# Are italian beef sandwiches popular outside of Chicago area? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 29, 2014, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535 "2014-05-29T03:57:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chicagowhitesox1173](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@chicagowhitesox1173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicagowhitesox1173)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/21 "2014-05-29T06:53:15Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > I’ve heard of Italian Beef Sandwiches but I don’t think I’ve had one that could be called authentic. They are a lot like [French Dip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_dip_sandwich)sandwiches which I have eaten numerous times. It’s interesting that two very similar sandwiches could develop separately in two different parts of the US (Chicago and LA). I guess they look somewhat like a French Dip sandwich but they taste totally different. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/22 "2014-05-29T07:46:54Z")
> [@chicagowhitesox1173](#): > > I guess they look somewhat like a French Dip sandwich but they taste totally different. True. The meat used in a French Dip usually isn’t seasoned. There are no sweet peppers either. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/23 "2014-05-29T10:53:31Z")
I feel grateful for having lived in the Chicago area my whole life, I couldn’t imagine a world without these sandwiches. If one ever finds oneself on the south side: > **[Welcome to Rubino's Italian Imports!](http://www.rubinositalianimports.com)** > > Looking for that authentic Italian taste? You've come to the right place! Rubino's Italian Imports offers a wide variety of fresh Italian products straight from the home country. Combined with there sensational deli meats and cheeses, Rubino's should... I get mine with “natural gravy” (don’t call it au jus), mozzarella, and pepperoncinis. God, I’m hungry! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/24 "2014-05-29T11:25:58Z")
I’ve gotten strange looks from out-of-towners (or when I’m the out-of-towner) when I’ve said something like, “Man, I could really go for a hot dipped Italian right now.” ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/25 "2014-05-29T12:02:19Z")
I am from Pittsburgh, and I’ve heard about Italian Beef for years but never had one. There used to be a little place in downtown Pittsburgh called **Yovi’s: A Little Bit of Chicago** that had Chicago style hot dogs and sandwiches, but I never tried the Italian Beef before it closed ☹ I have never seen Italian Beef anywhere else, even outside of Pittsburgh. Then we went to Chicago a few years ago, and my wife’s son in law took us to Portillos and got some. The drive through line was very very long, although it moved quickly. But I was disappointed. The beef tasted very bland and had very little flavor, although it was juicy. And I know we’ve been through this with the hot dogs, but **for the love of god, Chicagoans, CELERY IS NOT A FREAKING SANDWICH TOPPING! It’s a garnish! Do you also put those little parsley sprigs on your sandwiches? No, because you’re not insane!** _ahem_ To be fair, we’d been driving for something like 14 or 15 hours at that point, it was pretty late, and I like to try things a couple times before pronouncing it something I like or don’t like. Especially something as beloved as Italian Beef. I didn’t get a chance at another one, although I wanted to try a different location and see how that stacked up. So I will definitely try it again when we go back out that way (maybe next summer). Then again, Pittsburgh’s signature sandwich seems to be that ghastly Primantis roadkill sandwich topped with watery cole slaw and greasy french fries. Yet, if you ask any random person on the street here where to get the best steak sandwiches in Pittsburgh, 99% of the people will answer “Primanti Bros.”! ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/26 "2014-05-29T12:09:57Z")
I hew up in Chicago and lived several places before settling down here in San Diego. Echoing previous comments, you’ll find an occasional “Chicago-style” restaurant here. Some good, some not so. Their Italian Beef sandwiches are OK, but not up to “Al’s” standards. Even if they were, however, people out here lean more toward Mexican cuisine. Maybe if you could get a good one, IB would catch on. On a related subject, most recently I’ve lived here in SD for 25 years and San Francisco for 10 years. I find it amazing how difficult it is to find good pizza in both these cities. In most cases the restaurants cheap out the Italian Sausage. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/27 "2014-05-29T12:26:08Z")
