Where was Deli Boys shot? Revisiting key filming of the Hulu comedy show as Season 2 becomes official 

It's official! Abdullah Saeed's freshman comedy series Deli Boys has been renewed for Season 2 on Hulu.

Starring Asif Ali (Mir Dar) and Saagar Shaikh (Raj Dar) as two Pakistani-American brothers in Philadelphia, the series follows their humorous entry into their father's illegal enterprise after his sudden death, with their Baba's closest confidante and aunt, Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan).

The series paints a vivid picture of life in Philadelphia through the perspective of two Pakistani-American brothers, who are suddenly thrust into a life of guns, bullets, and illegal smuggling. While Deli Boys is primarily set in Philadelphia, you will be surprised to know that the show was shot entirely in Chicago, Illinois.

Executive producer Jenni Konner explains this creative choice as:

“Chicago is a very friendly place to film. I’m making a joke but really, thank God for that tax break.”

More on this in our story.

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Exploring how Chicago transforms into Philadelphia in Hulu's Deli Boys

Despite Philadelphia being like an additional character in Deli Boys, Chicago plays the perfect Philly, which is why Saeed chose this city, as he revealed in one of his interviews:

“It was important to us that [the show] looks like Philly, and Chicago really does. Not just visually, but vibe-wise. It’s a working-class city that loves its sports teams, and very down-to-earth.''

Here are some of the Chicago filming locations featured in the Hulu series:

1) Cinespace Studios in North Lawndale

Founded in 2007, this branch of Cinespace Film Studios is located at 2621 West Fifteenth Place and was used to shoot some of the most iconic and crucial indoor sequences in the show. Many of the studios' resources ensured a flexible and seamless indoor shoot experience for the cast and crew. The Chicago Cinespace Studios are also featured in many popular shows like The Chi, Sense8, and the One Chicago franchise.

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2) Essence of India

Located at 4601 North Lincoln Avenue, this popular Indian restaurant is the most popular dining spot for the South Asian community in Chicago, bringing a unique and rich cultural diversity to Deli Boys.

Right from their lively dining room decor, which represents distinctive regions and artwork of India, to the bustling and diverse crowd, Essence of India is a secret passageway to the country in Chicago. The beautiful architecture and the vibrancy of the place perfectly resonated with Saeed's vision for his show.

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3) Residential properties on North Euclid Ave. and West Wilson Ave.

Additionally, Deli Boys also utilised two of the most iconic residential properties in Chicago, Illinois, which stand in complete contrast to the city's urban landscape and resonate with the Dar brothers' cultural roots.

Situated at 825 North Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, the show crew used this private residence for its historic homes and classic streets, which provided a distinct and diverse flavour. On the other hand, situated at 2330 West Wilson Avenue, this residence is located in the heart of Uptown and is an apt representation of the city's bustling life.

Both of these locations captured the Philly vibe of the show, adding depth and richness to Saeed's narrative.

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4) Devon Avenue in Rogers Park

Located around 2500 West Devon Avenue, it is a major east-west street located in the heart of Chicago. Known for its bustling South Asian community, this street is another iconic spot featured in Deli Boys. Equipped with charming shops and a bustling marketplace, Devon Avenue is known for its Indian and Pakistani-owned businesses.

The location brought a diverse cultural flavour to Deli Boys, which is also recreated in The Big Sick.

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5) McKinley Park neighborhood

Situated at 3550 South Western Boulevard, this Deli Boys filming location was chosen for its industrial and residential elements, which aptly depicted the harsh realities of working-class life in the South Side of Chicago. The bustling neighbourhood created a sense of depth and realism, as opposed to the other culturally rich locations, providing a unique authenticity to the narrative.

Stream Deli Boys Season 1 on Hulu before the second installment drops.

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