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Kaufman's Deli/Bakery in Skokie

Kaufman's Deli/Bakery in Skokie
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  • Post #151 - April 2nd, 2020, 2:39 pm
    Post #151 - April 2nd, 2020, 2:39 pm Post #151 - April 2nd, 2020, 2:39 pm
    Temporarily means “until further notice”

    Contact Us - Kaufman's Bakery, Delicatessen & Catering.png
  • Post #152 - April 13th, 2020, 10:37 am
    Post #152 - April 13th, 2020, 10:37 am Post #152 - April 13th, 2020, 10:37 am
    As per a window sign, Kaufman’s has reopened today for curbside pick up only... Must call in order first.
    "Goldie, how many times have I told you guys that I don't want no horsin' around on the airplane?"
  • Post #153 - April 13th, 2020, 1:18 pm
    Post #153 - April 13th, 2020, 1:18 pm Post #153 - April 13th, 2020, 1:18 pm
    They just posted on Facebook that orders must be phoned in at least 30 minutes before pickup.
  • Post #154 - April 13th, 2020, 1:29 pm
    Post #154 - April 13th, 2020, 1:29 pm Post #154 - April 13th, 2020, 1:29 pm
    Their website asks to please call an hour ahead.
  • Post #155 - June 5th, 2020, 11:34 am
    Post #155 - June 5th, 2020, 11:34 am Post #155 - June 5th, 2020, 11:34 am
    No more curbside pickups. Mask up and head inside for the good stuff.
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #156 - June 12th, 2020, 4:04 pm
    Post #156 - June 12th, 2020, 4:04 pm Post #156 - June 12th, 2020, 4:04 pm
    Dave148 wrote:No more curbside pickups. Mask up and head inside for the good stuff.

    As of today, they are still (or, once again) doing curbside pickups. The first parking space on the right (west) of the building is coned off for these. You also have the option of going inside to shop, which is what I did.

    I gotta hand it to them, they are doing everything they can to make for a safe shopping experience. They are requiring masks, and they have someone just inside the door to check. This person also handles any curbside pickups, and instructs you on what to do. When I arrived today, she asked me to wait outside so the inside of the store doesn't get too crowded. (There were no others waiting outside, although there were markings of six-foot distances in case of a line.) After a couple of minutes, she told me to enter, made sure I took a number to be called, and told me where to stand to allow distancing. There are markings on the floor throughout the store to show six-foot distances. On three sides of the store, there is plexiglass along the entire length of the counters between the staff and the customers, with only one opening on the deli side and one on the bakery side for them to hand you your stuff, and one opening at the cashiers for them to check out your stuff (along with a very small opening for you to insert your credit card in the reader). The refrigerators and freezers on the cashier side of the store are no longer accessible by customers; you have to ask the cashiers to get whatever you need from there. Hooray for them for keeping their staff and customers safe, while still making available some of the best Jewish deli stuff around here!

    As of right now, the hours on their website are not accurate. They are currently open till 4 pm each day.

    The first photo here makes it look like no one is working the deli counter, but that wasn't accurate. During the time I was there, there were an average of three people working behind that counter (not counting the bakery counter) and an average of three customers being served there. (They have two aisles approaching the deli counter for people to wait, distanced, for their numbers to be called.)
    Image
    Image
    Image
  • Post #157 - June 12th, 2020, 6:52 pm
    Post #157 - June 12th, 2020, 6:52 pm Post #157 - June 12th, 2020, 6:52 pm
    The sandwiches are now prepared in the kitchen so you can’t verify that you’re going to get what you want. My RB sandwich today was sans lettuce.
  • Post #158 - June 12th, 2020, 8:37 pm
    Post #158 - June 12th, 2020, 8:37 pm Post #158 - June 12th, 2020, 8:37 pm
    scottsol wrote:The sandwiches are now prepared in the kitchen so you can’t verify that you’re going to get what you want. My RB sandwich today was sans lettuce.

