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    Once Upon a Deli

    3.5 (43 reviews)
    ModerateDelis, Soup, Sandwiches
    Closed Closed

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    ONCE UPON A DELI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    These bagels are phenomenal!
    Rick R.

    Is this Heaven? No, it's the Jewish suburbs! Jewish suburbs? I could have sworn this was Heaven. -------- Some of you will get that reference. Simply put, these are the best bagels I've ever had...anywhere! They're perfect. The right chewiness. The right seasoning. The right crispness. I couldn't even wait to get home and had to eat one like an animal while sitting in traffic on the highway. It was glorious and well worth the mess of crumbs I created. The corned beef sandwich on rye was also delightful. Lean meat, soft rye, and the right amount of deli mustard hit the spot. The poultry sandwich, which is turkey salad, was just ok and I wouldn't order that again. The challah was fantastic. I don't live in the area, but I'm willing to go out of my way for these bagels and am considering giving these away as gifts for the foreseeable future.

    Smoked salmon omelet with scallions & everything bagel
    Bernadette C.

    I love this smoked salmon omelet with scallions. They always ask if you want the cream cheese mixed in or on the side, I always just get it on the side. I also like that it comes with a bagel as well, you definitely get a good amount of food for the price that you pay.

    Jennifer S.

    I recently hosted a breakfast for the staff at the three District 27 schools. We ordered bagel trays and breakfast combo trays (muffins, donuts, coffee cake and cookies) and coffee. We had 15 people at one location, 90 at another and about 115 at the third. The people at Once Upon went above and beyond to make sure the trays arrived on time at all 3 locations and the spread was beautiful! Everybody enjoyed the delicious food. I was very impressed that the bagel trays came with three different cream cheeses as well as fresh cucumbers and tomatoes. The bagels were also pre-sliced which was very helpful! If you need a nice breakfast for a large (or small) group, I HIGHLY recommend Once Upon a Grill and Once Upon a Deli!

    Steve H.

    Every time I have come here, service has been excellent, food is always fresh, and the deli is always very clean. For such a small Deli, they have a great range of meats, fish, egg salad, tuna salad, cream cheeses, Etc soups and salads are always fresh. The fridge has a nice selection of Dr. Brown's sodas and other drinks. I love that they still have hard salami is hanging from the ceiling to dry out a little bit more... Yum! They do sell halvah too. Once Upon a Deli has absolutely outstanding egg salad!! The fresh coffee leaves a lot to be desired, though. They do need to step up their game on coffee here. I like that you can walk through the open doorway to the bakery next door which is part of the same company. Although cash registers are separate. Prices are reasonable, not too high but not exactly cheap.

    Chocolate chip coffee cake

    So very disappointed! Purchased 2 chocolate chip coffee cakes today & I was hoping they were going to be the Leonard's bakery famous quality.Not only were they not Leonard's recipe , the inside was not baked , it was tasteless & possibly old product. When cut, the outside crumbled & the majority of cake was raw. Beware...definitely not the Leonard's bakery chocolate chip coffee cake...it's a very poor substitute with a lack of quality & taste.

    Egg-white salad

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

    The sandwiches were just okay. Pretty expensive, but every place is these days. For me, I would take a pass.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Great service for dining in, carry out is always the best. Bakery items are really good too!

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I love going here! All their food is delicious! Love the vibe! Great place! From eggs and bagels to Mexican food...it's all top notch!

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food and prepared well! Food is fresh and the staff is friendly! Highly recommend

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Way Too much stuff on the menu cannot perform efficiently with that large of a menu. Cannot put out the food fast enough

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    6 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    6 years ago

    The Reuben is outstanding as is Grandma's tuna salad. Carry out from here is a staple for us.

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Baked goods--Fresh, delicious, for-real coffee cakes, tidy, and efficient.

