In fact, his guests told him it was terrible. So, he began taking cooking classes and enjoyed them so much he continued to take culinary classes wherever he could find them, eventually landing a job as a consultant working with restaurant groups. 

Weinberger was a biology major, member of Pi Pi Rho and Student Government, and an active participant in theatre during his time at Illinois College. Though culinary arts and business were not part of his college education, he says it didn’t matter — IC prepared him for the world and his career.

“Liberal arts education didn’t pigeonhole me into one category, even though I had a major in biology and I had a minor in European history,” he said. “I was pretty much a social animal in school — and my father always said I was a born salesman and that I didn’t need college — but I’m glad I went because it gave me the opportunity to broaden my background.”

He and his wife, Barbara, eventually settled in Texas with their family — they now have three children and one grandchild. When they opened Weinberger’s Deli 19 years ago, he said their community in Grapevine, Texas, was a “sleepy little town.” Over the last couple of decades the community, which is partially home to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, has grown — as has Weinberger’s Deli. 

The deli became known for its sandwiches and he decided to focus on their strong suit. But his shop should not be confused with places like Subway or Jimmy John’s. Weinberger and his sandwiches have been featured locally and have received national press, often receive “Best Of” honors, and get recognized by chefs at food shows.

“We became a sandwich eatery — not your typical sandwich shop. We feature over 150 varieties of sandwiches,” he said. “And for the size that we are, we’ve been very fortunate.”

Despite the fact that Jacksonville was a small town during his college years — Weinberger remembers when the McDonald’s was built — he says Illinois College expanded his world. The student body was less diverse than it is today, but he and other students connected and learned about each other, sometimes bringing food to the dorm from home and experiencing other cultures through food. 

Weinberger says he has always had a “looking over to the next table type of attitude” about food. At a young age, he began working in his father’s deli, which catered to the heavily Jewish neighborhood where it was located on the south side of Chicago. His father eventually opened five shops throughout the south suburbs. In opening his own restaurant, Weinberger combined what he learned from his father with his culinary training to develop a current, fresh, hybrid style of sandwich making. And he continues to evolve.

If the menu of 150 sandwiches sounds like a lot, the shop’s archive actually has more than 1,000 different sandwiches. He has taken requests for types of sandwiches from all over the world and puts his own spin on classic sandwiches, like the Cuban, or makes creations named after celebrities or well-known locals. Weinberger enjoys taking requests and getting to know the people dining in his shop.

Weinberger’s Deli has done well through the pandemic, in spite of challenging circumstances for all restaurants. Being designed for carry out, as well as dine-in, and able to produce with minimal staff helped. Weinberger is also grateful for the support of an old IC classmate who kept the deli in his thoughts during the pandemic. Thanks to Larry Erwin ’74, Weinberger’s Deli made sandwiches for the first responders at nearby Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. “I was deeply touched by his generosity and his concern for my business,” Weinberger added.

Whether reaching out from afar or walking through the door, the 700 miles between Weinberger’s shop and his alma mater have not stopped IC alumni from supporting and visiting his business. 

“We’ve actually become quite a destination. I’ve had quite a few Illinois College alumni who were passing through town come into my shop. My classmates have all kind of spread the word that if you’re in Grapevine to stop by and see me.”

To learn more about Dan Weinberger ’74 and Weinberger’s Deli, visit www.weinbergersdeli.com.