    Life during wartime, baby. :D

    "I got some groceries, some peanut butter, to last a couple of days."

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #159 - June 12th, 2020, 8:57 pm
    Post #159 - June 12th, 2020, 8:57 pm Post #159 - June 12th, 2020, 8:57 pm
    "(Nothing But) Flowers" seems more apt to the moment.
  • Post #160 - June 16th, 2020, 7:07 am
    Post #160 - June 16th, 2020, 7:07 am Post #160 - June 16th, 2020, 7:07 am
    I stopped and tried to go in on Saturday, although it was about 4:30 pm. All the open signs were lit. Doors were locked tight and appeared no one was inside. There were other people trying to get in who looked just as confused as I was. The neon open signs confused me. I am pretty sure the closing time of 4 pm is not posted on the front, but I may be mistaken.
    Last edited by jilter on June 16th, 2020, 7:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
  • Post #161 - June 16th, 2020, 7:09 am
    Post #161 - June 16th, 2020, 7:09 am Post #161 - June 16th, 2020, 7:09 am
    jilter wrote:I stopped and tried to go in on Saturday, although it was about 4:30 pm. All the open signs were lit. Doors were locked tight and appeared no one was inside. There were other people trying to get in who looked just as confused as I was. Is it by appointment only? <grin>
    I sincerely hope everything is ok.

    "Hours: 8am-4pm – Monday to Sunday."
    https://kaufmansdeli.com/contact-us/
    Last edited by Dave148 on June 16th, 2020, 7:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #162 - June 16th, 2020, 7:13 am
    Post #162 - June 16th, 2020, 7:13 am Post #162 - June 16th, 2020, 7:13 am
    Dave148 wrote:
    jilter wrote:"Hours: 8am-4pm – Monday to Sunday.
    https://kaufmansdeli.com/contact-us/"

    Yes, I am sorry I totally missed that in the thread before I posted. My error- thank you very much.
    I did edit my post as you were quoting it in your reply....as I said: Color me confused- at home and when out and about.
    Wow- 4 pm!!
    I will go early today.
  • Post #163 - June 16th, 2020, 2:55 pm
    Post #163 - June 16th, 2020, 2:55 pm Post #163 - June 16th, 2020, 2:55 pm
    Just to highlight where it was buried in the middle of my previous post:

    nsxtasy wrote:They are currently open till 4 pm each day.
  • Post #164 - September 24th, 2022, 11:24 am
    Post #164 - September 24th, 2022, 11:24 am Post #164 - September 24th, 2022, 11:24 am
    stopped by a couple weekends ago. Corned beef was not sliced fresh, I didn't look closely but didn't notice the slicers on the counter like they used to have. The server had a big presliced package of corned beef and took out the amount I wanted. I though the corned beef was on the dry side (still enjoyed but seemed lacking a touch).

    The chopped chicken liver was definitely off, almost spoiled. I was too lazy to drive all the way back to the store for a refund.

    Not that thrilled with my latest stop at Kaufman's.
    I did absolutely nothing and it was everything I thought it could be.
  • Post #165 - September 24th, 2022, 11:59 am
    Post #165 - September 24th, 2022, 11:59 am Post #165 - September 24th, 2022, 11:59 am
    Sweet Willie wrote:stopped by a couple weekends ago. Corned beef was not sliced fresh, I didn't look closely but didn't notice the slicers on the counter like they used to have. The server had a big presliced package of corned beef and took out the amount I wanted. I though the corned beef was on the dry side (still enjoyed but seemed lacking a touch).

    The chopped chicken liver was definitely off, almost spoiled. I was too lazy to drive all the way back to the store for a refund.

    Not that thrilled with my latest stop at Kaufman's.


