think they were trying to go for the old-​school mom and pop joint feel but ended up turning the place into tackylandia. I’m starting to see a pattern, I dont know if you guys remember the Leprechaun set up… maybe they should quit the restaurant business and start a movie set company. It was thoroughly amusing.
Lets be honest, the food is too expensive for what it is. Because of this I ended up opting for a salad so I cant really tell you much about it, perhaps the sandwiches are better than what they seem. I enjoyed sitting outside. The upside to this place, and a reason why I think it might last longer than the previous, is that since the A&M school is next door, it gets packed when school lets out. I saw kids rushing in to buy ice cream, sodas and the like. Don’t expect to see me rushing back anytime soon.

Being from Chicago, I was ecstatic to find that this place is in business so close to me.
Not so ecstatic to find out how high the prices are: $ 7 for a slice of cake and $ 5 for a hot dog, fer cryin out loud!
I tried the «Al Capone» sandwich (Italian beef on a soft baguette covered with the meat’s juice and topped with giardinera) the other day for lunch.
The meat was tender, and there was plenty of it. Easily enough for two in the single sandwich. But it wasn’t as flavorful as a good Italian beef sandwich should be. The meat and juice were lacking in some of the spices and umami flavors. Also, the sandwich was a bit too strong on the sour and salty flavors — I probably should have just asked for the giardinera on the side, since I prefer my Italian beefs with a different kind of peppers (and sometimes green peppers and grilled onions) than they used.
A decent alternative to the chain places for lunch or a quick evening meal, but given the prices I doubt I will be a regular visitor.

Anyone who appreciates Chicago, loves all things Chicago, enjoys a Chicago Style Hot Dog or an typical Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich, should flock to this place and make sure they stay in business.
Although I agree that it doesn’t exactly represent the ambiance and atmosphere of a local Chicago Deli — they are at least making a huge effort at making this work.
Agreed — it doesn’t quite make me feel in Chicago, and a lot of it has to do with the fact that this place has been transformed from Spanish, to Irish, more Irish and now Chicago —
The Italian beef is the real thing !!! It would definitely help if the employees were more in tune with what the owner is trying to create here, case in point — the girl behind the counter calls the Giardinera Peppers — Gardenia Peppers– not exactly a good representation — but hey what can do… they have probably never been to Chicago, let alone an original Deli —
I totally enjoyed the Berghoff (sp) root beer, and we came home with Vienna Peppers for our Hot Dogs and some Original Giardinera Peppers, not to mention a full and happy stomach.
I am hoping… if we visit often, go to see Bears, Cubs and Wildcats Games, we can make this a true Chicago Joint–
*** Disclaimer ** the Chicago Steakhouse next door was closed until 4 PM — so we will return to check it out and try their deep dish pizza —

Chicago’s on Commodore Plaza is the latest attempt for this once great location. The building was originally remodeled for Don Quixote and featured a windmill (for those who remember) thus creating its current round tower like shape. Any place since has left the tower, less the blades, and was blown through in a more or less short time… I wish Chicago’s better luck, but will not continue to contribute to its success.
The menu is ridiculously greasy and heavy and has no innovation, whatsoever. Burgers, deep dish pizza and fried food. Mo’s across the street has a similar menu, but did a much better job to actually match the décor to the experience.
When walking in to find a waiter, the place is dark and dingy, reminiscent of previous places like Frikin’Friar and that Lebrachon thing… Once tracked down, he was very friendly but seemed a bit overwhelmed.
The outside features curb side tables with far reaching umbrellas. Again, nothing that was not tried before. I would have liked to see a bit more attention to the details, as Chicago is so famous for its architectural heritage, there is even the Chicago style skyscraper, so aptly defined because of it…
I tried a piece of the deep dish pizza and was disappointed. A fellow diner noted that this is not really what he was hoping for in terms of getting a piece of home…

I miss Chicago food. I miss my hot dogs, my Italian Beef, my giardinieras, especially my deep dish Lou Malnati’s. I am also very, very weary of any place outside of Chicago that claims to have authentic Chi Town food.
So, I came with the expectation of being disappointed. In all fairness I was NOT! The giardinieras were authentic, the Italian Beef was dead on. I am happy. For $ 8 you get a huge sandwich that is plenty for 2 people if you wish to share.
Now having said that, the place still has that «I don’t know my identity» style that everything after «El Quijote» has had. The place NEEDS to be remodeled. Really.
The layout of the bakery side is uncomfortable, confusing and needs streamlining. PLUS they need fountain drinks.
I suspect its the same owner that has tried various things here including /​/​shiver/​/​the crappy Eleven Leprechauns. Why? *****Because Comskey Park is misspelled on the menu. If you are from Chicago you don’t make that mistake!!! That is a HUGE faux pas… a WTF moment. Plus the attendant kept on telling me the peppers were «Gardenia» peppers. Gardenia is a flower not a pepper.
I kept on pronouncing it correctly (she said «Oh here we call them Gardenias) and discreetly told her I was from Chicago, she didn’t get get the message. They really should train the staff on those things. In all fairness she was a SWEETHEART though.
We shall see, so far all I have had is the Italian Beef I will be back to the other side for the Deep Dish… one can ONLY hope that it is good enough to be worth it.

I had been reading lots of good things about Chicago’s recently, so since I work right down the street, I decided I would give it a try. I walked in to place an order to go, and I felt immediately that the layout was a little weird. You order your desserts downstairs and order your deli sandwiches upstairs. Since I was not actually eating there, it did not really matter.
I asked the guy working behind the counter what was good to get. He told me the Harry Carey was his favorite. It sounded tempting, roasted turkey, bacon, gouda, spicy mayo, and tomato all on a onion bun. I went for it. The guy helping me took his time and made a beautiful sandwich, which I immediately took back to my desk and devoured.
The sandwich was HUGE. I could only eat half of it. The turkey was stacked high – they definitely did not skimp on this. The onion bread was delicious.
I have never been to Chicago, so I don’t know what a real Chicago deli is like, but I did enjoy this deli. It was a nice change from the usual Coconut Grove staples. Also, another perk, Chicago’s delivers. I can’t wait to order their Cookie Bottom Sundae or a malt shake to my office!

Best hotdogs and a tempting bakery.
The staff is still training but they are learning and very nice.
I found their smoothies to be yummy too…
still going over the rest of the menu but the Chicago dog is well worth the five bucks.
The place is very nicely designed and comfy, I could see having many lunches there.

This place is a nice change of pace. Chicago is not represented in Miami almost at all — despite that Chicago has a very high level of cuisine at all levels.
That said, Chicago’s Deli authentically represents the hot-​dog and Italian-​beef strata.
The Italian beef is true-​to-​form, but I agree with another reviewer who complains that the beef is not as thin-​cut as it should be. But they do put the authentic giardiniere (hot green pepper salsa) on there that adds just the right touch.
I’ve been here twice and it does not disappoint. You have to be in the mood for gut-​filling food, but overall it is satisfying. Thank you to them for representing Chicagoland food authentically.

Being born and raised throughout Chicagoland, I knew that I must try this restaurant as fast as I could. Luckily, I work right in the neighborhood.
I have never heard of the term «Chicago Deli» before so I was a little leery about how the food would be. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of everything.
The menu had three Chicago staples… Italian Beef, Hot Dogs, and Polish Sausage. The rest of the menu was typical deli sandwiches, which looked good. The restaurant advertises «Vienna» products, which is a Chicago company specializing in the three staples listed above, and is very common in Chicago fast food restaurants.
I ordered the Italian Beef, and flavor of the gravy and giardiniera were on point and the quality of the beef was good. As Michelle C. mentioned, the portion size was large, but the bread seemed a little stale. Hugo A. had the Polish Sausage, which he said was good, but he has no reference for a traditional Chicago Polish.
Overall, I would say 3– 3.5 stars (in Miami, 2.5 stars in Chicago) with the extra half star for introducing Miamians to authentic Chicago cuisine.

After reading an article my daughter and I rushed to the Grove yesterday afternoon to try this Chicago style deli. So thrilled that we would have a true Italian Beef like back home. When you walk in the first floor is the bakery then you go upstairs to the deli. The pictures are all the Chicago skyline, nice touch, chairs very plush and big and comfortable with nice tables.
We both had the «AL CAPONE» Italian Beef sandwich. Thinly sliced marinated roast beef served warm topped with spicy peppers.(my fav. spicy gardenia) $ 8.00 I did ask the cook to dip it for us and he said yeah everyone from Chicago like’s it that way, so he gave me sauce on the side. (which was fine)
The sandwich had good flavor just like a good beef from Chi-​town. The only issue I had was the beef should have been sliced much thinner, it was a little thicker than normal which made it hard to chew, and the bread was slighly hard. For the price they did give you alot of beef, which was nice.
There menu has some interesting items on it:
The Chicago Dog $ 5.00
The Ditka Polish Sausage-​$ 6.00
and sandwiches that they named after places in Chicago like:
Harry Carey, State Street, The Wrigley Fielder, The Blackhawk, The Chicago Fire, Rush Street, Oprah, The Sears Tower, Da Bear etc…
They offer signature salads, smoothies, coffee, and bakery items. Side orders are cole slaw, macaroni salad, potato salad and chips.
Really missed having fries with my beef…
The sandwiches are not badly priced but beware if you order a sandwich, a side and a drink your looking at $ 12.00 plus tax.
I would probably go back just to get the beef flavor, but I do hope they slice the beef thinner and get fresher bread then I would give five stars.
Almost a true Chi-​Town experience!!!

These guys just opened. They are across the street from where Christabelle’s Quarter used to be (the place used to be firkin friar, then waldo’s then 11 leprechauns).
So far all I’ve had here was a sandwich (da bear) and a cookie, both were excellent. I’m not super familiar with chicago food, so I can’t attest to the authenticity, but I do know good food, and the sandwiches here put them near the top of all sandwich places in the area.
Aside from the freshly baked pastries, they sell coffees and chicagoland style condiments and food stuffs.
— update 7÷2÷09 —
had the al capone italian beef sandwich this time, which was ridiculously large. tons of flavor, and super soggy (which is how they do it in chicago I hear).
Also note, these people sell «chicago» coffees, which is grove speak for irish coffees.