The legacy of Jake’s Deli pastrami sandwich

You don’t have to be the commissioner of Major League Baseball or owner of the Milwaukee Bucks to eat like them.

At Jake’s Delicatessen , 1634 W. North Ave., patrons can walk and eat in the shadow of former MLB Commissioner Allan H. “Bud” Selig and late Bucks owner Herb Kohl, who frequented the deli.

Jake’s Deli opened in 1955 and catered to the many Jewish families who had emigrated from Eastern Europe to the Haymarket and Sherman Park neighborhoods. In 1969, Selig bought an ownership stake in the business and held it until Wajeeh Alturkman bought it in 2021.

Jake’s has a modest appearance with a vertical street sign that reads “Jake’s.” Those in search of a good sandwich don’t need any further description.

Jake’s is known for its corned beef, but it’s the pastrami sandwich that gets people talking. Patrons have a choice to get the rye bread toasted or keep it plain, with yellow or brown mustard and their choice of cheese.

If they take a seat on the bench by the counter, the meat is cut slowly right in front of them. And a pickle spear is served on the side.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The legacy of Jake’s Deli pastrami sandwich