Schmaltz Deli

I rated them highly because just being a genuine Jewish deli is a rare good thing. The atmosphere is the real deal. I’ve only been there twice and ordered the full corned beef sandwich both times, being the classic thing to get at a Jewish deli. Both times it was just barely OK. They were dry (which simply means that they used overly lean corned beef) and expensive (about $ 11 for a well-​stuffed-​in-​the-​center on relatively small rye bread sandwich and a pickle spear.) But I’m spoiled, having been to lots of old Jewish delis over the last 40 years.

I love this place. The corned beef sammich is to die for. The marble rye is fresh and tasty. The pickles are crunchy-​licious. I could not ask for anything more. Keep it coming Schmalz Deli!

Keep trying to find something on this menu that isn’t good. Yes, probably not great for your health– but their corned beef is perfect, their pastrami is perfect, their soups are perfect… I can go on and on. Never had a bad meal here and people I take are immediately hooked, too. Staff is fantastic and entertaining.

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh so good!!!
I had the #14 The Sloppy Paul. Warm Rueben with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut!!! Yes, it was very sloppy!!! Yum!!! Got it overstuffed and now I’m overstuffed!!! Half this sandwich would have been just fine.
It came with bagel chips and a pickle spear, but I added potato salad. It was OK, the only reason I didn’t score this place a 5.
Very busy, but fast. Booths, tables, and bar tables afford plenty of seating. I’m glad we went early!!!

It’s great to have a delicatessen as good a Schmaltz in the Naperville area. Got a couple of sandwiches for take-​out: a corned beef (#5, Wall Street) and Reuben (#14, Sloppy Paul). Even the ‘half stuffed’ sandwiches have quite a bit of meat. The sandwiches were first rate, better than any other in the area. Each sandwich came with a complimentary pickle. The prices seem a tad high, but when you consider what you’d pay for a good burger, they’re rather reasonable. The menu selection is huge so allow enough time to make you choices.
If you’re looking for some deli selections in DuPage county, you’ll find none better than Schmaltz.

I’ve been here many times for lunch & the sandwiches are great. This place is as close to a TRUE NY deli than this. The sandwiches are over stacked, the meat is awesome, nice people work there. A real bright place, not much you wouldn’t like here.
This morning I was in the area & decided to stop in for a bagel & again was not disappointed, although they do put a bunch of cream cheese on the bagel.
The only knock Id give the place is its a little pricey, but as in all similar things in life you get what you pay for.

Schmaltz is the best lunch spot ever. On my days off, I’ve started to come up with excuses to run my errands in the vicinity of Schmaltz. Pretty much anything pastrami/​corned beef is good, but the one on the hero roll with homemade giardiniera is probably my fave. I also like that you can choose some sandwiches half stuffed if you want to go lighter. Bonus, if you choose your order for dine-​in, you get a giant pickle and these delicious Parmesan bagel chips that you’ll be dreaming about for weeks.
This place gets packed during the lunch rush, but they are very efficient and good at what they do. You’ll always get through the line pretty quickly – and yes, there’s probably going to be a line.
My goal is to come here so much that they know my face and are happy to see me every single time.

What a great deli. The sandwiches were very good. We had a group and got a variety of sandwiches. The homemade bagel chips and half pickle were a great addition.
Would repeat when I am in the area.

Their chicken club is the best sandwich in the area! I suggest taking off the guacamole and adding their chipotle mayo! Their hala bread is also a nice substitution. Can’t go wrong by ordering as is on the menu either!

I loved the atmosphere from the time I rolled in. They were genuinely happy to receive all the new business brought in by the news feature last night. The staff were all smiles and laughed and joked while taking my order.
I had the New Yorker Corned Beef with Cole Slaw, Israeli Salad, Bagel Chips and a giant pickle. The food was great and portions quite filling. I especially loved the salad. It reminds me of a vinaigrette salsa with cucumber and tomato thar I would make myself.
I also ordered some ‘Schacon’ for the road. You HAVE to check this place out. Worth the trip for sure!

First time here. I ordered #14 «Sloppy Paul» with corned beef. I was awestruck by the $ 10.59 price tag of the sandwich. I knew it must be worth because on Unilocal,many people posted pictures of the iconic «Sloppy Paul». When I first bit into the sandwich, an explosion went off in my mouth. I’m a firm believer that the sauce they smother in the sandwich was the cause.
Also tried a can of cream soda. It was overpriced. For a 12 ounce can, the total was $ 2.23 with tax. But it was worth the taste because all my life, the only creamed soda I tasted was from Dum Dum lollipop’s
Overall, this place is worth trying out. To be honest, it is a bit expensive so be happy to make it rain.

First time here #14 Sloppy Paul w/​corned beef & pastrami! Excellent! If you live in the west burbs and don’t feel like traveling to Manny’s check this place out, you won’t be disappointed!

I used to love this place– my go to for Jewish deli but we just ordered a big dinner to go and they not only forgot to give us the dozen latkes, but the potato knishes were raw on the inside– literally dough pieces. My 84 year old grandmother spit it out. Very disappointing.

