Take a step back with us in history - to a snowy January in 1982....

With an initial investment of $10,000, the dream of a young man, who washed dishes at 14 in a restaurant in Albany, New York became a reality. From the State University of New York and the Culinary Institute of America, he came to the YWCA Kitchen at 37 South Wabash where it all began, right there on the third floor: Perry's Deli made its very first sandwich - a corned beef on rye selling for $3.50. Down the hall from the kitchen was the "office," in reality a janitor's slop sink room, where Perry had to put his chair on top of the desk in order to lock the door. But for $500 a month, Perry's Deli had a downtown address and a place to call home. Since the business was strictly delivery, decor was of no consequence.
Earnest and Perry
In 1986, Perry's Deli opened its doors at 130 North Franklin seating 24, and in six months, expanded to accommodate its present 65. All the food was still being prepared at the main kitchen, 37 South Wabash, and transported to the Franklin Street location. A year later, the Art Institute bought the South Wabash building and Perry's moved its operations center to 55 East Washington.
A small cardboard sign answered his customer's frequent question, "Which one is your favorite?" Today, that same corned beef, jack cheese, cole slaw, and russian dressing combination (#24, shown on homepage) is the second most popular sandwich on the menu (turkey is #1). "Perry's Favorite" has even been requested, by name, at other establishments! The newest sandwich on the menu, "Fred McSchnauzer's Cold Meat Loaf," is from the recipe of his best friend, his wife. Pick a card any card...
In 1990, the Washington Street operation merged into 130 North Franklin. Finally, everything was in one place! For almost seven years, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., people came and went, telling their friends where to find the "Biggest and Best Sandwiches in Chicago." Then, upon returning from the annual vacation in 1997 (the store is closed between Christmas and New Years) the landlord informed Perry that the building was to be torn down later that year.

Today, a block north, slightly larger and brand spanking new, Perry's Deli welcomes its dignitaries - people like you who come in and order sandwiches - just like it always has, by putting your pictures up on the Celebrity Board. In other words, it moved, not changed.

Is this your card? The morning regulars are occasionally called upon to get their own coffee or change while a heated political debate ensues. Don and Roma, the morning team at WLS radio, are on, and the atmosphere resembles a private club, complete with heckling and insider jokes. During lunch, in between filling orders, Perry pulls a microphone down from overhead, toots a train whistle and - for "a stale pastry of your choice" - tries to stump the crowd with trivia questions on rock 'n roll, art history, political science, or literature. They come, he says, from reading, research, or pure folly.
The restaurant has been featured in both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times. It's been named "the official delicatessen of WLS," and last year TV show Wild Chicago discovered what you already know - the sandwiches at Perry's Deli really are the biggest and the best, just like the heart of the guy who makes them. ~ Carol A. Myers

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