Once Upon A Grill Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to Once Upon A Grill, an American deli that captivates with its diverse and delectable menu. Nestled in Northbrook, IL, this family-friendly eatery serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch, offering a delightful blend of traditional and Mexican-inspired dishes.
- Breakfast Highlights: Indulge in the Nova Lox Plate, a classic favorite featuring hand-sliced lox paired with cream cheese and bagels. The All American Breakfast Sandwich is another must-try, bursting with flavors of eggs, meats, and artisanal bread.
- Mexican Delicacies: For a twist, savor the Breakfast Enchiladas or Chilaquiles con Huevos, each brimming with vibrant flavors and textures that will transport your taste buds south of the border.
- Ambience: With casual outdoor seating and a friendly atmosphere, it’s perfect for groups and families alike.
Overall, Once Upon A Grill is not just a meal; it’s a flavorful journey that invites you to return again and again.
Our Breakfast
Nova Lox Plate
Hand sliced nova lox with your choice of cream cheese and bagel. Comes with tomatoes, onions, olives and capers.
All American Breakfast Sandwich
Toasted bagel with eggs any style, your choice of meat and your choice of cheese.
Once Upon Breakfast
2 eggs any style with choice of bacon, sausage or ham. Includes hash browns and your choice of a pancake, bagel, bialy or toast.
Bagel with Cream Cheese
Bagel with cream cheese.
Pancakes
Pancakes with butter and syrup.
French Toast
French toast made with our delicious challah bread. Served with butter and syrup.
Fried Matzo
Fried matzo made to order.
Grilled Steak and Eggs
2 eggs any style with grilled skirt steak, hash browns and a bagel, bialy or toast.
Avocado Toast with Eggs Your Way
Eggs your way on top with your choice of toast.
2 Eggs Breakfast
2 eggs any style with a bagel, bialy or toast.
Breakfast Roll Up
Eggs with tomatoes, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, hash browns and salsa in a white or wheat tortilla.
Bialy with Cream Cheese
Bialy with cream cheese.
Original Avocado Toast
Served on your choice of toast.
Avo Lox
Nova lox, red onion, tomato on top of avocado with your choice of toast.
Made to Order Oatmeal
Served with brown sugar and raisins on the side.
Multi Grain Pancakes
Fiber rich pancakes with butter and syrup.
Cheese Blintzes
Homemade blintzes with strawberry sauce and sour cream.
Oatmeal
Served with brown sugar and raisins.
Breakfast Enchiladas
Filled with scrambled eggs & choice of salsa. Topped with cheese & avocado. Served with Mexican rice, beans and sour cream.
Chilaquiles con Huevos
2 eggs any style with tortilla chips. Topped with green or red salsa, minced onions, cheese and sour cream. Served with Mexican rice and beans.
Huevos con Chorizo
Eggs scrambled with spicy Mexican sausage. Served with Mexican rice, beans and corn tortillas.
Heuvos a la Acapulco
2 eggs any style with chorizo, green peppers, onions & hash browns. Served with Mexican rice, beans and corn tortillas.
Huevos a la Mexicana
Eggs scrambled with chopped tomatoes, onions & jalapeno peppers. Served with Mexican rice, beans and corn tortillas.
Huevos Rancheros
2 eggs sunny side up on a crispy tortilla with salsa. Served with Mexican rice and beans.
Machaca
Eggs scrambled with steak, green peppers & onions. Served with Mexican rice, beans and corn tortillas.
Once Upon's Mexican Breakfast
Breakfast Side Orders
Corned Beef Hash
Corned beef, onion, green pepper, and hash browns.
Hashbrowns
Bacon Turkey
Bacon Pork
Veggie Hash
Grilled mushroom, tomato, green pepper and onion and hash browns.
Sausage Turkey
Grilled Salami
Bagel with Butter
A toasted bagel. Served with butter.
Sausage Pork
Cream Cheese
Plain, chive, veggie or lox cream cheese.
