Beefbelly

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Had lunch recently at the new BeefBelly over on Central and Lawrence. It's the brother of BRGRbelly which used to go by Leadbelly. I liked their burger spot well enough when I tried it. So when I heard they were doing an Italian Beef featured place my thought was that if they gave the same care to making a good Italian beef sandwich that they do the burgers and fries they might have something to sit on. Plus when's the last beef stand that recently opened up shop? I had to try it.

Corner of Central and Lawrence

They did a nice job on the inside with quite a few tables to sit at which is good because they were already busy. The menu is based on Italian Beef and the original with hot and or sweet peppers is one of the options. That said I don't think I need to explore different takes on this true Chicago classic. I asked for a "beef with hot" and the lady at the register replied "Original?" to which I nodded yes but she must not of understood the lingo as I was delivered a bare beef. I'll be honest it didn't look all that pretty without the peppers. The gravy is pretty damn red and the beef very limp and somewhat clumpy. I was kind of turned off but it looked better once I asked for some hot peppers and it did end up tasting much better than it looked at first. The beef was not dry nor chewy but it did lack texture and was very wet. I'm guessing from sitting around swimming in the gravy. Seasoning wise it wasn't really bad or great but I appreciate the effort as homemade beef is becoming a lost art. I think they'll do well as they seem to have a good following thru the burger spot and the neighborhood will come by for Italian Beef, fresh cut fries, and what looked to be a decent beer selection in bottles, cans, and draft. I'm sure I'll be back.

 Beef with Hot

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

BEEFBELLY
4800 N Central Ave
Chicago, Illinois
(773) 283-5545

Bari Foods

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

It's been a long time, I shouldn't of left you, without a dope beef to get too. Long time coming for today's stop as I've been eating here since my youth. Bari Foods is one of Chicago's most well known sandwich purveyors. They're an independent grocery store/deli that specializes in Italian items. I love a beef with hot on a frigid winter day which we had here recently. I know I've eaten a Bari beef before, that said I must of just forgot about it because it's been at least five years since I ordered one from there.

Photo outside circa early 2000's

Results? Very good! In fact I've been by twice in recent weeks, the first time was better but the second time was still good. The first visit I likened the beef more to the Nawlins style roast beef used in a po-boy (ala Parkway) than Italian beef but that doesn't bother me. It's got rich beef flavor ala perfectly cooked beef roast and holds together with the bread really well. I never ask for a cup of gravy on the side but decided to see what they gave me and I got a cup of the au jus that was more like debris, which was awesome. They could make a killer gravy bread or even better, a debris po-boy. Throw some of it on their bread with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayo and you'd have one of the best po-boys in all of the Midwest. I cant place them on my 1st team just yet because I need to eat it a handful of times to make sure consistency is there but they've certainly earned a tryout.

Beef with Hot from Bari

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 17/20

Bari Italian Foods
1120 W Grand Ave # 1
Chicago, IL 60642-6048
(312) 666-0730

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

Mr. Beef and Pizza

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Welcome back folks. A new month means a new beef shack to be scored. So today we head west over towards Harlem and Irving to check out one of the favorite spots for locals from around this way to eat in this neck of the woods. Mr. Beef & Pizza is on no ways affiliated with the Mr. Beef that every foodie visiting Chicago feels the need to visit. I'm not sure if there was ever a history but I am sure they have no relationship to one another these days. Also no relationship that I know of between this Mr. Beef and the one in Mt. Prospect.


Locals favorite since 1979 located on Harlem near Irving Park

I dont get here all that often but decided it had been too long at some point last winter so I headed on over to see what was up. They get some love from posters over at LTHforum who's beef tastes I trust and they were right. This is a good version of a Chicago classic. It's got a little more of a spice kick to it from the gravy more so than the peppers and they dont skimp on the beef. Bread is fresh and the peppers are good too. This is a good sandwich and one for a beef lover to seek out whenever in the area. See ya next time @chibbqking.


Beef with hot from Mr. Beef and Pizza on Harlem

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

Mr. Beef and Pizza
3719 N. Harlem ave
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 283-7444
Website

The Patio

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

The Patio is a Taylor Street institution. Located on the 1500 bock of the old Italian neighborhood near where many UIC students and newer trendy restaurants thrive today. Back in the day it was different, The Patio has been around since 1948 and remains strong with a new generation of customers today. Italian beef is their specialty but they are a complete Chicago style fast food locally owned place.


An old locals favorite on Taylor Street

Al's Original is the place that gets most of the love from both locals and tourists alike but dont discount The Patio's longtime recipe they use to make their own good version of a beef sandwich. The bread is always and the beef is sliced thin and they pile it on to the point where its just right. Anymore and it would be too much. The peppers while not my favorite are a unique blend but seem to be more like a diced relish recipe. Not to say that's bad, the mix is just very finely diced. All in all a very good sandwich and one I need to get back for another of soon. It's been a minute and I have no excused as for why.


Beef with Hot from The Patio

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

The Patio
1503 West Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 829-0454

Bob O's

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Hello folks, I know I'm sounding like a broken record but my apologies on the updates. I have many 'beef with hots' to score on the board here and share for all to see but I've just been busy. Well anywoo we stay in the city today and head to the Northwest Side to check out a place at the western edge of Irving Park road within Chicago city limits. It's called Bob O's Hot Dogs and as you can guess they're famous for their dogs but later on became well known for their beef. I suspect many people that have never been nor heard of Bob O's just did so recently when it was featured, for their beef, on the Hungry Hound segment on ABC7 News.


a longtime favorite on Irving Park Road

I had heard of Bob O's but never been until it came rec'd by a fellow beef eater. One whom I know has got love for beef, he cant ever stay away, always getting into it etc... the true beefers know how it goes. When I had heard how Bob O's makes their own I knew I would have to go and was glad when I did. They decided to start pushing homemade beef after perfecting their recipe of boneless roasts which are doused in dried onion and garlic and roasted until ready and then kept overnight and sliced the next morning. I thought the homemade taste was very recognizable and made the beef taste great. Nearby neighbors are lucky to have a top beef option around them. Read more about Bob O's HERE.


Beef with hot from Bob O's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

Bob O's Hot Dogs
8258 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 625-9840

Fabulous Freddie's

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Once again sorry for the delay. Lot's of stuff going on but I need to get the beefs with hot rolling and will get three beefs up on here next month, for real this time. It was about two years back I made what is still my most recent visit to Freddie's over on 31'st street in Bridgeport. They actually had a fire about a year back and will reopen soon after they are done remodeling. It's a long time fixture in the neighborhood with its late nite service and ginormous sandwiches.


a locals favorite on 31st street in Bridgeport

That last visit I ordered both a classic breaded steak, a southside thing, and a giant beef with hot. While I cant remember the exact prices the place is cheap and stays open late so you should have an idea of what it's like. Popular with both the blue collar workers and neighborhood lurkers. You get what you pay for as far as quality, quantity wise you get a whole lot more than you paid. The beef was almost impossible to eat as one but also so packed together it was hard to pick off a piece of thinly sliced roast beef. Not my favorite but a staple in the Bridgeport area that I hope opens back up soon. We (as a city) dont need another Potbelly's popping up and taking up space.


Big Beef with hot from Fabulous Freddie's

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 2
bread: 3
gravy: 2
hot peppers: 3

Score: 10/20

Fabulous Freddie's
701 W 31st Street
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-0147

Mr. Beef on Orleans

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

We're 34 beef joints in and I finally decided it was Mr. Beef's time. No I didn't just go there for the first time recently I just wanted to get some of the lesser known places up on the board and scored first. I've been going to Mr. Beef since I can remember. When people (tourists) talk beef it's usually a discussion of Al's or Mr. Beef. Mister has been getting big love since I've been around in life and since it's a pretty close car ride from where I grew up it was in my regular rotation during my youth. Especially high school days when it was a favorite food stop of me and my friends. I don't get there nearly as often as I used to but did get back recently to be able to score a beef fairly.


a locals and tourist favorite on Orleans street

As you enter, order to the counter at your left

Randy (RIP) was freaking me out my most recent visit

During my youth of the 90's Mr. Beef was most likely my favorite beef at least on the northside. Then for a while I felt like they had a fall off in quality and weren't putting out the same beefs as when Scala's used to be right down the street back in the day. Some people said it went down hill while others claimed their allegiance to Dom and the boys. My most recent visit was everything I remembered Mr. Beef to be. This time around the beef was tender and thinly sliced and their gravy had the taste I was used to when eating a beef with hot from MB. I've always been a fan of their hot pepper mix and enjoy the fresh celery, its not as hot as other mixes but goes well with the beef and gravy. Since Mr. Beef is so big with tourists you usually don't have to worry about the bread which is delivered fresh daily. I'm not quite on Jay Leno's bus but I've always been a big Mr. Beef guy and I'm glad my latest visit was what I remember it for and that's a good beef sammich. They need to stay consistent since they rep the IB and many out of towners judge all beefs by theirs.