    I've been reading articles about this sort of thing (the pre-slicing of meat) being done lots of places right now -- both to compensate for a shortage of workers and to placate customers who consider speed more important than quality.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #166 - September 25th, 2022, 3:36 pm
    Post #166 - September 25th, 2022, 3:36 pm Post #166 - September 25th, 2022, 3:36 pm
    If in a Deli and the Corned beef is thin sliced whether from a machine in front of me or from a pile taken from the meat case,
    I leave.
    Corned beef to me comes from a whole brisket residing on a steam table and hand sliced at point of purchase.
    I’ve been to Kaufmann’s a few times.
    I can tell their chopped chicken liver.
    Was at a Party in Wilmette a few weeks ago where upon sampling the chicken liver, I said, “Kaufmann’s!
    The Deli Trays were in fact from Kaufmann’s. Thin sliced, good but not my favorites!
    Kaufmann’s chicken liver is predominately too sweet.
    Where as Russ & Daughters is just right.
    -Richard
    BTW all the cheese and meats in the Meat counter at Woodman’s are all pre-sliced from my present observations.
    Fresh Farms slices to order.
  • Post #167 - September 25th, 2022, 5:39 pm
    Post #167 - September 25th, 2022, 5:39 pm Post #167 - September 25th, 2022, 5:39 pm
    Fresh Farms slices to order.


    Given the vast quality of different meats in their deli case, they pretty much have to.

    This is likely an undercount, but I think I've seen 10 kinds of turkey and 20 different kinds of ham.

    Giovanna
    =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

    "Enjoy every sandwich."

    -Warren Zevon
  • Post #168 - September 25th, 2022, 6:23 pm
    Post #168 - September 25th, 2022, 6:23 pm Post #168 - September 25th, 2022, 6:23 pm
    The comparison between Fresh Farms and Kaufmans is irrelevant. Two different beasts. That said, I agree that Kaufman's has declined and that Fresh Farms' deli is pretty darned good.

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #169 - December 8th, 2022, 8:47 am
    Post #169 - December 8th, 2022, 8:47 am Post #169 - December 8th, 2022, 8:47 am
    If you're a subscriber to the Tribune, there's a new series titled = Keepers of the flame: Jewish restaurants in Chicagoland honoring tradition while forging new paths.

    Kaufman's is the first restaurant in the series.

    “Do you have anything fat-free or sugar-free?” a customer recently asked the guy behind the counter at Kaufman’s.

    His reply: “Yes — if you go up to the register, they have napkins.”

    “She was so insulted,” says Kaufman’s owner Bette Dworkin. “I was hysterical.”

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/c ... story.html
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #170 - December 8th, 2022, 10:31 am
    Post #170 - December 8th, 2022, 10:31 am Post #170 - December 8th, 2022, 10:31 am
    ronnie_suburban wrote:The comparison between Fresh Farms and Kaufmans is irrelevant. Two different beasts. That said, I agree that Kaufman's has declined and that Fresh Farms' deli is pretty darned good.

    =R=


    They target totally different markets but Fresh farms notably carries a range of products from Alef in Mundelein. Their bresaola and dry beef Ukrainian salami are excellent, especially sliced paper-thin.

    https://www.alefsausage.com/
  • Post #171 - December 8th, 2022, 10:42 am
    Post #171 - December 8th, 2022, 10:42 am Post #171 - December 8th, 2022, 10:42 am
    From the Trib:
    If you encounter any gruffness, think of it as an indoctrination into the playful underbelly of Jewish deli culture.

    We stopped there for lunch many years ago as an alternative to the then-dull Old Orchard food court. Found the food reasonably good but the staff surprisingly unfriendly to the point of rudeness. Oy, who knew it was the business model?
  • Post #172 - December 8th, 2022, 1:09 pm
    Post #172 - December 8th, 2022, 1:09 pm Post #172 - December 8th, 2022, 1:09 pm
    tjr wrote:We stopped there for lunch many years ago as an alternative to the then-dull Old Orchard food court.

    Many years ago? They only had seats for the ability to dine in recently for maybe a year, and then discontinued it when the pandemic hit.