Nova Hash
Nova, onion and hash browns.
Ham
Grilled and delicious.
Bagel with Margarine
A toasted bagel. Served with margarine.
Bialy with Butter
A toasted bialy. Served with butter.
Bialy with Margarine
A toasted bialy.
Tortilla Soup
House-made with tortilla chips and Cotija cheese. Comes with your choice of roll. Please let us know your choice of roll in the special instructions.
Jaimes Tortilla Soup
Home Made Soups
Chicken Matzo Ball Soup
Quart of chicken matzo ball soup. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers. Super Bowl.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Quart of chicken noodle soup. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers. Super Bowl.
Quart of Chicken Vegetable Soup
Quart of broth only or with chicken and vegetables. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers. Super Bowl.
Quart of Chicken Mish Mosh Soup
Quart of chicken soup with matzo ball, noodles, kreplach, and rice. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers. Super Bowl.
Quart of Chicken Rice Soup
Quart of chicken rice soup. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers. Super Bowl.
Bowl of Chicken Vegetable Soup
Bowl of broth only or with chicken and vegetables. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers.
Bowl of Chicken Kreplach Soup
Bowl of chicken kreplach soup. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers.
Bowl of Chicken Rice Soup
Bowl of chicken rice soup. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers.
Quart of Chicken Kreplach Soup
Quart of chicken kreplach soup. Comes with your choice of roll or crackers. Super Bowl.
Matzo Ball Soup
Per matzo ball.
Kreplach Soup
Per kreplach.
Side of Noodles Soup
Side of noodles.
Side of Rice Soup
Side of rice.
Tuna Salad Plate
A garden salad with a scoop of your choice of tuna. Choice of dressing.
Chef's Salad
A garden salad with turkey, Swiss and American cheese. Choice of dressing.
Shana's Salad
Romaine, spinach, chicken, bacon, broccoli, red pepper, onions, celery and avocado. Served with choice of dressing.
Chicken Supreme Salad
Grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, green peppers. Choice of dressing.
Chinese Tossed Salad with Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, carrots, broccoli, water chestnuts, mandarin oranges and Chinese noodles. Comes with toasted sesame dressing on the side.
Tossed Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken, lettuce, spinach, Parmesan cheese, croutons and Caesar dressing.
Salad Selections
Salad Sub
Tuna Salad Sub
Turkey on choice of bread, lettuce, tomato and a pickle on the side.
Egg White Egg Salad Sub
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Egg Salad Sub
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Poultry Salad Sub
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Salmon Salad Sub
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
President's Poultry Salad Sub
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Grandpa's Salmon Salad Sub
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Whitefish Salad Sub
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Turkey on choice of bread, lettuce, tomato and a pickle on the side.
Egg White Egg Salad Sandwich
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Egg Salad Sandwich
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Poultry Salad Sandwich
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Salmon Salad Sandwich
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
President's Poultry Salad Sandwich
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Grandpa's Salmon Salad Sandwich
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Whitefish Salad Sandwich
Served with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Salad Sandwiches
Just Sandwiches
Turkey Sandwich
Turkey on choice of bread, lettuce, tomato and a pickle on the side.
Corned Beef Sandwich
Hot lean or regular cut corned beef on rye. Served with a pickle.
Turkey Club Sandwich
Turkey, lettuce, tomato, bacon and mayo on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich
Served on your choice of toasted bread, mayo and a pickle on the side.
Turkey Pastrami Sandwich
Served on choice of bread, lettuce, tomato and a pickle on the side.
Hard Salami Sandwich
Served on your choice of bread and a pickle on the side.
Beef Pastrami Sandwich
Hot beef pastrami on rye bread. Served with a pickle.
Roast Brisket Sandwich
Hot brisket with au jus with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Chicken Club Sandwich
Chicken, lettuce, tomato, bacon and mayo on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Roast Beef Sandwich
Roast beef with lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on your choice of bread. Served with a pickle.
