Ellie’s Deli rhymes, but that’s not how the Antioch sandwich shop earned its name.
Ellie is the almost-3-year-old granddaughter of co-owners Brian and Lisa Bezak. And the fact that the Bezaks named the deli after one of their own tells you how important family is to them and their business.
Ellie’s Deli is closed on Sundays so employees can be with their families.
“It’s a valuable part of our childhoods,” said co-owner Marc Kaplan.
“Grandma had dinner for the family,” Bezak said. “We’re closed every Sunday and eight holidays. If I can’t survive being closed eight days a year, well, family time is more important than making a buck.”
Family is at the center of everything the owners do. Ellie’s Deli is open until 9 p.m. to offer dinner options for families.
“And we added the hot side because very few people have a cold sandwich for dinner,” Bezak said. “Part of the appeal for everybody is the daily specials. They’re what Grandma would do for you. We’re an ‘old-town’ sandwich kind of place.”
By that, the Bezaks mean the kind of sandwich place you might recall from your childhood, Bezak said. “Serving up something you might eat at Grandma’s house. We’re going to have specials like a meatloaf sandwich and stuffed cabbage, more comfort foods. The whole part of this is you really want what Grandma made you. Grandma made the best sandwiches.”
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On the menu: Ellie’s Deli offers Boar’s Head meats and Turano bread for high-quality sandwiches, Bezak said. “The hot side is new and we have some new signature items like the Teriyaki Chicken Melt, which is panini style, and the breaded steak sandwich,” Bezak said.
About the owners: The Bezaks own The Mexican Paradise Café down the street, which used to be open in the current Ellie’s Deli location. They closed Ellie’s Deli for retooling last year and reopened in early April. They brought in partner Marc Kaplan a few months ago after he approached the shuttered restaurant. “I needed the blood, sweat and tears and Marc brought it,” Bezak said.
Philosophy: “Our vision is where it’s a family atmosphere. American people forgot what family means. Let’s bring that family atmosphere back. Every day I say ‘God, keep me humble, keep me kind.’ You can make a difference to one person,” Bezak said.
Décor: Nostalgic tin signs are tacked to the walls and more old-timey items are on the shelves. Customers can bring in items to put on the shelves. “People will come in and put stuff on the shelves and that’s when you know you’re really there,” Bezak said. “They’re thinking about you when they’re in another country,” Kaplan said.
Price range: Sandwiches are $8-$10. Gourmet salads are $7. Deli salads are $2.50 and $4.50. Sides or extras from 75 cents to $3.50. Soup is $2.95 and $4.95. Kids’ meals are $7. Cheese from $5.33-$7.32 per pound. Meats from $5.66-$10.96 per pound. Desserts from $2-$5.
Logistics: Ellie’s Deli is at 389 Lake St., Antioch. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Call 847-838-4630 or go to www.elliesdeliantioch.com.
Shonda Talerico Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.