657941 Wed Oct 07 20:48:43 -0700 2009 9 7 Chicago Area 0 5087396 Where is the best place for an Italian Beef sandwich in downtown? Wed Oct 07 20:48:43 -0700 2009 210316 keith304 1 5088382 Believe it or not, but I think Portillo's has the best IB downtown. I feel it is better than Al's or Mr. Beef by a long shot. Give it a shot!! Thu Oct 08 09:31:33 -0700 2009 5087396 53827 chgo36 1 5090225 It's not exactly "downtown," but Mr. Beef on N. Orleans serves one of the better Italian Beef (and Sausage) sandwiches I've eaten. Portillo's is okay. Al's Beef in River North? F-o-r-g-e-t I-t ! Thu Oct 08 22:18:41 -0700 2009 5087396 181831 gomexico 1 5090508 I suppose Italian Beef can generate the same kind of debate as deep dish pizza. My vote goes to Mr Beef. Especially glad that they are open early mornings on Saturdays. It is a guilty pleasure to bite into an IB after a night of partying. Fri Oct 09 05:52:23 -0700 2009 5087396 276975 ms. chow 1 5091964 Al's Beef and Luke's Beef. Both similar styles. Better hot giardinera for Al's, but a larger sausage for the combo sandwich by Luke's. Portillo's is okay. Their meat is sliced thicker than both Al's and Luke's. Fri Oct 09 14:34:12 -0700 2009 5087396 1106267 ChicagoHokie 1 5092611 Another vote for Mr. Beef. I used to go to Al's a lot, but they fell out of favor with their prices, charging extra for giardiniere peppers (like, huh? that should be an automatic!), and the beef being overly shredded. And believe it or not, Ronny's, on Clark & Lake (in the Thompson Center/State of Illinois building), has a decent one as well. Comes with lots of fries. And for approx. $6.75, it's a steal. Just don't let them put cheese on it. That's a no-no. Sandwiches served until 8p (although they're open until 10p) every day. Fri Oct 09 19:41:28 -0700 2009 5087396 216146 sis2catbat 2 5092619 $0.50 extra for hot or sweet peppers is very common... the (quality) stand that doesn't charge is pretty rare, in my experience. Fri Oct 09 19:50:40 -0700 2009 5092611 27553 gleam 2 5095162 I agree on Al's...overly shredded beef, and to be honest, the location I usually frequent (Evanston) has gotten atrociously stingy with the meat. I ordered their large beef sandwich and it had less beef than a regular size Portillo's sandwich. One of my coworkers had to go up and order another hot dog because his sandwich was so skimpy! There are hundreds of decent Italian Beef sandwiches all over the city. Mr. Beef, Portillo's, Mickey's, Johnny's...you usually win no matter where you go. Sun Oct 11 11:38:55 -0700 2009 5092611 1089347 bourj 2 5166731 I didn't get the Italian Beef, but the chicken fried steak sandwich at Ronny's yesterday was just awesome - topped with hot peppers and tomato sauce, that sandwich held us over all evening. Mon Nov 09 07:13:40 -0800 2009 5092611 15217 gini 1 5177892 I like Luke's across the street from the Sears Tower. I might be influenced by their amazing fries. Thu Nov 12 23:07:30 -0800 2009 5087396 104864 Pete Oldtown