Soft Salami Sandwich
Served on your choice of bread and a pickle on the side.
Bologna Sandwich
Served on choice of bread and a pickle on the side.
Baked Ham Sandwich
Served on choice of bread, lettuce, tomato and a pickle on the side.
Vegetarian Sandwich
Lettuce, tomato, onion, carrot, cucumber, spinach with honey mustard dressing and a pickle on the side.
Turkey Sub
Turkey on choice of bread, lettuce, tomato and a pickle on the side.
Corned Beef Sub
Hot lean or regular cut corned beef on rye. Served with a pickle.
Turkey Club Sub
Turkey, lettuce, tomato, bacon and mayo on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sub
Served on your choice of toasted bread, mayo and a pickle on the side.
Turkey Pastrami Sub
Served on choice of bread, lettuce, tomato and a pickle on the side.
Hard Salami Sub
Served on your choice of bread and a pickle on the side.
Beef Pastrami Sub
Hot beef pastrami on rye bread. Served with a pickle.
Roast Brisket Sub
Hot brisket with au jus with lettuce and tomato on a bagel, bialy, roll or bread. Comes with a pickle.
Chicken Club Sub
Chicken, lettuce, tomato, bacon and mayo on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Roast Beef Sub
Roast beef with lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on your choice of bread. Served with a pickle.
Soft Salami Sub
Served on your choice of bread and a pickle on the side.
Bologna Sub
Served on choice of bread and a pickle on the side.
Baked Ham Sub
Served on choice of bread, lettuce, tomato and a pickle on the side.
Vegetarian Sub
Lettuce, tomato, onion, carrot, cucumber, spinach with honey mustard dressing and a pickle on the side.
Just Sub
Mexican Specialties
Quesadilla
Chicken, steak, ground beef or veggie. Served with guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream on the side.
Taco Plate
Choice of 3 tacos with chicken, steak, pastor, ground beef, fish or veggie. With lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, cheese and onions. Served with Mexican rice and beans.
Burrito Grande
Chicken, steak, ground beef or veggie. Deliciously filled with beans, cheese and lettuce. Guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and Mexican rice on the side.
Fajita Burrito
Chicken, steak, ground beef or veggie. Filled with green and red peppers, onions, cheese and Mexican rice. Guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream on the side.
Taco Salad
Chicken, steak, ground beef or veggie. Grande tortilla shell filled with lettuce, tomatoes, beans, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream.
Fajitas Plate
Chicken, steak or veggie with grilled onions, grilled jalapenos, green and red peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and avocado. Served with corn tortillas, rice and beans.
Taco
Choice of chicken, steak, pastor, ground beef, fish or veggie. Served with lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, cheese and onions.
Fiesta Bowl
Choice of chicken, steak, ground beef or veggie with lettuce, tomatoes, corn, mushrooms, pico de gallo, guacamole, Mexican rice and beans.
Nachos
Chicken, steak or ground beef. With guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese sauce, sour cream and beans.
Cheese Quesadilla
Served with guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream.
Tortilla Soup Bowl
House-made with tortilla chips and Cotija cheese. Comes with your choice of roll.
Torta
Choice of steak milanesa, chicken milanesa or grilled chicken. Served with beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, sour cream and jalapeos.
Wrap
Chicken, steak or ground beef. Wrapped in lettuce with tomatoes, cilantro, onions and cheese.
Tortilla Soup Super Bowl
House-made with tortilla chips and Cotija cheese. Comes with your choice of 2 rolls.
Carne Asada a la Mexicana
Grilled skirt steak with onions, sliced avocado, grilled jalapenos, corn tortillas, Mexican rice & beans.
New York Style Reuben Sandwich
Corned beef or pastrami with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye bread.
New York Style Hot Corned Beef Sandwich
Regular or extra lean corned beef on rye bread.
New York Style Hot Pastrami Sandwich
Regular cut pastrami on rye bread.
