Manny's Coffee Shop & Deli

Company Information: Manny's is a bustling, no-nonsense, combination delicatessen/diner. No tablecloths. No fine china. The menu is immense, but folks flock to Manny's for the corned beef sandwiches, arguably the best in town. The corned beef is shaved razor-thin and piled into a mountain between two slices of dark rye bread. The most favored accompaniment is a golden-brown potato pancake. Manny's is also open in the wee hours for breakfast. In business since 1942, when the area was the heart of Chicago's garment district, it now stands in the shadow of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Hours of Operation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Mon.-Sat.

Categories: Delicatessens, Restaurants, Catering Services

1. 
   User Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

   by Capitalism is King

   09/23/2008

   I agree that Manny's was once a very good place for corned beef sandwiches. However, if you've been there in the last 5 years, you already know it's just not true anymore. The lower quality beef is a problem but the #1 thing that has gone away is the "anything for the customer" mentality that used to drive everything that happened there. I realize they are in a terrible neighborhood these days (this was once one of the best areas in the entire city....back when it was nearly all German.) However, it doesn't justify the decline.
   
   The sad truth is that Manny's now exists only in the memory of the oldtimers like me who used to go there a lot. If you are under 30, you have never been to Manny's.

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2. 
   User Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

   by David T

   09/23/2008

   I went to Chicago for an eBay convention back in June and although I have been there several times I figured I check out this place called Manny's after seeing it come up under the top review on a yahoo advertisement.
   
   Wow, I couldn't have been more disappoined. I took a cab from near the navy pier which was about $15 thinking that it would be worth it to have a great sandwich from a cool local joint. When I got there it seemed to be in the middle of a hispanic/italian neighborhood which wasn't a big deal and kind of added to the ambiance.
   
   It's easy to miss as it is more of a large conveneince store than it is a market and you have to walk all the way to the back of a fairly cluttered and outdated store to get to the deli.
   
   I ordered the itialian "hot" style and it was pretty much like every other deli sandwich I have ever had. Nothing special here, certainly don't go out of your way.
   
   It's probably good if you're in the neighborhood or live there but of all my travels it's nothing special at all :( It was also fairly difficult to find a cab back so tell the driver to wait if you are staying downtown or near the navy pier.

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   Comments (5)

   shenia_smith - 09/23/08
   David, I hate to break it to you, but your cabbie took you to the wrong place. Mannies is just a deli. they dont have any groceries at all, i should know i've been there lots of times.

   The Stever - 09/23/08
   Hey Dave, You were at Bari on Grand and not Manny's on Jefferson! Go to Manny's for corned beef! Best in Chicago!!

   Where's the Beef - 09/23/08
   David, you're a retard. You went to Bari's, not Manny's! Can't you READ?

   Nels G - 09/24/08
   I saw it on yahoo he david says. Did you know yahoo has maps as well? maybe you should check one out next time you travel to far from home Mr.Ebay. typical tourist who cant handle the city

   Mr. T - 09/24/08
   Ease up on the guy. What none of you ever make mistakes in a strange city? Are you Mr. City? Did the concrete of Chicago give birth to you? Why do people have to be so condescending. It's like the young hipsters that move into a neighborhood, then complain about gentrification. You are a part of it. For my money, the best Deli in or around Chicago is Alpine Deli on North Avenue in Elmwood Park. It's been there for decade. By far the best subs anywhere.

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3. 
   User Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

   by The bits

   09/23/2008

   The quality of the food at Manny's is just average, at best, especially when you take into consideration the prices. I would not go back and will always tell people to avoid trying Manny's.

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   Comments (1)

   David T - 09/23/08
   I agree

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