Politics And Pastrami Collide At Manny’s Deli On Election Day In Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and several her opponents mingled at the famed South Loop deli Tuesday.

5:45 PM CST on Feb 28, 2023

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is served a ham and cheese sandwich in line at Manny’s Deli in the South Loop on Municipal Election Day in Chicago, Feb. 28, 2023.

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SOUTH LOOP — The Election Day tradition of a stop at Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen continued Tuesday as candidates mingled with elected officials, former politicos and everyday Chicagoans over pastrami sandwiches, potato pancakes and poll predictions.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and several of her opponents, including Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson, Kam Buckner and Ald. Sophia King (4th) all stopped at Manny’s, 1141 S. Jefferson St., to chat with voters and grab a bite.

Mayoral candidate Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) gets his lunch at Manny’s Deli in the South Loop on Municipal Election Day in Chicago, Feb. 28, 2023.

Known for its corned beef and pastrami, Manny’s got its start in 1942 when two Jewish immigrant brothers from Russia teamed up to sell their mom’s recipes. The deli has remained a family business since.

The deli has been a staple for high-profile politicians for decades — from the Daley family to former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

Check out who stopped in this Election Day here:

Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas holds his lunch order at Manny’s Deli.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is greeted by former Ald. Dick Simpson.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her sister sit down for lunch.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot exits Manny’s Deli.

Mayoral candidate Cook County Board Commissioner Brandon Johnson poses for a photo with former Secretary of State Jesse White.

Mayoral candidate State Rep. Kambium Buckner waits in line for lunch.

Mayoral candidate Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) speaks with Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Mayoral candidate Ald. Sophia King (4th) at Manny’s Deli.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot poses for a photo with former Secretary of State Jesse White.

Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas pays for a customer’s lunch at Manny’s Deli.

34th Ward aldermanic candidate Bill Conway holds his 6-month-old daughter Billie at Manny’s Deli.

Former Ald. Bob Fioretti interacts at Manny’s Deli.

Wallace ‘Gator’ Bradley waits for Mayor Lori Lightfoot at Manny’s Deli.

Mayoral candidate State Rep. Kambium Buckner poses for a photo with Jesse White and Edwin Eisendrath.

Ald. Matt Martin (47th) waits in line for lunch.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is greeted by Craig Carlson, vice president of IATSE.

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates does a rabbit ears over mayoral candidate Cook County Board Commissioner Brandon Johnson’s head as he eats.

City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Bob Fioretti, former Rep. Bobby Rush and Rep. Danny Davis pose for a photo.

Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) looks on at Manny’s Deli.

Paul Vallas greets Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th.

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