Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen

"Owned and run by brother-sister duo Derek and Yolanda Luszcz, this Lincoln Square gourmet European butcher shop specializes in sausage (they have 40 different types of smoked sausages and 30 varieties of sliced deli meats), but you can also get a leg of lamb, whole Amish chickens, and pork roasts. Gene’s says they use authentic, Old World sausage-making methods. Most places use pellet-driven computerized smokers, but Gene’s uses a traditional European smokehouse with cherry wood they get from Michigan and mesquite chips, along with natural cases.  Lincoln Square is a historically German neighborhood, but Gene’s pulls from all over the European continent, with goods and foods from Lithuania, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, and more.  Another bonus? Their rooftop beer and wine garden, where you can hang out with your friends and stuff yourself with homemade sausages and charcuterie. They also have one of the widest varieties of uncommon meats in the city, with duck, rabbit, bison, venison, pheasant, oxtail, alligator, and crawfish sausage (both are blended with pork), and capon, a castrated male chicken that is fattened up for eating." - Nylah Iqbal Muhammad

"Gene’s is a historic Chicago institution that’s found a new life along Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square, expanding from a quaint butcher shop to a multi-story grocery store with a rooftop deck where friends can gather over sausage and beer. Gene’s sells more than 40 different types of encased meats, including several versions of brats — they’ll find reason to splice fruit, like Michigan blueberries or cherries, depending on the season." - Ashok Selvam

"We might be biased about this one since we did their branding, but the people agree—this shop is two thumbs up! They’re a gourmet delicatessen and European market in the heart of Lincoln Square. We shop here regularly—they have just about anything you could need to make a meal at home. Their meat counter always has a wait, but it’s so worth it. Aside from chicken, beef and pork, they offer 40 varieties of homemade, natural wood-smoked sausage. Our favorite is the Alpine sausage—grab a long link and grill it up at home. Get a side of cooked sauerkraut and cucumber salad to go with it. If you’d rather have someone cook you lunch here, they will! Make your way to the roof and enjoy a German-style lunch on their deck, complete with a bar and grill, picnic tables and lounge chairs. We encourage you to support these guys—they're family-owned and terrific people." - Knoed Creative

"The rooftop at this Lincoln Square grocery store is no frills. They serve beer and grill hot dogs and other sandwiches. There’s no shade, but a nice view of the city. Beware: it can get crowded here on nice days, so don’t take this neighborhood gem for granted. Plan accordingly or be prepared to wait on holidays." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman

"Gene’s is an old-school Polish deli that serves traditional sausages and other specialty Polish items. In the summer, they also open up a rooftop beer garden, where they grill sausages and serve beer. Grab a couple of each and hang out on the picnic benches for an excellent afternoon." - josh barnett, sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor