Catering By Once Upon

TBR, The Brutal Review, an eat-and-tell about a really good deli whose soups I can't wait to try. 6/14/2022: First visit. I only bought some nice, soft, big, doughy, pleasingly mild-flavored onion and garlic bagels. They were very-very-good enough for a return. Staff was genuinely great: polite, honest in their recommendations, and overall nice people. Quip: printed catering menu was available but regular menu was only displayed (a) on the chalkboard behind the workers and (b) the website, via pdf.

Staff apologized for not having hard copies out. 6/16/2022: Second visit. The following were ordered: Hot lean corned beef on a pumpernickel bagel and Hot turkey pastrami on rye, each NY style, specifically with mustard packets but sans slaw, salad and pickle; Breakfast sandwich with egg, ham, bacon and the default American "cheese" (I forgot to ask for cheddar, or Swiss, or Muenster, or.); Potato pancakes which came with a side of applesauce; and Cajun curly fries.

Service just as excellent as the prior visit. Quips: mustard packets were missing. But s'alright: we have our own mustard at home, and I'm the only one who ever wants it. So that leaves the menu, which was still only available on the chalkboard and pdf. Wattayagonnado. I planned my order from a laptop on the 15th, anyway. The NY sandwiches were truly NY style, packed tightly and very thick with loads of meat.

Those and everything else tasted very good, especially the rye bread, which had a wonderfully robust flavor. N.B. not all rye is created equal and this rye definitely makes the cut. That rye was pretty soft due to sweating during the drive home. As for the meats, we prefer lean beef despite the extra fatty flavor one gets from regular. And the turkey pastrami was a bit dry but maybe its seasoning made it seem that way.

Maybe it was just more genuine turkey than what Hillshire Farm offers because it's from a deli, and more genuine turkey is dryer. All of us preferred that turkey to even the corned beef because we like our meats light and its flavor was best, which is funny considering that fattier corned beef is /supposed/ to offer more flavor. S'all personal preference.

The Cajun curlies were well but not really Cajun seasoned, which is what I would expect if I were ordering something like that from the Carnegie in the aughts. That was a nice, '70s-style joint. It had apple juice! The potato pancake was what I truly enjoyed. It's the thickest I have encountered in my lifetime. And it's crispy on the outside and smooth and fluffy(!) without potato chunks on the inside.

I just never had it like this before. I'm used to thinner items from the grocery freezer or pancake houses, in each case with tiny, chunky potato cubes inside a crusty exterior. That makes them more like hash browns, but hey, fooling in advertising. I got used to this real version real fast and thoroughly enjoyed it. Leftovers, i.e., how does the 6/16/2022 order hold up after the fridge: 6/17/2022 day and eve: just as good. Microwaved those Cajun curly fries with our home mustard - putting the mustard on top before, not after, microwaving - and they were better with than without. Tip: by adding the mustard I did away with the need to re-fry or -bake these curlies.

The last of the sandwiches was a bit of the corned beef, which was also good and went great with that mustard which no one in my household likes but me. (So to the ketchup cage for you, Boo.) 6/18/2022 breakfast: last of the order, one potato pancake with a side of applesauce. Placed two fried over-medium eggs over that last pancake, which I had microwaved.

Great and maybe even better if I fried or baked the pancake. This was not a cooking show; I just wanted to eat. The applesauce was pretty sweet. It complimented the pancake's flavor nicely.

Food is typically good when they get it right. Three times in a row you've screwed up the order. Our office is done ordering for awhile. Ordered $70 worth of breakfast food and they forgot a breakfast sandwich. Gave us $9 credit for that so we decided to order lunch the following week. You didn't write down that we were owed a credit so they didn't give it to us and then proceeded to forget to include the cucumber salad we ordered and paid for.

Couple weeks later an employee was really wanting a wrap. Asked no tomato or cheese, guess what's on it? Asked for no pickle on the sandwich because of allergies, pickle right on top ruining both halves of the sandwich. I hate to write a bad review, but doesn't the saying go three strikes your out?

Stopped by for a late lunch one Tuesday. Service was very attentive and our food was out in just a few minutes. All of it was hot and delicious. Will definitely return when in the area again.

Feels like a cross between a greasy spoon and a Jewish deli. The menu is definitely large - you've got a pick of Mexican cuisine, sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs, and breakfast specialities among other things. I appreciate the portion sizes, the customer service, and roominess of the place. I went with a spicy chicken wrap with Cajun fries. While the meal fills you up, I feel it really wasn't all that spicy.

I expected more of a kick to the flavoring. The chicken could have been a bit more crisp too- of course I figured it wouldn't be a fried wrap. I still recommend this place highly, but you're probably better off with the breakfast food.