beef with hot from Mr. Beef

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

Mr. Beef
666 N Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654-3916
(312) 337-8500

Tony's Italian Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Today we head to da southwest side down Pulaski all the way to 80th street right there by Midway. Tony's Italian Beef is an old neighborhood favorite introduced by an old friend who used to work for Mike Madigan down near West Lawn where Tony's resides. This is a true Chicago style sandwich place that features an extensive menu including breakfast and about 20 other different sandwiches including beef and sausage along with breaded steaks and other offering like chicken and breakfast sandwiches served in French buns too. You can bet they got hot dogs, hamburgers and all the other things you would expect to find at a Chicago style fast food joint.


a locals favorite out by Midway

Their slogan goes by "When Was the Last Time You Had a REALLY Great Sandwich?" but I like to use another saying to describe it - Tony's "the safest place to eat in all of Chicago". I will set the odd's at 5/2 that you will see at least two if not quite a few CPD in their enjoying some rest and relaxation from the streets while putting down one of Tony's really great sandwiches. In the summertime you can eat your beef outside at the stand up counter along the exterior of the place and you can hear the planes landing at Midway airport fly right over you. In case anyone was wondering about good spots to grab Italian beef and other city favorites catered for Super Bowl Sunday or otherwise, Tony's is a really good bet.


It's all pretty damn good...

Tony's will get it's time in the limelight over at Smokin' Chokin' & Chowing in an article that will feature many of it's menu items offered some of which are top notch amongst their peers around the city. But over here it's all about da beef. The best part of da beef over at Tony's is the beef itself. This is a good thing since that's the most important part of the sandwich, ya know? Definitely their #1 seller, they go thru a bunch on a daily basis and so thus it's always sliced fresh and never sitting long. I think the bread is ok and the gravy is legit, the peppers are different. They are without a doubt made fresh with a heavy blend of jalapenos, very small pieces of celery and quite a few garbanzo beans with lots of oil. I don't know of anywhere else that uses these in their giardinaria mix so this is definitely unique. I don't really care either way about the blend I just wish it was hotter. All in all this is a very good beef and the fact it's stayed the same over time is great. They also have a location in Palos Park. I would recommend Tony's to anyone who likes them a good Italian beef sammich and finds themselves out that way by Midway.


Beef with hot from Tony's Italian Beef

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 15/20

Tony's Italian Beef
7007 South Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60629
(773) 284-6787
Website

The Dog Joint

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Hello again my goods friends, Da Beef here. I apologize I haven't gotten around to getting another beef scored up on here at "Beef With Hot" I've been busy with chibbqking and just haven't had the time. But like I said last time I have many spots waiting to go up and will get to many more this winter. So today we head to a hot dog stand in Lincoln Park called The Dog Joint. They've been over on Armitage for a couple years now and will eventually get reviewed as a whole on S'C'&C With Da King. But today were sticking to the Italian beef. Check over at S'C'&C you can see some of their other offerings soon.


The Dog Joint in Lincoln Park

Before this place was the Dog joint I believe it was another hot dog stand maybe Rock Star Dogs? I never went there but when the Dog Joint opened up the homemade Italian beef is what caught my eye and eventually prompted me to go in. I have been there a handful of times now and the Italian beef was ordered on every visit but one. The best part this beef sandwich has going for it is the actual beef. It's a homemade roast that is sliced fresh to order when they arent too busy and it goes on a pretty good roll and the hot peppers and gravy are both good as well. It's actually one of the better beef's I have had from a hot dog stand. I also like how they have late nite hours on the weekends as well. One of the better beefs in an area lacking them.


beef with hot from the Dog Joint

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 13/20

The Dog Joint
350 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 687-9573

The Original Roma

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Our next stop on the Beef bus is to the Original Roma located out there in Norwood Park. Its not to be confused with Roma's Beef in Portage Park which I will get to one day. I hadn't been to either or since my days of working for the Sheriffs department over summer break. The Original Roma as it called was actually closed for repair or whatever for a while and one day when I cruised past it on Milwaukee ave en route home I saw it was back open and stop in so it could get its score over here at Whats Your Beef?