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    11 years ago

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    Grill House

    Grill House

    4.0
    (299 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    We drive past Grill House all the time, it has been in Northbrook for a long time (I just found out…read morethat it's been here for 9 years), however, this was the first time that we ever visited, and I am happy that we finally did! My husband and I wanted a quick and good dinner one Sunday recently, and we picked Grill House after I read some good reviews on Yelp.  Although it's a casual, fast-food-style restaurant, the menu is surprisingly extensive, with a wide variety of healthy Greek dishes. It was definitely helpful to look over their menu online before we visited, because the menu board inside could be a bit overwhelming.  I guess I still looked quite confused when I saw 2 kiosks in front of the ordering counter.  A staff behind the counter offered to help, and I just ordered directly with him.  Later of the evening I discovered that he's the friendly owner Gus. After placing our order at the counter, we were given a table number, and our food was delivered promptly.  I ordered a Chicken Souvlaki Plate ($17.50 at the time, it's now listed online for $18), while my husband ordered a Filet Mignon Souvlaki Plate ($25.50).  Each souvlaki plate included a soup or salad, rice and potato (1 piece), a side of veggies, and pita bread in a paper bag.  It was a generous amount of food! We both chose the lentil soup, which was served piping hot in a nice ceramic bowl with a lid. It was flavorful and comforting. My chicken souvlaki was tender and juicy, never dry, and both the rice and potato were delicious. We were both impressed with the quality and value of the meal. I ordered a lemonade, which is considered a fountain drink ($4.00) and comes with free refills, though I couldn't even finish my first glass. My husband would have ordered a glass of wine if we hadn't had plans afterward, so we were happy to see that Grill House also serves beer and wine for a future visit. The service was another highlight. Everyone was warm and welcoming; a special shout-out to Kevin, who was very attentive and checked in on us several times.  When I was taking photos around the restaurant, the owner Gus greeted me again, which was a nice personal touch. The restaurant itself was bright, clean, and inviting. There's also a pleasant patio for those who prefer to dine outdoors. We will definitely be back to try more dishes from their extensive menu.  I am glad that we finally gave Grill House a try!

    Redoing my review from a few years ago. Their food is outstanding, and the staff are great. Great…read morelamb chops and mashed potatoes.

    Photos
    Partial dining area
    Partial dining area
    Grill House
    Friendly staff at order stations

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    Friendly staff at order stations
    Acorn Grill + Terrace

    Acorn Grill + Terrace

    4.2
    (29 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Acorn Grill + Terrace is a hidden gem in Northbrook. It is at the Heritage Oaks Golf Club, a Park…read moreDistrict facility.   On a nice end-of-summer evening, my daughter and I got a table on their lovely terrace, which has an excellent view of the golf course.  It was absolutely beautiful during sunset.  Service was friendly and attentive.   Food and drinks were of great value.  We shared an order of SW Chicken Egg Rolls, which came in six pieces. They were tasty and had a nice crunch.  I had a glass of Chardonnay and grilled salmon, while my daughter had a Birdie Spritz, burger and fries.  The food was flavorful and filling. It's worth mentioning that the glass of Chardonnay was a house wine and only cost $10.   My daughter and I both truly enjoyed the dinner.  We particularly loved the outdoor setting.  Next time would be a date with my wife.  I would love to return to enjoy more meals at Acorn Grill + Terrace!

