I worked part-time after High School for Wally's Deli in the Milk Pail, which was 5 blocks from my house, for 4 years, most nights but some weekends too.
It was a great job and great pay, especially for a high school student. Wally and Steve were nice people to work for. We cooked the best brisket corned beef around, 15 at a time in the back room of the deli. We were allowed to eat anything we wanted from the deli for free, except for the Lox and Smoked Chubs (fish), which I ate nearly every night for 4 years. They knew!
Rosens Rye Bread was delivered into a locked box in the back of the building, every morning around 4 o'clock. They were so hot, you needed gloves to handle the loaves. Chopped chicken liver was another customer favorite, along with their meat, cheese, or fish Lazy Susan Trays, many tray orders were for 4 or more trays.
Two summers in a row, Wally found me a part-time day job with one of his restauranteur friends. One was a fast-paced breakfast and lunch restaurant downtown which had a deli/sandwich counter. Another job was with the "Bagle Nosh" which was on Rush Street.
Wally was always upbeat and treated everybody kindly. You knew he was genuine because Steve was just like his Dad.
Not to be confused with the Milk Pail Restaurant in Dundee, Illinois.
Copyright © Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.
My husband and I used to frequent the Milk Pail every Sunday morninng during the first year we were married, August 1989, while living in our first apartment in southeast Evanston. We went for the excellent smoked chubs, cream cheese and bagels. We moved to Des Plaines, IL in September 1990 and that ended our regular visits. Many, many fond memories!
ReplyDeleteI worked at the milk pail from 1965-1968,when the owner was Art Blanche. Louie Geske was the manager.
ReplyDeleteI worked there after school off and on from 1968-73-do you remember tom the night manager,ralph and Perry-the day staff and more or Maury who said he worked at the board of trade-joel weissman
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