New York Style Specialty Sandwiches
Specialty Wraps
Breakfast Wrap
Eggs with bacon, tomatoes, onions & American cheese.
Spicy Chicken Wrap
Chicken, tomatoes, lettuce & chipotle mayo.
California Wrap
Bacon, lettuce, tomato & mayo.
Mexican Wrap
Chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, tortilla chips and pepper Jack cheese.
Southwest Wrap
Once Upon Style Omelette
A flat egg-white omelette with your choice of 3 ingredients and covered in mozzarella cheese and salsa. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy or toast.
Garden Omelette
Mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Greek Omelette
Sauteed spinach and feta cheese. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Cheese Omelette
Choice of cheese. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Single Meat Omelette
Your choice of meat. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Nova Delight Omelette
Omelette with nova lox, fresh scallions, and plain cream cheese mixed in the center. Delicious! Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Country Omelette
Bacon, hash browns, and American cheese. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Spanish Omelette
Chorizo sausage, pepper Jack cheese, onions, cilantro, and salsa. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Meat Lovers Omelette
Grilled corned beef, pastrami, and salami. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Single Veggie Omelette
Your choice of vegetable. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Lox & Onion Omelette
Classic omelette with nova lox and fresh scallions. Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Plain Omelette
Comes with your choice of bagel, bialy, or toast.
Omelettes
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Choice of original, Cajun, Buffalo, BBQ or teriyaki. Served on a challah roll with lettuce, tomato and a pickle.
Chicken Club
Grilled chicken, melted mozzarella, crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato on a fresh bialy loaf.
Grilled Chicken Stir Fry
Grilled chicken breast with sauteed onions, carrots, green and red peppers on a bed of rice with teriyaki sauce and Chinese noodles.
Grilled Steak Stir Fry
Skirt steak with sauteed onions, carrots, green and red peppers on a bed of rice with teriyaki sauce and Chinese noodles.
Grilled Veggie Stir Fry
Sauteed onions, carrots, green and red peppers on a bed of rice with teriyaki sauce and Chinese noodles.
Stir Frys
From the Grill
Char Burger
Char burger on a challah bun with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Served with a pickle.
Skirt Steak Sandwich
Grilled skirt steak sandwich on a bialy loaf with melted mozzarella cheese. Please let us know in the special instructions if you would like lettuce, tomatoes and grilled onions added to your sandwich.
Chicken Fingers with Fries
Chicken fingers with regular or Cajun fries. Served with a side of BBQ sauce, ranch or honey mustard dressing.
Turkey Burger
Turkey burger on a challah bun with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Served with a pickle.
Bagel Veggie Skins
Open faced wheat bagel filled with grilled veggies and covered with melted cheese. Comes with salsa.
Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese on white, wheat, rye toast or challah toast.
Once Upon's Fish & Chips
Deliciously battered and seasoned. Served with fresh cut fries and coleslaw.
Veggie Burger
Veggie burger on a challah bun with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Served with a pickle.
Reuben Burger
Char burger covered in grilled corned beef, saurkraut, 1000 Island dressing and Swiss cheese. On a challah bun with a pickle on the side.
Hot Dog
Regular hot dog with your choice of condiments.
Jumbo Dog
Jumbo hot dog with your choice of condiments.
Corned Beef Reuben Grilled Boat
choice of lean or regular corned beef with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, 1000 Island dressing and a pickle on the side.
Turkey Pastrami Grilled Boat
choice of cheese served on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Turkey Grilled Boat
Grilled turkey, choice of cheese served on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Tuna Salad Grilled Boat
Grilled tuna with tomato and choice of cheese on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Turkey Reuben Grilled Boat
Grilled turkey, Swiss cheese, 1000 Island dressing on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Philly Cheese Steak Grilled Boat
Grilled philly meat, grilled green peppers and onion, mozzarella cheese served on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Corned Beef Grilled Boat
Grilled lean or regular corned beef with choice of cheese on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Salami Grilled Boat
Grilled salami with choice of cheese on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Beef Pastrami Grilled Boat
Beef pastrami with your choice of cheese on our homemade sub roll and a pickle on the side.
