Eli's Cheesecake facts for kids
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Eli's Cheesecake Logo
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|
| Private | |
| Industry | Food production |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Eli Schulman |
| Headquarters |
Chicago, Illinois
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USA
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| Products | Cheesecake |
| Owner | Marc Schulman, President |
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Number of employees
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51-200 |
Eli's Cheesecake is a famous cheesecake company from Chicago. Its most well-known dessert is the Original Plain Cheesecake. Many people call it "Chicago's most famous dessert." It has a simple recipe: cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. The crust is made from a buttery shortbread cookie.
Today, the company sells many kinds of cheesecakes. Some have toppings like chocolate, fruit, or caramel. They also make other desserts like tarts, cakes, and tiramisu.
Contents
History of the Company
The story of Eli's Cheesecake begins with its founder, Eli Schulman. He was born in Chicago in 1910. In 1940, he opened his first restaurant, a coffee shop called Eli's Ogden Huddle. He later opened Eli's Stage Delicatessen, which became a popular spot for famous performers.
Eli's The Place For Steak
In 1966, Eli opened a new restaurant called Eli's The Place for Steak. It quickly became a hotspot for celebrities. Famous people like singers Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., and football star Gale Sayers often ate there.
In the late 1970s, Eli wanted a special dessert for his steakhouse. He created the cheesecake that would later make his company famous. The cheesecake was a huge hit at the first Taste of Chicago food festival in 1980. It was so popular that by 2005, over 2 million slices had been sold at the festival. After 39 successful years, Eli's The Place for Steak closed in 2005.
The Eli's Cheesecake Company is Born
Because the cheesecake was so loved at the Taste of Chicago, Eli Schulman started the Eli's Cheesecake Company in 1980. At first, it was a small bakery in Chicago.
In 1996, the company moved to a much bigger location in the Dunning neighborhood. This new headquarters is called Eli's Cheesecake World. It has a large, modern bakery, a café where visitors can try desserts, and the company's offices. From here, Eli's Cheesecakes are shipped to customers across the United States and to stores in other countries.
Eli's son, Marc Schulman, took over as the company's president in 1984. He has been leading the company since his father passed away in 1988. In memory of his father, a playground near the original steakhouse was named the "Eli M. Schulman Playground."
In 2015, the company released The Eli's Cheesecake Cookbook. It shares recipes for classic cheesecakes and other famous dishes from the steakhouse. The book also includes stories from the Schulman family.
Special Cheesecakes and Achievements
Eli's Cheesecake has been a part of many important events. The company has made special cheesecakes for four U.S. presidential inaugurations. An inauguration is the official ceremony when a new president begins their term.
- For President Bill Clinton's inaugurations in 1993 and 1997, Eli's made a giant 2,000-pound cheesecake for each event.
- For President Barack Obama's celebrations, Eli's made a 500-pound cheesecake in 2009 and another one in 2013.
The company is known for its giant cakes. In 2009, it made a 2,000-pound cheesecake to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Burnham Plan, a famous plan for the city of Chicago. Eli's has also created special cakes for Hillary Clinton's 50th birthday, Disney World's 25th birthday, and Chicago's 150th birthday.
Eli's Cheesecake has been featured on popular TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Oprah Winfrey Show. In 2012, it was part of a TV special on ABC World News called "Made in America."
In July 2022, the company began work on making its bakery even bigger, adding 42,000 square feet of space to keep up with demand for its famous desserts.
