In the 1830s, Jewish immigrants began to come into Chicago and within a century, Jews made up around nine percent of the city's population. As a result of this influx of immigrants, Jewish food became prevalent in the form of delis and Middle Eastern restaurants. Whether you are looking for a bowl of matzo ball soup or a falafel topped with Jerusalem salad, you can find your fix in Chicago.
A tiny restaurant with a faded sign, this pizza joint is not the place to have a fancy, sit-down meal, but it is a fine place for ensuring that your big group can have an affordable Kosher meal. Keeping Kosher consists of keeping certain dietary laws and while some restaurants may offer Kosher items, it's impossible to know if the laws have been followed unless the entire restaurant keeps Kosher. Tel-Aviv Kosher Pizza with all their burgers, fries, and nachos, keeps completely Kosher, giving you a chance at a Kosher slice of pizza at less than $2 a slice. There are also some Latin American and Israeli items available.
Tel-Aviv Kosher Pizza
6349 N California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
773-764-3776
Manny's is one of the most popular Jewish delis in Chicago and is located in the heart of the downtown area. Manny's has the traditional Jewish deli staples of the corned beef sandwich and turkey Reuben, and Jewish sides like potato pancakes and kishkes. Manny's also has Matzo ball soup, which is available all year round, not just at Passover. Manny's has a Passover menu available for Jews who are attempting to dine well while avoiding bread products during the holiday. The portions are plentiful and the service is friendly at Manny's.
Manny's Cafeteria & Deli
1141 S Jefferson St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312-939-2855
mannysdeli.com
While not exactly a Jewish restaurant per say, Old Jerusalem restaurant is a Middle Eastern cuisine gold mine. Israeli favorites like hummus, shawirma, and kabobs make you feel like you're walking down Ben Yehuda Street in downtown Jerusalem. Try the Arabic coffee if you need a pick me up, as it has a taste completely different than American coffee. Finish the meal off with some baklawa, as no Middle Eastern meal would be complete without it.
Old Jerusalem Restaurant
1411 N Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-944-0459
oldjerusalemrestaurant.com
Another classic Jewish deli, The Bagel is a great way to get a Reuben when you find yourself in the Lakeview area. The Bagel is setup like an old-school deli, with less seating and a ton of food choices. Some highlights include the bagel and lox to go meal, the turkey and pastrami sandwich, and the potato pancakes. Like Manny's, The Bagel has special Passover and Kosher items to make sure that the Jewish dining population is well taken care of.
The Bagel Restaurant & Deli
3107 N Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60657
773-477-0300
bagelrestaurant.com
Both a catering and deli joint, Ashkenaz Jewish Style Deli is a bit cheaper than its Chicago deli counterparts. Featuring a hot corned beef sandwich, pickled tomatoes, and an affordable lunch combo, Ashkenaz is a great option if you find yourself in the Gold Coast area. There are cases of baked goods like rugelach to temp you as you finish your heaping pile of pastrami or corned beef. The restaurant is littered with Jewish memorabilia to add to the authenticity a bit. The owners suggest calling ahead to avoid the lines.
Ashkenaz Jewish Style Deli
12 E Cedar St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-944-5006
