Manny’s

June 18, 2016. The décor is better than before. I appreciated the upgrade, My Reuben was very cold and the corn beef with pastrami was very fatty. Manny’s meat has changed, and the man preparing it was very sloppy and acted as if he was doing me a favor preparing it.

Old school, cafeteria style eating. A wide variety of good food, friendly people and plenty of space to dine in. This place is a throwback to the days where you grabbed a tray, tell the server what you want, pay and headed to the nearest table to eat. Being a deli and cafeteria with a newly attached bakery, this is the ultimate no frills, no gimmicks, spot for lunch. Simply a gem.

I’m disappointed… in short, everything was C O L D… I was SOOOO disappointed. Manny’s has been one of my «go 2» spots. …I’m so sad 2 say «Not anymore». My pastrami sandwich was cold… my potato cake was C O L D… The SWEET macaroni That I usually get with the raisins that is usually WARM… C’mon everybody it was what… (smh) This has really made me SAD. It was one of my «Go To» places to eat… Not anymore!

Manny’s is Corn Beef and Pastrami Heaven… It’s been a while since I’ve been… I don’t live in Chicago anymore. I was a late bloomer being turned unto this place… I’d walk by or drive by… and was like… ehhh uhhh no… Thank Goodness I didnt go in back then… I’d be as big as a house now… I worked and lived in relatively close proximity for years… So, now that I visit Chicago… it keeps me from having a samich every few days…
It’s not a swanky place some may even say divey… but its functional with an ol’ school deli vibe with amazing food… when you visit Chicago definitely stop by, you could actually split one sandwich between two people or order your own sandwich and take the other half with you for later… If you can eat the whole thing in one seating? Well, I wont judge! But, dang… LOL… don’t you love when people lose a little weight… then they go, «are you going to eat all that»…LOL…smack em’ and tell them to mind their business… lol
Let me say this… I’ve had to face the fact… that my vegan diet… is something I’ll do 80−90% of the time… But, places like this will make me slap my vegan self! LOL — check out the Unilocal samich photos and you’ll see why I’m bananas about this Chicago Landmark… I’d love to get a New Yorker’s feedback on the place… Jerry Seinfeld and Steve Harvey ate there and looked like they were enjoying the food…
Tip, try and go at off peak times… parking on street is better then… lines aren’t as long then either. However, they have the process down, so the lines do move at a decent pace when its crowded… but it can be over whelming seeing lines out the door… Enjoy!!!

Had the corned beef Benedict. It was a huuuuge stack of thinly sliced corned beef piled on a buttered English muffin. The hash browns had a nice crust on them and were the real deal… no frozen potatoes here. It was delicious. A real gut bomb.
My wife can’t make up her mind so when is cafeteria style, it’s like a buffet for her. She got beef stew, noodle kugel, a side of greens, and bread pudding.
The portions are humongous, but you’ll pay for it. With coffee and a bottle of water, the previous mentioned items ran about $ 50. There’ll be leftovers though.
Nothing fancy here, but the food will not disappoint you.

ordered the half corn beef and pastrami sandwich and a fried potato pancake. the service is fast but the food is a bit pricey for what it is.
the sandwich is huge for sure. comes with 2 pickles. the sandwich was pretty decent and I enjoyed it.
the potato pancake however, was a disappointment. maybe I went in the wrong time or day. it was soggy and oily as helllll!
giving it a 3 and half star. I will be back and give the potato pancake another go and try their other food items also.

