About Cliff –
Cliff Eisenberg started college at age 16 and graduated from the University of Chicago in 1976. While at UC, Cliff was co-captain of the baseball team that produced the Maroons best record in 25 years. After graduating he spent 10 years at a large deli meat processing company. Starting in the packaging department, he moved into all the other production areas, including learning under the tutelage of a master sausage maker. Cliff eventually rose to Vice President and was instrumental to the company providing hot dogs to the 1984 Olympics and to dozens of professional sports facilities. He also developed partnerships with 2 MLB teams to sell retail hot dogs in their respective markets. One of his proudest achievements was working with foodservice providers in the entertainment industry to market premium beef hot dogs at stadiums, arenas and movie theaters.
In 1993, he joined with his father Marvin and brother Howard to establish their own brand of premium all beef hotdog and gourmet sausages. These unique recipes were successful in creating a beloved brand which was sold nationwide. The company was so successful it attracted many suitors and was sold in 2017.
Now Cliff is returning with a new venture, DBJ Foods. Manufacturing in a state of the art, USDA certified facility, DBJ’s premium franks and sausages are made from fresh, domestically sourced protein, seasoned with only the finest ingredients and smoked to perfection. While developing his new product, it was Cliff’s intention to bring a “better for you” premium beef frank to the marketplace. Avoiding additives that most lower fat hot dogs contain, his new beef frank is lower in fat, high in protein and bursting with flavor. In remembrance and to honor his father, Cliff named this great new line of products “Marv’s Premium”.
DBJ’s founder, Cliff Eisenberg’s goal in developing the Marv’s brand was to utilize his multi-generational family business background to provide only the best products to home consumers. In staying true to the family roots, the “Marv’s” brand was named after the family patriarch, to honor and show respect for his father Marv’s life work.
Cliff is married to his high school sweetheart and enjoys spending time with his 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Over the years, he coached youth baseball and softball, in the hope of helping kids develop teamwork, leadership skills and above all, the joy of the game. Much of his spare time now is spent trying his recipe skills on his home outdoor smoker and continuing to developed new and innovative products.
About Marv –
Marvin Eisenberg was born in Chicago on March 1, 1928. He was the eldest of 3 boys of his immigrant parents Isadore (Izzy) and Minnie. Izzy was a tailor working long hours to provide for his young family while our country was in the midst of the Great Depression. Marv never forgot the struggles, sacrifices and lessons his family and fellow Americans lived through during his youth. Those tough years formed him into an inspirational leader where hard work, selflessness, commitment to excellence and family first were the pillars of his life.
Marv Eisenberg enlisted to serve the country he loved and was stationed in Japan immediately after the end of WW2. Upon returning home, he got a sales job with a Chicago meat processor and spent countless hours learning every aspect of the business. In 1967, he risked all his savings and bought a small corned beef company on the southside of Chicago. In the beginning, Marv had 1 employee who helped him butcher, cure and pack the corned beef. Marv himself handled all the sales and over the next 2 decades built his company into one of the leading providers of premium corned beef to restaurants across the country.
In 1986, Cliff joined his father after spending 11 years with a major hot dog manufacturer and together they expanded the business. It was always in Cliff’s mind to enter the hot dog arena and after his younger brother, Howard joined the company in 1991, the three of them worked side by side to create unique recipes and launch a premium line of hot dogs and sausages. During this time, with the assistance of his 2 sons and dedicated employees, Marv was finally able to spend time enjoying his other great passion… tennis. As a result of all the hard work, family devotion and loyal staff, the successful business was noticed and sold to a major food manufacturer. This allowed Marv to spend a large part of his time in sunny southern California and he was still playing tennis up until his passing at the age of 89.
From Cliff, “My father taught me many things and instilled in me a strong work ethic, commitment to family and a passion for excellence. It’s with this in mind that I have dedicated and named my newest super premium brand of hot dogs in his memory.”
We hope you will enjoy our Marv’s Premium line of Franks and Sausages as much as we have enjoyed delivering the tastiest recipes and flavors to your family!
Marv supporting Cliff at a University of Chicago baseball game
“Marv holding Cliff in his childhood years”