I just ordered from this place. I was excited to try a bagel from this vegan deli. I ordered with a couple ahead of me and three people behind me. They also had online deliveries come in and out of the place. To my surprise, I noticed my bagel took pretty long to make. I understand orders come in from DoorDash or any other online service. However, I was the only person of color in the place. The three people behind me had their orders completed (they were big orders judging by the amount of mini boxes). I got my order last after everyone was served at the time. I, personally, felt like I was discriminated against in this establishment. I was offered a free cookie of some sort for my wait but all I wanted was to be treated fairly. They did not apologize nor were they willing to get me a manager. My experience could just be this one incident but I sure did not feel welcomed.

Love the concept (vegan Jewish deli) but wasn’t sure what to expect. Very much exceeded my expectations. Ordered the Schwartz sandwich and a chicken noodle soup. Both the sandwich and soup were super yummy and good size. The vegan pastrami was great. Was pretty busy when we came around 12pm. Really enjoyed it here

We got the Brandt with a sesame seed bagel and the Levin (they’re version of a Ruben sandwich). The Brant was incredible...All they’re bread and baked goods are absolutely outstanding. The Levin was really good as well...but the bread was what really made it! We also bought Mish Mosh bagels to take home...I will stop every time I’m in Chicago just to buy their bagels! Flipping incredible!! They’re patio area is perfect for spring/summer/fall dining and especially nice during the pandemic.I’m so excited there’s an all vegan Jewish deli in existence. Can’t wait to come back!!

As a South Jersey girl and vegan I deeply missed the Jewish deli foods I loved like Latkes + matzoh ball soup so I for one am THRILLED this place exists and every single thing I ate was phenomenal. I will give a tip that things are on the pricier side but the portions are generous so one Reuben sandwich could easily be split between 2 or leftovers for the next day. I will definitely be coming back and don’t forget to try the house made donuts!! They also have free samples!

I was confused because Yelp said it was temporarily closed but it's open. Glad I took a chance and went anyway!! It's become a new birthday tradition for me, and went last year too. They have some of the best vegan food I have ever eaten!! To be honest, I have no idea what a real Jewish deli is like as I was vegetarian as a child and then went vegan as an adult. I absolutely love the Yiddish Que and could eat them daily. It is enormous and so much flavor!!!! I also love the Shalom with the everything bagel and giardiniera cream cheese. I also bought a ton of stuff to go, as I live in the completely different side of the city and it's a bit of a hike to get there. Got a challah dog too. But, well worth the drive and no traffic on a Sunday morning. Love love love the chicken salads, potato salad, eggless salad, tuna salad... To die for. I also bought one of each of the deli meats. My fiance got the baykin on a plain bagel and chocolate donut with nuts. I plan on posting this review everywhere in hopes they stay open forever. I will also drive back the second I run out of food to get more!! I wish they still had the chopped liver as it was my favorite. But, I completely understand that there isn't much of a market for vegan chopped liver haha.

We tried many vegan foods and restaurants and were really impressed with the taste and quality of Sam & Gertie's. I personally eat normal meat too and would rate this deli sandwiches fantastic! We ordered the turkey sandwich and another with pastrami and challah roll. They were both very tasty and well served portions. We wish the place was open for more hours and would even ask for a catering. Great job! We will be back soon

I wish I had chosen something that wasn’t pretending to be meat. The “bacon and egg” sandwich didn’t taste like the real thing but it didn’t taste good as it’s own thing either. The restaurant is cute and I wish it had more hours (only open on weekends). Next time, I’ll try something different.

Have gone here 3 times to give it a fair shot. Each time more disappointing than the last. The bagels are meh, the cream cheese is tasteless (and melts into a weird oil?) and the vegan egg is tasteless mush. Not to mention the prices are insane. The concept of this place is so great but the flavors fall short for me :/

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.

I had their Stuffed Reuben Knish and it is yummy. Everthing is made from scratch. The best time to visit is anytime between 8am and 11am since it gets busy around lunch time (after 11am). The only issue is the place accepts card but not cash..which is weird. Otherwise, food is excellent quality and is worth visiting.

I couldn't believe it when I saw this place on maps. We tried the Reuben and broccoli cheddar knish. My brother, who has been poking fun at my vegans for many years, tried the Ruben and admitted that "it doesn't immediately taste like it isn't meat, " which is very high praise. It was all delicious.

Google hours said 8am, I got there at 9:45, closed. Wanted to notify the owners via Instagram of this frustration and saw an Instagram post that said “opening at 10 today”. Go in at 10am, closed. A worker said they were opening at 10:30. I didn’t stick around. Keep consistent hours posted on all online platforms!

