Best Italian Beef

[SavgPncl]

If you have never been there by all means visit Mr. Beef on Orleans St. in Chicago River North Area. It is the best bar none.

[bryan]

I must disagree. The best beef in/near Chicago is Al's Italian beef in Elmwood Park on North Avenue. We travel WAY out of our way for 'em. I think they beat Mr. Beefs hands down. The fries are quite good too. Compare and I think you'll agree.

[Bryans]

Oops. Not Als, Johnnys.

[susan]

Downtown: Mr. Beef on Ohio!!

Western burbs: Bonos in Lisle!

[fluxus]

Whatsamatta Portillos beef, eh?

[Gordon Bogdansky-Kucaba]

There are *so* many good Italian Beef places in the Chi. area that you'll find quite a few favorites among beef-lovers.
Many folks look for places advertising the use of Scala's Beef... A good one using Scala's is Carm's Beef, at 1801 S. Wolf Rd, in Hillside.
I know it's a sacrilege to suggest Red Sauce in lieu of the traditional clear gravy... but Rosati's on Hobson Rd., in Woodridge makes a kick-butt beef sand. with red pizza sauce, sweet peppers, and garlic bread. But, that's only my personal taste.
Different strokes, and all that...
Hell... just try 'em all...~!

[Reenie]

How do I order Scala's Beef for my new place in Florida?

[Reenie]

How do I order Scala's Beef??

[Mary Busking]

Lived in Chicago most of my life & I too have been looking for a really good recipe for Italian Beef. Live in Florida now, and at one time, WalMart carried a frozen, in vacuum pack, Italian Beef, packaged by Scala. It was wonderful. They don't carry it anymore and I have looked on-line to find the company and have been unable to locate it. Have also found some others here that are looking for the same company. If you know of how to get ahold of them, I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.

[jagins]

VISIT THE SCALA BEEF WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION

http://www.scalasbeef.com/

:P

[Snorkus]

Whatssamatta Portillos beef, eh?

[Senor panzone]

portillos sux
vitore's on taylor best

[Mark B.]

Not sure the name of the place, hole in the wall at
32nd and Normal..... like I remember from the late
50's..... Gargantuan amount of beef, dripping jus,
and the quintesential bun....

Groan..!! Delicious!

[joe]

best beef - Freddy's on 31st and Union in Bridgeport

damenzo's on taylor near western is good

there's a small dinky place in cicero called freddy's that has one of the best beefs i've ever had--it's on 16th street west of austin blvd.

[oldbear]

There is a wealth of really good Italian beef around, most all very satisfying ****. Mr. Beef IS superb, yet they serve them demi-sized; Remember Leno visiting Letterman's show in Chicago? He wolfed down four of those on camera like they were canapes. Also, the beef is cut just a bit too thin and is deconstructing as the sandwich is being constructed. I have teeth, I can digest it myself, I don't need it soft. But yes, Flavor IS out of this world. On another front, Orleans Street, as well as the rest of the area, has changed dramatically, as has the experience.

Though I love it many places, for my money, it's Johnnie's in Elmwood Park - easy, hands down. Sit on a bumper, let the juices run, and listen to the flavor of neighborhood chatter. Fries, giardenaira, ...this is italian beef without qualification or feeling like it's a precious Mr. Beef "snack."
Is Al Gelato still down the street? That's a good finish. You can duplicate the recipe for IB elsewhere, but you won't find the hardrolls that are available in Chicago (unless it's another big city with ethnic bakeries.) I've had good tasting IB elsewhere in the country...but it was not supported by the bread. VERY sad. It takes everything, together- beef, roll, juice/giard and peppers if you like (and I do) to make this the Sandwich that Works.

[big McGaffer]

bar none- Johnnies in elmwood park is the best beef. The sweet peppers are not steamed like most joints. They are sauteed in olive oil with onion and garlic. The hot giardinera (sp?) is homemade. i have been in the back of the place and they grind their own sausage. One of the few food stands in general that use a real charcol pit to grill sausage. The beef is seasoned in house- no scala mass produced beef. The prices have not changed in 25 yrs. This place is an institution, been around for 40+ years.

[zim]

Well, I'll definitely take the opportunity to welcome another Johnhie's fan. this may have been the one thread on italian beef in my history on the board where i exercised restraint and didn't tell folks to go to johnnie's

[CHRIS]

I HAVE BEEN EATING AT JOHNNIES FOR ALMOST THIRTY YEARS. I HAVE TRIED OTHER GOOD BEEF PLACES, BUT JOHNNIES IS THE BEST IN THE CHICAGO AREA, AND THEREFORE THE WORLD.

[Orgullo de Mexico]

I've been to Johnnie's. It was a good sandwich but not worth the drive from the north side of the city.

I love Max's, about 6000 N. Western Ave.

Try It!