This restaurant has the power to gauge anytime they can. They sell items "way over the top" prices, their store next door is notorious for charging too much per item. Their food is just fair, depending who is behind the counter.

If you blink you might miss it on Dundee Rd. Food is always amazing. Staff is friendly. Recommend the Mexican food. Great for take out when you don't want to get food from 2-3 different places. They have everything. From tacos, tortas, matzo ball soup, lox plate, to pastries. Pastries baked in house. Recommend it!

Went there for dinner last week--how did I not know they had Mexican food in addition to everything else? The tacos were delicious; the grilled fish ones were outstanding--super light, not greasy and (maybe?) even healthy. Francisco waited on us and was so outgoing, friendly and welcoming. We will be back!

I've been a happy customer coming here for many years and never had anything I didn't enjoy. The food here has always been served fresh and delicious! I particularly would recommend their soft bagels and many cream cheeses as well as the Matzo Ball Soup (pictured) and the Gourmet Everything Flatbread Matzos. The Mish Mosh soup is also delicious! My go-to for authentic Jewish cuisine! They've earned my highest recommendation and so glad they survived the pandemic.

Great menu variety- so much to choose from and the food was good. The personnel were pleasant. I definitely will be back.

Food is pretty predictable, always good; fresh ingredients and well made. Service is less so predictable, usually top notch; today my order taker was easily distracted, not able to hear me, and got the order slightly wrong. As usual, the folks running the food orders and bussing tables were excellent. Nice outdoor seating.

I picked up a beautiful fish tray today. Have you had them on the tray was delicious. It was a ton of food, and all of the salads bagels and everything we got from there was perfect. I know where I'm going in the future whenever I want to host a brunch!

I'm a huge fan of the Once Upon A chain, namely for their matzo ball soup! Their bagels here are also fantastic. This place is usually busy and tends to have slower service, but the baked goods, soup, and bagels are well worth it! Just a heads up--I accidentally stopped here instead of Once Upon A Deli! Both are great but in the same strip mall, which can be a bit confusing if you are visiting for the first time!

Completely ridiculous! The pastrami and corned beef is off the scale great. The combo Reuben is literally one of the best sandwiches you'll ever have anywhere.

First time eating there today. Went for breakfast with a friend and the food was outstanding. Would definitely recommend.

As a member of the local Fire Department we want to thank you for your food donation! The sandwiches were AMAZING! Thank you for making our day in these tough times!

This spot is some of the best traditional deli food and breakfasts you can get. Any time I'm craving a bagel, matzoball soup, or any jewish deli type food, this place is my first go-to!

Haven't been here in a while. They have a full menu of Mexican good. I ended u on a steaming cup of delicious elote with a big container of kreplack matzo and vegetable. Broth was to salty kreplach was excellent. I'm excited to come back and try it. Nice looking menu

Fresh and delicious! Prepared so beautifully, too! I am so glad you are open again. The pickup was seamless. The portions are a great size, too. We loved the food, and the bagels are so good, too.

I am very disgusted with this restaurant. They are price gouging customers. Stopped there yesterday to find a sign on the window stating that we can call the phone number listed and order. When we did I asked about certain items and the prices. I was so shocked that I hung up on the woman who had answered. A pound of corned beef is $20.00 a pound, a rye bread is $10.00 and it goes on with these inflated prices.

How dare they do this in this time of need. We will never frequent their restaurants ever again. The Geffen family are the owners and I hope they go bankrupt, they would deserve it. Carol T.

An amazing staple in Northbook. Even though you wouldn't necessarily think of this location for any type of Mexican food, I've been coming here for Huevos Rancheros for years, and it is phenomenal. Between the huevos rancheros, bagels, pancakes, juice, and great coffee, there are plenty of great options for our entire family to be happy when visiting for breakfast. As an added bonus, everyone who works there is always friendly, smiling, and helpful. Truly wonderful experience every time!

My fav tuna ever! This place never let's me down. I've started calling in my orders because there is often a wait, especially on Sunday mornings.

What a wonderful and secret GEM! Great food, nice people and fast service. Broad menu with something for everyone. Make sure you get here early to get a table. Mr. E loves the waffles here so much we got a second order! Really a great restaurant.

Came here to just get a dozen "skinny bagels" Took 20 minutes for 2 people to understand that I wanted an assortment of bagels. Charged $4 more than at Once Upon A Bagel. Could not find prices listed for bagels so just paid it. The staff was very rude to a customer that came in after me and was asking what was in their different tuna salads. Overall poor service.won't be back. I can get the bagels at 2 other places.