Beef Pastrami Reuben Grilled Boat
Grilled beef pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, 1000 Island dressing and a pickle on the side.
Ham Grilled Boat
Grilled ham with choice of cheese served on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Italian Beef Grilled Boat
Our homemade Italian beef with melted mozzarella cheese on our homemade sub roll with a pickle and giardiniera on the side.
BBQ Beef Grilled Boat
Grilled BBQ beef, your choice of cheese served on our homemade sub roll with a pickle on the side.
Grilled Boats
Tortilla Roll Ups
Grilled Chicken Tortilla Roll Up
Grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, muenster cheese, and honey Dijon dressing or Caesar style.
Tuna Salad Tortilla Roll Up
Tuna, lettuce, tomato, muenster cheese, and honey Dijon dressing or Caesar style.
Turkey Tortilla Roll Up
Turkey, lettuce, tomato, muenster cheese, and honey Dijon dressing or Caesar style.
Grilled Steak Tortilla Roll Up
Grilled steak, lettuce, tomato, muenster cheese, and honey Dijon dressing or Caesar style.
Veggie Tortilla Roll Up
Lettuce, tomato, spinach, broccoli, muenster cheese, and honey Dijon dressing or Caesar style.
Poultry Salad Tortilla Roll Up
Poultry salad, lettuce, tomato, muenster cheese, and honey Dijon dressing or Caesar style.
Roast Beef Tortilla Roll Up
Buffalo Wings
Plain, mild, hot, kickin BBQ bourbon, garlic Parmesan and flamin hot cheetos.
Buffalo Wings
Mexican Grill Side Dishes
Chips & Guacamole
Mexican Corn
Spanish Rice
Chips & Salsa
Refried Beans
Individual Side Guacamole
Individual side of guacamole.
Avocado Side
Side of avocado.
Sour Cream Side
Side of sour cream.
Curly Fries
Plain or Cajun.
Potato Pancake
Sweet Potato Chips
Cucumber Salad
Onion Rings
Potato Salad
Coleslaw
Veggie Pancake
On the Side
Just For Kids
Kids Chicken Fingers
Chicken fingers with fries, chips or fruit.
Kids Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled American cheese on white or wheat bread with fries, chips or fruit.
Kids Corned Beef Sandwich
Lean corned beef, white, wheat, rye or a plain bagel. With fries, chips or fruit.
Kids Tuna Sandwich
Tuna on white, wheat, rye or a plain bagel with fries, chips or fruit.
Kids Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese with fries, chips or fruit.
Kids Silver Dollar Pancakes
Kids Hot Dog
Steamed hot dog with fries, chips or fruit.
Kids Roasted Turkey Sandwich
Turkey on white, wheat, rye or a plain bagel. Served with fries, chips or fruit.
Kids' French Toast
Leonard's Bakery Whole Coffee Cake
Assorted Rugelach
Packaged chocolate, raspberry raisin, apricot, chocolate raspberry and gonza.
Big M&M Cookie
Fresh and homemade.
Chocolate Covered Mandel Bread
Packaged freshly made and sliced chocolate mandel bread.
Big Chocolate Chip Cookie
Fresh and homemade.
Chocolate Donut
Marshmallow Rice Krispy Treat
Freshly made.
Big Sugar Cookie
Freshly made.
Big Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie
Freshly made.
Chocolate Brownie
Delicious homemade chocolate brownie.
Chocolate Covered Sprinkled Pretzel
Freshly dipped.
Chocolate Kiddush Cake
Packaged sliced chocolate kiddush cake.
Cinnamon Kiddush Cake
Packaged sliced cinnamon kiddush cake.
Maricela's Homemade Tres Leches Cake Piece
Delicious and homemade.
Marshmallow Fruit Loop Treat
Freshly made.