Frangella Italian Market

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Those that follow the @hungryhound on social media may have seen his impressive Italian beef crawl he recently did and then wrote about while scoring each stand. What stood out to me was the fact there were a few spots I hadnt been to yet. One of them ranked in the top 5 for the suburbs thus caught my eye. Frangella Italian Deli is a classic family run joint in the Southwest Suburbs. You can get fresh deli sliced meat, imported goods, produce, and food made to order. The business was established in 1993 by Gina and Francesco Frangella, originally from Calabria, Italy.

Locals favorite in Palos Park, IL

Frangella has quite the fresh bread collection. I saw loaves from D'Amato's, Liborio, Gonnella, Turano, and others. They seem to run a pretty well stocked ship when it comes to Italian deli counter needs. While it would have to wait I was very intrigued by the beef and cheddar stromboli listed under the house specialties. It's the type of spot you'd love to call your neighbor.

Beef and Cheddar Stromboli in the display case

Steven pretty much described the process of making it and it's flavors to exactly what I saw and then ate. Although he does mention that they use D'Amato's bread but I'm not sure about that. If they do use them, they use a single sandwich loaf I'm unfamiliar with (as you can see in the pic) as this bread was not cut nor was it crusty. It wasn't bad and held up well to a very generous amount of near perfect roast beef. The giardiniera had subtle kick with extra crunch and the gravy was noticeable in both temperature and taste. I have to say this is one that slipped thru the hole for me. One thing I really appreciated from Da Hounds roundup was his addressing of consistency. It might not be to the level of BBQ but some beef spots do have problems with it, maybe even Frangella.

Beef with Hot from Frangella Italian Market

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

Frangella Italian Market
11925 S 80th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 448-2598

Mr. A's Italian Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

As the road winds down there's still a few places to pass. Mr. A's has been on my list for a few years now however it's a pretty far drive just to try an Italian Beef. So I waited, and then waited some more for a time when I'd be near there and could give a taste test to what many from this way call the best Italian beef in McHenry County.

Locals favorite in Crystal Lake

As the sign outside points out they make their own Italian beef in-house so I had pretty high hopes for this sandwich. They came crashing down upon the opening of it. I've never seen Italian beef with the texture their sliced meat had. At first I thought there was a hair in my beef but then I saw it was just shredded in a way that made pieces look like some of it fell in I was turned off. It's dry texture didnt help turn it around. The gravy was overpowered with salty beef bouillon taste and the hot peppers weren't anything to get excited about. Was it an off day? Maybe but I got the feeling that had they not regularly served what I got they wouldn't of served it to begin with as it was very unappealing on the eyes. They've been around since the early 80's so it's possible their better days are behind them.

Beef with Hot from Mister A's Italian Beef

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 11/20

Mr. A's Italian Beef
475 West Virginia Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(815) 459-9150

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

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 

Connie's Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Welcome back as we try to keep it going and remember to get the 'beef with hot' scores rolling. Today we head to Elmwood Park which is the home to one of the heavyweights in the beef game. Back in the day in Chicago there was an old beef place called Connie's Beef located at North and Narragansett. A couple years back Connie's decided to reopen in Elmwood Park on Grand avenue at 75th street. The current owners family took over the old Connie's in the 70's and then it shut down for a while and now it's back located in an old fast food building. I stopped in, oh maybe a year or so back and was happy with what I got.


Grand avenue in Elmwood Park

So they say these are all the original recipes from the original Connie's which was loved by many back in it's days at North and Narragansett. I thought the beef was the best part to this sandwich and that's a good thing. Mine was very tender and the type that doesn't fight back when you take a bite out of it. The gravy was above average but the peppers didn't quite do it. On top of the fact there barely was any it seemed to be just sliced jalapenos with red pepper flakes mixed in. Maybe there was more to it and I just got a little tablespoon full with certain ingredients missing. What sucked about there being a small amount of peppers was the fact they don't skimp on the beef. Many don't like the King of Beef's in Elmwood Park because of that. Overall I liked Connie's and am glad to have them back as purveyors of homemade Italian beef in Chicagoland. A nice option to have as your local beefing hole.


