Beloved Branko’s Sandwich Shop in Lincoln Park closing

Christine Flores
·2 min read

CHICAGO — A popular family-owned sandwich shop is closing its doors after decades in business.

Branko and Jelica Jordanovski opened Branko’s Sandwich Shop in 1976 after moving to America from the area formerly known as Yugoslavia. Though the pair didn’t know English at the time, it didn’t stop them from opening up.

“I was the first one who spoke the language,” said daughter Ilinka Jovanovic. I was 13 and dealing with bread companies and milk companies (and) interviewing for lawyers.”

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Family members credit Jelica’s brother, also named Branko, for launching their successful businesses after he spotted an ad in the newspaper.

“I told my sister I have a place for you that I want you to come see. After one hour, they came and saw it. They were very business-minded and said, ‘We’ll buy it,'” Branko Manojlovski said.

Since then, the shop has been a family business. After the couple passed, their four daughters made it their mission to keep things running. The shop closed briefly during the pandemic and reopened in November of 2022.

But Branko’s owner, Gordana Jordanovska, said the store didn’t have the volume to sustain remaining open.

“When you’re doing quick service, even though we’re making everything homemade right there, with a business like this, you need volume and unfortunately, we just couldn’t get there,” she said.

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For the last 48 years, the shop has been serving classics like Italian beef, burgers, hot dogs, and fries, all with passion and secret family recipes.

“We did our homework here and so did the next generation. Right away, you get up and help the customer. It was our playground,” said oldest daughter Andja Skurteska

Some customers say it’s the family-like atmosphere that kept them coming back. So, for one last day, the family hopes all who loved Branko’s will stop by for one last gathering.

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With Friday being their last day in business, the four sisters say they will be at the shop for as long as customers want to stop by and toast to their late parents.

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