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  • Delicatessen Meyer

    Post #1 - March 26th, 2007, 1:30 pm
    Post #1 - March 26th, 2007, 1:30 pm Post #1 - March 26th, 2007, 1:30 pm
    Is it true?

    Delicatessen Meyer
    4750 N Lincoln Ave.
    773.561.3377

    The phone remains unanswered...

    E.M.
  • Post #2 - March 26th, 2007, 2:19 pm
    Post #2 - March 26th, 2007, 2:19 pm Post #2 - March 26th, 2007, 2:19 pm
    I thought something was funny a few months ago-shelves were not fully stocked and service was not up to snuff. This would be a crying shame.
    I love animals...they're delicious!
  • Post #3 - March 26th, 2007, 2:28 pm
    Post #3 - March 26th, 2007, 2:28 pm Post #3 - March 26th, 2007, 2:28 pm
    Bummer. I usually only stop by there a couple of times per year because it is out of the way for me, but they have always impressed me with excellent ethnic meat selections.
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #4 - March 26th, 2007, 4:28 pm
    Post #4 - March 26th, 2007, 4:28 pm Post #4 - March 26th, 2007, 4:28 pm
    Don't they have another location out in the burbs? Did I see one somewhere on Milwaukee Ave.?
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #5 - March 26th, 2007, 4:45 pm
    Post #5 - March 26th, 2007, 4:45 pm Post #5 - March 26th, 2007, 4:45 pm
    I think the other one is where Meyer Delicatessen, formerly on Lincoln closer to Belmont, moved to around 1990. I believe there was no relation between Meyer Delicatessen and Delicatessen Meyer.

    In any case, too bad, German Lincoln Square is just about gone, except for Oktoberfest.
    Watch Sky Full of Bacon, the Chicago food HD podcast!
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  • Post #6 - March 26th, 2007, 9:21 pm
    Post #6 - March 26th, 2007, 9:21 pm Post #6 - March 26th, 2007, 9:21 pm
    I'm just shattered. How I loved that place. So many memories of going there with my father (now gone) and mother (also gone). We used to go to Kuhn's on Lincoln Avenue at least once a month, and when they closed wound up at Meyers. The visits became less frequent over time, and I guess I would only go there 3 or 4 times a year. Could this be typical of their customer base? The link mentions the owner possibly alienated regulars with some recent changes. I suppose s/he was trying to generate more business and made the wrong moves. With the growing interest in food in this city, from artisanal cheeses to microbrews to single origin chocolate, you'd think there'd be enough support for the place.

    Yeah, I suppose there might be other places in Chicago where I can get Appenzeller cheese, Westphalian ham, Nurnberg wurst, frankfurters, mushroom, onion and veal loafs (loaves?), Berliner wurst, Niederegger marzipan, Christmas Stollen, heavy and dense sunflower seed studded bread, and 4711 (!).... but it just won't be the same at all, at all. :cry:
  • Post #7 - March 26th, 2007, 9:40 pm
    Post #7 - March 26th, 2007, 9:40 pm Post #7 - March 26th, 2007, 9:40 pm
    stevez wrote:Don't they have another location out in the burbs? Did I see one somewhere on Milwaukee Ave.?
    Perhaps you are thinking of Kuhn's which moved from Lincoln Ave. to Deerfield.
    I stop there on occassion. They still make a heck of a good sandwich.

    Kuhn's Delicatessen & Cafe
    160b S Waukegan Rd
    Deerfield, IL 60015
    (847) 272-4197
    www.kuhns-deli.com
  • Post #8 - March 26th, 2007, 10:19 pm
    Post #8 - March 26th, 2007, 10:19 pm Post #8 - March 26th, 2007, 10:19 pm
    d4v3 wrote:
    stevez wrote:Don't they have another location out in the burbs? Did I see one somewhere on Milwaukee Ave.?
    Perhaps you are thinking of Kuhn's which moved from Lincoln Ave. to Deerfield.
    I stop there on occassion. They still make a heck of a good sandwich.

