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

Portillo's

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

The next stop on the beef bus is to a place known to many. I'm not one to hate on Portillo's despite their fast food status. The truth of the matter is that Portillo's is a fine example of the American dream and a result of what can happen if one works hard. Odds are if you've visited Chicago then you heard of or stopped into Portillo's downtown for one of their famous hot dogs and or many other menu items including beef. What originally started off as a shack on North ave in Villa Park, IL is now a monster in the food game with almost 50 locations in Chicagoland. Its a spot I loved as a kid and whenever I was running around downtown with friends we would eat at the location on Clark street to eat. My order back then was always a dog with everything and a beef with hot. Not much has changed these days except I don't get there as much as I used to and now I always get a chili cheese dog and an Italian beef to go with it. I also always get these in the drive thru nowadays too.


The best drive thru beef in the city


Portillo's Menu

One reason I have always had a great deal of respect for Portillo's other than just their quality despite being a fast food place was also their consistency. Over the years I have had beefs from different locations and they always seem to be the exact same as the others. I also respect a place that can go thru so much beef like they do and continue to put out an acceptable product. If anyone is telling you Portillo's has the best either or well then they just haven't been around or simply aren't from here. However if someone, such as myself, tells you that they have good examples of each (dogs and beef) and its better than some spots and not as good as others, well that's the truth of it. I find that everything from the bread to the beef and the gravy and peppers to be better than average but not great. When put together as a whole its a well made Italian beef sandwich and easily one of the best in the downtown area. Its nice that they are also throughout Chicagoland and are always a good option for a quick drive thru meal. Much better than BK, Wendy's, Subway, Taco Bell, McD's etc...Just another reason Chicago is fast food king.


beef with hot from Portillo's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 15/20

Portillo's
100 W Ontario
Chicago, IL
(312) 587-8910
Website
locations throughout Chicagoland