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Montrose Deli
Category: Restaurants Delis Delis [Edit]
5411 W Montrose Ave(between Linder Ave & Long Ave)
Chicago, IL 60641
Neighbourhood: Portage Park
(773) 725-6123
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 10 pm
Sun 8 am - 8 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
23 reviews for Montrose Deli
Review Highlights
23 reviews in English
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Review from M B.
Chicago, IL
3/28/2012
the best deli ever - mostly polish product, but not only,
fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, fishes, a lot of products,
very profesional, nice and helpfull people,
a lot of parking + additional parking -
Review from Jon G.
Chicago, IL
4/3/2012
I moved to Portage Park about a month ago, and I live literally RIGHT next door to the deli. There's the deli, the parking lot, a small chain link fence that's falling over, a sidewalk, and then the apartment building I live in.
Not only is it a great place to run and pick up some Prince Polos when you're dying, or some milk when your cereal's a liiiiittle too dry. Good selection of fresh produce. I especially like their jam / jelly selection. Been all over their plum jam lately, oooooh boy.
They also have the cheapest cigarettes in the area. I work in Wheeling, so whenever I get a chance I'll drive north and buy some cigarettes over in Lake County, but if I run out I can get smokes there for $7.75 a pack (for Basics, definitely not my first choice, but they get the job done if you're in a bind). Kwik Mart down the street is $9.50/pack, the 711 down Central are $10.50/pack. Typically try to avoid paying that much, but sometimes on those drinking nights you under-anticipate how much smoking'll be done.
Which leads me to the only reason I'm giving them a 4 star. These guys gotta get some booze!
As a side note, and a plus that I've yet to get tired of, and don't see it happening any time soon. Sitting on the back balcony area watching the parking lot from a bird's eye view. On average I'd say I see between two and five "bumps" a week. The overly cautious are the best, though. Reverse, go forward, can clear it but would be tight..... reverse. Go forward, can clear it with ease. Reverse, can DEFINITELY clear the turn, about to do it...... somebody else pulls in front of them. They reverse. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Priceless. -
Review from David G.
Chicago, IL
3/21/2012
I just moved to Portage Park a few months ago and I am happy to adopt Montrose Deli as my neighborhood store.
The selection isn't huge, but it almost always meets my needs for the usual staple fruits and vegetables, milk, canned goods and the guilty pleasures like ice cream and polish pastries that regular people jones for on some random night. The prices are excellent. Case in point, I remember making tiramisu one night and I was short on marscapone. A half pound tub at Montrose Deli was $3. At a large chain grocery store the same brand would have cost me $5.
Another great thing about this place is it's open at 7:00 AM. Forget an ingredient for breakfast? No problem! Need some milk at 9pm? No problem! They close at 10PM. This isn't a place you would drive five miles to visit, but if you live in the Portage Park area, give Montrose Deli a whirl. -
Review from Wanda O.
Chicago, IL
3/21/2012
Montrose Deli sucks. The workers are rude and racist if you do not speak Polish they will not look at you. The lines are long and the customers bump you with their carts. I was at the deli they wouldn't call my number I couldn't get service at all I was waiting in the line for a very long time so I gave up. They have no selection at all I had to go to Jewel. The prices are not that good. I don't know why these people think their princes are good.
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Review from Amanda F.
Chicago, IL
9/8/2011
I'm used to Western markets, even small ones. This one is tightly packed into its spacing. It's usually very busy- people everywhere around you and no personal space at all. Has a huge fresh meat case at the back. Go later in the evening unless you want to fight the crowds.
I LOVE their to-go area. As a Masters student with almost zero time to cook (although I CAN cook, quite well) their to go area is amazing and cheaper than dirt. A pint of mushroom soup or lazanki (cabbage with pasta and bacon and heaven?) are each less than $2 (as of 9/8/2011.) They have an astounding array of butters and a really awesome cake/torte area. The clerks and most people in the store only speak Polish unless they hear you speak English and then they flip to English for you. I don't speak Polish, but that store is open till 10, and so I can go when I direly need study fuel. -
Review from Pamela P.
