Swanson’s is
what a deli
should be
We’re a deli, and then some. Swanson’s is a one-of-a-kind establishment on Chicago’s far South side, where we’ve been cooking since 1965. People keep coming back for our corned beef, iconic Blue Cheese Ball, and other beloved items. Swanson’s is . . .
- a full-service deli with exceptional meats, cheeses, breads & salads.
- a scratch kitchen with rotating featured soups & entrees.
- a professional caterer with expansive options including a food truck & grazing tables.
- a carry-out store with frozen entrees, dips, snack boxes & desserts to go.
Our original deli is at the corner of 103rd Street and Western Avenue in the Beverly neighborhood. In 2022, we added a food truck to our offerings, and in 2023 our second location opened in LaGrange.
Growing Up Swanson's
When Greg Dix purchased Swanson’s in 2015, it felt like coming home. He grew up in Beverly and worked at several restaurants, including Swanson’s, before going on to build a distinguished resume in the culinary world. Over the years, his family maintained a soft spot for their favorite neighborhood deli.
Greg learned his craft at Washburne Trade School, and honed it working with the Hyatt and Sheraton hotel groups and Disney World. He completed their rigorous management development program after spending six years at Disney restaurants and the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
He also served as chef in many well-known restaurants before taking on Swanson’s. Greg was the last executive chef at Chicago’s Zum Deutschen Eck before the restaurant closed. He opened 115 Bourbon Street as executive chef and went on to work for Wolfgang Puck as chef de cuisine and sous chef at the famed Spago restaurant, among other roles. He left Spago for a position in Puck’s catering management company, which served the Field Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shedd Aquarium and other cultural gems.
He was working for the U.S. State Department at the embassy in Bulgaria, when his mother convinced him to return to Chicago and purchase Swanson’s, recipes and all. He hasn’t looked back.
We’re proud to continue the family-owned tradition at Swanson’s, along with a legacy of wonderful, dedicated employees.
Respecting Our Roots
The dishes that Swanson’s customers know and love haven’t changed over the years. Lifelong fans of our potato salad or iconic cheese ball can expect the same ingredients and preparation we’ve always used. Using quality ingredients and preparing food to order is what we’re known for. Every sandwich, salad, soup, dip, and hot entree we offer is made from scratch in our kitchen.
That doesn’t mean we don’t make room for creativity. We tweak our menu seasonally and offer a rotating selection of warm, handmade meals every day. We bake our own croissants. We’re also flexible with our catering options and enjoy working with customers to go beyond their expectations when catering events.
Adding the Wow Factor
We’re pleased to offer incredibly fresh and delicious food every day, but we understand that special occasions call for something unique. That’s why we partnered with local craftsman John Mikuzis to create hardwood boards up to eight feet long for our expansive charcuterie displays. Our Grazing Tables are nothing short of stunning, filled with a delicious array of fresh and dried fruit, gourmet cheeses (including our blue cheese ball), artisanal crackers & breads, cured meats, house-made dips, and other delights.
The Swanson’s Food Truck is another festive addition to our offerings. Launched in 2022, it has popped up at community events, family gatherings, and other celebrations all over the South side. The brightly colored mobile restaurant offers a variety of gourmet deli sandwiches or a selection of burgers, hot dogs and polish sausages.