    My husband had dined in the outdoor terrace of Acorn Grill + Terrace at Heritage Oaks Golf Club…read morewith our daughter, and also visited with his friend on a different occasion.  He absolutely loved it and kept recommending Acorn Grill + Terrace to me.  We finally found a Friday evening with beautiful weather to visit. We arrived around 6:30 pm, and the outdoor terrace was completely packed. Since the restaurant is first-come, first-served with no host or hostess, it was quite chaotic. Even the indoor dining area was almost full. We initially sat inside for about 10 minutes without being greeted, then moved outside when we noticed a table becoming available. We were prepared for a slow evening, but after another 20 minutes outside, we were still waiting. A young male server came by and spent about 10 minutes taking an order from a group of five who had just sat down, while we had already been waiting for about 30 minutes. He then disappeared without taking our order. There were only two of us at a larger table, but I was happy to be there for the beautiful golf-course view, especially I wanted to photograph our food with the scenery in the background. I certainly didn't expect special treatment, but I did expect to be acknowledged and treated fairly. A few minutes later, a waitress named Karyna whose station was on the other side came over and asked whether anyone had helped us and whether we were "staying." I was surprised by the question after we had already been waiting so long. I explained what had happened, and she apologized and took our order. My husband ordered the Blackened Grilled Atlantic Salmon with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables ($28), along with an Ebb + Flow Chardonnay ($13). He is a seafood lover and thought both were okay, although neither was particularly memorable. The $10 Chardonnay he originally wanted was unavailable. I ordered the Reuben with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing on the side, and toasted multigrain bread ($15), with tater tots and a lemonade. The Reuben was delicious -- hot, generously portioned, and served on wonderfully crispy toasted bread. I took half of it home. The tater tots were crunchy, although only lukewarm. The $3 lemonade was essentially a fountain drink, which explained the low price. They don't serve desserts, so that's something to keep in mind. Once our order was taken, the service improved considerably. Another waitress brought our food with a cheerful "Happy Friday!" Both waitresses were genuinely sweet and checked on us several times to make sure we were happy. Near the end of our meal, the young server came back to apologize and later offered us a 20% discount. Since he apologized, I won't mention his name. I appreciated that he acknowledged the problem and tried to make things right, although the initial experience had already left a bad taste in my mouth. The terrace itself is lovely, with beautiful golf-course views and the potential to be a very relaxing place to dine. However, on a busy Friday evening it was extremely noisy, with many families and children moving between the tables. There was also live music at the other end of the terrace, although it was difficult to hear because of the surrounding noise. By the time we walked over after dinner, the performance had just ended, but I did get a photo of the friendly singer, Scott Birchwood, who told me he performs at local venues and festivities. Despite the rocky beginning, we ultimately had an enjoyable evening. The beautiful setting, generous portions, delicious Reuben, and genuinely friendly waitresses made up for some of the initial frustrations. Overall, I think Acorn Grill + Terrace has a lot of potential. I would recommend coming on a quieter evening if you want a more relaxed experience. We enjoyed ourselves enough that I would be willing to return.

    Photos
    Partial indoor dining space with a bar
    Partial indoor dining space with a bar
    Blackened Grilled (Atlantic) Salmon, with house mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables ($28), Ebb + Flow Chardonnay ($13)
    Blackened Grilled (Atlantic) Salmon, with house mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables ($28), Ebb + Flow Chardonnay ($13)
    Lemonade ($3)

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    Lemonade ($3)
    Fry the Coop

    Fry the Coop

    3.8
    (290 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    First time coming here. I've passed by for over 2.5 years and finally decided to grab dinner…read more I actually like this place - the menu is simple. The space and seating is large enough. I have no complaints. I ordered the beef tallow 10 piece wing which is automatically dry rub as seasoning - my fave! I upgraded to add in a fry and beverage. The wings and mild seasoning were great. The fries were hearty and not greasy at all. I would've asked for a more crisp fry but that's it. My only "complaint" would be to give two sauces for a 10 piece wing.

    I have to come to Fry the Coop more often. I really enjoy their chicken sandwiches. They are made…read moreto order, well seasoned and perfectly cooked. You can order different levels of spiciness. If you don't like spicy chicken, order the 1st level. It's not spicy at all. I order level 2. I've tried level 3 and it was too spicy for me. I find level 2 to be perfect, has the kick I enjoy, but not overly so and blow out my taste buds. We went when they had their $5 hot chicken sandwiches in honor of National Hot Chicken day. Not surprisingly, it was very busy. They still put out good food and EXCELLENT service. Everyone was so nice and they all handled the flow of people very well. I was so impressed. One of the managers, came around to the tables to tidy up and check in on all the guests. I have to remember to come more often!