Beef with Hot from Connie's Beef

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 15/20

Connie's Beef
7501 West Grand Avenue
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
(708) 452-6500

Marnell Drive In

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

I saw the old school neon sign below while driving south down Halsted one day and I was very tempted so pulled in the lot and pulled out my iPhone. I looked the place up on google just to get a feel for it and I found it mentioned in an old Tribune Article (you have to be a member to read all of it) from 1993 where Pat Bruno reviews his favorite stands for Italian sausage. I decided I would stop in and see where they were at today.


Halsted avenue in Chicago Heights

I didn't like the fact it was listed as Marnell Pita Drive In online or that when I went in, there was alot of Mexican food offerings on the menu. However I did like the fact they had on old school chimney where the smoke from the charcoal grill would go similar to that which they have at Enzo's also in Da Heights.

Notice the chimney...

Well I don't know why, but I ordered just a beef with hot as opposed to a combo or just their sausage. I wanted to see how it compared to the rest and score it I guess. The old school Drive In sign and fact they have the charcoal grill inside with the chimney to be seen outside are about all that was good on this visit. The beef was awful (I didn't eat but a bite) and for some reason, just like at Enzo's, when you ask for a "beef with hot" they give you sport peppers as opposed to the real stuff. Old timers from around this way wouldn't be happy. I'm not sure but I assume due to the lettering on the drive in sign, that they still make their sausage. So if theres ever a next time I'd try that. Maybe it's just past its prime. Too bad.


Beef with Hot from Marnell Drive In

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 9/20

Marnell Drive In
849 S. Halsted St
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
(708) 754-1164

The Original Nana's

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

We're back and today we got a cross post from @chibbqking. Do you ever have those days when you just want both a Italian beef and a dog? But not just any old of each? Legit representations! Well if you do I got the spot for you as today we head to the Northwest suburbs. You can ride all the way along Irving Park Road which is quite the ride for finding many different offerings of ethnic cuisine as you cruise it for miles on end from the lake all the way west past O'Hare. Once you get to the village of Streamwood you'll come across a spot which I consider to be the best place to get a good juicy beef and hot dog together.


a longtime locals favorite in Streamwood, IL

I randomly found Nana's one day a few years back when taking a summer roll down Irving Park Road. As I can remember it's colorful sign letting you know they do Italian beef and sausage as well as Vienna Beef Hot Dogs along with a packed parking lot had me inside in no time. They've been around Streamwood since it was a sleepy little community back in 1973. It says alot that there still there today because plenty of eating options exist today but Nana's remains King. Originally owned by the daughter of Gene (from Gene & Jude's) and now Mike DiSilvestro. They perfected the art of the Chicago style depression dog aka the Minimalist dog with fresh cut fries. More on the story of Nana's and their hot dogs HERE.

The Original Nana's famous Hot Dog with fresh cut fries

Over here at 'Beef With Hot' our focus is on the Italian beef so today we focus on Nana's offering of this signature Chicago sandwich. They make their beef in house and it's the best part to the sandwich I would say. It's sliced thin and comes in the perfect consistency as far as tenderness and the gravy is full of flavor too with high amounts of seasoning inside. You have the option for a mini beef in case you want to have one of their famous hot dogs too and the bread does not suffer from being served on a mini roll. This is one of the better beefs I've had and the same can be said for their hot dogs which are great as well. Thus making Nana's the best place to get both. Check it out.


The Original Nana's beef with hot

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

The Original Nana's
1102 East Irving Park Road
Streamwood, IL 60107
(630) 289-2226
Website

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

Mickey's Drive In

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Mickey's Drive-In of Bellwood was recently featured over on chibbqking. An excerpt from the post reads "Places like Mickey's are a rare breed these days in and around Chicagoland. Its not a chain or franchise and its been family run since it first opened in 1959. They've been a big part of the neighborhood ever since Mickey Sangiacomos' wife Ann bought a used car lot on Manheim (that was an A&W stand before that) for $500 with a loan from the Bellwood bank. Its still in the same lot today." You can check out the entire story On Mickey's, featuring a few other of their food items by clicking HERE.


a locals favorite in Bellwood, IL

Featured in there was their homemade Italian beef which was not scored and indexed because I wanted to do that here. My favorite part about the beef with hot at mickey's is the fact that it comes in a mini size. Personally I don't think it's one of their better options. Not horrible just not something I would order again especially when they do up an amazingly great fried polish. The beef, bread and peppers were all ok but the gravy was seriously lacking. It tasted almost as if it was some of that instant mix beef broth crap you see at da Jewel's. But do let me stress again this doesn't mean Mickey's aint awesome, it's the shit, just not their beef with hot.


