Siegelman's Deli closing its doors after 40 years in Arlington Heights

After 40 years of quietly serving up some of the most popular corned beef on rye sandwiches around, Siegelman's Deli is closing up shop.

Saturday is the deli's last day open to the public, said Fay Vlahakis, one of the owners of the longtime Arlington Heights eatery.

“I'm sad but I want to thank everyone who supported us all these years,” Vlahakis said. “We've met some very nice people.”

Known for it's simple decor and reasonable prices, Siegelman's has served pastrami and matzo ball soups for lunch crowds since the 1970s from an unassuming strip mall at Golf and Algonquin roads.

According to Vlahakis, Siegelman's is losing their lease because a Goodwill store is moving next door and wants to expand its space into the deli's location. Goodwill representatives were unavailable for comment Friday but a sign that reads “Goodwill Retail opening soon” is taped on the window of the vacant storefront next door.

Siegelman's has been in Arlington Heights for 40 years. Vlahakis said she bought the deli from Ed Siegelman about 22 years ago.

“This is a disappointment for everyone, with St. Patrick's Day coming up, I know people will want their corned beef sandwiches,” Vlahakis said.

Vlahakis said she will spend much of next week cleaning out the storefront. After that, she's not sure.

“With this economy, we'll have to think about it,” she said. “We don't know right now.”

Longtime customers like Walter Fieber are taking the news hard. He went to Siegelman's to pick some corned beef on Thursday and again on Friday.

“The food is just fantastic,” said Fieber, of Mount Prospect. “There really isn't any place like it around. Tuesday is cream of chicken and rice soup day, Thursday is barley soup day and that soup is so thick it's like porridge.”