Over the decades, Manny’s Deli has become a hub for Chicago politics.
Manny’s Deli continues to be a mainstay on Election Day.
Local leaders said, a stop on Election Day is practically required for candidates on the campaign trail.
On any given day, the line at Manny’s Deli stretches out the door. But on Election Day, the crowd isn’t just hungry for pastrami: It’s full of politicians, campaign staff and political insiders.
“It’s not just for the food. It’s for people to be able to say hello to each other, to be able to bring their camps together, to be able to support the candidates that we have on the ticket,” 26th Ward Ald. Jessie Fuentes said.
The restaurant has been in Ken Raskin’s family since his grandfather opened it in 1942, building a reputation serving classic Jewish deli favorites.
“Corned beef with pastrami sandwich, matzah ball soup, potato pancakes,” Raskin said. “It started with David Axelrod. He used to come in here; my father befriended him. He felt very comfortable here.”
Raskin says Axelrod made the deli his office.
Soon, former President Barack Obama was a regular, taking a victory lap there after first being elected in 2008.
It’s become such a chance to network that former Secretary of State Jesse White jokes it’s noticeable who’s not there.
“You will be missed. And you will be reprimanded,” White said.
Raskin says he’s glad the deli is part of a tradition: one he hopes will continue in the hands of his son, Dan, the fourth generation to run the restaurant.
Even though Raskin handed over the reigns, he says it’s all-hands-on-deck for Election Day.
“Let me put it this way, I blocked out my shared calendar with my wife, no trips this week,” Raskin said.
Manny’s is proof that sometimes some of the biggest political conversations don’t happen in City Hall, but instead, over a corned beef sandwich.
