Print
E-mail
Comment
A taste of Chicago
  
|
By Brad Meyer
The inability to get a good corned beef sandwich anywhere in Montgomery County convinced a Chicago restaurateur to come out of retirement and resume his lifelong trade in Conroe.
After more than 35 years of restaurant and foodservice experience in Chicago, Ed Siegelman sold Siegelman’s Chicago Deli and retired to April Sound with wife Bonnie. Missing the great tastes of his hometown and recognizing an opportunity, he’s jumping back into the business.
“Chicago is known as a great restaurant town,” he said, “but what is common up north can’t be found here at any price.”
The result is Siegelman’s of Chicago, specializing in Vienna Beef products including natural casing and skinless hot dogs, Italian beef, Polish sausage, corned beef, breads, buns and condiments. The eatery, located at 13080 Texas 105, is opening for business this week after a month-long delay.
“We were originally going to open a Vienna grocery and sell frozen foods that could be prepared at home,” said the personable and gregarious Chicagoan. “But so many people told us they wanted to be able to get ready to eat sandwiches. So we altered the plan.”
Patrons can still purchase frozen Vienna products, but they can also get authentic Chicago hot dogs, Italian beef and Polish sausage ready to eat.
“A lot of folks who have stopped by have never heard of Vienna products or Chicago-style hot dogs,” said Bonnie. “But once they try them, they love them.”
Siegelman’s Italian beef sandwich is a prime example. To the uninitiated, the description is comparable to a French dip sandwich. Ed is quick to point out the difference is night and day.
“It’s thinly sliced beef on a special hoagie roll that is dipped in a seasoned au jus and topped with Giardinera relish,” he said. “It’s big, extremely sloppy and delicious.”
Breads, rolls and buns are a big part of the flavor, according to Siegelman. All of his breads come from Chicago as well, including the Rosen’s rye bread used in his corned beef sandwiches.
“You don’t put ketchup on a hot dog and you never serve corned beef on white bread,” he said. “The difference is in the ingredients and the combinations of flavors.”
A Chicago-style hot dog, for example, comes with bright green relish, chopped onions, sport peppers, mustard and a pickle wedge, served on a steamed Vienna poppy seed bun.
In addition to his line of frozen foods and prepared sandwiches, Siegelman will offer party trays and catering options for group events and special activities.
While the cost for Vienna products is slightly higher than comparable products, where they exist locally, Siegelman believes the quality justifies the modest increase once customers have tasted the difference.
“We didn’t even have a restaurant sign up, just the Vienna Beef logo taped in the window,” said Siegelman. “People driving by recognized it and stopped by. I take that as a very good sign.”
Restaurant hours have not been finalized yet, though Siegelman anticipates being open Monday through Saturday. For information, call (936) 588-5009.
At a glance
Siegelman’s of Chicago, a small specialty restaurant and grocery, offers an extensive line of authentic Vienna Beef products from Chicago, including Vienna hotdogs, Italian beef, Polish sausage, corned beef, breads, buns and condiments. For information, visit them at 13080 Texas 105 or call (936) 588-5009.
After more than 35 years of restaurant and foodservice experience in Chicago, Ed Siegelman sold Siegelman’s Chicago Deli and retired to April Sound with wife Bonnie. Missing the great tastes of his hometown and recognizing an opportunity, he’s jumping back into the business.
“Chicago is known as a great restaurant town,” he said, “but what is common up north can’t be found here at any price.”
The result is Siegelman’s of Chicago, specializing in Vienna Beef products including natural casing and skinless hot dogs, Italian beef, Polish sausage, corned beef, breads, buns and condiments. The eatery, located at 13080 Texas 105, is opening for business this week after a month-long delay.
“We were originally going to open a Vienna grocery and sell frozen foods that could be prepared at home,” said the personable and gregarious Chicagoan. “But so many people told us they wanted to be able to get ready to eat sandwiches. So we altered the plan.”
Patrons can still purchase frozen Vienna products, but they can also get authentic Chicago hot dogs, Italian beef and Polish sausage ready to eat.
“A lot of folks who have stopped by have never heard of Vienna products or Chicago-style hot dogs,” said Bonnie. “But once they try them, they love them.”