    Photos
    Fry the Coop
    Double fried Beef Tallow fries, served with pipping hot Cheddar Cheese Sauce.
    Double fried Beef Tallow fries, served with pipping hot Cheddar Cheese Sauce.
    Messy Fries

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    Messy Fries
    Bean Bar

    Bean Bar

    4.5
    (91 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I have been excited about the addition of Bean Bar to our neighborhood in downtown Northbrook for a…read morewhile.  We finally had a chance to visit together before we went to the Art in the Park the Saturday of the Mother's Day weekend!  It totally justified all the hype! Given it was a Saturday, there was an annual art fair in the Village Green close by, and the Mother's Day weekend, we expected it to be very busy, and it was justifiable so.  There was a rather long line placing orders at the cashier, but it moved quickly.  There were many laminated menus for us to read while waiting in line.  The cashier was friendly, patient, and helpful in answering questions.  Our daughter ordered an Avocado Toast and a Berry Zen Refresher.  My husband and I found that a good idea, and each of us also ordered an Avocado Toast, although I had hoped that I got different types of dishes to photograph, lol.  Husband had a Cappuccino, and I had a large Iced Pistachio Latte (oat milk).  This simple brunch came up to $77.34 with tip, and it's worth it. All 3 Avocado Toasts were perfectly made.  All the ingredients were very fresh, although there wasn't a lot of seasoning, the taste of each ingredient worked well together to achieve a delicious dish.  I especially liked the over easy egg and the crispy edges of the warm toast.  My Iced Pistachio Latte was very good without being too sweet. Although the food and drinks were the star, the ambiance was so pleasing and relaxed that totally elevated the entire experience.  The dining room with high ceiling and chandeliers was spacious and beautiful.  There were many different types of seating for patrons -- big comfy couches, regular tables, high-tops, small booths, conference rooms with long table and chairs, small private rooms... not to mention about the large sheltered patio with many tables and seats!  As I have mentioned, we went at a busy time, there were not a lot of tables left for dining purposes, we opted for a high-top.  Even though the venue was almost filled to capacity, it still felt very airy and comfortable.  I could just chill there happily for half a day with my latte! However, there were small hiccups that fortunately did not ruin our first experience there.  My husband's and daughter's drink came out almost instantly after we sat down, but I had to chase down a staff (there's no servers except for the staff who delivered the dishes or cleaned tables) to tell him that my drink was missing.  I told him that it's supposed to be cold but with no ice.  He immediately got me a Pistachio Latte but with ice.  The cashier lady had specified no ice on when she placed the order for me, I talked to her about this and she offered to make me a new one, but I had already had a sip and didn't want to put the drink to waste, so I just kept it.  I later scooped out all the ice so that it did not dilute my drink, and it was good.  I must mention that the food came out in just 5 minutes even though the place was busy. Our high-top table wobbled when we used our knives and forks to cut the toasts, not a very big deal, but the restaurant could easily have that fixed as I am pointing it out now, It's one of the high-tops under the BB sign. This brunch kicked off a very happy Mother's Day weekend.  I was in a very good mood going to the art fair from Bean Bar.  We will definitely return to try the many other items on their menu.

    The ambience is incredible here! What an eclectic, artsy vibe. I feel like I'm in Chicago when I'm…read moreat the Bean Bar. I love the brick walls, high ceilings, and the wide variety of seating areas - both indoor and out. Staff here is wonderful, very friendly with top-notch service. I ordered the avocado toast with no egg to make it vegan, and a latte with oat milk. The latte was perfect, but I didn't love the avocado toast. Bean Bar is the perfect place for both personal and work gatherings... or to just hang out by yourself.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Strawberry Matcha Latte & plain croissant
    Strawberry Matcha Latte & plain croissant
    Inside

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    Inside

    Once Upon a Deli - delis - Updated August 2026

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