Best Italian Beef in Chicago 2017

All Too Well switches things upwardly by adding ground kafta and sumac giardiniera to its Italian beef.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Where to Chomp on Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago

The very best in juicy roast beef with hot peppers

by Updated Mar 8, 2022, xi:09am CST

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All Too Well switches things upward by adding basis kafta and sumac giardiniera to its Italian beef.

| Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Italian beefiness is undoubtedly ane of the most cherished of Chicago's signature foods. Topped with hot giardiniera or sweet peppers, the sandwich is wholly unique to this great city, and there's fierce debate over who does it the best. Considering there are numerous delicious options all around town, it's impossible to choose only i. Instead, hither are 20 messy favorites that are all worth trying, from the traditional to the cheffed-up to a few with international flair.

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Notation: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1102 Due east Irving Park Rd
Streamwood, IL 60107

Visit this hot dog stand in Streamwood for a host of delicious greasy delights. The tender housemade beef arrives thinly sliced and covered in a flavorful gravy that's total of dried herbs. At that place'southward also a cheesy beefiness variant and a mini beef for folks who want to pair the sandwich with an first-class Vienna Beef Depression Canis familiaris. Online ordering is bachelor here.

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4418 N Narragansett Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706

What sets Harwood Heights favorite Jay's apart from the competition is its quality accoutrements. The sweet peppers sing, the hot peppers are a pleasant mix of celery and jalapeños, and cheeseheads tin can add provolone or American cheese.

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8258 West Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60634

Though Bob-O's originally started off as a hot dog stand, Italian beefiness is now arguably the main allure. Beef connoisseurs would do well to head to Dunning for a top-notch sandwich featuring meat fabricated in-business firm. It'southward seasoned, sliced, and cooked daily and should be coupled with an order of the impeccable hand-cut fries. Club online here.

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3917 N Harlem Ave
Chicago, IL 60634

The Mr. Beef name carries a lot of expectations. Fortunately, this Northwest Side eating place, which is unaffiliated with the locations in River North and Homer Glen, lives up to that legacy. Cheese isn't a usual Italian beefiness topping but diners can go their sandwiches with mozzarella, American, or cheddar here. A nice mix of herbs and spices season the meat while the giardiniera is flecked with red pepper flakes for extra oomph. Order ahead online. A second outpost is located in Forest Park.

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352 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

A new Lincoln Park deli and market debuted before this year, offer prepared foods, grab-and-become items, dips and spreads, and more. Owner Mitchell Abou Jamra, who likewise runs All As well Well's neighboring restaurant Evette's, pays tribute to his family unit and upbringing through a lineup of delectable sandwiches. The "Sheffield & Westwood" (named after streets Abou Jamra and his grandparents have lived on) is a Lebanese-influenced Italian beef that gets elevated with sumac giardiniera and crumbled pieces of ground beef kafta. Information technology's dipped in jus to finish. Online ordering is bachelor here.

All Too Well's Italian beefiness has Lebanese influences.

All Too Well [Official Photo]

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1547 Due north Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

The Italian beef meets Southeast Asian flavors at noodle store and convenience store Phodega. Owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo have come up up with a multifariousness of fun bites, and among them is a Viet dip consisting of shaved rib eye, cilantro, onions, and jalapenos on French bread. It's as well served with a side of pho jus for dipping then beef lovers who similar their sandwiches wet need not worry. Online orders can be placed here.

• Open in Google Maps

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6454 Westward North Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

Located well-nigh a mile and a one-half from beefiness goliath Johnnie's, this Italian grocer often gets overlooked in the give-and-take of best sandwiches. The meat is mildly seasoned, merely the extra hot cauliflower-sport pepper giardiniera helps balance the flavors out. For those who'd rather make their sandwiches at home, Serrelli's sells its beef in large buckets that are packed to the skirt.

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7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
IL, 60707

At that place will never be an agreement on the best Italian beef in Chicago but Johnnie's is the closest to a consensus. Its sandwich is considered by many to exist the shining standard others strive for — a perfect balance of sweet or hot peppers and well-seasoned beef that soaks upward all the jus. The line oftentimes snakes out the door and information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to understand why. This is an iconic bite that every Chicagoan and tourist should experience. There'due south a 2nd location in Arlington Heights.

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1001 N Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

From stunning Instagram-friendly pastries to traditional Filipino dishes featuring mod twists, there'due south tons to love about Kasama — i of the state's best new restaurants. Chef-owner Tim Flores even manages to put his own spin on Chicago'southward revered Italian beef with a "Kasama Combo" sandwich that layers shaved pork adobo with longganisa sausage and giardiniera. It's an ingenious riff that's every bit as good as the original, if not better. Online ordering is available hither.

