In Chicago there is a delicacy known as Italian Beef. You may have heard of it, you may have even tried it, but I can guarantee you that unless you were within the greater Chicago metropolitan region (within 15 miles of the Chicago city limits IMHO) you have never eaten it (not a PROPER one anyway).
For those of you not in the know, an Italian Beef sandwich bears some resemblance to an Au Jus sandwich. It is however vastly different. For one, the beef is far more tender. It is not simply sliced beef roast served with some dipping sauce, the paper-thin beef is lovingly warmed in a bath of heavenly broth until it’s soft, succulent, and pliable. Think of the way that cotton candy seems to melt in your mouth and you’ll have an idea what I mean. The juice is another thing. The Italian Beef sandwich employs a slightly peppery, slightly salty juice with flavors of herbs and sometimes garlic. It must be experienced. Also a true Italian Beef is eaten with hot pepper jardinière. To leave this out is a crime (well OK that’s pretty much a matter of opinion).
Now, people in Chicago tend to take their beef sandwiches pretty seriously. Fist fights over the best place to get this fabled fare are not uncommon. There are several camps dedicated to their favorite spot and all are adamant that theirs is the best. One of these camps is the patrons of a place called Johnnie’s on North Avenue in Elmwood Park, IL just outside of the city limits.
While I claim no allegiance to any faction (I like Portillo’s, Carm’s, Al’s, Johnnie’s……. hell I’ll eat any of it any time) I must admit Johnnie’s is one of my favorites and I’m lucky enough to live only about a mile away. The only problem with Johnnie’s is that it is packed, I mean PACKED with patrons whenever you go with lines often not only out the door but a block and a half down the street. Ten degrees below zero outside? Bundle up pal, because if you want a Johnnie’s sandwich you’re gonna be standing outside for 10-15 minutes just to get in the place.
I currently work in Arlington Heights. There’s a Portillo’s not too far away so when I get the crave at lunch I have a ready fix. It came to my attention today though that the proprietors of Johnnie’s have decided to branch out, adding an additional location on Arlington Heights Road, just south of Golf Road in Arlington Heights - 2 FREAKIN BLOCKS FROM MY WORK!!!
Oh Joy! Dueling beef!
Lunch today? Johnnie’s - A combo (i.e. Italian Beef AND Italian Sausage on the same sandwich), juicy (dip the bun in the juice), hot (lots of hot peppers please). Johnnie’s at home AND Johnnie’s at work! Portillo’s Monday at lunch for sure (just to compare). This almost makes up for the 90 minute commute.
You bastich! I’ve yet to eat and you’re writing eloquently about a delicious sandwich that I have never tried. My nefarious food gnomes will get you for this.
I’ll tell you what - make it to a ChiDope and I’ll bring you on a tour of all the best Italian Beef Chicago has to offer if you’ll get these DAMN gnomes OFF me! OOOOWWW!! Stop It!
Mmmm… Italian Beef! A wet one would have been so much better than the Chinese takeout I had for lunch today.
One of the few foods to have a special eating position all of its own - It sounds kinky, but spread your legs apart and bend forward. No, not that far forward…
Fellow Chicago beef lover here to share savory stories…In fact, I work near rt83 and Landmeier in Elk Grove, very close to a Portillos and easily within lunching range of your Johnnies in AH. I’ve never had a Johnnies beef, but I’ll try one early next week.
Also, I’ve been told that giardiniera is difficult to get outside of Chicago. Even while at school in nearby Milwaukee, I found few places to get a jar. Certainly as far as I have ever heard, proper Italian beef is unknown outside of Chicagoland.
For those who don’t know, perhaps the best thing to compare Italian beef to is the steak and cheese meat from Subway. A proper beef doen’t have the cheese or veggies that the subway sandwich has, but its as close as I can think of. Come to think of it, Subway has surprisingly good giardiniera too, when and where its available. Seems like its only Chicagoland stores.
As long as we’re talking favorite beefs, I’ll cast my vote for Suzies on Montrose near Elston (a bit west). Little hole in the wall, most are, that’s open 24 hrs…sweet. They have this home made giardiniera with the usual veggies as well as corn, kidney beans and potato bits…Mouth is watering and fingers trembling just thinking about it. Its easy on, easy off both 90 and 94 (edens) so I stop by often. The fries are truly worthy of another post altogether.
Might just have to stop by Suzies tonight!!
jngl
After previewing, one additional bit of beefy trivia is that diehard Chicagoans might be known say “eye-talian beef sangwich”…I know thats what I order!
I am from Park Ridge, the next town over from Des Plaines.
And my mothers family and where I spend much of my childhood summers is in Ypsilanti, next town over from Ann Arbor.
Don’t specifically recall the hot dogs in AA, tho.
Just one place, called appropriately enough, Chicago Style Dog (It was called Red Hot Lovers when I lived there, but Irving’s in Chicago threatened to sue)
They do it just the way you’d get it in Chicago and it’s every bit as good.
Damn you, zoid. I’ve sitting here at my desk being paid time-and-a-half to twiddle my thumbs waiting for someone in “upper management” to unlock my suspended user access so I can do what I’m currently being paid not to do, with nothing but a salami-and-cheese sandwich to look forward to for lunch, and you had to get my mouth watering for something I haven’t had in months and don’t have any way of getting.
Oh, and their Maxwell Street Polish are pretty good too.
I haven’t been there in a while, but I grew up within walking distance of Superdawg at Milwaukee & Devon. Best Chicago Hot Dogs I’ve ever had…Garden in a Bun IIRC. Complete with the requisite celery salt and flourescent green relish. Damn, now I want one of those too.
Well LurkMeister, Is ee your location is “WindyCity” so I bet there’s got to be a beef place somewhere near you. It may nit be Portillo’s, but in the intrest of experimentation alone I think it’s your duty to try every place you can find. I think mom and pop joints are often as good as or better than some of the large chains (I personnallly don’t go for Buona Beef myself but to each his/her own).
Yesterday, I tried to find your recommended place on Arlington Hts Rd and Golf, **Zoid**, but I didn't see it. Probably because I turned off AHR at Guitar Center and didn't get a chance to easily turn around in curbed-median hell. Is it on the east or west side of Arlington Heights Road? Proceeded a bit on Algonquin, went to Mr Beef and Pizza at Elmhurst and Algonquin.
Usually when I go there, I get the cheesy beef with giard. but I didn’t go with cheese this time.
I’ve had better beefs there but it was still really good. They cook and/or season their meat inhouse and its really tender. Good giardiniera. Bread was too chewy this time. The sandwich could have been bigger also. Still very good, yum.
Then today, I'm at a customer's site and its their annual free food day with Buona Beef catering. I-beefs and I-sausage with Cesaer Salad. I didn't want to eat before I finished my project at the place so it was not until 2 that I got to go eat. At that point, they were cleaning and were trying to *give* all the food away..big catering trays of beef and sausage! Needless to say, I feasted. I'm not the hugest fan of Buona Beef but when you can make your own sangwich, the thing only can ge Perfect amount filled, peppers just right, juice spooned on in that critical bun/moisture ratio.. And free isn't bad either.
There could very well be more beef this weekend. I’m on a roll!
jnglmassiv, it’s on the East side of Arlington Hts. Rd. just south of Golf, so if you’re going south on Arlington Hts. you’d be on the wrong side of the street.
Let me know if you’re going to try again during the week and I might be able to get free and meet you there.