I wanted to be productive. I decided that this past Wednesday was going to be laundry, shopping, and whatever-​else-​I-​can-​do day. After hitting up Chinatown for our Asian goods, my friends (and of course my fiancée) were starving. One of our friends suggested Manny’s.
We found the directions on Unilocal and parked in the rear.
This place is reminiscent of a grade school cafeteria where you grab a tray, utensils, and tell the diners what you want. Wednesday’s special was a turkey leg, but my friend ordered it so I opted for the beef shank (they were out of lamb shank). You then proceed down the line and grab bread, beverages, desserts if you so please. At the end is the cashier. It was pretty pricey for the amount of food we got, but it was a huge serving.
The turkey leg was very flavorful and was swimming in gravy. It was juicy, succulent, and filling My fiancée ordered their infamous corned beef sandwich served with a side of potato pancake and pickles. However, she mentioned that the meat in itself was a bit dry and the sandwich needed deli mustard to keep the meat moist. My other friend ordered a plate of beef stew, and he commented that he could have made it himself, sans extra oil, salt, and pepper.
Overall, this place is probably the closest thing to a deli in New York. I would come back here again to try other options… just as long as I expect to leave with a hole in my wallet.

This a very well known deli in the south loop area. I personally did not see what the hype was. Food was just like your average deli. It was a fair price and they give you good portion sizes. However the food was just average. I wouldn’t wait in any sort of line to eat here.

If you need a home cooked belly warming meal while your here in the city this is place to come! Relatively unchanged for years and years this place is an institution! A staple in the fabric of this city! Who knows how many political deals were made over a corned beef and pastrami sandwich! Manny’s don’t ever change!

Having seen an episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld and Steve Harvey, I was very anxious to try this place. Well, it did not disappoint in any way. It’s truly an old-​school style delicatessen. You walk in, grab a try, and make your way down the line. The corned beef sandwich on rye was out of this world. Piled on high and full of flavor. One unique thing about this place… you pay on the way out. You get to the end of the food line, cashier gives you a reciept. You go, sit down, eat your food, and then pay on the way out. Interesting to say the least. I’m a fan — and I’ll be back soon hopefully!

Manny’s. Vintage, retro, old chicago, tourist spot, cafeteria style, deli, big portions, an extensive menu and good food. Whether you’re a local, chicagoan, suburbanite, or tourist, it’s a safe bet to make the trip to one of the last institutions of old chicago. Just walking in here takes u back. The décor, sounds and smells just scream old chicago. An extensive menu, from their famous corned beef which they give a large large amount, to their soups, including their tasty matzo ball, and their plentiful choices if you’re a meat and potato, vegetarian, or desserts fan. If you’re lucky and get here at the right time, you might see someone famous. From politicians, to celebrities, to athletes, everyone comes through the doors at Manny’s. Free parking in the back btw so save those quarters!

First time walking in this place and we were greeted by a friendly welcoming smile and a huge selection of delicious looking food. The prices were reasonable and the food was fresh. The setting is very traditional looking, cafeteria style which was cool.
My girlfriend and I shared a pastrami sandwich, potato pancake, and a knish. Everything was delicious except by personal preference the pastrami is a little too fatty for my taste but I understand this is how it’s supposed to be.
I did get a small sample of the beef brisket and it was very good, definitely on my list for next time along with some beef stew, which looked amazing.
On a side note, a person there who appeared to have been part of management/​ownership made us feel rather awkward as he promptly walked up to the front counter when he heard us talking to the gentlemen who take the orders and just stood there watching and then once we were at the exit paying, he rushed to the register — he gave the impression that he was verifying we paid full price?
Other than that awkwardness caused by the gentleman, we enjoyed Manny’s and plan on returning soon. If he reads my review, he may learn that body language can tell you a lot about a person.

Been coming here for 40 years and nothing ever changes, including the staff. Delicious corned beef on rye with crunchy kosher deli pickle on the side is my standard order. I add a bowl of matzo ball soup with it chickeny deliciousness and a couple potato pancakes and I have enough food for at least 3 meals. The rice pudding is not the thin Greek style you get everywhere, it’s the Eastern European style with cardamon and vanilla infused and thick. Delish!

I love cafeteria style diners and Manny’s does to perfection. The best — my boss used to take us here every Thursday in 2008. I quit that job and had forgotten the name. Today we were trying to decide where to go for lunch I told the story of how my boss had taken us to a Jewish cafeteria but just could not remember the name — my Mother-​in-​Law knew the name but had never been! We will surely be back!
Her quote «A magnificent corned beef sandwich. It is hard to believe that I’ve lived in Chicago most of my life and never been to Manny’s. A mistake I will not make again.»
Manny’s is where it’s at!

