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 

Brando's Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Around sometime last year I was informed of a newly opened beef spot in Berwyn called Brando's. As many Italian beef focused food stops as Chicago has there arent tons that focus on da beef that open up. Many and most of the stands that have already been reviewed on here have been around a while. When a new beef place opens up it tends to be franchised Al's or maybe a Pop's or Buona. I had Brando's on my mind since I was informed about it but never made it until just last month. Lets take a look.


A newly opened instant favorite beef shack in Berwyn

Brando's is a family run business that feels like they've been there forever. The staff was joking around and obviously enjoyed each others company and there was a family there for dinner and a few regulars who came in and took orders to go. Brando's menu includes other options like pizza and whats supposed to be a very good meatball sandwich but this being my first visit I was there for the beef. I went with my usual beef with hot and also an order of the fries which came with heavy praise from those who had already been. What took me so long? I thought this was one of the better beefs I've had of late. The gravy had depth to it (wasnt from a can or a bag) and the beef was excellent, made in house and finely sliced, it melted on my tongue. Those were the best parts to it while the bread was very good and the peppers were ok. I doubt they make the giardinera on site but it didn't detract from this classic example of a Chicago style Italian beef sandwich. If they can be consistent it's gotta be considered one of the best.


Brando's Beef with hot and fresh cut fries

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 5
bread: 4
gravy: 5
hot peppers: 3

Score: 17/20

Brando's Beef
6838 Windsor Avenue
Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 788-2333
Website

Novi's Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production


Novi's Beef (Berwyn, IL)

There are a few scattered mentions of Novi's beef throughout the 'net but nothing specifically about it so im going to document it here on the "official Italian beef board of Chicago" for those curious.Novi's has been at their location in Berwyn since the 1960's and is a favorite stop for many eaters in the area. I first tried Novi's when I randomly spotted it taking the old route 66 route down Ogden and immediately gave it a try since I had not heard of it which is rare for me.

Nov's does a decent homemade beef, not bad, just not special. In my opinion it's similar to the beef served at Tore's but still not better. The gravy has a nice little spice kick to it. The problem I had with Novi's was their homemade hot peppers, which are bad, sorry but they are. You only get a little tiny cup (which they charge for) when you order a beef with hot. Why cant they just put the peppers on the beef like everyone else? its better that they didn't though because these were some of the worst homemade I have had. The fries are some of the best I have tasted and by the looks of the burgers and dog's of others, they may be the way to go here. Novi's also seems to do a popular catering business and they did have some nice deals on catered buckets of beef with bread and everything else you need.


Novi's beef has some of the best fries in Chicagoland

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 3
bread: 4
gravy: 4
hot peppers: 1

Score: 12/20

Novi's Beef
6746 Ogden Ave.
Berwyn, IL 60402
708-749-0895
Website