Indianapolis - Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich

[rjohn40787]

I'm looking for a Chicago-style Italian beef standwich, similar to what you'd get at Portillo's in Chicago or Merrillville. Is there such a place in the Indianapolis area? If so, I'd appreciate any recommendations.

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Portillo's
555 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410

[macabre]

try fresco italian sandwich shoppe, yummy's, or detour grille, fat dan's is decent

[macabre]

been hunting them for a while. check out my facebook group on the subject:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/306247...

[Danimal]

Found the place I mentioned...
http://www.bigcitygrilllemonade.com/i...

I happen to have some beef bubbling on the stove and Gonnella rolls in the freezer. MMMM

[nickblesch]

I'm not familiar with the place Danimal is referring to, but Fat Dan's in the Broad Ripple area has excellent chicago-style Italian beef / sausage / combo and hot dogs. Although there's obviously some ephemeral authenticity lacking when you're eating a regional food outside of that food's home region, I'd say that Fat Dan's holds up well taste-wise and compares well with Portillo's.

The french fries are absolutely delicious if you ask for them crispy - and you HAVE to ask - otherwise they're soggy and horrible. I can't fathom why any place would serve soggy french fries by default, but knowing that going in will save you.

http://www.fatdansdeli.com/

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Portillo's
555 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410

[rjohn40787]

Thanks for the recommendation about Fat Dan's. I plan to give it a try when I'm in Indy in May.

[Danimal]

When I lived in Indy a year ago, there was a place on 38th between Meridian and Central. I don't remember it too well, but it had at least passable Italian beef, and pizza puffs, too.

[rjohn40787]

Thanks for the tip. When I'm in Indy, I'll check it out. Perhaps someone else knows the name?