Olga’s Delicatessen

Sadly I am told that Olga has passed away.

May God bless olga we will miss you and you will never be forgotten you have brought happiness to lots of people

OMG! Olga… will, will you marry me. Best deal in town if you want a schnitzel. Don’t even get me started on those potato pancakes. Seriously though the sweetest lady. Supporting old school original local businesses is a plus, but the food makes it all worth it. If you got a problem with Olga, you got a problem with me.

Olga is the sweetest. Her schnitzel sandwich is wonderful. Get a side of potato sandwich and slices of her homegrown tomatoes and you’re good to go.

Just came here last weekend randomly. Olga is seriously so sweet and awesome, and her food is amazing. We got a schnitzel sandwich and a pork tenderloin sandwich — homemade, juicy and big portions for the price (bring cash!). We split the sandwiches and got three meals out of them they were so big.
I can’t recommend Olga’s amazing sandwiches enough!

We live a few blocks away and never went in until today. Olga is the sweetest business owner I have ever met. She chatted with us as she made our (huge) sandwich. The place isn’t pretty and sure, I noticed some of the food wasn’t refrigerated as it should have been but I figure she probably just took it out before we got there. She didn’t mention anything about recently being closed or recently being sick. I’m finding this out now after reading a review below, but she doesn’t seem like the type that would fish for sympathy. Instead, she mentioned that she has been there for over 40 years and feels very blessed. As we left, I said «see you soon» and she was just delighted to hear we plan on returning. Can’t wait to go back and try some of her other specialties.

First off, to address FD’s comment, Olga’s is no longer closed. The owner had to shut down for some health issues and is now open
I’m kinda peeved that you would put 1 star just because of that, because surely you had a pleasant previous experience.
The owner is a sweet grandmotherly lady who greets you with vigor and compliments.
She gives generous samples and her sandwiches are huuuuge! The food is homemade, juicy and succulent, flavored to perfection. I just had the best schnitzel of my life!
Come here and have a nice chat with her, you won’t be disappointed: D

Fall 2015: Olga’s has been closed intermittently due to the owner’s health issues.
Here’s to a speedy recovery.
7÷24÷15:
Olga is back! Re-​opening was today with party decorations and everything. She has clearly been though a lot, and has triumphed over the uphill battle with the city and a certain «concerned citizen».
So happy to have Olga’ fantastic old world cooking available again. Fresh Steiglmaier sausages in the case, and of course the best German potato salad In Chicago. Thank you Olga, we love you!
No thanks to Clover D. …your «concern» was sadly misguided. Filing a complaint with the city when you never set foot in the place, and could have easily approached an elderly business owner and apprised them of your concerns, however legitimate. You destroyed the livelihood of a sweet elderly lady that has served the community for decades. She was in the hospital shortly after but has recovered fully. It took 6 months but she’s finally back.
Some here clearly don’t understand the value of precious things that can’t be replaced, they don’t care about preserving traditions or what «homemade» truly means. When places like this disappear we lose a sense of our past and the community is lesser for it.

PLEASE NOTE OLGA’S IS CLOSED!!!
I just made the journey to OLGA’S to try the chicken schnitzel, there is a huge city sign across the door that their license is suspended. FAIL!

Not many places left like this. Love you Olga!

I have been wanting to try this deli for sometime, as I drive past it every day, and it looks very cute & I am a sucker for a good small deli. This morning, as we drive past, inside the window of the store, I saw a GIANT rat running around. It was massive and having it’s own little party in the store. Beware. This place needs a health inspection for sure.

The canned goods are a little dirty, yes. I might have bought some Gerolsteiner water but it looked like it had been sitting on the shelf for perhaps decades. Olga herself was very amiable, in a grandmotherly way, and recommended the fish or the hamburger, which were already made in two separate piles behind the deli. She handed me a piece of fish to taste and then made me a giant sandwich. I asked for a side of macaroni salad but the noodles weren’t done cooking yet, so she recommended the potato salad. My son was eyeballing the candy cars at the cash register and she gave him one for free. Total came to $ 8.50. Cash only.