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666 North Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654

At that place are dining options aplenty in River North but few are as satisfying as this old-school spot. The nostalgia-laden space — complete with celebrity photos lining the walls — stands in stark contrast to the rest of the neighborhood, while the beef sits in a jus bath to enhance the season before being loaded onto a crusty roll that'south able to hold upwardly to the juices.

Mr. Beef on Orleans has its share of celebrity fans, including Jay Leno.

Mr. Beef on Orleans [Official Photo]

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100 W Ontario St, Chicago
IL, 60654

It'southward truthful: Homegrown restaurant empire Portillo's offers a undecayed sandwich that manages to agree its own against the city'south dedicated Italian beef purveyors. The card also features non-traditional choices similar a "Beef-N-Cheddar Croissant" and a breadless "Beef Bowl," also as a "Big Beef" for the largest appetites. And because there are dozens of locations across Chicagoland, residents are never too far abroad from a quality Italian beef. Place online orders here.

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1120 W 1000 Ave, Chicago
IL, 60642

The dear Italian deli and grocer in West Town is renowned for its selection of subs, simply don't miss the Italian beefiness. The meat is tender, juicy, thick-cut, and served on a roll that stands up to its beefiness. Get it with the extremely hot house giardiniera for a kick that'll humble fifty-fifty the most seasoned spice fanatics. Identify online orders here.

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1079 Westward Taylor St, Chicago
IL, 60607

The purported origins of the Italian beef sandwich tin exist traced back to this Taylor Street stand in Niggling Italy. That's where Al Ferrari and his sister and brother-in-police force, Frances and Chris Pacelli Sr., set up shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would go one of the urban center's iconic foods. Today, the original location is still in business concern and the beef remains unchanged — marinated in underground spices and dipped in gravy. And then stop in, assume the proper upright eating stance, and savor a scrap of Chicago history. Online ordering is available here.

Al's was 1 of the earliest Italian beef makers.

Al's Beef [Official Photo]

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1600 S 61st Ave
Cicero, IL 60804

Freddy'due south showcases the power of giardiniera. The mix of carrots, celery, olives, and sport peppers perfectly complements the beef served at this mom-and-pop grocer and deli, which has been operating in Cicero since 1968.

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4700 W Cermak Rd
Cicero, IL 60804

The center-catching signs and bright lights exterior this longstanding shack beckon passersby in for a messy-yet-glorious Italian beef sandwich. It boasts finely-shaved meat, fantastic gravy, and crunchy giardiniera that'south made with celery and red pepper flakes.

It's hard to miss Scatchell's while driving down Cermak Road.

Scatchell's [Official Photo]

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2701 S Eleanor St
Chicago, IL 60608

Equally its name suggests, duck headlines the bill of fare at this cozy retro-themed gastro-tavern. Only chef-possessor Kevin Hickey likewise delivers mouthwatering Midwestern condolement fare, including a "Decent Beefiness" sandwich. His take on the Chicago classic features thinly sliced prime rib and beefy jus flavored with Calabrian chilies, garlic, oregano, basil, and rosemary. The beef is tucked inside a crusty Italian sub gyre and topped with optional accompaniments similar giardiniera, sweet peppers, and melted cheese. Diners can besides dial upwards the decadence by adding blackness truffle shavings. Online ordering is available here.

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6746 Ogden Ave
Berwyn, IL 60402

Established in the '60s, Novi's is an institution out in southwest suburban Berwyn. The thick-cutting beef marinates in gravy laced with 15 different spices and the hot giardiniera, a ruby-red alloy of celery and chili oil, bursts with estrus and is a must for spicy food lovers. The eating house offers catering packages and ships its sandwiches too. Online ordering is bachelor here.

Novi'due south giardiniera brings the heat.

Novi'due south Beef [Official Photo]

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7007 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago
IL, 60629

South Siders swear past Tony'south, where the thick-sliced beef pleases and the unique giardiniera contains garbanzo beans. Traditionalists volition be happy with the standard beef sandwich simply for an unbeatable philharmonic, order it alongside Italian sausage. The restaurant also sells beef by the pound in party trays.

Tony's has been serving the Southward Side since 1975.

Tony's [Official Photo]

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10337 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60655

The jus is the star of the show at suburban chain Pop'due south. The meat isn't melt-in-your-mouth tender, simply it provides a pleasurable jaw workout. Club online here.

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11925 S 80th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464

Over in Palos Park, this Italian marketplace sells more than but groceries. The deli offers an infrequent sandwich; instead of soaking in juices, the roast beef is sliced to club and chop-chop dunked in gravy ahead of meeting the staff of life. Information technology's taken to even greater heights with the add-on of zippy giardiniera and sweetness green peppers.

• Open in Google Maps

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1. The Original Nana'southward Hot Dogs

Visit this hot dog stand in Streamwood for a host of delicious greasy delights. The tender housemade beefiness arrives thinly sliced and covered in a flavorful gravy that's full of dried herbs. At that place'due south as well a cheesy beef variant and a mini beef for folks who want to pair the sandwich with an fantabulous Vienna Beefiness Low Dog. Online ordering is available here.

