Beef Shack

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

All aboard! The beef bus is headed out to the western burbs. St. Charles to be exact. That's where the Beef Shack is at. This place opened up a few years ago and now has a 2nd location coming. As the name suggests beef is what they do here. I dont know why but it reminded me of the original Potbelly on Lincoln avenue as far as setup and everything else goes. This is the type of place that could expand pretty quickly in my opinion.

Locals favorite in St. Charles 

Maybe the fact it reminded me of Potbelly is when you walk up to line to place your order, sitting there is a toasting machine ala Potbelly's. This is for their garlic beefs which get alot of love. They take a Turano roll and douse it with their garlic butter spread before layering it with beef and some cheese. It then takes a trip thru the toaster to warmup. They're very good, normally not a cheese on beef guy but I quite enjoy that sandwich. As far as the beef with hot goes I like that one too. Beef is homemade but it sits in the gravy for what seems like all day. I was expecting the not so thinly shaved pieces of it to be somewhat resistant but that was not the case. It was tender and the gravy had a little spice kick I liked. The giardineria seemed to be from a jar but it did the trick. Overall it's a very satisfying beef sandwich.

Beef with Hot from Beef Shack

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 4
bread: 4
gravy: 4
hot peppers:3

Score: 15/20

Beef Shack
2115 W. Main St
St Charles, IL 60174
(630) 443-9797

The Original Mr. Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Welcome back. today we visit a place with a familiar name that should be more known to most. When people, specifically out of town visitors, hear speak on Italian beef, many think Mr Beef. The most common is the old spot on Orleans made international by Jay Leno amongst others. There's also Mr. Beef and Pizza on Harlem which should probably be the more more well known one. Then there's the Original Mr. Beef out in Homer Glen. This is one you need to know.

Top Notch Beef Shack in Homer Glen, IL

The Original Mr. Beef has no relation to the others but there is a connection. Carl Bonavolanto Jr opened up a place with his friend in 1983 that would be called a nickname given to him by his buddies. Mr. Beef on Orleans was born. I've always been a big fan of Mr. Beef on Orleans but would have to admit it's golden years are behind them. That's obvious when you go to the Original Mr. Beef in Homer Glen. I was immediately brought back to the back dining room at the Orleans location when I tried a beef with hot from the Original. This is how they used to taste is what I remember saying. Not only was the sandwich stuffed but the bread was on point and the gravy had deep beef flavor. Thew actual beef was super tender and the peppers were the old mix I remember from back when. Not only is this the original recipe but they still make it with love and care. One of he best beefs I've ate of late.

Beef with Hot from The Original Mr. Beef

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 5
bread: 4
gravy: 4
hot peppers: 5

Score: 18/20

The Original Mr. Beef
12320 W 143rd St 
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 645-0456

Jimmy's Homemade Italian Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Back on the tour I'm happy to bring another somewhat new place to the batters box. When I say somewhat it's because Jimmy's Italian Beef has been available for over a year now. At first they were a place that served breakfast, lunch, dinner and more of a diner that also served Italian sandwiches but now they've ditched the morning and later in the evening hours (Open until 6p) and focused on being a Chicago style fast food shop. Located way west on Addison in Dunning it sits in a stretch of the area that is a part of Harlem Avenue's Little Italy neighborhood. Every once in a blue moon I'm at one of the social clubs near here when Jimmy's is open and will stop in for one when so. 

In Chicago's Dunning Neighborhood

Old school homemade recipe, no secrets of it are being given out but I can tell you right here right now what makes it good. Love and care. Cliche? Certainly but there's too many damn places serving beef made in a factory where it's pre-sliced and packaged and just ends up getting reheated served to us on a roll from Jewels. WTF! Why? Because in some cases it cost less and in others people are too lazy. If you're going to have "Italian Beef" in your places name it best be homemade. But even then it's not guaranteed to be good. However Jimmy's does it right and the result is a very good recipe which I hope all my loyal followers over here go check out. We have to give the places like this some business so they can stay just the way they are.