So so so impressed by this deli! Went for lunch one day since it's near my work and I got the corn beef sandwich. I got it New York style and there was so much meat. Very lean too which was an added bonus. Everything was fresh and it didn't take them long to make it. Maybe ten mins tops. Would definitely recommend and go back!

Love this place! Always go when I'm in the neighborhood. I always make it a point to go. I now live 50 miles away. I bring a cooler in the summer months so I can stock up on my Nova Scotia lox, chopped liver, tuna fish and potato latkes.

I was a little skeptical given the random name (that doesn't sound deli-like at all) and the location, but wow was I pleasantly surprised. Everything I tried was great, and the prices are remarkably reasonable for deli food. My mom and I split a matzo ball soup and a corned beef sandwich and a smiley face cookie. Splitting made it all the perfect size meal, and we got all that for around $15. Amazing! I'm glad that Max & Benny has some fierce competition--it's time. It's also a cute little neighborhood-y place inside. Yay for a good new spot to grab a quick, easy dinner.

Still, not on par with bonafide delis, Once Upon A Grill is okay if you want something in a hurry. Prices are decent, and the hot corned beef sandwich on rye does the job done, but they don't even have deli mustard (at least on the table) only yellow mustard? The menu is quite extensive but I implore you to only order deli foods plus burgers. The soups are homemade but they end up microwaving them as their hot pots lack convection power unfortunately.

I love a corned beef sandwich and have had many from here but I'm very disappointed with my last two visits here. This place HAD one of the best in the area and brought me sandwich pleasure but. The first poor sandwich, I let it go because it could have been a bad day but yesterday was the same dry, cold, bread not entirely fresh, poor excuse for a corned beef sandwich.

I had bragged that this was the best in the area and treated my out of town guests. No I didn't return them bc I took them 'to go'. Now I'm afraid to order one again. I don't know what happened! As Napoleon Dynamite would have said, DANG!

In one line: stick to the Mexican themed food here. My steak quesadilla was flavorful, crispy, hot, and a hefty portion and value for $7.95! We confirmed this place is related to Once Upon A Bagel in Highland Park upon walking in, immediately recognizing the menu set up and interior decor. The meat lover's omelette was underwhelming and extremely bland considering all the meat it was supposed to have.

It does come with your choice of bagel or bread! Note the corned beef hash is more hash brown than corned beef and comes with chopped green peppers. Overall, ok if you're in the area and need calories in a pinch.

The food is great. Good quality. The service is very friendly and the place is so clean I'd eat off the floor. Highly recommended!

Ordered NY size corned beef Ruben for delivery to my office. Watched the guy drive right past the giant sign with our company name and address clearly signaged. Finally I ran out yelling for him to stop. This one sandwich with NOTHING else, was 19.50 cents due to a FIVE DOLLAR delivery charge. Now, to the sandwich which sitting next to me now, is making me sick to my stomach with eh smell alone.

The meat has clearly turned. I could smell it but went ahead and tasted it and YUP, rotten meat. They guy on the phone said it's fresh daily., but as a cook myself, if the cooked it fresh today, that doesn't' mean the meat was fresh. You can cook rotten meat all day long, it'll NEVER taste or smell right. To top all that off, they serve warm vlasic pickles.

The cheapest, lowest rafted pickle according to America Test kitchen AND me. A deli should be serving at least clausens or boars head deli pickles refrigerated if they don't make their own. NEVER order from this place. They are wanna bees in the deli business and doing ALL wrong if you've ever been to a real deli. Oh, and the choice of cole slaw OR patatowe salad is a joke too. Ya get both at a deli however, they have no potatoe salad so there no choice to be had as the menu suggests. UPDATE: The owner, Steve Geffen, called my back after an hour, and accused me of lying and harassing his other stores employees during may calls.

I called twice. Once to complain, and once to request my money back. He is NOT a friendly person and does NOT abide by customer is always correct. I told him I'd tell all the people I work with not to order from him unless I got my money back today, and he assumed, ignorantly, that an honest promise of a reaction due to inaction and virtually theft, meant I was threatening him so he told the police I may break his front window with rocks.

The man wouldn't let me finish one sentence and insulted me one further by saying I've never had a Ruben sandwich. (I have had many, just not one with rotten meat on it). He then had the nerve to blame it on the sour kraut. Once again, DO NOT GIVE THIS ROTTEN HUMAN BEING YOUR MONEY!

A little bit of NYC in the north burbs. Absolutely delicious hot pastrami sandwich that is big enough to split. I can't sing this sandwich's praises enough. Nice side of potato salad or Cole slaw comes with your sandwich. Uber friendly staff and a small seating area.