D.S.D. Deli — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

At first, this deli broke my heart because they don't serve Sub Sandwiches. But, they quickly won me over by serving amazing Serbian Fare. When you walk in, the first thing you see is the baked goods section. They sell cookies (mostly walnut based), cakes ( I'm assuming whole and by the slice), butter croissants, and pastries stuffed with all kinds of jam goodness.

The deli counter houses smoked meats, deli meats, and a variety of cheeses. Another section (don't know what's it's called, but I call in the Land of All Things Scrumptious) holds Roasted Pork, Roasted Lamb, Sausage or Cheese pizza, and Meat or Cheese or Potato and Onion or Apple Bureks on one side, and cold salads such as cole slaw, pasta, and potato salad on the other. They have a refrigerated section full of nonalcoholic beverages and juices, and shelves lined with imported treats. They even sell Sweet Street cookies and brownies, although those fly out of the deli almost as soon as they hit the shelves.

And they own the space next door, which will be turned into a sit-down eating area as soon as they can get it finished.

They make homemade breads and soups and stews and meals. And the only question I have is, "Why aren't you already there yet?"

If you live in or near Jefferson Park and want to treat yourself to a new culinary experience, head here. And if you're looking for something special for Easter this year, call and order something - in advance. They cannot guarantee they'll have enough stock on hand once the stampeding starts. You know how the...

Have you ever had those days where you just walk into a deli and all your expectations are blown? If you haven’t, I pity you. But no worries, just go to DSD Deli a European deli, meat house and grocery store. As I walked in, I was greeted by two friendly faces who talked me through their display and food culture. The Strawberry Walnut and Nutella cakes were already on my order list. But then I saw the Burek, a European dish that is made with layered phyllo dough filled with Cheese, meat, or potatoes. I was also tempted with the lamb leg on their display.

When I reached home, I started with the lamb, especially since the gentleman in the store talked it up, saying that we only put salt and no spices. As a lamb fanatic, I thought: “how can lamb be tasty and tender without any spices or marinade?” My first bite answered my question immediately!

Then I dove into the Burek. Now I have never had this dish before, but I know, somehow, that the taste of their Burek is the standard of all Bureks. The crunchy phyllo dough with the cheese and potatoes and onions gives a satisfaction beyond any level of imagination.

And as if my meal wasn’t satisfying enough, I still had desert to deal with. Now I am not a Nutella or chocolate person, but I was converted immediately with my first bite. The cake was smooth and soft, and the Nutella cream and walnuts were just perfect. And the Strawberry Walnut cake? Let’s just say that this creamy cheesecake-like desert gives a new meaning to...

I read that they smoked their own meats, including lamb, so I had to stop in. Lucky for me, when I stopped in they had just taken the lamb out of the smoker. Wow - best lamb ever - you can tell it’s high quality because it didn’t have a gamey taste like lamb sometimes does. I also bought some smoked tenderloin, Kajmak (sp?) A homemade butter/cream cheese spread that’s amazing on fresh bread, and some jarred items.I live nearby and there are already a handful of delis - what’s the difference with DSD? The friendliness of the staff and the quality of the food. The owner explained the meats have no antibiotics and they do not purchase from factory farms. Also, the Balkan-style smoked meats have such a fuller flavor than the Polish-style smoking process to me. That’s been something hard for me to find nearby. Next time I make bean soup I’ll come in for their smoked ribs.

If you’re not into something so Eurocentric, you still have options at DSD! High quality lunch meats and cheeses are sliced to order. Give them a try and if you ask, I’m sure they’ll give you a sample of something they smoke in house that you might’ve been hesitant to just buy without...