I am very torn on Olga’s. On the one hand her chicken schnitzel is very very good. The sandwich is huge and for 6.50 you can’t beat the deal.
however a couple of things I would like to point out. The sanitary issues in this place could have their own book. Flies all over the place, food sitting out unrefridgerated, she touches her hands to all kinds of things then back to your sandwich.
The cheese she uses is very poor quality (think Kraft cheese slices) and it takes away from any sandwich.
To be clear, the prices are not 5 $ sandwiches are now $ 6, plus tax.
Olga’s is a very unique experience and for those brave enough to push through the sanitary issues, you will enjoy your food.

Chicken sandwich with mayo tomato and grilled onions is unique and amazing. Taste great and is a meal in itself. It’s a bargain at only $ 6! My first time here. She’s said she’s been here for 40 years now. Try it before it’s too late.

Olga’s is one of Chicago’s little treasures. Olga is a total sweet heart, she let’s you try a bit of almost anything before you buy it. Prices are malleable, the sandwiches are humongous, the potato salad incredible. Just go in an talk to Olga, ask her what she just made and you’ll never be sorry with what she gives you.

Smell piss in there, the place is shabby, the old lady was operating with her bare hands. Do I have to say I threw away that Schnitzel halfway-​eaten. Never again.

Now I don’t want to be mean or anything, but I kind of feel it’s my duty to let people who are considering going here, know exactly what they are in store for. There are lots of flies, plus the food is uncovered so you know the flies have been on it, and Olga, though very nice, touches pretty much everything in the store and then your food. So if you are a germaphobe like me, or just demand at least some level of sanitary ethos from your local deli, then this is not the place for you my friend.
That being said, Olga is a very nice old lady, and I’m sure her food is delicious.

Dirty, but delicious. If you look past the lack of cleanliness, you will discover a sweet old lady and her deliciously large sandwiches. Pork schnitzel sandwich with dusseldorf mustard, fried onions & lettuce put a smile on my face.

Wow. Pork butt sandwich and chix schnitzel were outstanding. Sour kraut also was top notch. Olga is such a nice lady. This meal brought me back to my grandmothers house growing up. I will eat there again for sure.
Like other reviewers, there is some concern with the cleanliness. Unless you believe that any food at your grandmother’s house somehow is unable to go bad. It adds character if there is a fly roaming. No lid on the mustard? Adds flavor.
If you want damn good sandwiches and old school German flavors come here. If a dingy deli is something you don’t like, venture elsewhere.
Now leave me and my food coma alone. Zzzzzzzzzz

Messy but yummy!
Germaphobes, beware. I am a bit obsessive-​compulsive, so I was made a little anxious when I noticed that this is not a very kosher kitchen. The same knife was used for applying mayo, mustard, and to cut sandwiches – no matter pork or chicken or whatever. I wasn’t even sure if she had washed her hands in between handling food and money. Gah, I don’t even want to think about it. The service, however, was friendly, and Olga’s very sweet.
And thankfully the sandwiches Kenny O. and I ordered were so delicious that it made me forget momentarily about my anxieties regarding the cleanliness of my food.
The chicken schnitzel sandwich was delicious! I thought it was better than the one I had at the Christkindlmarket just the weekend before.
The pork tenderloin sandwich was hot and juicy! I ended up not being able to finish my half of the sandwich, and the tenderloin tasted almost just as good after reheating it in the microwave.
Both types of sandwiches were piled up high. The sandwiches are $ 5.00 each. We don’t know how Olga can afford to sell us these sandwiches for that cheap.
I’d probably come here again, but to be honest, I wish the place was a bit more kosher. It drives me into a (very) slight panic attack, and I don’t like feeling that anxious about the food I’m about to consume.