1102 E Irving Park Rd
Streamwood, IL 60107

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2. Jay'south Beefiness

What sets Harwood Heights favorite Jay's autonomously from the competition is its quality accoutrements. The sweet peppers sing, the hot peppers are a pleasant mix of celery and jalapeños, and cheeseheads can add provolone or American cheese.

4418 N Narragansett Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706

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3. Bob-O's Hot Dogs

Though Bob-O'south originally started off as a hot dog stand up, Italian beef is now arguably the main attraction. Beefiness connoisseurs would exercise well to caput to Dunning for a top-notch sandwich featuring meat fabricated in-house. It's seasoned, sliced, and cooked daily and should be coupled with an order of the impeccable hand-cut fries. Order online hither.

8258 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60634

• Open in Google Maps

four. Mr. Beef and Pizza

The Mr. Beefiness name carries a lot of expectations. Fortunately, this Northwest Side eating place, which is unaffiliated with the locations in River North and Homer Glen, lives up to that legacy. Cheese isn't a usual Italian beef topping simply diners can get their sandwiches with mozzarella, American, or cheddar here. A squeamish mix of herbs and spices season the meat while the giardiniera is flecked with ruby pepper flakes for extra oomph. Order ahead online. A second outpost is located in Forest Park.

3917 Due north Harlem Ave
Chicago, IL 60634

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5. All Too Well

All Too Well'south Italian beef has Lebanese influences.

All Too Well [Official Photo]

A new Lincoln Park deli and market debuted earlier this year, offering prepared foods, take hold of-and-go items, dips and spreads, and more. Possessor Mitchell Abou Jamra, who also runs All Besides Well'southward neighboring restaurant Evette'south, pays tribute to his family unit and upbringing through a lineup of delectable sandwiches. The "Sheffield & Westwood" (named after streets Abou Jamra and his grandparents accept lived on) is a Lebanese-influenced Italian beefiness that gets elevated with sumac giardiniera and crumbled pieces of ground beef kafta. It's dipped in jus to finish. Online ordering is bachelor here.

352 Westward Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

• Open up in Google Maps

6. Phodega

The Italian beef meets Southeast Asian flavors at noodle shop and convenience store Phodega. Owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo have come up up with a diverseness of fun bites, and among them is a Viet dip consisting of shaved rib eye, cilantro, onions, and jalapenos on French bread. It's also served with a side of pho jus for dipping so beefiness lovers who like their sandwiches wet need not worry. Online orders can be placed here.

1547 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

• Open in Google Maps

vii. Serrelli's Effectively Foods

Located about a mile and a one-half from beef goliath Johnnie's, this Italian grocer often gets overlooked in the discussion of best sandwiches. The meat is mildly seasoned, but the extra hot cauliflower-sport pepper giardiniera helps balance the flavors out. For those who'd rather make their sandwiches at dwelling, Serrelli's sells its beef in large buckets that are packed to the skirt.

6454 Due west North Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

• Open in Google Maps

8. Johnnie'southward Beef

There will never be an agreement on the best Italian beefiness in Chicago but Johnnie'due south is the closest to a consensus. Its sandwich is considered by many to be the shining standard others strive for — a perfect balance of sweet or hot peppers and well-seasoned beef that soaks up all the jus. The line ofttimes snakes out the door and information technology's easy to empathise why. This is an iconic bite that every Chicagoan and tourist should experience. There's a second location in Arlington Heights.

7500 Westward N Ave, Elmwood Park
IL, 60707

• Open up in Google Maps

9. Kasama

From stunning Instagram-friendly pastries to traditional Filipino dishes featuring modern twists, there's tons to dear nigh Kasama — one of the country's best new restaurants. Chef-owner Tim Flores fifty-fifty manages to put his own spin on Chicago's revered Italian beef with a "Kasama Combo" sandwich that layers shaved pork adobo with longganisa sausage and giardiniera. It's an ingenious riff that's every bit as proficient as the original, if non better. Online ordering is bachelor hither.

1001 N Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

• Open in Google Maps

10. Mr. Beef on Orleans

Mr. Beef on Orleans has its share of celebrity fans, including Jay Leno.

Mr. Beef on Orleans [Official Photograph]

There are dining options aplenty in River North just few are as satisfying as this one-time-school spot. The nostalgia-laden space — complete with glory photos lining the walls — stands in stark contrast to the rest of the neighborhood, while the beef sits in a jus bath to enhance the flavor before beingness loaded onto a crusty curl that'southward able to hold up to the juices.

