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Two years ago, in our review of Eleven City Diner on South Wabash, we compared Brad Rubin's tribute to classic Jewish delis and diners to the Blues Brothers. We said it was "too good to be a parody, not good enough to be the real thing." That still holds true, which is a blessing and a curse. Shortly after ours and other reviews started pouring in, Rubin pulled the plug on all night weekend service, which would have brought Eleven City closer to the genuine article. The prices are nothing to laugh at, either. We've had more than one friend chew us out on the prices after recommending the place.
Rubin and his staff still get the deli sandwiches right, though. The pastrami on rye was an early favorite of ours. Since our initial visits, the sandwich has since been christened the "Steve Dahl," a tribute to the radio legend and "civic irritant" (according to Sun-Times "sports columnist" Jay Mariotti, who's made a career out of being a civic irritant). If we could go to our grave having had a sandwich named after us as regal as this, it would have been a successful life.
What you're staring at, readers, is $11.95 of perfectly cured and marbled pastrami, piled high between three layers of rye bread. Served with cole slaw and a pickle wedge to at least keep us honest on the vegetable front, this sandwich nearly beat us down the other day. Two years ago, we'd have owned this with ease. The "Dahl" was the centerpiece of a handpicked three-course lunch that included a bowl of Eleven City's chicken soup with matzo and carrot cake, all washed down with next week's "BotW" selection. Bottom line, this is comfort food at its finest.
Eleven City Diner is located at 1112 S. Wabash.
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Hi Chuck. I love the food there for the most part, aside from the steepish prices. The Lox is spectacularly good for some reason, and they seem to do pretty much all their food really well.
It's just that we've seen Brad Rubin, the owner, treat his employees like dirt. He said some really nasty things very loudly on separate occasions (not going to repeat them here). It's been a compelling enough reason for us not to want to return, even though the sandwiches were good.
why don't you repeat them here? i may not go there either depending on what he said, so what was it?
I've heard of accounts of Rubin getting testy with staff during the heat of a rush (which seems to be all the time on the weekend). Other than a slightly raised voice to a waiter to get a new chocolate cake on display, he was working crowd control during my visit.
Then I have a feeling you would be boycotting a lot of restaurants if you could spend about 5 minutes back in their kitchens when they're getting slammed. Working in a high-volume place is not exactly for sensitive types.
$12 for a sandwich? I'll pass. That same thing would be like $6 in New York.
Pastrami at Carnegie Deli: $13.95.
Pastrami @ Katz's: $14.45
You were saying?
I believe I was saying I wouldn't pay $12 for a pastrami sandwich. Or $15.
Pastrami at Carnegie Deli: $13.95.
Pastrami @ Katz's: $14.45
Pastrami at Bubbes' : $4.00, because you bought it for her before coming over. I'm not saying that the sandwich didn't look good, I'm just saying that I don't get accepting such a markup on something so easily made at home.
the corned beef at Manny's isn't cheap either. i believe it's $10 or above. all these sandwiches are GIANT! You really could get away with eating half of it.
I prefer getting my pastrami fix at Perry's. I actually like it a little better there and it's cheaper.