Beef with Hot from Jimmy's

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 5
bread: 4
gravy: 4
hot peppers: 4

Score: 17/20

Jimmy's Homemade Italian Beef
7542 1/2 W Addison
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 589-2100

Alboe's

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

So there's been an interesting development over the last couple months since I last saw y'all here. There seems to be what's almost a handful of new Italian beef places that have either opened or are about to open up shop. I had driven by Alboe's on Archer quite a few times but wasnt able to try them since I needed to be elsewhere. So welcome back folks, lets roll.

 Newly opened sandwich spot in Garfield Ridge

The first thing I thought when I went in was "old school". This is how beef shacks used to be. You walk in and order with one of the old timers who have past experience in the Italian sandwich business. He yells your order into the open kitchen which is just to your left and the old timer in their gets it going. You can go in back and take a seat while watching some TV with the regulars while you wait for your order.

As we enter

My beef with hot didnt come out as quick as some others spots but I was fine with that. Reason being is they make their own and don't let it sit in the juices all day and thru the night. Its sliced then dropped in their extra beefy broth (gravy) for a quick swim. This is how I remember many of the long gone places on Taylor Street and elsewhere doing it in my youth. Also like back when was the size. It's the portion of two sandwiches (just over $7) and they add a little bit extra beef then there needs to be. This allows me to sample some solo and it was very good. Thinly sliced with a good roast beef flavor. The hot peppers were also top notch. A finely chopped blend of sport hot peppers, carrots, celery and spices.  "This is how they used to be" is what I said as I realized I'm now at that point in life. Breaded steaks were getting all the raves from the regulars who never left the neighborhood so I'll have to give one of those a try sometime soon.

Beef with Hot from Alboe's

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 4
bread: 4
gravy: 5
hot peppers: 4

Score: 17/20

Alboe's

6316 S. Archer

Chicago, IL 60638

(773) 498-4526

Marco's Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Lets start this review off like many others. Sorry about the delay. In all honesty I just hadnt had any beef cravings of late. They really do come and go by the boatload. Well when the taste for one did come, I made sure to get to a spot that I haven't doc'd on here. It had been a while since I last stopped thru Marco's Beef so I gave it a go while passing by. You might not get the vibe when looking at it from the outside but this place takes the time and care of making their own beef.


Fullerton just west of Austin

From my standpoint it's still a better than average example of this style of sandwich served in this city, though not quite 1st team, it can be considered an essential role player and maybe even 6th man. The folks there are good people and they load up their tender thinly sliced beef. The gravy has a nice spice kick and the peppers seem to have a little bit of everything in them. A solid option to have if you're anywhere near.


Beef with Hot from Marco's

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 4
bread: 4
gravy: 4
hot peppers: 4

Score: 16/20

Marco's Beef & Pizza
6008 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 745-1015

Buona Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

We're back it over here, sorry for the delay folks, yeah, yeah, I know it's getting old. But I love when I get emails asking when people can expect the next stop. Anyway I'm a little bit backed up but ready to throw some more beef shacks at you. Buona Beef started out as a small mom and pop shop back in the early 80's but today there's over 10 locations around the burbs.

A popular family chain around Chicagoland

I hadn't been to Buona in some time. The one I pass by often is on North avenue and not far from Johnnie's so it's hard to stop there when one of my faves is nearby. But I tried Buona again a few months back and came away pleasantly surprised. I got one from the location in Berwyn next to Gina's Italian Ice. The gravy might not of been as beefy as I like but the beef itself was cut thin and didn't get all clumpy which is a problem I have with some places, especially chains. Their somewhat unique giardiniera recipe had a spice most others dont and was a tasty version. The bread was fresh so that's always a good thing.

Beef with hot from Buona Beef

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 4
bread: 4
gravy: 3
hot peppers: 4

Score: 15/20

Buona Beef
6745 Roosevelt Rd
Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 749-2555
Locations throughout Chicagoland