Mini beef with hot from Mickey's Drive In

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 11/20

Mickey's Drive In
635 Mannheim Road
Bellwood, IL‎ 60104
(708) 547-7866‎

Dukes Drive In

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

And we're back! Sorry bout that boys and girls, woman and men I've just been really busy with the other site and life. To make up for the few months I have missed I will post three 'beef with hots' in July. Today were headed to Bridgeview which is the home to the Chicago Fire and not too far away from their stadium is the even more famous than the Fire, Dukes Drive In. They've been the locals favorite since they came around in 1975. Dukes has also been one of my favorite stops when out that way since my late high school days when I first passed upon while driving down Harlem. It's a family run business that has been doing it the right way from the get go and never switched over. This Duke's (Drive In) is not affiliated with any others. Even though it's called Duke's Drive In they no longer have drive up service. It became Duke's when Duke himself purchased the stand that was well known for their burgers and hot dogs.


a locals favorite in Bridgeview, IL

Dukes intention was to make the place famous for homemade Italian beef and sausage sandwiches. Duke's still makes there own Italian beef daily, cooking, trimming and thinly slicing it every morning. So it should come as no surprise that Duke's puts out a great Italian beef. I would be totally happy taking a first time beefer to Dukes because every part of their sandwich is above average. The beef and gravy are done right, thin slices that melt on your mouth sitting in a tasty gravy thrown on a fresh bread that make a great sandwich. As far as the hot peppers, they make them in my preferred style which is fresh. Thinly sliced fresh jalapeno and celery are thrown into oil and seasoned with spices including red pepper flakes. I love the freshness taste and crunch of the celery. Duke's is a well known place on the southside to show off your muscle cars and old school cruisers while eating one of Chicago's signature sandwiches.


beef with hot from Dukes Drive In

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 17/20

Duke's Drive In
8115 South Harlem Ave
Bridgeview, IL 60455
(708) 599-0576
Website

Jack & Lou's

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Hello again loyal readers. My apologies for not getting a beef with hot to you last month. I was busy enough trying to keep S'C'&C running smoothly that I forgot all about BWH. I have a few places waiting to be posted and I'll start with one of them today. I first found Jack and Lou's in Melrose Park while cruising down Manheim Road a year or so back. Since I have been to or know of pretty much every worthwhile beef joint in Chicagoland this came as a surprise to find a spot I had never been to or even heard of, and it looked legit. So I pulled a U-Turn and made my way into the parking lot and went on in for a beef with hot. The place is straight out of the 70's with it's sign and looks outside as well as the feel of the place inside.


a locals favorite in Melrose Park, IL

When I walked in I was greeted by a couple of dudes working the counter and they said what up and asked what I was going to be having today. So I ordered my usual order at Italian beef shacks, a beef with hot and browsed the rest of the menu. They had the usual suspects including what looked to be a damn good meatball sandwich being ate by the guy in the large room next door to the ordering area. It took me to another time as the wide open area was filled with small tables with a few chairs around them each and a couple dancing poles for what I imagine were entertainment purposes only. Oh, the stories this room could tell. I had some high hopes for da beef but in the end it was an average sandwich. Most certainly not bad but I was thinking this could be the last gem of beefs that I had uncovered. If the beef itself was a little more tender and didn't resist when pulled apart the sandwich would of been great. So it's possible I caught them on an off day or maybe got the last of a roast that was cooked a few days before. I've had worse but there are also better. I'll give them another try and look forward to testing some of their other offerings that looked good on my first visit.