I got the Goldie's Laks (get it?) because I wanted to try a vegan version of a traditional deli offering - lox with a schmear. It was the most delicious, succulent bagel, period, not "for a vegan option.". Nothing tasted ersatz or consolation prize. Staff was warm and inviting, and handed out muffin samples, which were moist and sumptuous. The only caveat is that the Goldie's Lax is pricey - with tax I paid $15 and change. Other equally hearty bagel offering were substantially cheaper. I'm not sure why this one was so pricey, since there was no actual salmon, but it was so good I'd get it again. The decor is a little cold and industrial, which could be improved, but my meal was outstanding.

They have great food, but they're rarely open or ready when they claim to be, and they change their hours every few weeks. This is all after they decided to close for the summer because they didn't want to get up early. Today was the final straw. Open 9-2, I come in at 9:15, but they say that the "chef" won't be ready for another half an hour (and who knows if that's even true?). I didn't stick around to find out and I probably won't ever come back. Based upon other recent reviews (See Sean S's review from 3 weeks ago), this is how they tend to do things. If they're not taking their own business seriously, why the heck should I?

Giving 5 * for the sweet staff, solid staples, and scrumptious samples, plus I can’t knock a vegan establishment for putting in the work to make the classic Jewish deli nostalgia of my teenage years a grown-up reality. We have been wanting to visit for ages (we’re from NYC) and it was especially exciting for me to see a lox sandwich, whitefish salad, and chopped liver on their menu! Sadly, we could only fit so much into a single meal and takeaway on our flight home. Can’t miss/fave items: (1) whitefish’ish salad 10/10 (brought home and ate the day after, oh my god I need to know how they made this, it’s so darn good!!) (2) chopped livah 9/10 (sampled in store, it was the perfect consistency and oh so savory) They aced it on the yum factor for both of these items! 😋 Expected more, but would get again: (1) the Levin Reuben - we wanted more dressing (or more evenly spread dressing?) and a teensy bit more cure/brine on the pastrami, though the bread was delicious. It made for a solid hangover meal. 7/10 (2) Goldie’s Laks fell short of my expectations. The laks was well-marinated, had the saltiness I was seeking, but the slices were quite thick and unwieldy, and the sandwich was very wet. The cream cheese came on the side so I needed to DIY schmear, and it was a little bland for my palate. IMO, this would’ve been a home run if the bagel was toasted more (I’m not sure if it was, but it needed more crunch), the laks sliced thinner, and the cream cheese had more tang. 7/10 Pass/skip: (1) the Dexter Davidson… I’m not sure if I’m able to properly describe this, but the whole sandwich had a singular texture and the salami was virtually indistinguishable from the fluffy egg patty. The cream cheese was again on the side, but even after adding it, it didn’t do enough to bring the sandwich together. Maybe we chose the wrong bread too (mish mosh bagel)? When we make vegan egg at home, we use black salt, and this could’ve used a pinch. The salami was a good effort but it had more of a bready texture instead of the bite/chew we were hoping for. 4/10 I realize my palate might lean more savory than the next person, but I believe all food must be properly seasoned. A pinch of salt here, a little more acid there, and a touch more toasty, and it would’ve been bliss. I also think that our experience was affected by taking out rather than dining in. Still, I am looking forward to when we can come back to Chicago and stop by to try other items on the menu!

Delicious! My friend and mine’s meals were quickly and well prepared, and you can tell the staff and owner really enjoy bringing awesome high quality food to the neighborhood.

Levin-Reuben, Reuben Latke, Just egg bagel, and extra bagel. The eggs in the just egg bagel needs a holding ingredient and more flavor. It's too crumbly and gets everywhere. Otherwise a great sandwich. The pastrami and corned beef was a bit mushy in the Levin and Latke. Perhaps they should cook the meat a bit longer. Also both meets were under-seasoned, especially the pastrami. The sauerkraut was too much and overwhelming. The sandwiches would've been great without the sauerkraut, if it had more 1000 island dressing, and more cheese. The 1000 island saved half the day, unfortunately we did not have enough. One last thing. I can't remember with sandwich had the toasted sandwich bread, but I do remember the edges being toasted hard enough to hurt my gums. 3 stars for each sandwich. Although they have 3 stars from me I actually would recommend this place considering all they have to do is season the meat better, cook it longer, find a way to get the egg not to crumble and add more flavor. The sauerkraut I would just ask them not to include and I'd ask for more cheese. With those changes I'd give them 5 stars.

