Carl Noble, of Lake Forest, and Ralph Rosenbaum, owner of Burt's Deli, chat before the start of a Tuesday lunch rush. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

A line of customers backs up almost to the door during a lunchtime rush. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

Laura Hertel constructs a "yummy" sandwich: corned beef, pastrami, cheese, yellow mustard and horseradish on rye. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

Ralph Rosenbaum has covered almost every square inch of wall with interesting and humorous items. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times

"Wanna pickle?" Ralph hands out pickles, and the occasional slice of corned beef to people waiting in line. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

Ralph Rosenbaum runs a couple of bowls of "penicillin" (chicken soup) out to customers. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

Hard salami hangs from a rack behind the counter at Burt's Deli in Libertyville. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

Ralph Rosenbaum shows off a photo of his grandfather in front of his Maxwell Street shop. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

"I met my law partner because of this sandwich," Libertyville lawyer Marc Beermann said as he ate his way through the first half of a "yummy," Ralph's special creation. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

Ralph Rosenbaum slices and weighs corned beef, which he claims "is the best in town." | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

Laura Herte slices a loaf of rye for sandwiches. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

Peter Ropinski, of East Dundee, proudly says he drives 27 1/2 miles each way to enjoy lunch with his wife and son at Burt's Deli. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media