Located in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood

Since it closed and reopened Roma's has done some changes to the menu and they now also carry pizza. I decided to give a slice a try along with my beef with hot and prepared to take my mental notes. The pizza was ok if anything bordering around the not so good line. The sausage was really good however but this is the case on most pizzas in Chicago.


Slice of Sausage from the Original Roma's

It wasn't pizza that brought me in here though, it was the Italian beef. I remembered thinking Roma was good but not great back in the day and so it was time to see if that had changed or not. Immediately upon unwrapping my beef I noticed the giardiniera looked like the pickled carrot and jalapeno tray they put tableside at alot of Mexican restaurants. It wasn't too appealing to see these huge pieces of carrot chips in their hot pepper blend. The beef itself wasn't bad at all and described by me right then and there as good but not great but it was the best part of this sandwich. The bread and gravy were in the pretty good range. All in all the sandwich was ok but the peppers did it in for me. I didn't like theirs at all. Huge pieces of celery and large carrot chips.


Beef with hot from The Original Roma

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 12/20

The Original Roma
6161 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60646-3804
(773) 594-2885

Tore's Italian Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Its back into the city limits for our next stop which is to a place I first went to years ago and that's Tore's Beef. Located in Avondale on good old Western ave its been around for some time but I believe changed owners over the years too. It was actually years in between visits and wasn't until I started this here site that I had a reason I needed to go back. Its your typical Chicago beef stand with a pretty extensive menu ranging from pizza to hot dogs but today its all about the Italian beef.


a popular stop with city workers

Tore's makes their beef in house and is a popular stop with the blue collar crowd with the Italian beef being the most widely ordered item. I would consider it a must to get fries with your beef sandwich at Tore's because they do an excellent job with them. I really liked Tore's when I used to get it now and then back in high school and then hadn't gone there for a few years up until a couple months ago. As noted above there are some other good menu selections to be had but today its all about the beef, I'll feature Tore's again one day and take a look at the other items.


Tore's fresh cut fries are the real deal

On my first trip back things didn't go as smoothly as I would of hoped. The fries remained the same but my beef came without the hot peppers I ordered on it and I was taking it to go but also knew I would be back. I was checking to make sure it hadn't gone totally downhill and aside from them forgetting my hot peppers it wasn't as good as I remembered but it was also very worthy of being scored over here at beefwithhot. So I made a return visit a week or two later and ordered my beef with hot for dining in and took my mental notes upon finishing. Well the beef had the potential to score a 4 but like the previous time it just wasn't tender enough but did have good flavor. I thought the hot peppers were pretty good as well and the bread and gravy were the stronger points. The best thing were those fries and I did enjoy a few with some beef wrapped around them. All in all it was good but nothing great in the hunt for best beef in Chicagoland.


beef with hot from Tore's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 14/20

Tore's Italian Beef & Pizza
2804 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 486-2600

Fiore's Italian Deli

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

When you love a good Italian beef as much as I do you tend to try alot. Now over the years I have learned that you don't order a beef from any and everywhere but rather the places that specialize in it. If you want a good beef you gotta go to a place that has them in their name or at least where its the focal point of the menu. it should be made in house and sliced fresh daily and the hot peppers should be unique to the stand. The delivery of fresh bread every morning is also a way of the day at the best beef shacks around town. In some cases you will find a place like Uncle Johnny's or Rosangela's where they might not be a beef shack but they are able to produce a product that can be classified as a good beef sandwich. So while you wont catch me trying a beef from some gyro place on the westside, I will try one from Italian corner deli's, some restaurants and other neighborhood spots. One day last winter I drove by Fiore's Italian Deli in the Ukrainian Village and knew from the looks of it that it was my type of spot.


