Chicago is known for a number of things: Hot Dogs, Deep Dish, The Cubs, The Bear(s)… the list goes on. But in my opinion, there is one regional dish that trumps all the others. It’s beefy, spicy, soppy, juicy, and delicious, and it goes by the name The Italian Beef. I invited a buddy of mine, Josh Elkin, a chef and non-Chicagoan over to help me decide which beef business beats the bunch. Let’s munch!
🤘🏼 Adam
Be sure to peep Josh’s channel here: @TheJoshElkin
Restaurants:
Al’s Beef – https://www.alsitalianbeef.com/
Mr. Beef
Portillo’s – https://www.portillos.com/index.html
Buona – https://buona.com/
Ciccio’s – https://www.cicciobeef.com/
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TIMESTAMPS…
Intro (0:00)
Al’s Beef (1:05)
Mr. Beef (4:33)
Portillo’s (7:25)
Buona (10:55)
Ciccio’s (14:20)
Final Thoughts (19:09)
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#ItalianBeef #Sandwich #TasteTest #FoodReview #Chicago #Food #Cooking #Recipe #OmnivorousAdam
46 Comments
This was such a great time. Video shows our love affair with the sandwiches too ❤
We’re is Johnnies ????
And now I’ve got to go to Chicago for Italian Beef…. It’s a long way from Bristol U.K.!
I think the reason Ceccio has the giardiniera on the side is because of the tourists who don't know what it is; so they ask for it on the side. Ultimately it just became easier to have it prepped. Maybe. What do I know? Damn tourists ruining everything. . . .
I started going to Buona because they were the first to do the beef bowls, and I was doing keto, but I keep going because they give me more food for my money. You must have just caught a location on a bad day. I also love how spicy their beef is. They also make fantastic sausage, and I can normally get their sausage at Aldi. I don't know why you chose to try them dry first. I don't know anyone who eats beef sandwiches dry.
Instead of double dipping into the beef au jus, just pour it on. Nasty.
Hot take, but the Italian combo at Miller pizza in Gary, IN is great
Been to Al’s so many times! Awesome
"Our V.I.P. our very special guest" 😂
Good video! But is it only me who thinks Adam looks like he could be the son of Julian (John Paul Tremblay) from Trailer Park Boys?
Jay's beef is the best in Chicago, I have had them all from top beef places. Give it a try and let your viewers know your opinion.
No Johnnie’s Beef?
Mr beef the best in Chicago Al's r rude owner a. Hole
I would be hard if my Portillos beef looked like that
Chicago is such a wonderful place these days.
Nana's in Hanover Park!
No Johnnie’s???
Dudes have such hot kicks they are forced to eat barefoot
Wow you didn't go to Johnnie's like it's by far da best beef in da Chicagoland area. The Patio on Taylor has better beef than Al's just saying .
Bo-na = Buona
Jays beef for me…
If you’re in Chicago, Portillos is sub par. If you’re 900 miles away in Orlando, it’s the best! Can’t wait for them to finally come to my new hometown of Atlanta. Definitely hitting up Al’s when I go home for Christmas!
Dipped is where most of the flavor is.
Its simple.
Als its best.
Johnnie's is almost with Al's.
Portillos and Mr Beef standard…it means good solid beef ill have them any day.
From there there's so many more it depends the neighborhood youre in.
They are all good.
I'm not from Chicago.
I've only been there maybe 6-7 times for work etc, but it's food scene is beyond epic.
Al's the one for me , beef comes with a tub of jus and the rudeness that comes with the Italian deli that i'm used to
No Johnnies on the list??? Extremely flawed list… Johnnies is the absolute best..
"Rating EVERY Italian Beef in Chicago!" By not venturing out to nearby Elmwood Park and including Johnnie's Beef in the ratings makes it all ring hollow for me……
Anybody remember the befer in Northlake behind the gas station there on Wolf Road?
Dude, you can't put "Every Italian Beef in Chicago" when you only hit up 5 places. I can understand not wanting to drive all over because the best places are all spread out and far, but Mr. Beef on Harlem is the best IMO, and you should've gone to Johnnies, too.
Tony's Italian beef on the south side on Pulaski has always been my favorite! Good video.
The best beef in the history of Chicago was called Original Al's. His old man or uncle opened Al's and he got pushed out of the business because he was a degenerate gambler. He opened his place in the 80s on Van Buren just west of the loop. His berf was WAY better than Al's on Taylor.
He also sold stolen merchandise out of the back room. You could get anything there. He was quite a character.
The dude that owns a house now is a real jerk. Still that's my number one go to. If I can't go to Al's I would go to Buona. If I can't go to either of those places I go get a corned beef sandwich at Manny's Deli. Portillo's is crap. Mr. Beef is crap.
I love Italian beef sandwiches, but I always get them dipped. I feel like it's a must to have them bathed in broth.
The Patio has the Best Italian Beef in Chicago!
That's totally 100% true! The people at Al's Beef were rude to me too! It turned me off, however, and I haven't been back since. 💯
2 idiots
You can never have enough au jus! Those 2oz portion cups are a joke. Good for about 3-4 dunks.
Great vid! When I lived in Chicago my favorite was Al's. Tillo's a close second. That said I LOVED going to Philly's Best on Belmont for a Philly Cheesesteak. In know it is not Chicago Italian Beef and some step cousin, but that was good. Now when I visit the Midwest I am always in Milwaukee now; I am ecstatic that Tillo's went all corporate because I can get Portillo's in Milwaukee and between that and Lou's…I am set on those visits!
Al’s for the win in my vote. All great beefs though. Can’t go wrong.
I know it's about 2 miles west of the Chicago border, but everyone in Chicagoland knows that Johnnie's is the best.
Not only Chicago best food city but also josh from emt, thats awesome i havent seen him since the early 2000s
Johnnies!!! Is the best …Al’s not even too 5.
double dipping is disgusting buy and extra cup of juice 🥤 yeak‼️
I grew up with Al's Beef LITERALLY across the street from my apartment that I lived while I went to UIC… Loved it.
Elmwood park is more Chicago then burb. Culturally. Hell its more Chicago then a lot of north side which is full of non illinois natives who work in Chicago and went to some big ten school.
I prefer buono to portillos. You can do cheese on it. Which I’m sorry is a great thing. But actual good beef I like johnnies.