    I've been going to Kaufman's an average of once or twice a month for the past 43 years (other than their temporary closure for a couple of years) and I have never, ever been treated rudely, even in humor (which I actually would have appreciated). Ed Debevic's, it ain't (although that quote above from Bette Dworkin is pretty damn funny).
  • Post #173 - December 8th, 2022, 11:20 pm
    Post #173 - December 8th, 2022, 11:20 pm Post #173 - December 8th, 2022, 11:20 pm
    Did they have a few tables outdoors in the old days? Maybe we just carried out.
  • Post #174 - December 9th, 2022, 4:36 am
    Post #174 - December 9th, 2022, 4:36 am Post #174 - December 9th, 2022, 4:36 am
    tjr wrote:Did they have a few tables outdoors in the old days? Maybe we just carried out.

    They did.
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #175 - May 1st, 2023, 9:09 am
    Post #175 - May 1st, 2023, 9:09 am Post #175 - May 1st, 2023, 9:09 am
    “Do you have anything fat-free or sugar-free?” a customer recently asked the guy behind the counter at Kaufman’s.

    His reply: “Yes — if you go up to the register, they have napkins.”

    “She was so insulted,” says Kaufman’s owner Bette Dworkin. “I was hysterical.”


    Was at Kaufman's a few days ago. A perky 13-year-old girl, who held her cell phone out like a shield, asked at the bakery section multiple times about dairy free in a high pitched sing-song voice that made me want to strangle her. N0 N0 NO was the polite answer. Her grandparents looked both loving and embarrassed simultaneously.

    Rugelach were terrific, as always.
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #176 - May 1st, 2023, 5:41 pm
    Post #176 - May 1st, 2023, 5:41 pm Post #176 - May 1st, 2023, 5:41 pm
    G Wiv wrote:Was at Kaufman's a few days ago. A perky 13-year-old girl, who held her cell phone out like a shield, asked at the bakery section multiple times about dairy free in a high pitched sing-song voice that made me want to strangle her. N0 N0 NO was the polite answer. Her grandparents looked both loving and embarrassed simultaneously.

    Rugelach were terrific, as always.

    I would have expected most if not all of it to be dairy free. In the old store, the bakery side was all parve, I thought.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #177 - May 1st, 2023, 7:08 pm
    Post #177 - May 1st, 2023, 7:08 pm Post #177 - May 1st, 2023, 7:08 pm
    JoelF wrote:
    G Wiv wrote:I would have expected most if not all of it to be dairy free. In the old store, the bakery side was all parve, I thought.

    Maybe the clerk just didn’t like her. :) I know I didn’t. Also. For example. Most Rugelach are made with two or three types of dairy. Plus on the deli side. Reuben, lox & cream cheese etc.
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #178 - May 1st, 2023, 7:58 pm
    Post #178 - May 1st, 2023, 7:58 pm Post #178 - May 1st, 2023, 7:58 pm
    Yeah, forgot about the rugelach.
    My grandmother definitely used cream cheese in the dough.

    But the bagel and bread part of the menu is definitely no dairy, and I remember a lot of dry cookies that were definitely shortening-based. In my life though, I don't recall them ever separating milk and meat - you could always get cheese on your corned beef.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #179 - May 2nd, 2023, 7:29 am
    Post #179 - May 2nd, 2023, 7:29 am Post #179 - May 2nd, 2023, 7:29 am
    JoelF wrote:In my life though, I don't recall them ever separating milk and meat - you could always get cheese on your corned beef.


    It's always been "Jewish style" but never actually kosher.
  • Post #180 - May 3rd, 2023, 2:57 pm
    Post #180 - May 3rd, 2023, 2:57 pm Post #180 - May 3rd, 2023, 2:57 pm
    There was a Kosher Deli in the same plaza that Binny’s in Highland Park is in. My wife and I had to take our Lox/bagel and corned beef sandwich out to our car to eat.
    I don’t know of any Kosher Deli’s in the Chicago area anymore?
    -Richard

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