Hungry? Then Support Your Favorite Restaurant!
Here’s a Pastrami Sandwich from one of Chicago’s great Deli’s…and the story of this sandwich is the story of the restaurant industry today…
In the midst of this pandemic, some of our greatest restaurants have had to close, many resorting to public pleas to help save their business.
Manny’s Deli is located just southwest of Chicago’s famed Sears Tower…since renamed but still Sears to locals…for more than 78 years, Manny’s has served up traditional delicatessen food to hard-working midwesterners…
However, as NBC Chicago reported:
“Manny’s Deli put out a call on social media asking for help Tuesday, writing, “We are struggling. This isn’t a joke. Support your fav [sic] deli for dinner tonight.”
The tweet received thousands of responses. On Facebook, a similar sentiment was shared, liked and commented on hundreds of times.”
And Chicago responded!
Lining Up To Support Manny’s!
The upbeat story continues:
“We’ve been really hurting for business, obviously, just like everybody else. We’ve had so many customers who are fourth generation just like I am. So, we were hoping if we put a plea out they would come, and so far it’s been working,” said owner, Dan Raskin.
Raskin was overwhelmed by the support Wednesday. Staff was working quickly to keep up with orders during the lunch rush as a line stretched down the block.
“[We] hope people are patient,” said Raskin. “We really appreciate the customers coming out.”
In the midst of this horrible pandemic, when so many are struggling, this is a great “feel good” story – Chicagoans waited patiently to help Manny’s out!
Manny’s first opened its doors in 1942. The restaurant, known for its corned beef and pastrami, has served celebrities and politicians over the years, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. It’s longstanding history has kept customers coming back for decades.
When I ate there a few years ago, I had their massive Pastrami Sandwich, which of course comes with pickle spear and I got a classic Potato Latke as well…for those who stood in line, it was the least they could do to help save a family institution.
“We’re the real people who are here. I’m here, my dad’s here, my mom’s here,” said Raskin. “We have a lot of the same staff who’ve been here for a long time too. People can relate to us and remember the good times.”
Longtime customers agree and were happy to answer the call.
“It’s an institution within the community. It’s been here forever. But honestly, I think it’s the best food in the United States,” said customer Mike Miller, who made the drive from Lakeview to support his favorite restaurant.
Manny’s has a classic deli feel, and such unique touches as an original novelty machine that kids used to line up for…and of course, it’s all about the food – real deli food:
The Pastrami is moist and seasoned perfectly – and piled high on a sandwich…yes, you always take half of your meal in a “to go” container to finish later!
Bravo to everyone in Chicago who answered the call and helped Manny’s Deli…let’s hope the support continues and they can weather this pandemic…something similar happened to an iconic Deli in Beverly Hills California as well:
The Iconic Beverly Hills Deli Nate ‘n Al’s Is Back!
This iconic deli in the heart of Beverly Hills had to close due to the pandemic as well, but thanks to help from the community, the owners were able to re-open and are continuing to offer take out and delivery as they struggle to survive during the state’s coronavirus crisis…
This is the Pastrami Benedict dish I ordered my last time at Nate ‘n’ Al, and I continue to order from them to show my support during this difficult time – see more of their menu here:
The same goes for Hollywood’s oldest restaurant:
More than 100 years old, Musso & Frank offers up such classic dishes as Sand Dabs, and a signature Martini that has refreshed stars for decades:
The restaurant reopened, but now with restrictions in place, is offering pickup and delivery for the first time in their history – see more here:
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Categories: chicago, cookbooks, Exotic Travel, Food, food blog, Food Review, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Wacky Food
johnrieber 
So glad to see people comming to support. The food looks really tasty.
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It’s a classic deli and delicious! Thanks for commenting!
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Wow this place looks amazing. In your opinion what’s the best item to order here?
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Their Pastrami sandwiches, or their Ruebens are legendary, but since they are a tradition deli they also have incredible Matzo Ball soup and Potato latkes, plus all sort of smoked fish…a real gem of a place and I’m so happy people stepped up to help them out! Thanks for commenting!
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Here’s to our local restaurant! Like Manny’s, we need to support them.
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Yes, indeed! thanks for the comment – we order food from local restaurants twice a week!
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We do at least once a week, and it feels good. Plus, we already know the food is great. 🙂
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It is very heartwarming that people are heeding the call for help, John. These both look like wonderful restaurants. I know that over 600 restaurants here in South Africa have closed permanently and the prediction is 3 000 closed by the end of the year. People are cash strapped with our lockdown.
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Robbie, so many restaurants here are facing the same result…an economic tragedy…
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Yay! I live these stories and the way people turn out to support and save them! Every week I buy from local Indy places and the farmers to help keep them all going
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So do I, Beth…order local, support restaurants nearby!
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Great to see such a turnout of support for a tradition Deli. I could happily eat any of that food you pictured! Fortunately, I am going to an Indian Restaurant tonight. Our first ‘meal out’ since the 16th of March. It’s been a long wait!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wow, over 78 years… it must be heartbreaking to feel such strain with the pandemic and having to beg for help or face the thought of closing for good. So many businesses are going under, it’s awful to keep reading about the latest big and small places closing down each day in the news. But it’s good to see customers supporting this restaurant, so I really do hope it survives and, when the pandemic is over (please hurry up!) I hope it thrives and continues for many years to come.
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So many places like this are on the brink of closing. As I walk down our main street, I see a lot of shop windows that have been papered up.
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