Restaurant Review: For ‘Tradition & Geshmak,’ nothing beats Uptown’s Sam & Gertie’s
This is Hanukkah Week, and if you’re in the mood for something completely different, what’s better than a vegan Jewish deli?
Uptown’s Sam & Gerties is a ‘traditional’ Jewish delicatessen offering Geshmak (delicious) vegan takes on “mostly Ashkenazic” delights. Where else, for example, can you find the Goldie’s Laks, cold cured tomato Läks filets with red onion, fresh tomato, and cucumber, with dill pickle cream ‘cheez,’ served with your choice of bagel? Or, a Broccoli and Chedda Knish, which comes with sour cream and a pickle?
Sam & Gertie’s, a weekends-only spot, began as a tribute to owner Andy Kalish’s Bubbe (grandmother) in 2020, and they’ve earned a reputation for fun, innovative cooking. Most everything they make, says their website, “comes out of the shtetls of eastern Europe, New York City, Detroit, and the places Jewish people call home.”
And why vegan? Kalish says, “As a child learning about the Torah, it was clear to me that caring for animals and the earth were central to Judaism. The Torah provides guidance on how we are to look after our animals so that animals can provide for us.”
And they provide well at Sam & Gertie’s. The Dexter Davidson combines their fluffy egg patty, ‘chedda’ melt, with fried salami and giardinara cream ‘cheez.’ Grape-nut Chik’n Sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, and red onion on challah bread. Smoked Whitefish Sandwich is on a House challah roll with veggies.
The Baykin is their “#1 Most Liked” offering at Sam & Gertie’s. It combines a fluffy egg patty, chedda melt, smoked ‘Baykin’ and your choice of cream ‘cheez.’
Google reviews were ecstatic.
“It was 12:40pm-ish when I arrived there was nobody else in line. I was running late for appointment. I ordered a pastrami & corned beef & potato latke. I was out of there in 5 minutes. My choices were very tasty. I will definitely be going back to try more menu items.”
“Am so thankful for Sam&Gertie’s. Every time I try something new I decide it’s my favorite menu item until I try something else and decide it’s my favorite menu item and then I try something else, and on and on and on. Basically, what I’m saying is that their food is perfect no matter what you order. The white fish is ridiculously good. The donuts are incredible. The black and white cookies are amazing. The tomato lox is out of this world. The portions are generous too and the pickles are fantastic (and so appreciated). No matter what you order you’ll be happy!”
Sam & Gertie’s is located at 1309 W. Wilson Avenue. They are open Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-3pm. For more information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
