The Ground Floor: 'Chicago done right'

Growing up in heart of Chicago, David Meyers's grandmother would pull together the leftover produce at the end of every summer, pickle it and jar it. For the rest of the year, she would slap the vinegared garden blend - the giardiniera - on everything from sandwiches to eggs to pizza.

So when Meyers and his brother decided to open an Italian eatery in Iowa City using family recipes they grew up eating, the name seemed obvious.

“Picking that name was a hats-off to our grandmother,” Meyers said.

Giardiniera Chicago Kitchen opened Oct. 17 at 227 E. First St. in Iowa City and has been doling out homemade Chicago-style food such as meatball sandwiches, hot dogs and gyros ever since. The brothers' menu is simple and authentic, with homemade sides of soup, bread and brownies.

“It's not just the food we grew up on,” Meyers said. “More than 90 percent of the recipes are originally from my grandmother.”

David Meyers, 34, and his brother, Robert, 37, have been in Iowa City since 1996, attending school and working at a string of restaurants and cafes. Most notably, they opened Terrapin Coffee in Coralville in 1999 and ran it until they sold the retail location in 2010.

The brothers took a year off before deciding to dive into something new.

"We wanted to launch a business that we knew Iowa City would love,” David Meyers said. Quick, quality dining came to mind, with a nostalgic twist for those Chicago-area transplants

“I grew up with the kind of food that I serve here,” he said.

But after calling Iowa home for more than 15 years, the Meyers brothers also have a strong local allegiance.

“We're rebuilding Chicago classics with Iowa ingredients,” he said. “We make an effort to buy the local stuff - Iowa sausage and Iowa beef.”

David Meyers said business, so far, has been “pretty good.”

“We're in that first year of fighting the good fight, making sure we operate a good business, maintaining our philosophy and trying to establish relationships with customers,” he said.

That's a bit easier in a place like Iowa City, according to the Meyers brothers.

“We find that when we do connect with people, it's a genuine connection,” David Meyers said. “They become repeat customers, and it's not just because it's a routine.”

Giardiniera launched a Facebook page when it opened, and dozens of people have commented about their experience.

“Great food, awesome staff,” one person wrote. “Planning my lunches out as we speak.”

Another person reported the Italian beef sandwiches were “Chicago done right!” According to the menu, that's slow-roasted Iowa Black Angus on homemade bread topped, of course, with a little giardiniera.

Owners: David and Robert Meyers

Company: Giardiniera Chicago Kitchen

Address: 227 E. First St., Iowa City

Phone: (319) 333-1480

Website: www.orderchicagofood.com

Staff size: Two employees in addition to the two owners

How many hours a day do you work? About 11 hours, Monday to Saturday, David Meyers said.

Advice for other entrepreneurs? “It's always worth it,” he said. “You just have to be willing to go with the punches.”

Favorite part of your job? “Working with my brother,” David Meyers said. “We're a good team.”