Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, the Near West Side staple, had its front glass window shattered in an overnight break-in attempt that left employees rattled but unhurt. Staff inside heard the glass explode, and the suspect ran off before getting into the restaurant, the owners said. Despite the mess, the deli said it would reopen at its usual hours Tuesday with the damaged window boarded up.
According to CBS Chicago, Chicago police say two people broke the front glass on the 1000 block of South Jefferson Street at about 3 a.m. Employees told the outlet they saw someone with a hammer sprint to a waiting white sedan, and police added that nothing was taken and no one was injured. Area Three detectives are investigating.
Photos shared by the restaurant on social media showed the shattered storefront and a police vehicle parked out front, and Manny’s posted, “Most importantly: we are ok, nobody was hurt.” As reported by FOX 32 Chicago, the deli said staff were on site when the suspect fled and that it planned to board the window and reopen at normal hours.
Historic deli stays open
According to Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, the family-run spot has served Chicago since 1942 from its location at 1141 South Jefferson Street. The cafeteria-style deli is a Near West Side institution known for piled-high corned beef sandwiches and matzo ball soup, and it has long been a gathering place for local officials and everyday diners. Owners framed the damage as repairable and reassured customers that service would continue.
Part of a wider pattern
The attempted break-in at Manny’s followed a rash of overnight smash-and-grab burglaries across Chicago this month, in which thieves smashed storefronts and in some cases stole ATMs, according to a Chicago Police Department community alert reported by CBS Chicago. Business owners have warned that repeated damage and rising insurance costs are a heavy burden for small establishments, and experts say bolting ATMs and reinforcing storefronts can help deter thieves.
For Manny’s, the immediate fallout appeared limited to glass damage and a day of cleanup while detectives worked to identify suspects. Owners said they intended to be open during normal hours while repairs were made, and police have not released suspect descriptions.
