Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen

Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen is a Jewish deli at 1141 S Jefferson St in Chicago's South Loop, Illinois, and one of the city's oldest and best-known institutions of its kind. It was founded in the 1940s and has long served as a lunchtime meeting place for politicians, businesspeople, cabbies and tourists, making it as much a civic landmark as a restaurant. The cuisine is classic Jewish deli food served cafeteria-style. The hand-sliced corned beef sandwich, stacked high on rye, is the emblematic order, and the matzo ball soup and potato pancakes are the other dishes most associated with the address. Pastrami, brisket and other deli staples round out the line, along with breakfast items early in the day. The dining room is large, bright and unpretentious, with a lively, loud, democratic atmosphere; diners queue along the cafeteria counter, tell the servers what they want, pay at the end, and carry trays to shared tables. Dress is casual. The price tier is moderate, and sandwiches are large enough to share. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday 8AM to 7:30PM and Sunday 8AM to 3:30PM, and the deli is closed on Monday. No reservations are taken, and the cafeteria line can be long at weekday lunch, though it tends to move steadily. The phone number is (312) 939-2855. Visitors first time through often watch other diners before ordering, as the line rewards knowing what you want at the counter. A seat at the busy dining room with a corned beef sandwich and a pickle is the classic Manny's meal. It sits south of the Loop and is a short rideshare from downtown hotels, near Maxwell Street and Greektown.