    Kuhn's Delicatessen & Cafe
    160b S Waukegan Rd
    Deerfield, IL 60015
    (847) 272-4197
    www.kuhns-deli.com


    No, it was the whole Meyer Delicatessen/Delicatessen Meyer that had me confused, although I'm not sure there's really all that much difference.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #9 - March 26th, 2007, 10:25 pm
    Post #9 - March 26th, 2007, 10:25 pm Post #9 - March 26th, 2007, 10:25 pm
    Trostlosigkeit bei Western

    When I moved to Schickagow almost 20 years ago, one of the very first things I did was find out where requisite provisions could be procured... Conte di Savoia, D'Amato's, Athens Market and the three German places up on Lincoln were my first destinations for exploring Chicago and getting stuff I like to eat... The three German stores... Kuhn's, the Meyers down near Kuhn's (Meyer Delicatessen), and Delicatessen Meyer... Now the last of them is gone...

    Ein großer Jammer...

    Image

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    Frankly, since the old owner sold the place and Hans took over, I started to keep seeing little changes that displeased me and made me a little less eager to go... one of the early ones was a change in the potato salad and the new version was not as much to my liking. Gradually, favourite items started to disappear from the shelves... for example, for a time there was -- as hard as it is to believe -- no Löwensenf on hand... But still, the sausages and the sundry special cold cuts were unquestionably worth the long trip... But then they started to take Sundays off and then the Boar's Head sign appeared and... Well... Jetzt ist es vorbei, zu Ende, kaputt...

    Image

    The clearance sale was a good one, taking place Sunday and today with prices cut to 50% for most things and less for some perishables... I bought a number of bottles of wine and spirits, some fresh bread and a big piece of Rauchkäse... My eldest son, Mario, got a plastic milk carton, which he loves, as much for nostalgia as for comfort...

    Image

    Und icke, ick kann nur flennen und mich mit meinem beliebten Bärenjäger trösten...
    Image

    There is a rumour that someone might take over the place and start a new German deli. I hope that's the case and we should all hope it's run well. Under the old ownership, DM always seemed to be hopping and, as omnivore said above, with the new interest in gourmet and regional foods, such a place should be able to do well, though I'm sure capturing the atmosphere and quality of the old DM is no longer possible...

    Mir ist jämmerlich zumute...

    Antonius
    Alle Nerven exzitiert von dem gewürzten Wein -- Anwandlung von Todesahndungen -- Doppeltgänger --
    - aus dem Tagebuch E.T.A. Hoffmanns, 6. Januar 1804.
    ________
    Na sir is na seachain an cath.
  • Post #10 - March 27th, 2007, 5:03 pm
    Post #10 - March 27th, 2007, 5:03 pm Post #10 - March 27th, 2007, 5:03 pm
    Rats.

    I always liked seeing my last name on that big sign.

    :(
  • Post #11 - March 27th, 2007, 5:27 pm
    Post #11 - March 27th, 2007, 5:27 pm Post #11 - March 27th, 2007, 5:27 pm
    tem wrote:Rats.

    I always liked seeing my last name on that big sign.

    :(

    "Delicatessen?" :lol:
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #12 - April 12th, 2007, 12:53 pm
    Post #12 - April 12th, 2007, 12:53 pm Post #12 - April 12th, 2007, 12:53 pm
    My former roommate used to work at Delicatessen Meyer last year. He said Hans mismanaged the place somewhat (last winter he was able to keep so few products on the shelves that he remarked "it's like East Germany in here!") but oh, is it sad to see Meyer go. I can't think of anywhere else in the city that sells kaiserfleisch.
  • Post #13 - July 14th, 2007, 4:19 pm
    Post #13 - July 14th, 2007, 4:19 pm Post #13 - July 14th, 2007, 4:19 pm
    LTH,

    Mike Sula has reported Gene's Sausage, a long time Belmont Ave sausage shop and delicatessen, is taking over Meyer's. Good news as Gene's is well run and turns out some damn tasty products.