I don’t know about Barack and Michelle, but when Harry met Sally, I’m sure she was screaming hardcore over some of the food at their deli. Obama loves this place, and I have to agree– it’s got downright personality and good food to really make you feel like you’re a true Chicago local.
My friend and I came here after having to work a holiday to get our minds back on vacation mode. The setup was overwhelming at first– with all the food lying out and tons of cafeteria trays waiting for you to grab. It felt so much like a dining hall here, which wasn’t particularly my cup of tea. But hey, it’s all about the food right?
She ordered the corned beef on rye with potato pancake. I got the white fish with scalloped potatoes and veggies. We both ordered the matzo ball soup, which was everything we wanted and more. My fish was on the bland side, probably because it was sitting out there for so long. However, the soup made everything worthwhile. I would come back just to order this!
Corned beef is always a plus, so make like my friend and make sure you get their staple. Service here was friendly and fun, and I am interested to come back to see this so-​called magic show. Who knows. Maybe Obama will be back the next time I visit!

We came here on the way home from a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry with the family after years of wanting to visit (and never quite making it!). The star of the show was the beef and potato knish… but also loved the potato pancake and turkey sandwich. My matzo ball soup was a bit bland.
Plus, they had a magician roaming around, which was a nice treat for the whole family.
Easy parking. Friendly and helpful staff.
Will return!

Manny’s! Oh boy.
Everything inside of me really wanted to enjoy this historic Chicago deli. I mean, they’ve been around since 1942, a true Chicago family doing their thing. Yellow lighting and an erie buzzing sound fill the room. You’re instantly reminded of your Chicago Public School cafeteria in the most disturbing ways possible. All food in this harsh manufactured lighting looks rather distasteful. I guess it’s nice that they pile on 5 pounds of roast beef per sandwich, but it doesn’t quite pair well with their Costco-​level rye bread. 5 stars based strictly on the history/​famiy business aspect.

I have been hearing about Manny’s now for awhile. I had been to one other deli here in Chicago, Eleven City Diner. I absolutely love delis, they remind me of a home away from home, having grown up in the northeast in a Jewish household, and my grandfather having been a butcher and owning his own very popular deli back in the day in Connecticut. Maybe I’m just a delicatessen snob. It was only about 30 minutes before closing time on a weeknight, but I had the craving! Walking in, it reminds you of the old school deli (like Katz’s in NY). I was so excited and ready to feel nostalgic. We pick up our trays like old school cafeteria style (very cool), and I look at the spread in front of me. I was very unsure what to think, except that it was almost closing time? The food didn’t look all that appealing, but I care more about the taste at this point.
Matzoh ball soup (the matzoh balls had a yellowed top, which I can only guess is because they’ve been sitting there untouched and unstirred). I had seen amazing pictures of the meat knish smothered in gravy and had to have one of those. We also ordered a corned beef sandwich.
The matzoh ball was okay. It was not the fluffy flavorful ball I’m used to when grandma or mom makes it. It needed a bit of salt. The broth was good. The knish was ice cold. The gravy was gelatinous. I had them reheat it for me. Apparently they just leave the knishes in a tray, but there is no heating mechanism stated the counter clerk. The knish was soft, but I’m used to layers of delicate flaky pastry outside, this was just soft and had a rather bland meat filling. The gravy just wasn’t what I was expecting. The spicy mustard made it more edible. Finally, the ultimate test, the corned beef! Well, maybe I’m just a butchers grand daughter, but the meat was thinly sliced and seriously dry. It was very fatty, and very disappointing. I’m guessing that the food is much better when its made earlier in the day and not sitting around all day/​night. For me, however, your 5pm sandwich should be just as good as your 8pm sandwich. I’d like to give this another try earlier in the day.