Love this place! Their sandwiches are gargantuan! I have been going here for years, and their food is always fresh, always tasty, always awesome! I love their Pastrami sandwiches, and their soups are awesome and homemade. Just like a real New York Deli. Place your order and they yell it down the line. The desserts are great, and sometimes they have free samples of their desserts.

After living in the area for many years, I tried Schmaltz Deli recently for lunch. It’s as advertised-​high energy and busy.
I had the #24 which is warm pastrami with lettuce, tomato and blue cheese dressing on an onion roll. The half stuffed was a good size sandwich for lunch and the meat was the highlight, while the onion roll was very dry. The bagel chip and huge pickle on the side rounded it out and were both tasty. I had a side of potato salad and it was fine-​probably wouldn’t get it again.
It’s kinda hectic in there and that’s ok. Part of the reason for my 3 star rating is that I’m not the world’s biggest deli guy and it’d take something pretty unique to wow me with a sandwich place and this is a solid establishment, but not particularly memorable.

My last visit was near perfect, and this one was maybe even a little better.
I ordered the Roast Beef on pumpernickel with a horseradish sauce. It was killer. The roast beef was a nice medium rare.
I also got turkey on a pretzel bagel and ate it after it sat in the fridge for a couple of hours. It was really good. The pretzel bagel had a good pretzel taste with the texture of a bagel. They sprinkled some pretzel salt on top. It was a half size, but it was still filling.
The highlight of my meal may have been the potato knish that I wasn’t able to try on my first time there. It’s dissimilar to the deep fried knishes I’ve had in NYC, but it was spectacular. The outside of the knish reminds me of a thin bagel dough, and the inside is an awesomely flavored and textured mashed potatoes — chunky and seasoned just right.
Everyone is super nice and the pickles are to die for.

I’ve never been to a Jewish Deli before, and the gal at the counter didn’t make me feel even remotely like an idiot for that. They actually offered me samples of pastrami and corned beef, I ended up getting a pastrami sandwich on marbled rye bread with cheese. It was ready to go quickly and the bread was insanely soft, the meat so tasty. The gal said she normally can’t eat an entire sandwich and has to take the other half home, my hotel didn’t have a fridge so I could either allow a tragedy to occur or take one for the team. And for the team, one I took. This is quite easily the best sandwich I’ve ever been in the presence of in my entire life, and I had the privilege to consume it.
Oh yeah, this place has Diet Mtn Dew in their fountain. It has won.

A diamond in the rough! Or shall I say a diamond in the suburbs. We stopped by for a late lunch because it was in the area and no lie, it was the best decision made all day. They were about to close in 15 minutes as it was a Sunday… but the workers were super nice and did not rush us in ordering which I liked as it was our first time.
Bf ordered the #1 Gramercy Park which was a pastrami sandwich on marble rye smeared with spicy mustard. I got the #31 Chicken Caesar Wrap which basically as the name states was a chicken wrap with lettuce, cheese, and dressing in a soft tortilla. We both ordered our food in combos, so my boyfriend got potato salad and I got chicken noodle soup along with drinks. As if that wasn’t enough, both of our orders came with bagel chips and a half sour pickle.
Prices are on fleek! Hahaha, esp. when you use the 10% Unilocal check-​in offer which I did not know about until after we left and I had almost forgot to check-​in. But seriously, for how much food you get… you really get your money’s worth. Me and the boyfriend did not finish our sandwiches. We had to take the other half home, along with the potato salad and bagel chips. At least I managed to finish my chicken noodle soup, which was delicious!
I have never felt so stuffed before and our bill was only $ 30. Great service and the best deli I’ve ever been to in my life! I would love to return again as this amazing place is only found in Chicago.

I’m a Jewish guy from NYC. Let me tell you, this is the real thing. As good, if not better, than any deli back east. If there is a heaven, Schmaltz is a part of it. The pastrami with Cole slaw and Russian dressing rocks my world and spins me back. The breakfast bagel sandwiches are out of this world, as are the bagels themselves. The cookies and cakes are delicious. And I absolutely love all of the NYC decorations. The slogan for the restaurant is «A Jewish deli for the rest of us.» I have no idea what that means. But when I’m here, I’m too busy eating to think about it.

Holy crap this is a great place to get a sandwich! I got suckered in by the overstuffed BIG AL, a grilled salami sandwich that is rich and decadent.
My husband got the BROOKLYN BEEF, one of the best brisket sandwiches I have ever eaten. The horseradish sauce is a great compliment to this, and doesn’t overpower. He and I traded halves, which was a good thing since half the Big Al and half of the Brooklyn Beef make such a good combo.
The bread on the sandwiches has a very light crust over slightly chewy soft bread… just perfect.
And the baked bread crisps they serve with the sandwiches are fantastic… a real step up from the more traditional chips. If you like pickles at all, say yes when they ask if you want one… it’s a half of a tasty pickle that is a little lighter on the salt than most.
The MATZO BALL SOUP is worth it too, the best I’ve had anywhere. The broth isn’t too salty, and the matzo ball is melt in your mouth good.
Seriously, this place is amazing, and now is on our short list of places to go when we’re near Naperville. Ordering is a bit regimented, so if you don’t know exactly what you need just hang back well out of the way until you’ve figured it out.