We came here to try a vegan Jewish bakery! The backstory is very inspiring! We really enjoyed our food. Had the Ruben like so many recommended and the cheddar and brócoli ball. They were both good. I’d come back if in Chicago again. Only down side is it’s only open on the weekends so a little hard to catch them open. Idk if it’s a Chicago thing but the to go containers while eating in was different for us. Service was great

Great menu! Bagels are delicious, as are the cream cheezes (the dill pickle and giardinara were super tasty). The potato salad is so comforting - the classic red potato salad of my dreams. All their sandwiches are packed and flavorful. Their biscotti is one of my favorite things that I have to grab every time I'm there. On top of the delicious baked goods they sell, they have big, fluffy & delicious donuts. This is your sign to go.

I do not understand a model that allows a restaurant to be open for 10 hours a week, but I'm no businessperson. The food was fantastic. The staff was incredibly friendly. Seating area is quite small, but they work with the space they've got. I'll be back often. Best donut I've ever had.

Wow. Been vegan for two years and have been craving deli meat / cold cuts. I got the pastrami style sandwich and the club and both were phenomenal but the pastrami takes the cake for sure. 10/10 I wish I learned about it sooner.

I was on a work trip to Bolingbrook but one of things I made a priority was to stop here on my last day. I've been a vegan for 8 years and grew up in a Jewish household. I thought it really exciting that somebody was catering to a niche demographic that doesn't get a lot of love. The idea was exciting but the place met and exceeded all my expectations: everything was made fresh, the food was excellent, the service was great as well (thank you Ashanti for elevating my experience). It made me very happy to enjoy some food that I originally thought I needed to sacrifice for the greater good. I will be coming back!

The service here seemed unwelcoming. Not sure if the cashier did not, for whatever reason, like me individually; but, I definitely noticed an obvious difference in her attitude in exchanges with other customers. Food was alright. It was fresh, expensive, and I tipped appropriately, but I don’t see myself coming back here. Overheard that there was perhaps a change in location/staffing from their original location prior to Covid? Maybe the original service was better.

I 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!

Great selection of vegan deli treats. Bit of a wait because it looks like they do a lot of carry-out and delivery, but that just gave me more time to peruse. Got the Levin Rueben (good) and the Donna’s Plotzker, which made me reminisce about an old friend who passed away a few years ago (that was her name). It was great. Brought home the bagels and I can’t wait to try. Love the neighborhood too and look forward to visiting again, this time sitting outside.

This is a neighborhood gem. Great vegan food—including gluten-free friendly—and cute setting. The staff are also very nice at attentive.

I ordered the Dexter Davidson sandwich and it was so amazing!! One of the best vegan sandwiches I’ve had. Really amazing hangover breakfast. Definitely try this place!

Sam and Gertie's was super tasty. I had the smoked white fish salad and it tasted so good. The texture was perfect and the flavors were on point. The challah was slightly toasted and paired very well with the salad. I will hands down return to eat here again. Delicious and high quality food.

I don’t know where to begin. The only vegan Jewish Deli in town and they nailed it. You will have a hard time choosing something only because it’s all so good. Had the The BayKin, Klasish latkes, and potato salad for lunch and I wanted to go back for dinner. Everyone is totally on their A game, very clean and they take COVID seriously. Outside patio available to wait while they get your food ready. Can’t wait to try everything on the menu!

I absolutely love going to Jewish deli’s! It is a highlight of my trip when I get to go to a proper deli and have delicious food. Well, in the last few years that has been difficult with being vegan and finding deli deliciousness…NOT ANYMORE! Sam & Gertie’s was amazing! I got the Baykin and I was in heaven. They were so kind and I had to have some egg salad …ummm eggless salad. 4 years ago I was sad to say goodbye to egg salad when I had to go vegan, but now I can say “Hello again old friend!” The eggless salad is wonderful and worth every moment of splendor I had while devouring it! To anyone who has stopped by, I ask why not? The staff was very friendly, the seats clean, the establishment warm, and the food phenomenal! Thank you so much for giving me a reason to brave the elements in the morning!

Beyond amazing place! Staff are friendly and very kind. Everything I have tried off the menu has been fantastic and portions are very generous! I’ve been vegan for 7 years and strawberry cream cheese is one of the foods I have missed the most. Theirs certainly does not disappoint (and is available for purchase in large tubs!). If you go you must get one of the donuts, they are huge and all the flavors are great.