Linnwood Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Sara Lee is closing down the company: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ope...0,7174364.story The end of a Chicago tradition Is absolutely nothing sacred? By Susan Berger January 23, 2009 The year 2008 is surely one we will never forget. The financial world cratered in a way none of us really thought possible. The years of not only living the classic American Dream but living the New American Dream had taken hold. Every new technological gadget was within everyone's grasp—flat-screen TVs, iPods, cell phones, GPS systems for your cars or perhaps your toddler. We were building the best homes, wearing the best clothes, eating at fine restaurants, vacationing like movie stars. Those of us who grew up with Depression-era parents maybe snickered a little when they would say "That bottle of wine cost how much?" or when we spent four figures for a piece of clothing. We thought our cushy life would have no end. But for my family, and the Jewish community in particular, we are mourning one fatality of the financial meltdown that for us is unthinkable. Hot dogs. Corned beef. Tongue. Pastrami. Bologna. By the end of the month, the company that my great-grandfather Isaac Oscherwitz started in 1886 will close. Best's Kosher Sausage Co., was family owned for more than 100 years. In 1993, Sara Lee Corp. acquired Best's Kosher. Mike Cummins, a Sara Lee spokesperson, said of the closing: "It was not because it's not profitable—it's just not where it needs to be." This is a loss not only for my family, but for the millions of Jews who keep kosher and the many millions who don't but learned to love my family's hot dogs. My great-grandfather emigrated from Germany. On his way to Ellis Island, he met Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz. Rabbi Manischewitz asked Isaac to go into business with him. But my great-grandfather had five sons and said he needed to go it alone. They both landed in Cincinnati. Isaac started Oscherwitz's (later changed to Best's Kosher and moved to Chicago) and Rabbi Manischewitz started his matzo and wine business. Isaac's five sons—Sam, Max, Israel, Philip and Harry—joined the business in the early 1900s. The business expanded throughout the Midwest. In 1909, the business was renamed I. Oscherwitz & Sons Co. It was my grandfather, Philip, and his brother, Harry, who moved to Chicago in 1925 after their father died. They opened Best's Kosher Sausage Co., a sister company to Oscherwitz's, which successfully survived the Depression. My father, Sheldon Sternberg, ran the company, along with other relatives, over the years. While the guts of the business was hot dogs, Best's later expanded to include luncheon meats not typically kosher, like Polish and Italian sausages. In 1972, it was ahead of its time, introducing the first low-fat, low-salt hot dog. Business was great. Our hot dogs became The Hot Dog at Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park, United Center and Soldier Field. And, in 1990, you could even buy Best's Kosher at Costco in England. My siblings and I all worked at the factory from the time we were 12. My friends all thought I must be a spoiled little rich girl and nicknamed me the Kosher Queen. But we were far from rich. Truth be told, Best Kosher supported a lot of families (we once had a family reunion and more than 200 family members attended). Oh, the memories. There was my summer on the switchboard. I almost got fired for answering the phone, "Best's Kosher, what's your beef?" One of my favorite stories is when there had been a lot of stealing in the factory, detectives were hired and immediately caught the culprit. It was my Grandfather Phil, who apparently left each night with bags of meat. The employees at the factory stayed for years. It was common before a Jewish holiday to hear African-American, Hispanic, Polish or Asian workers greet each other and say, "Hey man, tomorrow's Tu Bishvat!" It was like family. In 1983 Best's Kosher merged with a competitor, Sinai Kosher. In 1986 we celebrated Best's 100th anniversary at a party at the Museum of Science and Industry. And in 1993, my dad brokered the sale of Best's Kosher to Sara Lee. We were proud that our company, with annual sales of $93 million, would be in solid hands. Last month, when we got word that Sara Lee would be closing Best's at the end of January, my family was heartsick. Any business going under these days is a tragedy. A business built on the backs of one family for more than 100 years is especially so. There will be fewer choices for those who keep kosher now. And lots more, I am sure, will be missing the Best dog. Susan Berger is a freelance journalist who lives in Glencoe. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I'm nowhere near Jewish but this is just horrible news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 f*** that!!! If they start serving eckrich (sp?) dogs like at wrigley we are doomed. Hebrew National better be power dialing the White Sox. Vienna Beef should be as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Nathan's would be awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 02:04 PM) Nathan's would be awesome. Gross. Keep that NYC s*** out of here. Vienna Beef: Corner of Fullerton, Damen and Elston. Chicago Dog, chicago baseball. They can also provide extremely great corned beef. Edited January 23, 2009 by RockRaines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitetrain8601 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I love Nathan's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 01:58 PM) f*** that!!! If they start serving eckrich (sp?) dogs like at wrigley we are doomed. Hebrew National better be power dialing the White Sox. Vienna Beef should be as well. Vienna is a Chicago business, I'd bet they are on the top of the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swingandalongonetoleft Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Eh, I had Nathan's at Coney Island and it's good, but nowhere near as good as one would think based on the recognizability of the brand. This is sad news. The salty stool served at Cubs games better not show up at the Cell... Not pretending to know much about the hot dog/sausage industry, but this won't be affecting my polish w/ grilled