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Eating the Most Expensive Italian Beef Sandwich in Chicago at Kindling. $29. Is It Worth It?



I eat and review the costly Italian beef sandwich from the downtown Chicago restaurant, Kindling. I see if the sandwich is as good as some of the most famous restaurants for Italian beef in Chicago such as Portillo’s and Al’s Beef. Kindling is run by the James Beard Award-winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer.

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49 Comments

  1. Restaurant and sandwich look amazing! Giardiniera aioli sounds insanely good to dip in

  2. I'm sure that is the superior sandwich, but I bet that restaurant doesn't have employees that create a cheerful rhyme when your order is ready or have a ton of curious vintage memorabilia on the walls like Portillo's.

  3. Wow great review haven't been to Chicago since Charlie Trotters years ago. I'd get that without cheese. Bar masa had Kobe beef fried rice and since they aren't allowed to say Kobe if it's waygu so now it's just beef fried rice that beef on rice will taste better than any place you go to and with Green tea mouse it's will be under $50 if you get some a la carte masa sushi will be more but that's up to you. I've taken everyone I know try this dish

  4. I couldn’t take my eyes off those fries! Fried in beef tallow, as God intended. Nice that the chef was there working, and not just in name only. Another very enjoyable video!

  5. The Chicago Italian Beef sandwich is one the greatest sandwiches so I would easily pay that much. I’ve even paid over $100 for the specialty Barclay Prime cheesesteak in Philadelphia so $29 is an easy buy since it’s rarely that I visit Chicago…..(need to visit more often though)

  6. "Hell Yes" you say and I concur. Your channel (at the risk of sounding quite crude) is almost food porn for me ; )
    Forgive me : )
    The expression on your face after that first bite – lets you know how good that sandwich really was. Please keep these wonderful tastings coming and I look forward to the next time we have a "nosh" together : )

  7. Pretty soon a Big Mac will be over 10.00 USD in CA. A couple of weeks ago, the state approved 20.00 USD starting minimum wage. Yet you will hear morons complain, but fail to realize they continue to vote Democrats into power who approve this outrageous wage. The sandwich and fries looked great, but small and now way are they worth it!

  8. James I love it! Bridging the gap between the Golden Arches and white table cloths ! I’m feeling a quarter pounder with cheese right about now 😋 and a Italian beef sandwhich!

  9. The Windy City has always been known as a foodie town, but I still have yet to visit. First off, this sandwich looks amazing! I totally agree with a higher cost for the quality. At home, I started cooking with wagyu tallow, and can attest to exemplary potatoes! Some good Ferris Bueller vibes here! Another wonderful review, and safe travels sir!

  10. I wish you young fellas got to try Mc Donald’s fries in the 80s. They were perfection. Now like everything else on their menu, they are trash. Hard work to sell me on a $30 sandwich. But I enjoyed listening to you describe it. You’re very good at. 👍

  11. Wow didnt know this place opened up , im gonna try it this weekend ! Thanks for the review !

  12. 40 buckerinos, sheesh😂 but i would definitely pay that considering the review you gave for the fries. I was wowed!!!

  13. Another tongue-dripping review, James. At first I was skeptical, particularly when looking at what appeared to be a rather paltry beef sandwich. But when you stepped through the chef's process, it made more sense – he's adding funk-mami every step of the way. And beef tallow fries…oh man. Like another poster here, I was also a kid/adult of the earlier days of McDonald's tallow-based fries, which rocked my boat every time. Plus as a kid, we could get those fun McD's worker hats!

  14. Best beef are pops in dyer indiana and patio ribs in Orland Park..the best.. extra meat on both.

  15. I live in Chicago & I can't support this sandwich!!! It's not the Chicago way done dipped with hot peppers & cheese whether it's American or Mozzarella cheese!!!

  16. 5:366:10 I give you a 8/10 in your fries withdrawal technique. Excellent form and motion, however the tilted fries at the final point of the trajectory deducts 2 points.

  17. Great review…but its a no for me. Wiz on an Italian beef? Nope…take that mess back to Philly

    But those fries looked really good

  18. The answer is "No. Regardless of price, it isn't very good, and you are better off going to Portillo's." I just saved you 9 minutes.

  19. Please ! As a Chicago resident.

    ITS STILL JUST A SANDWICH AND FRIES.

    29 dollars is unjustifiably expensive.

    After the fad wears off people will return to Als Beef or Freddie's for a high priced sandwich of meat boiled to tenderness and put in a soggy bun with peppers .

    Delicious but still just a loose meat sandwich 🤷🏿‍♀️.

    Whose paying this man 😂😂😂

  20. I'm not paying 29 bucks for a beef sandwich. You have to be a moron to pay that much. McDonald type fries, too. Portillos is my favorite. I used to like Bueno Beef, but they are skimping on the beef.

  21. Marco’s on Fullerton & Austin hands down best Italian Beef in the city. IT’s neighborhood joint, not corporate or clinical….just damn good greasy hand extra paper towels for the fingers with hot cook to order fries….never have to guess if it’s good or not!

  22. 29 bucks? … You can get 5 delicious beef n cheddars from Arbys for 6 bucks! That's America Roast Beef Yes Sir!

  23. BROOOOOOOO……….. STOP THE BULLSHIT………. If you want to taste the best Italian Beef you have ever had you have to come to the Southside…… I am a connoisseur of Italian Beef……. If you want a Yuppie Italian Beef you go up north……. If you want a working class, blue collar culinary masterpiece you come to the Southside…….. go to Tony's on 71st and Pulaski……….. the peppers are made from scratch………. not any bottled nonsense…….. trust me……….. I'm a die hard Chicagoan…….. best thing you will ever have…….. And it's frequented by officers so you don't have to worry about sketchy and the neighborhood is nice.

  24. Wow, almost $40 w tax and tip. It's not even authentic Chicago Beef. You must be a total tourist to even consider this. Get an authentic Mr Beef and have change for Gene and Judes later. Or a steak at a less trendy place w local flair

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