Manny’s is a landmark n Chicago that I’ve come to admire as one of my personal favorite delis. Renowned for their corned beef, Reuben sandwiches, and generous portions, I always looking forward to coming here most when I return to the Windy City. It had been a while, but I was satisfied to see that nothing had changed. Still the same cafeteria set up and same dining room. This place can get crazy packed when the lunch hour hits, so just be prepared.
The range of essential deli food is what gets my attention. You can’t order Liver & Onions, Fried Smelts or Tongue & Mushrooms many places these days, and they also serve great unique delicatessen items like latkes or chicken soup with kreplachs.
Overall, I would say the food selection, portion sizes, and quick service are what make this place special. The waiters are very professional and attentive, which is unusual for these venues. The only downer was the cost. I didn’t recall Manny’s being such a pricey eating joint, but over the years, it has gained quite a bit of popularity, so why not take advantage of it? For the appetite that I bring, it’s still worth the money.

We get this catered at our work quite often and I have also been here multiple times. I have had the pastrami, corned beef, roast beef and tongue sandwich and they are all great. I think my favorite was actually a half half pastrami/​corned beef on rye. The soups are also very tasty, especially the kreplach soup. My favorite deli sandwich is a hot pastrami and although this one is great, I have definitely had better. Overall this is a great place to go to and the free valet is a huge plus.

First visit (don’t know how that could be) will absolutely not be my last. Hot Pastrami, potato pancake, beef and potato knish … wholly goodness.
Went on a Saturday and caught the magician, my kids loved that.

As someone who gave up meat for 6 years, the corned beef was greatly missed! There are plenty of choices for the vegetarian or carnivorous taste but do not pass on the potato pancake!
I’ve been visiting Gino with my family since I was a little girl and I love that he still remembers me each time!

Don’t get to go often but when I do, I’m never disappointed! From my corned beef sandwich overwhelmed with more meat then I can handle, to the side of potato pancake. It all brings me back to my childhood when my mom and dad brought it home to us.
Definitely a place to try if you’ve never been, well worth the money :)

Greatest Deli 5 star Soup to CornedBeef
Cut as you wish & Best Potato cakes in history. This place is Hugh & the food is Hugh & the Flavor is Hugh.
Highly Recommended !

Every time I go back to Chicago, I make it a point to come back here! One of my favorites places and although everything looks so good, I always get the same thing. ½ pastrami on challah (who wants rye when you can have challah!), matzo ball soup and a potato pancake. It can be a little overwhelming the first time but grab a tray/​utensils, go to the area of food that you want and then you pay at the end with the receipt they give you. This place is an institution so EAT HERE!

A classic place with a classic reputation!
Let me just say if you like both pastrami and corned beef, get the half and half sandwich. The pastrami has the most flavor, but the corned beef is really good. The guys that work here can give you recommendations on the best sandwiches. I tried the german chocolate cake and it was decent. the chocolate cake looked much better though… next time LOL!
Definitely an awesome deli which lots of space if you decide to dine in… there is even an event space for huge parties. There is also a parking lot in back if you’re driving over.

This was the first place we dined in after our first day in our new city! The service was fantastic. The gentlemen allowed us to try a couple of meats before choosing our sandwiches. They were informative, funny and very customer friendly. The food was so freaking good and large portions that we packed two halves for dinner. Totally worth the money!!!

Hmmm. .. where’d my previous review go? I was eating my corned beef sandwich for two days. Great place! A bit expensive, but worth it. Generous portions. I will be back!

Let’s face it. Any establishment in Chicago that has been in business over 20 years and has a steady flow of patrons is an institution. Manny’s is on the list and is a great place to get corned beef, hot plates, pastrami, potato pancakes and Ely’s cheesecake.
Upon entering, grab a tray and utensils. If you want a sandwich or deli meat, bypass the hot meals which are first. After sliding past the deli items, you will find salad options, fruit, beverages and then dessert. After you have selected items, collect your tab and find an empty table.
Once you settle at your table, remove your food items from the tray and a busboy will scoop up your tray. After you are finished eating, grab your check and head to the line to pay your bill.
As a side note, this is deli style dining but there is a bit of a premium to enjoy the experience. Most items are a la carte. For example, hot meals like beef stew ($ 15.95) are not served with rice. Rice is $ 2.50 extra or $ 7.95 for a bowl. Pastrami is $ 14.95 but seriously worth every single penny. You will not find anything better in the area. If you do, message me the info.
Enjoy!