5/23/2011
You cannot beat the prices here--especially not on the deli meats and cheeses. There's typically a long line at the counter but the number tag system works well and the the microphones are linked throughout the store so you can finish your shopping while you wait for your number to be called. There's also many people manning the counter and so it goes really fast. The veggies and fruit selection are good and you can't beat the desserts and fresh breads. I'd also recommend the soups at lunchtime--and they're homemade.
Whenever I come to visit my mom, this is my go-to place for most of my groceries. You won't be disappointed, and, you'll save a lot of money too! -
Review from Mark S.
Chicago, IL
6/19/2008
The northwest side has a ton of options in small, independent Polish grocery stores. Most tend to emphasize one part of the grocery experience more than the others (at Gorsky's or Ideal it's the bakery, at Gene's it's all about the deli counter, etc). Montrose is the best, all-around, balanced, all-purpose neighborhood grocer of them all.
So with a nice selection of just about everything, a person who lived near by could do all of their food shopping here and not miss out on much of anything, and never need to take a separate trip for their fruit juice or whatever. That's saying a lot for such a small store.
As others have said, the place is always busy, and they have a parking lot across the street. I really do love the place, but they get knocked off one star for the snotty communist way they treated me when I wanted to order a couple of trays of kanapki for a party and they were too busy to do it because of Easter. I get it that everyone there speaks Polish as a first language, and I probably should have known that Easter's a big deal for Poles, but that's no reason to treat me like some kind of troublemaker for asking in English. Oh well, I still shop here sometimes on my way home... it's a good place. -
Review from Tom M.
Chicago, IL
11/25/2008
Bountiful selection in the meat counter, staffed entirely by beautiful Polish women - woo hoo!
Really a cool NW side ethnic grover - lots of good Polish items. For me, it's all about the meat counter/butcher section. Sausuages, meats, prepared goodies galore!
Watch out for that crazy curb divider thing in the curb cut-out if using the parking lot across the street. I drove right over it in my SUV, but folks in regular size vehicles might not get off as lucky as I did! -
Review from John F.
10/8/2006
Name sounds generic, but the clientele and much of the food is thoruighly Polish. Great Polish ham and sausage, nice salads and pierogi, and very good reasonable meet. Aisles have lots of Polish and European pantry items and there is also a small but decent produce section. Prices are extremely reasonable.
One draaback is that they are so successful they need to expand -- tiny aisles are claustrophobic when it's busy. -
Review from Rick F.
4/12/2008 1 Check-in Here
Authentic polish deli and grocery store!
I love this place the deli counter is amazing if you can get past all the old polish women without getting pushed, shoved or slapped! Just Kidding!
The prices are amazing, the produce fresh. The fresh baked rolls are delicious. I love the variety of polish sausages and deli meats.Listed in: Jefferson Park
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Review from tristin m.
Chicago, IL
9/3/2007
This place is small and the aisles are tight but the prices are good and the produce is in good shape too!
If you grab your cart and just zig zag your way through to the other end of the store to the register, you'll be fine and won't have to play bumper carts with everyone else. -
Review from Renka R.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 8/17/2011
New shopping carts !!! I can have my baby safe while I'm shopping.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/30/2011
I like their food. I am costumer for very long time. In summer the food goes bad very quickly,… Read more »
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Review from Renee P.
Chicago, IL
2/8/2009
This is a good Polish shop. You wouldn't know it by the sign though. The produce is stunning and really clean. The store is neat. NO ONE speaks any English, which is ok, but they don't even know the English names of their own products, so be prepared for a lot of pointing.
The only draw back is that I didn't like their periogis- potato and cheese or mushroom and cabbage. Which was really disappointing, and I couldn't really tell you why, the dough is a bit mushy and the fillings are lack luster. Also the "smoked Polish sausage" was a bit dry. But I'm really a critic having grown up with home made peirogis and great sausages for the holidays. -
Review from Robert S.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2011 13 Check-ins Here
Whether you are Polish or not you will find lots to love here. Yes I am Polish American 3rd generation. There are so many things to eat here just take your time and enjoy
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Review from ROSIE V.