Old School Chicago

Fiore's is a fun little place to stop into and pick up some groceries and lunch. Just like every other spot worth a visit, it will get its day and we will look at what else they have aside from Italian beef sandwiches over at S'C'&C. But since this is about the beef we will stick to that. I wasn't expecting Fiore's to have anything close to an all beef 1st team chance but I have to report that the beef should be skipped when going to Fiore's. The best thing it had going for it was the bread, that was fresh and not bad. The hot peppers were also average but the beef and gravy were a big no-no. I would guess they simply took some water added some beef bouillon and proceeded to put pieces of deli sliced roast beef in it and plop it on a sandwich. The Italian cold cuts are much better and the way to go should you stop in at Fiore's.


beef with hot from Fiore's

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 2
bread: 4
gravy: 1
hot peppers: 3

Score: 10/20

Fiore's Italian Deli

2258 West Erie Street

Chicago, IL 60612-1322

Get Directions

(312) 942-9419

Beef with Hot from Captain Nemo's

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Captain Nemo's has been serving sandwiches and soup to the people of Chicago since 1971. The original location is the Rogers Park store which is still open but I have been visiting the Lakeview location on Ashland since my early youth. It was a frequent stop after basketball and football games and its always been in my rotation for a few visits a year since. I'm not sure much has changed at Nemo's except the prices. Its been the same since the early 90's as far as both the food and the interior go. Each booth has a wooden painting attached to the backrest. Each booth has different Chicago famous people of the time eating a Captain Nemo's Sub. When I was younger I always sat in the booth with the Chicago athletes. I think maybe once or twice I might of ordered an actual sandwich from there because I knew the beef was legit the first time I tried it and that was the first thing I tried. Whats even more amazing is that the taste of the sandwich and ingredients used to make it haven't changed a bit.


familiar sign along Ashland in the Lakeview neighborhood


Hey Ozzie is still in town and so is Capt'n Nemo's

Captain Nemo's is a great beef during the winter months. As soon as you walk in they offer you a free small cup of the days soups before taking your order. Its always been that way and always makes me order a combo which is a sandwich, soup and drink. I would highly recommend the combo, beef for your sandwich with their split pea soup. Its a great deal, one of the best in the city. The Italian beef definitely has a strong roast beef flavor, more so than most other beefs I have had. It's homemade and is also sliced a little thicker than most places so that also makes it very close to a warm sliced roast beef sandwich in gravy. But the gravy is its strongest element and much better than many other places around town. Just like any other beef joint I have had really good beefs from there and on a few occasions just OK ones. But when the beef is fresh and fall apart tender in the peppery spiced gravy its a great beef and one I get a few times each winter. Its a great takeout beef because the bread holds together the sandwich and they know how to wrap one up right. Wrapping beef in aluminum foil is a complete no no.


Nemo's has always had the stickers and wrapped it right


beef with hot from Captain Nemo's

Rating Scale 5/5

beef: 4 (when on)
bread: 3
gravy: 4
hot peppers: 3

Score: 14/20

Captain Nemo's Subs & Soups

3650 N Ashland Ave

Chicago, IL 60613

Get Directions

(773) 929-7687
Website

Joe Boston's Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Lost in the shuffle of Grand ave and Chicago ave and all the vacant buildings and old warehouses and factories is an all time favorite of mine-Boston's Beef. If your asking yourself "I didn't know they had beef in Boston" stop right there because they don't have anything close as good and its Joe Boston's Italian Beef. It sits there on an island and is a favorite of 1000's and 1000's of lifelong Chicagoans and people that lived here and left but will never forget it. While I feel like an original custy (customer) since I've been eating here for 15+ years, I'm really not. There are people that have been eating here for 60+ years. If you were to ask me which beef stand around town is the most stuck in time and hasn't changed a thing, Boston's would jump quick to my mind. Its still family owned and still dishing out one of the best beefs in the city.


a Chicago original

When I say nothing has changed at Boston's that pretty much means everything with the exception of the prices and those are still some of the best around. I think a beef with hot with fries and a drink will set you back $6.75 and its not just the price that makes it a winner. I've always thought that Boston's must be using the same high quality cut of beef from the same butcher and roasting them perfectly in their special seasoning which they haven't changed that makes for a great gravy. In fact if you live in or are from Lincoln Park/Wicker Park/Bucktown or anywhere on the near Northside then this and the best beef joint in the area . Now I know that I am known for saying that a beef sandwich with provolone and sweet peppers isn't an Italian Beef sandwich. However like I also said, I've been going here forever and a beef with hot and orange cheese ooze is better than any cheesesteak from Pat's or Geno's. Sometimes I liked a beef with cheese as a change of pace in my youth. Its still a pretty good sandwich. So if you gotta get a beef with cheese try this one. Its the only one I'll eat.