Huge portions and tender corn beef! If you are a first timer, it is cafeteria style. Grab a tray and ask for what you want. The lady will ring up your order, give you a receipt and you pay in the front after you eat.

Happiness. Total happiness.
Sometimes when I am cornered by meat in all directions, I have to evaluate how I got myself into that situation. Not here.
It was a euphoric sandwich/​soup/​coleslaw/​potato pancake/​pickle experience.
Food: Yum yum tasty.
Atmosphere: Comfortable, great people watching.
*I noticed there was a magician making rounds at tables. I just wish he would have made it to ours. I love tricks.

I was first blessed by this establishment in 2001 when I first moved to Evanston to attend college. It has been my favorite deli since then.
Pastrami and corned beef on an onion roll with a potato latke and side of applesauce is where its at!
This has been my only sandwich choice since 2001. I have always wanted to try other menu items but my god that sandwich is so damned good I just cannot bring myself to eating anything else. I did in the last year branch out to a side of mac n cheese and it too is amazing. Creamy, cheesy hot and delicious!
Lets talk about portions because this plate is expensive compared to what you can get elsewhere but again lets think about what your getting and the quality is second to none!
Picture a 9 inch dinner plate that is smothered in food. The sandwich and meat falling off the bun nearly covers the whole plate. Unless your stomach is a bottomless pit like mine many people will get 2 meals out of one purchase. I myself on the other hand if I could afford it would sit there and eat until I looked like the guy from the movie Se7en that ate himself to death on spaghetti. Manny’s sandwiches triggers the most sinfully gluttonous response deep within my soul. I can simply never eat enough.
If I were sitting on death row I would order 10 of these sandwiches and save the state the cost of the injetction and gladly eat myself to death.

This place is classic. If you’re a regular, you don’t need to read this review. If you’re a first-​timer, here’s how it works:
Manny’s is really 3 restaurants in one plus a bakery, set up cafeteria style. First, stop on your way in to read the sign showing the day’s specials, then pick up tray and utensils and join the line. The first station is a steam table with entrees and sides. Beyond that is the deli – so if you’re hankering for a foot-​tall sandwich, skip the front and move half-​way down to the deli station. Your sandwich will be hand made, and adorned with pickle or potato pancake if you wish. In between, you can pick up soup – from matzoh ball (highly recommended) to borscht (ditto) to navy bean, they are all delicious.
Beyond the deli is the never busy salad section (too healthy for most), where someone will make your salad, or you can pick up sides like cole slaw or bean salad. Want a scoop of chopped liver (and who doesn’t?), get it here. At the very end of the line, beverages, and after the 90 degree left turn, desserts. Don’t reach for your wallet now – the mock cashier will give you a check, but you don’t pay until you are ready to leave, in front. There you will find packaged baked goods to take home and continue noshing. Got all that? What could be simpler.
The food can be pretty good. To eat well, order smart. Some items dry out on a steam table, like chicken or fish, others get better as they continue to slowly cook, like stews or beef short ribs. Order the latter. Can’t go wrong with the deli, and even the turkey pastrami has its place in your sandwich. The sweet noodle kugel is the best ever! I am NOT a fan of the potato pancakes – the ones here are gummy hockey pucks. I prefer latkes that are light, crispy and just fried; the ones here are lukewarm, heavy, and ancient. For dessert I often indulge in a frosted apple slice – where can you get those anymore?
I’ll make a long story short: Long live Manny’s!

Seriously, the best darned corned beef around. The pastrami is fantastic too — and the potato pancake… yum (especially with applesauce!). Kugel is really great, and a tasty knish as well. Can’t go wrong with all the Jewish classics here!
Gino is the perfect example of service with a smile, and Manny’s is always my first stop after flying into Chicago. Apple slice is a slice of perfection too. ;)