    Enjoy,
    Gary

    Gene's Sausage
    5330 W Belmont
    Chicago, IL

    Delicatessen Meyer
    4750 N Lincoln Ave.
    Chicago, IL
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #14 - July 16th, 2007, 2:26 pm
    Post #14 - July 16th, 2007, 2:26 pm Post #14 - July 16th, 2007, 2:26 pm
    More on this good-news story in the Sun-Times:

    http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food ... 16.article
  • Post #15 - July 29th, 2007, 5:18 am
    Post #15 - July 29th, 2007, 5:18 am Post #15 - July 29th, 2007, 5:18 am
    Delicatessen Meyer, Chicago, Illinois "back in the day." This is a series of short (10 to 20 seconds) clips I captured using the video feature of my Canon Elph. Not very good quality, but great fun.

    Delicatessen Meyer 1
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 0853413378

    Delicatessen Meyer 2
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 1329199901

    Delicatessen Meyer 3
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 8459571745

    Delicatessen Meyer 4
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 6319134769

    Delicatessen Meyer 5
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 0359056467
  • Post #16 - July 29th, 2007, 5:54 am
    Post #16 - July 29th, 2007, 5:54 am Post #16 - July 29th, 2007, 5:54 am
    M.,

    When exactly did you take the film clips? Judging from the staff people I see, it's not all that long ago. Still, the crowd and the state of the shelves points back to a time before the decline had set in. Anyway, thanks for posting the links -- it was nice to see the place again in a happier state than it was in when I took the photos posted above.

    I must say that I can't (yet) share the excitement expressed above regarding the news that the owners of Gene's Sausage Shop will be taking over the old Meyer's spot on Lincoln Square. To be sure, it's good news for the block and the neighbourhood generally that a deli will be there again and that it will be a deli run by people who in a general way should know what they're doing better than the previous owner. But I have some concern about how genuinely German the place (i.e., what they sell) will really be. I love Polish food and shop frequently at Polish delis* but, while there are many items in Polish cuisine that resemble items in German cuisine, in many or most cases there are some differences of detail. I hope the new owners will not just label things that are Polish or made in a Polish style with German names and higher prices, for if they do that, there is no point in going there rather than to one of the several outstanding Polish delis around the area which offer quality Polish producets at remarkably good prices. So then, regarding this news, I will express only a measure of cautious optimism.

    Antonius

    * E.g.:
    - Rich's
    http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=42016#42016
    - Kurowski's
    http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=9688#9688
    Alle Nerven exzitiert von dem gewürzten Wein -- Anwandlung von Todesahndungen -- Doppeltgänger --
    - aus dem Tagebuch E.T.A. Hoffmanns, 6. Januar 1804.
    ________
    Na sir is na seachain an cath.
  • Post #17 - July 29th, 2007, 6:48 am
    Post #17 - July 29th, 2007, 6:48 am Post #17 - July 29th, 2007, 6:48 am
    I think these are from a visit to the store in February 2002.

    Antonius wrote:M.,

    When exactly did you take the film clips? Judging from the staff people I see, it's not all that long ago. Still, the crowd and the state of the shelves points back to a time before the decline had set in. Anyway, thanks for posting the links -- it was nice to see the place again in a happier state than it was in when I took the photos posted above.
  • Post #18 - September 15th, 2007, 12:21 pm
    Post #18 - September 15th, 2007, 12:21 pm Post #18 - September 15th, 2007, 12:21 pm
    On a whim, we stopped into Gene's Sausage as we were heading West along Belmont on our way to A&G. We were not the only people who made two stops -- I recognized the same people who were being served at the meat counter at Gene's, a half hour later buying produce at A&G.

    We were pleasantly surprised when we were looking at their wine collection and saw Meyer's labels on the bottles. I thought perhaps they had just bought out Meyer's stock when Meyer's closed -- but of course the post above reveals the new connection! How appropriate and what great news!