Beef with hot from Jack & Lou's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 12/20

Jack & Lou's
2001 North Mannheim Rd
Melrose Park, IL 60160
(847) 451-0074

Enzo's Beef & Sausage

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

So I drove by Enzo's on Chicago rd. out in Chicago Heights not too long ago while out on work and remembered what I was told by an old colleague, which that it's worthy of a stop. So I decided to stop in and try a beef with hot and upon doing so it was like going back to an old beef joint from the 70's.


In Chicago Heights, IL

Inside they had cafeteria seating with an old ice cream parlor next door connected from within. The old menu was painted on the wall with the standards like Italian beef, sausage, meatball sandwiches, hot dogs and Polish sausage along with a charred salami (I assume) and sloppy Joe's. The menu also had a "Combo #2" with sloppy Joe and Italian beef. It was very cool that they had an indoor grilling pit area seen below where some items like the sausage were grilled over charcoal. I should of got a combo but I always get a beef with hot on my first visit to a beef joint which is a rare thing these days since I feel like I'm winding down trying all of the ones deemed worthy of doing so in Chicagoland. So its always nice to find an old spot that's new to you.


The Old Menu is still up on the wall


Indoor fire grilling pit from back in the day which is still used

Well, the sandwich was alright. I asked for a beef with hot and it came with sport peppers which I don't mind on a beef but I prefer them with giardineria. The beef was a little above average, it was like a roast beef, not shaved thin, so a little thicker but I ate the whole thing happily. I guess this place was a favorite back in the day when Chicago Heights had a strong Italian presence. There are still a few of the old school pizza spots located along Lincoln Highway U.S Route 30 as well as some real old bar's from back in that day. You should check out S'C'&C for updates from those spots coming soon.


Beef with sport peppers from Enzo's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 12/20

Enzo's Beef & Sausage
1710 Chicago Road
Chicago Heights, IL 60411-3405
(708) 754-7040

Turk's Beef & Sausage

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

I had to take a little break from the Beef Bus since I was back and forth some places this summer and time didn't allow me to jump on it and ride. Well were riding again and today we head out to the Southwest suburbs to Orland Park to taste Turk's Italian Beef & Sausage. I actually went here last winter and have a just been backlogged in posts. However like always I recorded the score in my cell phone and saved it so there would be no forgetting. So with that, welcome back. You can expect a monthly flow of posts over at What's Your Beef? on this country's greatest regional sandwich variation.


Located in the Chicago suburb of Orland Park, IL

I had been told about Turk's from various family members and other friends who live or lived out in the area and I got to try it when I was out there with one of them. Turk's has a pretty good reputation and is one of the favorites of the locals so I had some nice hope that it would be another better than good beef to be found out South. I went with my usual of a beef with hot and dove right in to what was a heavily stuffed beef sandwich bigger than most spots. I could see why this is a neighborhood favorite and I enjoyed my beef with hot and would easily have been back if I was from the area. The only thing that I thought was average about it was the gravy which wasn't as flavorful as some other stands around Chicagoland. The beef was thinly sliced and dissolved on your tongue while the hot peppers and bread were also above average and nice.


Beef with hot from Turk's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 15/20

Turk's Italian Beef & Sausage
14600 South La Grange Rd
Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 403-6517

fRedhots

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Beep, beep all aboard the beef bus, next stop fRedhots in Glenview. this months beef comes from the getting to be world famous fRedhots. The popular "gourmet hot dog" stand opened its doors a few years back and has become an instant favorite not just in the suburb of Glenview but all of Chicagoland and anyone who's been there. I don't want get to get too in depth about this favorite food stop of mine since this is the beef with hot bus but there will be a full post with everything you need to know about fRedhots and all of its other food items that make them one of the leaders in Chicago's top notch five star fast food culture. But this is all about their Italian Beef and we will stick to that subject...


a popular stop in Glenview

...Especially since when you first walk into Fred's you might see this on the wall in the picture below. Fred's is a place similar to Chicago's famous Hot Dougs but they do more than just hot dogs and fancy sausage. While both of those are popular at Fred's place he also makes his Italian Beef in house and calls it the best I will ever taste. That's a pretty bold claim to make to DaBeef. Its also one I was ready to try especially since I'm a big fan of fRedhots anyways. So I got a beef with hot on a visit this past summer and scored it and mental noted it after I ate it like I always do.


