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

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

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

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

Pop's Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Maybe the reason I have such a picky palate when it comes to Italian beef is because I have been exploring the different beef joint's of the city since my youth. While y'all were eating at Mr. Beef and Portillo's thinking you were heaven, I was in beef heaven. I have two favorite beef sandwiches that I was introduced to in my youth, Pop's and Jay's. Pop's is out on the south side and I would consider it the best IB out south and still in my starting five for the all Chicago beef team. I have been eating at Pop's for 15+ years. Back in the day when me and family would be at our grandma's for Sunday dinner, me, my brother and my cousins would always ride bikes over to Pop's to eat beef and gravy bread before dinner. Yes, I was taking food journeys before I even had a license.


Pop's in Beverly is one of the King's all time favorites

Pop's does everything above average and it makes one of the better beef's in the city no matter where you are. They slice their beef ultra thin and dont skim on it by any means. Im a huge fan of the hot peppers at pop's, some of the best around. This was my favorite restaurant as a kid and still one of my favorite beef joints in the Chi. It really hasnt changed aside from a few more locations throughout the area. Unlike other places that expand they seem to do the same good beef at each location. I would still recommend the original on Kedzie though. Folks on the south side are lucky to have such a good beef that hasnt changed. Its always got a constant flow of traffic and they aint dumb, they do a beef dinner to go for all the family's busy with school and sports activities. You get the beef, roll of bread, gravy and giardinara and do it all up at home. This way the wife doesnt have to cook and dad and the kids are happy, everyone loves Pop's. Ill be goin here til the day I die. Go Cub's.


beef with hot from Pop's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 18/20

Pop's Italian Beef and Sausage
10337 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 239-1243
Website

Beef from Rosangela's Pizza

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Rosangela's is a pizza place in Evergreen park that also happens to serve a pretty good Italian beef sandwich. While its more like a seasoned hot roast beef sandwich in texture, flavor and preparation its still pretty damn good. You might not expect it to be much so it doesn't come with high hopes and really exceeded my expectations on the particular day I visited. Just like I had very clear memories of eating at Rosangela's way back in the day I also had a memory that I really enjoyed the Italian beef as a kid. I remembered that I liked it because it was so different and the fact that the bread was toasted creating a crunchy exterior with a juicy interior.


Hidden beneath the pizza is a good beef

Just like I had remembered the pizza hadn't changed a bit the same goes for the Italian beef. Rosangela's offers up a homemade beef cooked in a spiced up red gravy which is served on the aforementioned toasted bread with some nice hot peppers which may or may not have been made in house. I have rule that I rarely if ever order an Italian beef from a non-beef joint. Despite the fact beef sandwiches are available at almost every Chicago fast food and pizza place in Chicagoland most of them are anything but authentic and more important- tasty. Rosangela's is an exception to that rule. I look at it as a "grandmas" beef, something that an Italian grandma would make for a Sunday night family dinner. I'm willing to bet that the Italian beef in general has evolved in some ways in Chicago and this might be the most classic example of an old school sit down beef that could be had at many of the pizza taverns around town in the 1950s. I have yet to find a better beef that comes with waitress service or a better appetizer at any of the great pizza places around town. Its worth getting a sandwich or two as an appetizer for your group before the pizzas. Check Smokin', Chokin' & Chowing later this month for the pizza review.


half of a beef with hot from Rosangela's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 14/20

Rosangela's Pizzeria
2807 1/2 W 95th St
Evergreen Park, IL 60805
(708) 422-2041

Uncle Johnny's Grocery

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Welcome back beefies, off to da south side we go for stop number twelve on the Chicago beef tour. Over on 35th st in Bridgeport is Uncle Johnny's grocery & deli, the definition of a ma & pa grocery shop. My man Johnny does a grocery business with a fully stacked deli meat case including homemade Italian sausage as well as hot sandwiches like beef, sausage, meatball and cold cuts, also available are all your pasta needs as well as drinks and a few toiletries.


Ole Uncle Johnny's

I rarely make it to the stomping grounds of Cell Block #9 but a few times a year. There's the times when the real fans of the Northside invade Comiskey and piss off Ozzie that his team has an away game at home and then those times when I'm doing some real eating. Chicago is referred to as the world's largest neighborhood due to the fact its a bunch of different vibrant neighborhoods in what also happens to be one the largest city's in the world as far as square miles. The Bridgeport neighborhood is home to the White Sox and quite a few long time neighborhood taverns and independent food spots that have been there more than a few decades. Its this that makes Bridgeport one of Chicago's most notable and for that matter real neighborhoods and Uncle Johnny's Grocery is my favorite beef in the area.


The Whole menu is great at Johnny's

I just happened to find Johnny's randomly one day a few summers ago and have been quite a few times since. This Italian beef reminds me of a few spots that are long gone from Taylor St. It really fits the mold of an old school beef. Its an old family beef recipe that they serve in both six and foot long options and is served on a homemade bread from a local bakery that isn't Gonnella which it gives it its own character. I think the beef is above average and the gravy is better than good while the unique bread reminds me of different beefs from my youth. My only real beef with Johnny's is that they use the local canned giardinara they sell in store on the beef but thats not really a big deal because its not bad at all, I just like when the peppers are made in house. On top of the fact they do one of the south sides better Italian beef sandwiches its also one of the best deals on a beef in the city.


a large from Uncle Johnny's is how it should be

Over at Uncle Johnny's you pay the same price you would at most other spots around town for double the beef and you cant beat that. He takes care of you like that uncle of yours always did around family parties when he slipped you $20 in cash for grabbing beers when you were a young lad. I'll never root for the White Sox but I'm one of Johnny's biggest fans.


Beef with hot from Uncle Johnny's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 15/20

Uncle Johnny's Grocery
500 W 32nd St
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-6111

Chickie's Beef

-Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Chickie's beef at 28th and Pulaski is a locals favorite that still remains deep under the radar. It also happens to be one of my favorites and the home of the best giardinara in the city. This is a beef shack that is relatively unknown to those who love themselves a good IB and I cant figure out why that is. They recently went under new ownership to a family of longtime customers and they have wrinkled out the kinks that come with starting a restaurant and are at full strength. The IB here is a favorite amongst Streets and Sans workers so you know its good. It is also on my starting five all Chicago-beef team. Now you really know its good.


The old beef shack at 26th and Pulaski (Chickie's)

I'm not saying Portillo's is awful but if you think they have the best beef in Chicago you haven't been to Chickie's or almost any of the other round-ups throughout this site. Most good beef stands are nowhere near downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. This means your going to need to venture out if you want to understand why the IB is king of all the regional sandwiches. Chickie's is a good place to start if you disagree with that statement.

The beef at Chickie's is of course homemade and cooked and sliced perfectly but what puts them over the top is the gravy and hot peppers. The gravy has the deepest most rich beef flavor of all the stands around town and the homemade hot peppers are loaded with jalapeños and celery creating a neon color that is really, really pleasant to my eye. The fries are also the best set of fries served at any beef joint around town. They are very, very similar to the now gone Fazzio's in Lincoln Park (RIP) that was the place that made me love beef like PETA made Pamela Anderson love tofu.


Chickie's top notch fries

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beef with hot from Chickie's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 18/20

Chickie's
2839 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 277-2333

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