Siegelman’s Italian beef sandwich is a prime example. To the uninitiated, the description is comparable to a French dip sandwich. Ed is quick to point out the difference is night and day.
“It’s thinly sliced beef on a special hoagie roll that is dipped in a seasoned au jus and topped with Giardinera relish,” he said. “It’s big, extremely sloppy and delicious.”
Breads, rolls and buns are a big part of the flavor, according to Siegelman. All of his breads come from Chicago as well, including the Rosen’s rye bread used in his corned beef sandwiches.
“You don’t put ketchup on a hot dog and you never serve corned beef on white bread,” he said. “The difference is in the ingredients and the combinations of flavors.”
A Chicago-style hot dog, for example, comes with bright green relish, chopped onions, sport peppers, mustard and a pickle wedge, served on a steamed Vienna poppy seed bun.
In addition to his line of frozen foods and prepared sandwiches, Siegelman will offer party trays and catering options for group events and special activities.
While the cost for Vienna products is slightly higher than comparable products, where they exist locally, Siegelman believes the quality justifies the modest increase once customers have tasted the difference.
“We didn’t even have a restaurant sign up, just the Vienna Beef logo taped in the window,” said Siegelman. “People driving by recognized it and stopped by. I take that as a very good sign.”
Restaurant hours have not been finalized yet, though Siegelman anticipates being open Monday through Saturday. For information, call (936) 588-5009.
At a glance
Siegelman’s of Chicago, a small specialty restaurant and grocery, offers an extensive line of authentic Vienna Beef products from Chicago, including Vienna hotdogs, Italian beef, Polish sausage, corned beef, breads, buns and condiments. For information, visit them at 13080 Texas 105 or call (936) 588-5009.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. Comments to stories and articles on the Web site are not edited or pre-approved before appearing online. Readers posting comments are solely responsible for those comments. Comments must be germane to the story to which they apply. Online comments that are libelous, profane or personally attack another site participant can be reported as abuse using the link provided on each comment. Comments reported as abusive will be reviewed and may be removed from view, as will off-topic comments. BE CIVIL. Individuals continually posting abusive comments to the site may have their registrations revoked. |
Reader Comments
aduffsmith wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:40 PM:
" Siegelman's is located at 13080 Hwy 105 West in the South Lake Plaza strip shopping center. Located just east of Living Branch Church. Other companies in the strip are: Debbie's Steak House, Fine Amish Furniture, Community Bank, Beltone Hearing Aids. About 5 miles west of conroe. Great sandwiches! "
ikswalps wrote on Dec 6, 2008 8:47 AM:
" I can't wait to try their stuff...it all sounds delicious. Having grown up in Chicago, I agree that the food is outstanding. The weather here can not be compared in any way to Chicago. Thus, I am here, but still wish for some of the tastes from The Windy City. "
mailmrmel wrote on Feb 24, 2009 10:26 AM:
" I went there yesterday to try it out and when i first walked in it was small but looked like it was a good place to eat. We were meet by the two owners and they described each one of their sandwiches and hot dogs to us. The wait was about 3-5 min, if that, and the food was AMAZING!!! I have never tasted a sandwich like it. I got the Italian Beef and my boyfriend got the Rueben and there were both awesome. There is no other place to go around here that has these sandwiches. I cant wait to try the hot dogs they look really good. They also have Dr. Brown soda from Chicago and it the best!!
It is located by Purple Rain and Debbie's Steak House it is also right next door is a liquor store. The sign is small and a little hard to see but they have a red and yellow umbrella outside. They are not open on sudays as of now and they are open from Mon-Fri till 7pm and on Sat till 6pm. "
It is located by Purple Rain and Debbie's Steak House it is also right next door is a liquor store. The sign is small and a little hard to see but they have a red and yellow umbrella outside. They are not open on sudays as of now and they are open from Mon-Fri till 7pm and on Sat till 6pm. "
Whiskyecho wrote on Nov 23, 2008 7:03 AM:
Perhaps I don't know what a "good corned beef sandwich" tastes like but Jason's, in the Woodlands Mall area, makes one that tastes good to me.
I'll be sure to stop and give 'em a try - if I can find it...
Does anyone have better directions to their location - other than 13080 Hwy 105 ? "