Re-ha-ha-ha-ha-elly? Lets see...

I have three thing to say before we get to the actual beef. So the first thing I will say is that everyone has their own taste. The second I will say is Fred better keep working at it if he wants to make that claim with me. So finally the third thing is that this was still a good beef sandwich and totally gettable if you need a beef and are from near there. The beefs strongest part was the gravy. You can indeed tell that its a homemade stock with lots of flavor with a strong presence of fresh black pepper. The bread was also good and the hot peppers were too. My only complaint with it was the beef itself. My preference is to have the beef shaved as thin as possible which it wasn't so here. The beef was more like a roast sliced by hand with a knife by an expert chef. It wasn't awful but it tasted and had the texture of pot roast more than it did an Italian Beef sandwich. I still ate the whole thing and would never call it a bad beef. Believe me I've had bad ones and this isn't a bad beef by any means. Its good, just not great. However please (later this month) check the main site S'C&C for the other items on the menu at fRedhots, some are great. Make sure to get fries from here, they're great.


beef with hot from fRedhots

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 15/20

fRedhots and Fries
1707 Chestnut Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 657-9200
Website

Carm's Beef (Hillside, IL) Closed

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Its unfortunate it had to happen but the next stop is no longer open. Carm's Beef in Hillside, IL (no relation to Carm's on Polk) closed down a couple months back and I never got a chance to posting about it. Since Carm's is in Hillside which is nowhere near Lincoln Park its a spot I only got to a few times before it closed. I have no idea why it closed and thought it was a very popular neighborhood joint which was located on Wold Road across from the large cemetery. It was your typical Italian Deli serving all the usual's including Italian beefs which were their most popular item. I am unsure if this family of Carm's Beef has any outposts left. Feel free to post in the comments section and let me know.


Unfortunately Carm's recently closed...not sure if its for good or not

I think the beef you grew up on and neighborhood in which you lived has alot to do with what your favorite Italian Beef is. Some people might not be from a neighborhood with any good ones and seek out the best and others haven't had beefs from anywhere else but the place nearest to them. Since I am a seeker of the Great Beef and always on the prowl for the one's worthy of any "best of" list-I have had more beefs than most. Pretty much everyone as a matter of fact. If you grew up on a beef that has a unique characteristic to its flavor than its easy to see why that one will always be your favorite. I think Carm's in Hillside was a good example of a unique beef sandwich. The gravy had a real beefy taste to it almost as if it was a roast. The beef was sliced a little thicker than most places as well so it was a very roast beefy Italian beef sandwich. One of the other quality's that made Carm's stand out was their hot peppers. They had two different types of peppers-a mild blend made with celery, jalapenos etc.. and the hotter more traditional blend with carrots, sport peppers etc...seen on the sandwich below. I always gave Carm's credit for having above average everything went it came to their Italian beef's.


Beef with hot from Carm's (Hillside, IL)

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 16/20

Carm's Beef
1801 South Wolf Road
Hillside, IL 60162-2110
(708) 449-0125

Jimmy's Place in Da Burbs

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Its a special month for the people of Arlington Height's and the lifelong patrons of Jimmy's Place. Its this September that Jimmy's celebrates its 50th anniversary. The only way to describe Jimmy's place located on Northwest Highway in the Northwest suburbs is a world class grease dive. I actually got to try Jimmy's for the 1st time ever last week and just loved it. Stepping into this bar/fast food joint is like stepping back in time because nothing has changed. Upon your entry you are greeted by a dark room with a bar with a some regulars drinking and some old TV's showing the games and there's also tables for food patrons. On the walls are a bunch of Jimmy'd memorabilia and newspaper clippings from thru the years highlighting their excellent hot dogs and Italian beefs. Its been all in the family for three generations now.


Everything is old School over there

On top of all that, its been the same bartender and food prep people going on 30+ years so when I say nothing has changed I mean it in every sense. Same atmosphere, same beer, same people, same food. Same as it ever was or so I'm told anyways and I can see why. We were greeted by the lady who had been there 30+ and she was very alive if you know what I mean. I did the ordering so my buddy said he "was fine" when she asked what he needed. Lets just say she told him that she was just fine too. It was all in good fun because obviously they knew we were new. It was really easy to feel that this was a classic Chicago hot dog and beef kind of joint. The dogs are served up somewhat Chicago style minus the poppy seed bun and were a real winner if your in the area and craving yourself a hot dog. Guess what? for the month of September they will be rolling back the prices on the hot dogs to the same price when they first opened.


