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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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