Chicago, IL
1/30/2009
I'm a little mixed about this place. I was a little put off by the SECURITY standing in front of the registers when you walk in. The purpose of my visit today was Oranges. I walk straight to their mini produce section. I was immediately turned off by the lighting. I felt like a blind person picking oranges. The price was great, but I couldn't SEE what I was getting. AnyHOW, I walked by the CROWDED deli counter and heard all the comotion (in Polish) so, I didn't bother really checking it out. I waited in a long line (I had 3 items and the person in front of me had a shopping-cart full) so I expected a little courtesy, "go ahead" NOT. I figured waiting wouldn't kill me ... here comes a girl and announces something in POLISH ... I step over (relief) and pay for my 3 items.
I'd give this place another chance, as the person in front of me and the people in line around me had great items ... anyhow, if you don't speak Polish your in a disadvantage... if you have the patience, check it out.
I'd go back. -
Review from Agnes M.
Vernon Hills, IL
4/9/2006
This place is amazing, becuase the business is so great (a strong polish community) the meat is always fresh and the place is always buzzing (especially around the time of big polish/catholic holidays). Even stopping in here for some great pastries (their sweet poppy seed buns are great) and fresh bread with real butter (not the tub o' margerine stuff) will leave you pleased.
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Review from B S.
Chicago, IL
12/17/2010
I can dig it!!! Good quality stuff!!
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Review from Robert L.
Los Angeles, CA
9/30/2005 1 photo
This is a quality produce market/deli that also has a decent amount of general grocery items. They are Polish owned and operated and have alot of Polish products as well as American products. It can get crowded at times. I don't speak Polish, but for those that do it would helpful.
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Review from Dawn A.
Chicago, IL
3/15/2010
The quantity and variety of smoked sausages, hams, and pork is incredible and very fresh due to a robust Polish customer base that's make this place it's daily shopping destination. That's not to say that the turkey isn't great too (many types to choose from) or other deli meats/cheeses. This is a meat/poultry shop with about 10 deli ladies actively slicing, packaging the customer requests. The deli counter is swamped (some jostling to see the selections) but take a number and you will receive SERVICE. What a concept. It's worth some patience. FYI, just order some cheese slices and be amazed at how it is packaged with care as it should be to retain freshness. OH, did I mention prices....CHEAP! I will never by deli at Jewel/Dominicks ever again.
Here's some of my other favorites:
Breads of all grain types and even some baked on site
Homemade soups...so good and in containers for home reheating
Polish pastries...fresh daily
Produce is beautiful if not "shiny".
Last bit of advice. Don't over buy and you will be tempted to given the price and selection. Just come back week to week. Enjoy Yelpers! -
Review from Handyman Rich E.
Chicago, IL
7/7/2007
English is optional here. Few of the labels and none of the conversation is in English. Even when they call out the numbers @ the deli counter, you don't hear any English. The parking lot is always packed, and frequently clogs traffic on Montrose. Not being terribly grocery store literate, I guess the prices & value & freshness are ok. This place is a fine example of how someone can survive perfectly well in America without being able to speak English. I think that's a good thing, although my French ancestors may not agree.
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Review from Dorotka K.
Franklin Park, IL
6/4/2010
Sadly, this deli is now very much out of my way since I moved to Franklin Park. It is very crowded and tiny, but packed with goodies. The deli meats are always fresh and the cheeses incredible. The homemade salmon spread is absolutely awesome.
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Review from Robyn C.
1/12/2010 13 Check-ins Here
My BF and I try to make it here every weekend to pick up fresh deli foods for the week. They go through their deli meats so fast, so you know it's pretty fresh. I love their assortment of sausages that hang from the back wall of their deli area. If you have great timing, they have fresh bread right from the oven that smells spectacular. You don't have to speak Polish, but it helps to have someone with you that can if you don't. Their Hunter Stew is great too and cheap!
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Review from Jen M.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2009
Small but solid grocery with an outstanding deli section. Brush up on your Polish, as the numbers for the deli counter are called out in Polish. Great meat selection.
