Culinary Historians of Chicago & Chicago Foodways Roundtable

Corned Beef on Rye: Remembering Chicago’s Jewish Delicatessens: celebrates the iconic Jewish delis that helped define Chicago’s culinary and cultural image and weaves together nostalgic recollections and in-depth interviews with more than a dozen food experts and deli owners and comparisons between Chicago’s beloved institutions and those in New York City. There are sections of the book dedicated to remembering the delis across Chicago that flourished during the 20th Century and those which dominate the deli dining experience today.

Interviewees in the book range from Rich Melman of Lettuce Entertain You, Marc Schulman of Eli’s Cheesecake, Ken Raskin of Manny’s, businessman and restaurateur Larry Levy, Marvin Barsky of the Bagel, Lester and Ben Schlan and Richard Reeder of Max and Benny’s, Adam Dlatt and Steve Geffen of Once Upon A Bagel, singer Ronnie Rice, and broadcaster Bob Sirott, to chef and restaurateur Ina Pinkney, journalist and food reporter Steve Dolinsky, Bette Dworkin of Kaufman’s, and Ted Merwin, author of Pastrami On Rye. The book is illustrated with an abundance of black & white and color photos and memorabilia and captures the appeal of overstuffed sandwiches, schmears and storytelling that made these delis more than just eateries–they were community gathering places and keepers of tradition.

Neal Samors, a lifelong resident of Chicago, is the owner of Chicago’s Neighborhoods, Inc. Since 2003, he has authored, co-authored, and/or published 39 books about Chicago, its neighborhoods, parks and entertainment venues, sports figures, downtown, Chicago River and Lake Michigan, Lake Shore Drive, Magnificent Mile, Native American Trail Marker Trees, travel by air, restaurants, cookbooks, iconic hot dogs, and books focused on the decades of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. as well as a publication focusing on his memories of growing up in Chicago. He received his BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, MA from Northern Illinois University, and PhD and MALS from Northwestern University.

Eric Bronsky, a Chicago native, is a freelance writer, historian, photographer, transit enthusiast and “foodie” who began is career as an architectural modelbuilder. He has enjoyed working with Neal Samors on several projects including co-authoring three award-winning books: Downtown Chicago in Transition, The Rise of the Magnificent Mile, and Chicago’s Classic Restaurants – Past, Present & Future. He also published the book, Great Trees – The Story of Marshall Field’s Beloved Holiday Tradition, by Sallie Posniak & Homer Sharp. A lifelong fan of Jewish delicatessens far and near, Eric has accumulated a collection of photos and restaurant memorabilia which provide many of the illustrations in Corned Beef on Rye.

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Monday, November 9, 2026
7 PM Central Time via Zoom
If you have any questions or wish for a link, please e-mail:
culinaryhistorians@gmail.com