(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — This week's Made in Chicago puts the spotlight on a sweet treat known far beyond the city limits: Eli’s Cheesecake.
“It’s creamier,” said Marc Schulman. “You have a sour cream content. It’s richer. It has the cookie crust.”
Schulman was talking about his late father Eli Schulman's confectionary creation — more commonly known in Chicago and around the country and world as Eli's Cheesecake.
He said his father created the cheesecake in 1978 to be served to customers at the family's restaurant, Eli's The Place for Steak.
“Eli’s Cheesecake was a signature dessert," Schulman said. "He worked on it for many years in the kitchen. In every way the cake was different than a traditional New York cheesecake.”
The decadent dessert quickly became a favorite and has since delighted everyday diners and a long list of celebrities.
“Frank Sinatra — usually when he was touring he’d be in twice,” Schulman said. “Sammy Davis Jr., Barbra Streisand, Johnny, Carson, Roger Moore, Sean Connery, [and] Oprah.”
Eli Schulman died in 1988, but Marc was determined to carry on his father's vision and the family legacy. As CEO of Eli's Cheesecake, with his wife Maureen and daughter Elana by his side, Marc has overseen the expansion of the company and its offerings.
Originally, Eli’s offered four flavors of cheesecake, he told WBBM, and today the company has over 200 offerings.
“We could not have done what we’ve done without being in Chicago,” he said.
“We're very, very fortunate, and you never take that for granted.”
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