Longshot---any place to get a good Italian beef in Portland/Southern Maine area

[brokeasscollegestudent]

I was watching an episode of Man Vs Food for the zillionth time and got a serious craving for some Italian Beef. Since I don't see myself being able to afford a trip to Chitown any time in the near future to get the real , is there anywhere nearby where I can get a reasonable approximation?

[MidCoastMaineiac]

Did anybody ever get to try the beef at Chicago Dogs?

On a semi-related note, the roast beef sandwich at Morse's in Waldoboro is fantastic....just had it again this past weekend. Not italian beef, but darn good beef. On challah bread with this crazy good horseradish / pepper sauce. Yum.

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Chicago Dogs
285 US Route 1 Ste 3, Scarborough, ME 04074

[masha]

Not the Italian beef, and I was not there, but my husband & son both had Chi-style Hot dogs at Chicago Dogs last month and thought they were spot on (& we're from Chicago). So, for what it's worth, they thought that Chi Dogs has achieved authenticity in the dogs, which bodes well for the Italian beef.

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Chicago Dogs
285 US Route 1 Ste 3, Scarborough, ME 04074

[foodquest]

I did try the Italian beef and didn't really find it very good. The beef was rather tough and its flavor didn't really marry well with the onions and peppers. Someone with more experience on a good Italian Beef would be much better able to comment on the specifics of what a good version should be like compared to this.

The hot dogs on the other hand were really good! Great condiment selection, good chili for the chili dogs. Will definitely return.

[matteo1973]

Hi foodquest. I'm just now seeing your topic for the first time. I wish I'd seen it sooner as I would have warned you off of Chicago Dogs' Italian beef. As you undoubtedly know from the Man vs. Food episode, real Chicago Italian beef is slow-cooked for hours, sliced paper thin and then dipped in an au jus type of liquid before it is placed in the bun and accompanied by peppers and giardiniera. At Chicago Dogs, the beef (which is frozen and cut much too thick) is tossed on a grill to cook. When I ordered it awhile back, it didn't come with any peppers, juice or giardiniera. The meat was tough and very gristle-y.

Unfortunately, I don't have any great answers for you on other places to try for Italian beef. I've looked everywhere and come up short. I've even tried making my own, but its just not the same. Unfortunately, Maine is just not a great place for the type of food that Chicago does so well (deep dish pizza, italian beef, etc...). I lived in the midwest for almost ten years, and had many, many great food experiences in Chicago. I grew up in Western New York, so I am also always on the lookout for places serving beef on weck, but that too is extremely hard to come by. This state also struggles mightily with hamburgers, but that's a story for another day. Anyway, have you looked online to see if there are any places that will ship the italian beef to you overnight? I've seen a few places that will ship chicago dogs and deep dish pizza, but its very expensive.

PS: I have seen the "Man vs. Food" episode to which you are referring. The segment on Al's Italian Beef always makes my mouth water. In fact, it was just on the other night and after watching it I went to bed. I woke up at 3am hungering for deep dish pizza!

PPS: To give some credit to Chicago Dogs, their hot dogs are pretty good... still not as great as the real thing, but not too bad for Maine.

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Chicago Dogs
285 US Route 1 Ste 3, Scarborough, ME 04074

[matteo1973]

I'm in love with Morse's. Stopped there one day over the summer and ordered a couple of hotdogs on pretzel bread, with this amazing sweet mustard. I also got a side order of macaroni & cheese, which was out of this world. I need to get back up there before winter arrives.

[Bob W]

If you ever get down to the DC area, check this place out (it's verified authentic!):

www.windycityredhots.com

I'm not from Chitown but the Italian beef is damn good.

[westernmaine]

I think the closest thing you find to an italian beef in Maine is called a french dip.

Roast beef on a sub roll ( crunchy if you can find one) and Aujus.....but the beef wont really come out of the ajus like the Italian beef I know.

[westernmaine]

lol just had to follow up you can find many beef "italians".....but you try to define an italian on chow hound and you will really get a responce LOL.

[ChefGrant]

I'm pretty sure that Chicago dogs in saco has one on there menu, not sure haven't been there in a while.

[MidCoastMaineiac]

Chicago Dogs website attached above...in Scarborough, not Saco. Route 1. If you do go there brokeass, let us know, I'd like to know how it is.

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Chicago Dogs
285 US Route 1 Ste 3, Scarborough, ME 04074

[jackattack]

Haven 't tried it and don't know if their Italian Beef is any good but worth a try............

www.chicagodogsofMaine.com

[MidCoastMaineiac]

You beat me to it jackattack. I can't vouch for the beef either, but i've always loved their dogs and fries.

http://www.chicagodogsofmaine.com/CHI...

[foodquest]

Now *I* want an Italian Beef! Thanks for mentioning Chicago Dogs regardless. If its any good, this could be a great find for me :)

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Chicago Dogs
285 US Route 1 Ste 3, Scarborough, ME 04074

[care2]

It's never going to happen. We're from Chicago and I can tell u to save yourself the trouble. You won't find one (if u do, let me know!)

[the_MU]

You are more likely to find fried whole clams in Chicago.

[sopo]

What does clams have to do with the original question?

[kimfair1]

Because Italian Beef is a regional Chicago delicacy, and fried whole clams are a New England regional delicacy. You're as unlikely to find either the beef in Maine as you are to find the fried whole clams in Chicago.

[sopo]

What is "Italian Beef" and where is "Chitown"???