Jimmy's Place always gets love when best dog in Chicago is discussed

The hot dog was very good but it was the beef that I came here for. Its very rare that I just randomly drive by a beef joint that's been open for fifty years and I've never been to it let alone heard of it. So it was a special day and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I guess I wasn't expecting all that much because I was shocked at the old school taste of Jimmy's Italian beef. It reminded me of the beefs i used to eat as a kid from the places that are long gone. I especially liked the gravy which was seasoned very well and took me back to a time when everyone made their own beef and didn't order it pre-sliced from one of the many distributors of it these days. It really tasted like a beef I hadn't had in over ten years. The meat was tender and the peppers were average and served on the side even when ordering a beef with hot. So that was its only blemish and I would give it my signature of approval any day of the week should you be in the Arlington Height's area near Jimmy's Place.


beef with hot from Jimmy's Place

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 15/20

Jimmy's Place
640 W Northwest Hwy
Arlington Hts, IL 60004
(847) 398-9783

Scatchell's Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Scatchell's beef and pizza is a tiny little shack located right along the border of Chicago and Cicero on Cermak and is technically in the Village of Cicero. It's a place that I had been to once or twice in my time at a younger age and for whatever reason never got back to it until a year or two ago. The fact that its not too far from Midway airport makes it one of the best if not the best beef available upon your arrival into Chicago should you land at Midway. Scatchell's has been a fixture of Cicero since 1953 when Stubby and Eddie Scatchell opened its doors. When driving down Cermak it is very easy to recognize at night the sign with flashing lights. It was around 1995 that the owners of Scatchell's decided to let the people of Cicero get a days worth of work done in one swoop when they opened a car wash and laundromat in the same strip mall as the restaurant.


Since 1953

The idea was that maybe if the current owners who bought the store from the original owners brought people into the lot to wash their cars or do laundry they would pick up a quick bite to eat from the dog stand. Scatchell's is a classic Chicago dog stand, there's no where to sit but you can eat at the counter along the walls, take outside or take it to go. The menu is features all the usual suspects. Along with the Italian Beefs they offer up all the others like Italian sausage, Polish Sausage, Vienna Hot Dogs and slices of pizza which were introduced in the 90's and is about the only thing that's changed since it got its start over 50 years ago. I'm glad I finally made it back to Scatchell's because they really do a good job with everything including this Italian sausage. It had me thinking that maybe there's another combo out there worthy of a shot at Johnnie's crown.


Scatchell's sausage with hot peppers is a very nice version

The star of the show on this menu is the beef and its not hard to taste why. The beef is sliced thin and tastes great in the spiced gravy and is loaded into the sandwich and topped off with some of my favorite housemade giardineria. They go thru alot of beef in a days work so the bread is always fresh and the price is right as far as a great lunch and one of the better beefs in Chicagoland. It was on my last visit that I realized that Scatchell's is one of the best Italian beefs in the only city to get one of them. Anyone traveling into the city thru Midway airport might want to check this place out if you already aren't. Its no secret that Scatchell's is a player in the beef game.


Scatchell's beef with hot

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 17/20

Scatchell's Beef & Pizza
4700 W Cermak Rd
Cicero, IL 60804
(708) 656-0911

Beef with hot from Tony's Subs

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Tony's Subs in Deerfield puts out what I feel to be the best Italian beef in the Northshore. I first read about this place five maybe six years ago in a magazine article about chefs favorite places to eat when they aren't working. A well known chef mentioned that she loves Tony's and cant enough of the homemade Italian beef when shes not in the kitchen. She went on to call it the best beef in Chicago. Like I always do when I hear that and its a place that I haven't been to I make a mental note and put it on my to beef list. Tony Viti opened his sandwich shop more than 44 years ago in his hometown of Deerfield. There was a time when Tony operated six locations of the sub shop including outlets in North Chicago, Libertyville, Highwood, Waukegan and two in Deerfield.