666 N Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654

• Open up in Google Maps

11. Portillo's

It'southward true: Homegrown eatery empire Portillo'south offers a dependable sandwich that manages to agree its own against the urban center's dedicated Italian beef purveyors. The card also features non-traditional choices similar a "Beef-North-Cheddar Croissant" and a breadless "Beef Basin," as well as a "Big Beef" for the largest appetites. And because at that place are dozens of locations beyond Chicagoland, residents are never also far away from a quality Italian beef. Place online orders here.

100 Due west Ontario St, Chicago
IL, 60654

• Open up in Google Maps

12. Bari

The beloved Italian deli and grocer in Due west Town is renowned for its selection of subs, merely don't miss the Italian beefiness. The meat is tender, juicy, thick-cut, and served on a roll that stands upwardly to its beefiness. Get information technology with the extremely hot firm giardiniera for a kick that'll humble fifty-fifty the about seasoned spice fanatics. Identify online orders here.

1120 Due west Thou Ave, Chicago
IL, 60642

• Open in Google Maps

xiii. Al's Italian Beefiness

Al'due south was one of the earliest Italian beef makers.

Al's Beef [Official Photo]

The purported origins of the Italian beef sandwich can be traced back to this Taylor Street stand in Fiddling Italy. That'southward where Al Ferrari and his sis and brother-in-constabulary, Frances and Chris Pacelli Sr., ready shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would get one of the city's iconic foods. Today, the original location is still in concern and the beefiness remains unchanged — marinated in secret spices and dipped in gravy. So stop in, assume the proper upright eating opinion, and bask a flake of Chicago history. Online ordering is bachelor here.

1079 Due west Taylor St, Chicago
IL, 60607

• Open in Google Maps

14. Freddy'due south Pizza

Freddy's showcases the ability of giardiniera. The mix of carrots, celery, olives, and sport peppers perfectly complements the beef served at this mom-and-pop grocer and deli, which has been operating in Cicero since 1968.

1600 Southward 61st Ave
Cicero, IL 60804

• Open in Google Maps

15. Scatchell'south Beef & Pizza

It's hard to miss Scatchell's while driving down Cermak Road.

Scatchell's [Official Photo]

The center-catching signs and bright lights exterior this longstanding shack beckon passersby in for a messy-yet-glorious Italian beef sandwich. It boasts finely-shaved meat, fantastic gravy, and crunchy giardiniera that's made with celery and reddish pepper flakes.

4700 W Cermak Rd
Cicero, IL 60804

• Open in Google Maps

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16. The Duck Inn

Every bit its name suggests, duck headlines the carte at this cozy retro-themed gastro-tavern. Only chef-owner Kevin Hickey besides delivers mouthwatering Midwestern comfort fare, including a "Decent Beef" sandwich. His take on the Chicago archetype features thinly sliced prime rib and bulky jus flavored with Calabrian chilies, garlic, oregano, basil, and rosemary. The beefiness is tucked inside a crusty Italian sub roll and topped with optional accompaniments similar giardiniera, sweet peppers, and melted cheese. Diners can also punch upwards the decadence past calculation blackness truffle shavings. Online ordering is available here.

2701 S Eleanor St
Chicago, IL 60608

• Open up in Google Maps
• OpenTable
• Foursquare

17. Novi's Beefiness

Novi's giardiniera brings the estrus.

Novi'southward Beefiness [Official Photograph]

Established in the '60s, Novi'southward is an institution out in southwest suburban Berwyn. The thick-cut beef marinates in gravy laced with 15 different spices and the hot giardiniera, a ruby blend of celery and chili oil, bursts with rut and is a must for spicy food lovers. The restaurant offers catering packages and ships its sandwiches as well. Online ordering is available here.

6746 Ogden Ave
Berwyn, IL 60402

• Open in Google Maps

18. Tony'due south Italian Beefiness

Tony'south has been serving the South Side since 1975.

Tony'south [Official Photo]

South Siders swear by Tony's, where the thick-sliced beef pleases and the unique giardiniera contains garbanzo beans. Traditionalists will be happy with the standard beef sandwich but for an unbeatable philharmonic, order it alongside Italian sausage. The eating place besides sells beef by the pound in party trays.

7007 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago
IL, 60629

• Open in Google Maps

19. Pop'southward Italian Beef & Sausage

The jus is the star of the show at suburban chain Pop's. The meat isn't melt-in-your-oral fissure tender, merely it provides a pleasurable jaw conditioning. Order online here.

10337 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60655

• Open in Google Maps

20. Frangella Italian Market place

Over in Palos Park, this Italian market place sells more just groceries. The cafeteria offers an infrequent sandwich; instead of soaking in juices, the roast beef is sliced to order and speedily dunked in gravy ahead of meeting the breadstuff. Information technology's taken to even greater heights with the add-on of zippy giardiniera and sweet dark-green peppers.

11925 Due south 80th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464

• Open in Google Maps

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Source: https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-italian-beef-sandwiches-chicago

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