    Gene's on Belmont had a impressive wall of sausages, a great cheese and deli selection, some absolutely lovely looking fresh perogies and schnitzels. We got some homemade veal brats and will report on how they stack up soon. The salads also looked amazing (leek, chicken liver, german potatoe -- all reminiscent of Meyers quality -- perhaps better).

    There is a decent sized dry goods section with european imports. The strengths are the deli/butcher/prepared foods counter that run the length of the back of the store, and the beer, wine and liquor selection. The space is larger than Kurowski or the old Meyers.

    I do not know if the Lincoln Ave location will have the same amazing prices, the rent must be higher there -- and they won't have the space for the butcher counter or the extensive wine and beer selection. Its worth a trip out Belmont. And as long as you are there, stop at A&G for produce like the locals do.

    (also not too far away is Sol de Mexico, if you want to spice up the trip -- I notice that A&G has replaced its mediterrian aisle with an expanding mexican selection -- its always interesting to chart the demographics of neighborhoods through their supermarkets)

    Gene's Sausage
    5330 W Belmont
    Chicago, IL

    A&G Fresh Market
    5630 W Belmont Ave

    Sol De Mexico
    3018 N. Cicero
  • Post #19 - March 29th, 2008, 10:11 am
    Post #19 - March 29th, 2008, 10:11 am Post #19 - March 29th, 2008, 10:11 am
    Here is a link to four still photos I shot during the same visit--late January/early February 2002.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/donna.micha ... wskPSzVIOA



    Mike wrote:Delicatessen Meyer, Chicago, Illinois "back in the day." This is a series of short (10 to 20 seconds) clips I captured using the video feature of my Canon Elph. Not very good quality, but great fun.

    Delicatessen Meyer 1
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 0853413378

    Delicatessen Meyer 2
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 1329199901

    Delicatessen Meyer 3
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 8459571745

    Delicatessen Meyer 4
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 6319134769

    Delicatessen Meyer 5
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 0359056467
  • Post #20 - April 2nd, 2008, 1:42 pm
    Post #20 - April 2nd, 2008, 1:42 pm Post #20 - April 2nd, 2008, 1:42 pm
    If you are willing to take a drive to Volo illinois, there is a wonderful German Deli , Koenemann's .

    They are located at 27090 Volo Village Road, VOLO, IL 60073

    There phone number is Toll-free 800-662-5584 - Fax 815-385-6269 and they have a web site that I believe you can order from. ( We live close by , so it is a favorite stop for us to get various german sausages and swedish potato sausage. )

    the website is:http://www.koenemannsausage.com
  • Post #21 - September 11th, 2009, 3:56 pm
    Post #21 - September 11th, 2009, 3:56 pm Post #21 - September 11th, 2009, 3:56 pm
    The Gene's Sausage in the old Delicatessen Meyer space seems close to opening. Signs in the windows have a short history of Gene's and indicate a September opening. Awnings went up recently. A lot of store fixtures are in place including several checkout lanes (no registers as of this afternoon) but no sign of merchandise stocking. I doubt that they will have their package liquor license when they open as the application is dated around August 17.
  • Post #22 - September 11th, 2009, 11:30 pm
    Post #22 - September 11th, 2009, 11:30 pm Post #22 - September 11th, 2009, 11:30 pm
    My mom worked at Deli Meyer back in the mid 60's up until some time in the very early 70's. My aunt continued to work there quite possibly into the 1980's. This was back in the day with the original owners. The weekends were packed with people; you could have 20 people ahead of you. It's such a shame to see all of the old German stores close up or move elsewhere.