You’d think they’d be a LITTLE popular in Italy, yeah? The SoCal Portillo’s spoken of upthread is at the Buena Park Mall, about half a mile from Knott’s Berry Farm. I’ve only tried their hot dogs, though, and that was some time ago (lines are longer than can be justified by the level of quality and value). A quick check shows another store in Moreno Valley, which, being in Riverside County, just wouldn’t be worth the drive. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/28 "2014-05-29T12:28:51Z")
I honestly have no idea how my .sig got turned on. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/29 "2014-05-29T13:34:07Z")
I’ve lived on the west coast, New England, the South, and Chicago (for 13 years). Chicago is the only place I ever encountered Italian Beef sandwiches. To be honest, I never cared for them. Too wet and drippy; the hoagie bun gets all soggy. Yuck. However I’d kill for a real Chicago style deep dish pizza. I’ve never found those anywhere else either. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/30 "2014-05-29T13:48:24Z")
Oh yeah. I was born in Chi-town and we used to get Italian Beef’s from a place on the north side called ‘Boobies’. Anybody know if it’s still there? (I don’t dare Google it from work). I work in a small mountain town in Central Colorado, and there IS a sandwich shop that makes very good ones. I get it once a month or so. Fantastic if done right. I make them at home once in a while, and while quite good, it’s missing something. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/31 "2014-05-29T13:49:55Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > … Too wet and drippy; the hoagie bun gets all soggy. Yuck. Yum. That’s the best part. YMDV. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/32 "2014-05-29T13:52:10Z")
I’m from Maryland/DC, and I have no idea what an Italian beef sandwich is. Primarily in Baltimore, we have “pit beef.” It’s basically roast beef that’s been cooked on a charcoal grill and sliced thin, then put on a roll with an onion slice and horseradish. It’s why I know that Arby’s is shit. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/33 "2014-05-29T13:56:48Z")
Italian Beef is just a Chicago thing as far as I can tell. My colleague from Chicago was shocked when he moved to DC and couldn’t find any here. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/34 "2014-05-29T14:04:26Z")
There is a restaurant called Art’s in Anderson, IN that has served Italian beef sandwiches for decades. It’s a popular place. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/35 "2014-05-29T14:05:12Z")
OK, the Portillo’s in Moreno Valley is just over the hills for me. I’ll head over sometime in the next week or so and see what the fuss is all about. I know about Italian Beef because I watch the Food Network. I even know how to do the “hunch” so it doesn’t drip down your arms. But I really have to agree with **Apocalypso** about the celery. What is it with Chicago and putting a salad on top of everything? ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/36 "2014-05-29T14:09:58Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > So, what’s Italian about them? garlic and oregano and the bread. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/37 "2014-05-29T14:10:13Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > So, what’s Italian about them? In the beginning, Italians or Italian-Americans owned the shops that sold beef sandwiches with a garlic spiced beef gravy. _Youse guys want a couple of beefs? Who wants some Eyetalion samiches_? I hope it’s not against forum rules, but the _Tastes of Chicago_ website offers Portillo’s Italian Beef Kits and Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza. Both are very Chicago and both are very good. > **[Tastes of Chicago | Famous Chicago Food & Gift Delivery](https://www.tastesofchicago.com/)** > > Ship food from Famous Chicago Restaurants, Chicago Food gifts, and more. Visit Tastes of Chicago today! ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/38 "2014-05-29T14:17:42Z")
A few places here in Atlanta have Italian Beef Sandwiches, but they also are places that serve “Chicago-style” hot dogs and the such. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/39 "2014-05-29T14:27:29Z")
I’ve seen Chicago-style beef sandwiches on TV and they LOOK fabulous… but I’ve never yet seen an actual restaurant outside CHicago that sells them. I wish. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535/40 "2014-05-29T14:29:24Z")
Because of this thread, I went on a hunt for Italian Beef in Atlanta. Turns out, there are great reviews for a place very close to me. Now I’m excited to try one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-italian-beef-sandwiches-popular-outside-of-chicago-area/689535.md?page=3)