onions, will it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 i know i'll sound like a moron here....but at the games, you could get a Kosher hot dog that was like 4.50. I assume those are beef hot dogs since they are kosher, right? They also sold the hot dogs that were not kosher dogs...the ones that were $1 on thursdays...those were pork, right? And who made those dogs? Did Best Kosher make both the non-Kosher dogs as well as the Kosher ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klaus kinski Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 yeah, we hear this AFTER the last ticket payment All Winter I think about the Kosher Dog-drowned in Onions with mustard. Now its gone-poo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (klaus kinski @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 03:28 PM) yeah, we hear this AFTER the last ticket payment All Winter I think about the Kosher Dog-drowned in Onions with mustard. Now its gone-poo This has been known for quite some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanne Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 This is the part I don't get about this: Mike Cummins, a Sara Lee spokesperson, said of the closing: "It was not because it's not profitable—it's just not where it needs to be." What the hell does that mean?!? If it's profitable...why close it? If it has value...why not at least try and sell it off? Tax write-off for Sara Lee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klaus kinski Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (Wanne @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 02:39 PM) This is the part I don't get about this: What the hell does that mean?!? If it's profitable...why close it? If it has value...why not at least try and sell it off? Tax write-off for Sara Lee? Sounds like the Cubs sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 09:16 PM) Eh, I had Nathan's at Coney Island and it's good, but nowhere near as good as one would think based on the recognizability of the brand. This is sad news. The salty stool served at Cubs games better not show up at the Cell... Not pretending to know much about the hot dog/sausage industry, but this won't be affecting my polish w/ grilled onions, will it? Once a Cubs fan had a chardonnay or two at the game they probably didn't know what they were eating anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjm676 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Sox games will never be the same again. Those are the best dogs around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleepyWhiteSox Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (daa84 @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 02:17 PM) i know i'll sound like a moron here....but at the games, you could get a Kosher hot dog that was like 4.50. I assume those are beef hot dogs since they are kosher, right? They also sold the hot dogs that were not kosher dogs...the ones that were $1 on thursdays...those were pork, right? And who made those dogs? Did Best Kosher make both the non-Kosher dogs as well as the Kosher ones? I believe those were Ball Park... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Dye Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) These dogs are really good. I'm gonna miss those. Hopefully they put in Vienna Beef. I'm not Jewish but to the exact letter of the law, mass produced stuff like Bests Kosher isnt actually kosher. There has to be a rabbi involved in the preparation, hence Skokie's Jewel keeping one on staff at their kosher deli. Edited January 23, 2009 by Princess Dye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHizzle85 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Frankly I preferred the ball park franks....still gonna be weird not seeing Best's Kosher at the ballpark anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 03:12 PM) I believe those were Ball Park... and f***ing amazing.... I really wish dollar dog Thursdays still existed. I'd get three dogs and a beer and not feel like I was totally ripped off... Then pile the ketchup and onions on those bad mother f***ers and watch a good old game of baseball. Oh Lord, please bring summer ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranktheTank35 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I worked at a Deli and we sold the Best's Kosher salami and bologna in both regular and reduced fat.. and they were definitely of our top sellers.. sad to hear it leaving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigHurt Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Vienna is a Chicago business, I'd bet they are on the top of the list. Those are some damn good hot dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjshoe04 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 03:38 PM) Frankly I preferred the ball park franks....still gonna be weird not seeing Best's Kosher at the ballpark anymore. Same here, was never a fan of the kosher dogs. Will be weird not seeing the signs for it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (Wanne @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 08:39 PM) This is the part I don't get about this: What the hell does that mean?!? If it's profitable...why close it? If it has value...why not at least try and sell it off? Tax write-off for Sara Lee? That's what I want to know about it .. Didn't make much business since does it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 03:33 PM) These dogs are really good. I'm gonna miss those. Hopefully they put in Vienna Beef. I'm not Jewish but to the exact letter of the law, mass produced stuff like Bests Kosher isnt actually kosher. There has to be a rabbi involved in the preparation, hence Skokie's Jewel keeping one on staff at their kosher deli. False, there are plants in chicago that mass produce alot of kosher materials that are supervised by licensed rabbis to make sure the process is kosher. And to answer the other question, the polish was Best's as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDylan Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 04:12 PM) I believe those were Ball Park... I thought they were Armor? Edited January 23, 2009 by BobDylan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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