    Alpine Deli in Villa Park closed this year; it used to be Heidleberg Deli when it was in Elmhurst. The western burbs still has Bende's in Glen Ellyn on Roosevelt Rd.
    Ms. Ingie
    Life is too short, why skip dessert?
  • Post #23 - September 12th, 2009, 10:10 am
    Post #23 - September 12th, 2009, 10:10 am Post #23 - September 12th, 2009, 10:10 am
    Bende is Hungarian. My grandmother (from Hungary) is a good friend of the Bende family. They supply the country with Hungarian dry goods and probably aren't going out of business any time soon.
    "By the fig, the olive..." Surat Al-Teen, Mecca 95:1"
  • Post #24 - September 12th, 2009, 7:26 pm
    Post #24 - September 12th, 2009, 7:26 pm Post #24 - September 12th, 2009, 7:26 pm
    Habibi wrote:Bende is Hungarian. My grandmother (from Hungary) is a good friend of the Bende family. They supply the country with Hungarian dry goods and probably aren't going out of business any time soon.


    Yes, that's true, but you still get great sausage and imported foods. I tend to lump my European delis together. :)
    Ms. Ingie
    Life is too short, why skip dessert?
  • Post #25 - November 18th, 2009, 4:27 pm
    Post #25 - November 18th, 2009, 4:27 pm Post #25 - November 18th, 2009, 4:27 pm
    I mentioned a while back that my mom worked at Deli Meyer. I found this picture while working on a photo blog. It's probably from the mid to late 60's. My mom is in the foreground at the slicer.

    Image
    Ms. Ingie
    Life is too short, why skip dessert?
  • Post #26 - November 18th, 2009, 8:50 pm
    Post #26 - November 18th, 2009, 8:50 pm Post #26 - November 18th, 2009, 8:50 pm
    Ms. Ingie wrote:I mentioned a while back that my mom worked at Deli Meyer. I found this picture while working on a photo blog. It's probably from the mid to late 60's. My mom is in the foreground at the slicer.

    Awesome pic! Thanks, for sharing it. :)

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #27 - November 18th, 2009, 8:54 pm
    Post #27 - November 18th, 2009, 8:54 pm Post #27 - November 18th, 2009, 8:54 pm
    Ms. Ingie wrote: The weekends were packed with people; you could have 20 people ahead of you. It's such a shame to see all of the old German stores close up or move elsewhere.


    Kuhn's is still running out this way but for how much longer I wouldn't hold my breath on. Sad, but it's a shadow of its old self even on Saturday mornings.

    Kuhn's Delicatessen
    749 W. Golf Rd.
    Des Plaines Ill. 60016
  • Post #28 - May 5th, 2021, 8:11 pm
    Post #28 - May 5th, 2021, 8:11 pm Post #28 - May 5th, 2021, 8:11 pm
    5 May 2021
    Both the Deerfield and Des planes Kuhn's now show as permanently closed.
    Koenemann's in Volo also closed in 2017 or 2018.
    Sad.
  • Post #29 - May 5th, 2021, 8:56 pm
    Post #29 - May 5th, 2021, 8:56 pm Post #29 - May 5th, 2021, 8:56 pm
    5 April 2021
    Poking around I also found these resources:

    https://germanfoods.org/find/stores-res ... -illinois/
    "About GermanFoods.org
    This website provides “everything you always wanted to know” about German cooking and culinary heritage. Here we link hundreds of authentic contemporary and historic recipes to essential ingredients and side dishes. You can find addresses of German shops, restaurants, beer garden, Oktoberfest and more all across the USA and Canada. Get background stories, cultural facts and regional insights from all German states and neighboring regions. Learn about well-known manufacturers and their brands. And shop among 1100+ imported foods and beverages for everyday and seasonal occasions on this website or on the related online shop The Taste of Germany.com"
    It is based in DC and you can select a state to look in, from the triple bar menu at the top-center. It still shows Koenemann's and Kuhn's, so I sent them a note.

    Here is a monthly German food "care package" that has very flexible options. It's around $50+ per month.
    https://germanfoodbox.com/

    Regards, Steve
  • Post #30 - September 19th, 2021, 12:19 pm
    Post #30 - September 19th, 2021, 12:19 pm Post #30 - September 19th, 2021, 12:19 pm
    Sepetember 19 2021.
    Are there any recent observations / comments on Gene's relative to the German faire ??

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