Chicago Style Cheesesteak & one of my 1st food pics

When a place wants to make itself one of the best at what they do then a good way to do that is to pick something you do good and stick with that. The menu at Bostons is a great example of this way. Other than Italian beef they got Italian sausage, an old school favorite-BBQ beef sandwiches-gravy bread & combos, hot dogs, Polishes, along with fast food Chicago style tamales, fries and of course the old school beef stand standard-the pepper and egg sandwich which is of course on Fridays only. If you haven't figured it out by now Boston's homemade thinly sliced beef with well seasoned gravy is one of the best sandwiches in the business.

I used to spend summers doing some labor type work for my dad and uncle and spent one summer working with my grandpa building gliders at a space they own right down the block on Chicago ave. While the job with my grandpa wasn't bad the labor projects sucked (but it was $$$ which is always needed in H.S) and the best part about them was lunch from Boston's. My dad would run down and get it for us 3 of the 5 days a week. Back in the day I could eat a beef almost everyday and sometimes I did.


beef with hot from Joe Boston's Beef

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

Boston's Italian Beef
2932 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622-4307
(773) 486-9536
Menupages Page w/ Menu

Ferro's Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Ferro's is one of those places that almost everyone has seen while driving southbound on the Dan Ryan. It sits on the corner of 31st in Bridgeport overlooking the highway and is the definition of a street and sans type eating spot. I have been to Ferro's maybe five or six times in my life but had not been there in over three years until early this past month. I figured then and there was as good of a time as ever to check it out for the beef blog. Whats up to all the beef hounds over at Facebook.


familiar sight along the Dan Ryan?

I swear that nothing had changed since the last time I was in there. Same people eating the same things and same people behind the counter making them. Its all in the area over at this place. The menu is about as broad as you can get for a Chicago style fast food joint. It includes all the regulars like beef, dogs, breaded steak and sausage along with burgers and all things breakfast. It doesn't try to be anything but what it is and that's a good place to get a quick, cheap and filling meal. Its been serving the blue collar people of the area for as long as I've been around. While the menu list is long and takes a half day to read there are only two things I have ever gotten-Italian beef and Italian Ice.

As far as Italian ice goes this is some of the best to be had in the city. Its a damn shame they only have it for 3 months of the year because its good enough to eat in the winter. All flavors are made with fresh fruit so there's lots of chunks of whatever flavor you get. The most important thing to a good Italian ice is fresh fruit and lots of it but the next most important thing is the consistency of the ice. Its perfect at Ferro's so that its a smooth texture with no clumps whatsoever. It just might be the best Italian ice in the city of it.


Cantelope Ice is perfect on a hot day before or after a Sox game

Now I had remembered enjoying the beef on my last visit but that had to be at least five years ago if not longer. I wish I could say the same for my most recent visit but it was nothing to write home about and I live just a few miles down over on the Northside. What it did have going for it was it being some of the thinnest sliced beef I've come across since keeping score. Unfortunately that was about all it had going. The gravy was without a doubt straight from a metal can and tasted like it was made with boullin cubes and not the actual drippings from a roast beef. Which is probably because they don't make the beef in house. The hot peppers and bread were ok but that's it...just ok. I will stick with the Italian ice which is some of the best anywhere.


beef with hot from Ferro's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 10/20

Ferro's
200 W 31st St
Chicago, IL 60616-3702
(312) 842-0702‎

Luke's on Harlem

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

There are quite a few Luke's beefs around Chicagoland and some are related and some are not. There is no debating that the original Luke's is the location on Harlem which was established in 1973. The original Luke's is a popular spot in the neighborhood for pizza, dogs and of course Italian Beef. I hadn't been to this location in over 15 years but I remembered visiting it back in grade school and was eager to try it again through the years. I finally got back to it this past year to see how it compares to the other beefs around town. The night I made in here it was a cold winter weekend night but there were still a good amount of people eating here around 10p so that was a good sign.


The Original luke's on Harlem ave.


The original rock outside Luke's

The beefs at Luke's are more than serviceable and I would call them good. Luke's has been making the same recipe for their beef that they used when they first started. It has a good spice in the gravy and the beef has a little kick itself from extra black pepper. I thought the peppers were average and maybe the weakest part of the beef but that everything else was good. I could see myself enjoying a beef from Luke's from time to time if I lived or worked near it. It also gets a big bonus for being open late nite and it is a more than passable beef after midnight when there are very few to be found.


beef with hot from Luke's on Harlem

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 13/20

Luke's on Harlem
3130 N Harlem Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 889-4000