Decent ones can be found in Milwaukee. I love 'em ‘dipped’ in the juice.
I’ve had two Italian beeves, both from the same establishment, allegedly run by Chicagoans but somewhat further south. The first was exemplary; the second made me sick for several days. I blame the execution more than the concept. Wish I’d taken advantage when I lived in Chicagoish, but there’s only so far you can get on a Big Wheel and the neighbor kid wouldn’t let me near his Green Machine without paying tribute. Jerk.
I’m from MD and live in OH. Never heard of Italian Beef. I grew up eating cheese steak subs (though they might be different than what’s standard in Philly), and when I visited relatives out west in the early 90s no one knew what they were. So, if they are now nationally known, I wonder when that happened- maybe the John Kerry toppings scrutiny?
If “beef” is in the name, it sounds good to me.
I can vouch for the recipe Puly posted way back in post 14. I made it last year and it was great. I think I may even have one more small bag in the freezer.
Fortunately this place is only about 1.5 miles from my house http://www.zackysbbq.com/Menu.html (complete with a picture of their Italian Beef at the top of the menu.) I’d rank it close to most of the ones in Chicago proper so anyone in the Indy area who wants to save about 3 hours drive should give it a try.
The Wiki page for Italian beefs did say Indy is known for them. Although looking at the picture from your link, the Italian beef looks like the beef is to thick.
I can tell you from experience that it is paper thin. Not falling apart like some places, but definitely on par with Portillo’s and others. I’d say their spiciness of the gravy is closer to Al’s (although it has been a few years since I’ve been there).
I live in Omaha. Granite City is a chain of brew pubs that had Italian Beef sandwiches on their menu for a long time. For some reason, they renamed it the sliced prime rib sandwich. Same sandwich, different name.
I don’t know how authentic it is but it sure is tasty.
Per their menu:
Roasted Prime Rib
Sliced prime rib, provolone cheese, and sautéed onions and peppers on an Italian baguette. Au jus on the side.
Sounds tasty but not the same thing.
Maybe someone complained that it wasn’t a real Italian Beef, so they renamed the sandwich. I do like the sandwich though. The real Chicago style sounds good too. Adding an Italian sausage to almost any sandwich is a great idea…
I’m seeing seasoning packets online. How much does a 3oz pack make?
(I figure I should try something at least partly premade before attempting my own.)
I wouldn’t know but I hope they come out good. That’s one thing I’ve never had, I’ve never really had a really good homemade Italian beef. I’m sure it’s been done. Honestly I’ve never really tried making one homemade either.
The recipe in the link in post 14 is worth a try. I went with a jar of store bought Giardiniera and maybe I got lucky but it was good (don’t remember the brand). Slicing the meat thin enough was a challenge but I have a slicer that helped (probably still not as thin as I would have liked.) Finding the right bun was the hardest part.
After typing that… skip making your own if you are anywhere close to a place that makes a good one. If not though, try that recipe and it should give you a good idea of how they should be.
This is why I regret that my parents have left Chicago and moved to Arizona. Visiting them for the holidays always meant at least one trip to Portillo’s. Occasionally multiple times. The same day. I always planned on returning from there with 5 extra pounds.
This may be a bit dated, but just found…
Italian Beef Restaurants by State
You’re in Atlanta, right? Where did you go?
I’ve heard Mike’s on Hammond makes a great Italian Beef, as well as authentic Chicago dogs.
IMHO, Italian food is very similar to French food in that when it is prepared by people who have been trained, it is often the most delicious tasting food on this planet.
I have tasted British food prepared by people who are so-called experts at preparing British cuisine and it is usually some of the most awful, terrible and disgusting food I have ever tasted.
I find it difficult to even call it food in the first place.
However, that is just one small opinion in a very heated debate that people have been arguing for many, many years.
In general, I really detest food that is “so-called” British food. I just don’t get it and I just don’t like it!
However, I must admit that many people who I respect a great deal disagree with me on that point. They like that food for whatever reason and I cannot disparage their opinions because, in general, I value their opinions except for this one small area in which we strongly disagree.
WTF? Are you posting this in the wrong thread?
There’s an Italian Beef thread going too.
Well, he also posted green bean recipes in the how to cook greens thread. I think he just reads a few words from the title and goes from there.
Italian beef sandwiches are awesome. I like them best on really good, chewy/crusty bread, wet but not super dipped, and with pepperoncini. (Sometimes with provolone and mayonnaise, but that’s not standard.) I do like a tiny bit of giardiniera, but it gives me horrible heartburn for some reason.
I grew up in Northwest Indiana, so it was pretty easy to get a decent beef. There was a pizza place called Roma’s that had a darned good version, and they delivered. It’s gone, unfortunately. When I go back home, if I don’t actually make it to Chicago, we’ll get Portillo’s, Al’s, or Zel’s. Hubby is addicted to them now–he grew up in New Orleans, and never had Italian Beef till somewhat recently–but they have a sandwich down there called “debris” that’s similar.
I make a tasty version at home in the crockpot or pressure cooker. A big roast, not too trimmed, onions, green pepper, a small jar of pepperoncini with the juice, some oregano and basil, and a package of Good Seasons italian dressing. Cook it till it falls apart. I do have a slicer now that we rarely use and I really ought to try that. Unfortunately I can’t find the perfect bread here (I’m between Muncie and Indianapolis now). 
Oddly enough, when I lived in Southern Illinois, near STL, it was really hard to find Italian Beef sandwiches. The few I found invariably put marinara sauce on. Ewww. I was half tempted to open a sandwich shop myself…