Chicago-style Italian Beef

Does anyone know where I can get authentic Chicago-style Italian Beef in South Florida? I live in SE Florida, but would consider driving to SW Florida for the real thing. It cost me over $60 (w/o shipping) to order Portillo's Italian Beef from Chicago as a holiday gift for my husband this year.
Thanks!

[seminole phil]

hot dog heaven on sunrise blvd in ft laud just off andrews is the real deal and by far the best bread, sweet or hot wet or dry two thumbs up, it takes a chicagoian to know how to make them

[racer x]

Interesting to see this thread - I was just back in Chicago a couple of days ago, and had an Italian beef at Johnnie's in Elmwood Park.

If you are near Miami, there is Chicago's Bakery & Deli in Coconut Grove.
Personally, I wasn't impressed by their Italian beef the one time I tried one, and their prices are ridiculously high, but others like their servings.

[Mauslein]

Johnnie's Beef! This was six blocks from my house and was the first beef I ever had for years growing up. I didn't know it was one of the top beefs of all time until I moved away and found that all beefs are not as good.

Has anyone ever ordered the Portillo's kit from Lou Malnati's Tastes of Chicago? I'm wondering how that holds up being shipped and assembling it yourself.

[mnjdelray]

Try Chicago Joes on 412 E Ocean in Boynton. Just west of the RR tracks. Sandwiches are PACKED with meat and comes with fries. Very reasonably priced too!

[gimmeseconds]

Definitely Windy City Beef at the northwest corner of Wiles and Lyons in Coconut Creek. I'm a former Chicagoan who frequented Maxwell Street. The restaurant's owned by a former Chicagoan and serves the real deal, wet or dry, spicy or mild. The menu also includes a family-style option for takeout to build your own sandwiches at home.

[elgringoviejo]

I enjoyed an Italian beef with giardenera at Windy City, messy but tasty as it ought to be.

[netmover]

Diggity Dog on Griffin Rd...I am not a Chitown paizano, so I cannot speak to how it may or may not compare to the real thing. I did savour their Mini Italian Beef the other day and was quite satisfied.

[Mauslein]

Hot-Dog-opolis at 6020 N. Federal Hwy Boca Raton, FL 33432, has Italian Beef on their menu. This just recently opened up. I can't vouch for the beef, but I had a Chicago dog and it was exactly the way it was supposed to be. I'm from Chicago, so I know a good Chicago hot dog. The fries are fresh cut and delicious, too.

http://www.hotdogopolis.com/

[freakerdude]

I might try this place out tomorrow. They also have sausages, grilled salami, pastrami, corned beef, brisket, and hamburgers too.

[dickinboca]

the Italian Beef at Hotdogopolis is not good. the hot dogs are fine,very fine and I'd guess the salami would be good also.I'd avoid the corned beef,pastrami and brisket...they do a good dog and the polish is ok...not great.

[scscr]

Fat Lou's of Chicago is in Hallandale..... http://www.fatlous.com

[swoll50]

Big City Hot Dogs on Commercial just east of Dixie has italian beef on their menu.

Good Luck! Beefs are hard to find on that coast. I lived over there for 5 years and found 1 spot.
I hear there are more places, but I could not find them.
It was in Deerfield Beach. I believe it was called Sals. The other was named Hot Dog heaven that had a good dog,but no beefs. There are more on the west coast due to all the former Chicagoans here.

Hot Dog Heaven on Sunrise and Windy City Beef in Coconut Creek