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.
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:
I get mine with “natural gravy” (don’t call it au jus), mozzarella, and pepperoncinis.
God, I’m hungry!
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.”
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.”!
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.
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.
I honestly have no idea how my .sig got turned on.
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.
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.
Yum. That’s the best part. YMDV.
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.
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.
There is a restaurant called Art’s in Anderson, IN that has served Italian beef sandwiches for decades. It’s a popular place.
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?
garlic and oregano and the bread.
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.
A few places here in Atlanta have Italian Beef Sandwiches, but they also are places that serve “Chicago-style” hot dogs and the such.
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.
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.