The Schulman Family | Eli's Cheesecake
Eli's Cheesecake is a third-generation family-owned bakery creating delicious cheesecakes and desserts since 1980, when restaurateur Eli Schulman declared cheesecake to be the signature dessert for his legendary Chicago steakhouse, Eli's The Place for Steak. It was there that he dreamed up the first "Chicago-Style'' cheesecake, known for its rich and creamy texture and all-butter shortbread cookie crust.
Since its public debut at the first Taste of Chicago, Eli’s Cheesecake has become a symbol of the city and is known for making giant celebratory cakes for occasions ranging from Chicago’s birthday to the White Sox's World Series win, plus the inaugurations of Mayors Lightfoot, Emanuel and Daley—and Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Eli's Cheesecake, often referred to as a Chicago food icon, offers over 40 cheesecake varieties, as well as cakes, tarts and pastries. All its desserts are hand-made using impeccable ingredients like slow-cultured cream cheese and sour cream and Nielsen-Massey Vanilla.
Guided by Schulman's words of wisdom: "Charity will never bust you and treat others as if you were the other," Eli’s was awarded the 2022 Mayor’s Medal of Honor for hiring refugees and individuals with disabilities.
Eli’s is available nationwide and has a café and retail store at Eli’s Cheesecake World, located on Chicago’s Northwest Side.