Here we are 43 years later and Tony and his family are still supplying the families of the area with the same great sandwiches as always. Unless your from the area, in which case you've been eating here since your childhood, you might not expect this sandwich shop next door to a Citgo to be anything worthwhile. The daughter of Tony recently opened a second location in Lakewood with her husband running it up to par with the one she grew up on.


a Deerfield, IL stop

Tony's menu is filled with a wide selection of both warm and cold subs along with soft serve for the kids which is a must when you have a place in the Northshore and you want kids to demand their ice cream and sandwich to their parents. One of the most popular sandwiches is the Launcher and it consists of salami, bologna, mortadella, ham and provolone cheese with a total of 19 slices of meat. When you walk inside you are immediately greeted by pictures of all the wonderful options to help make your choice a little easier. I have enjoyed the launcher but prefer the warm subs made with toasted bread and enjoy the meatball but nothing there is as good as the homemade Italian beef. Its a nice mixture of thin sliced beef and shredded beef with a gravy that has nice flavor topped with what may be store bought giardinara but it is still a good one.

What separates this beef from others is the toasted bread and it doesnt hurt that a large is a real mans size beef bigger than most out there. The toasted bread is an interesting addition to an Italian beef and it works for Tony's. I wouldn't want a beef from Johnnie's or any other place this way but from Tony's its a real treat. Long time customers also really like to devour an order of their air crisp fires. Different in that they bake them in a machine instead of deep frying them. They are good and taste like a light version of McDonald's fries.


large beef with hot from Tony's

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 14/20

Tony's Submarine
1480 Waukegan Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 940-7352

Danny's Pizza & Beef

--Got Beef? Italian Beef
a chibbqking production

Ever since I decided that I was going to start my own Italian Beef rating site I have found that there are quite a places that I hadn't/haven't been to yet. On a trip this past winter to Katy's Dumpling House in Westmont I drove by Danny's: Italian Beef-pasta and pizza in Brookfield. I'm sure that I passed it before but it didn't really hit my radar until I realized I had to stop in and document a beef. If there are going to be any really good beef spots that I haven't been to than they will be in the far suburbs somewhere so if you have any suggestions let me here them. I'm always excited to try a spot that I haven't been to yet hoping it could become an all first team type beef.


First time beefer here

Danny's is a little pizza/beef shack that has a few tables for dining in but seems to do a pretty good business in take-out and delivery. Quite a few people coming in and out when I went in to try the beef. The pizza slices didn't look half bad but those NY style slices aren't really my thing not to say that what they had was real NY pizza. It was just what most people would consider thin crust cut in slices. I was tempted to get a chicken parm sandwich because I felt that this place could do a nice version due to the fact that most of the Italian stuff on the menu is homemade including the beef. I settled on just the beef with hot and was pleasantly surprised when I opened it up despite the fact it was wrapped in tin foil-a big no no. The places that wrap the beefs in tin-foil tend to have very soggy beefs if they aren't opened up within 15 seconds of eating it. Luckily for me I was dining in on the beef and so I dug into a Danny's beef for the first time.

I said it before and I'll say it again-8 out of 10 places that do a homemade beef do it right. Danny's was a pretty good beef and much better than I was expecting otherwise I would of been there a hell of alot sooner. The beef was a little thicker than your most thin sliced beef but still had no rubbery effect whatsoever and decent beef. I thought the best part of the sandwich was the bread which was above average and I liked the highly seasoned gravy. Unfortunately the worst part was real bad and that was the hot peppers. This giardinara clearly came from a bottle that came from the fridge. It wasn't good to begin with but the fact that it was freezing cold made for a beef that would of been much better plain. If Danny's is going to take the time to do everything else right and make most of their dishes in house they might want to start making homemade hot peppers. Otherwise I suggest getting a beef no hot or with sweet...as long as they don't come cold from the fridge.


beef with hot from Danny's in Brookfield, IL

Rating Scale 5/5

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

Score: 12/20

Danny's Pizza, Beef & Pasta
9123 Ogden Ave
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 387-7730‎