Rockford Restaurants for Italian Beef Sandwich

All Besides Well switches things up by adding ground kafta and sumac giardiniera to its Italian beefiness.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Where to Chomp on Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago

The very best in juicy roast beefiness with hot peppers

past Updated Mar 8, 2022, xi:09am CST

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All Besides Well switches things up by adding ground kafta and sumac giardiniera to its Italian beef.

| Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Italian beef is undoubtedly one of the nigh cherished of Chicago's signature foods. Topped with hot giardiniera or sweet peppers, the sandwich is wholly unique to this peachy urban center, and there's fierce contend over who does it the all-time. Because there are numerous succulent options all around town, it's impossible to choose merely ane. Instead, here are 20 messy favorites that are all worth trying, from the traditional to the cheffed-up to a few with international flair.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1102 E Irving Park Rd
Streamwood, IL 60107

Visit this hot domestic dog stand in Streamwood for a host of delicious greasy delights. The tender housemade beef arrives thinly sliced and covered in a flavorful gravy that's total of dried herbs. There's also a cheesy beefiness variant and a mini beef for folks who want to pair the sandwich with an excellent Vienna Beefiness Low Canis familiaris. Online ordering is bachelor here.

• Open in Google Maps

4418 N Narragansett Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706

What sets Harwood Heights favorite Jay'south apart from the competition is its quality accoutrements. The sweet peppers sing, the hot peppers are a pleasant mix of celery and jalapeños, and cheeseheads can add provolone or American cheese.

• Open in Google Maps

8258 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60634

Though Bob-O's originally started off as a hot dog stand, Italian beef is now arguably the main attraction. Beef connoisseurs would exercise well to head to Dunning for a elevation-notch sandwich featuring meat made in-house. It's seasoned, sliced, and cooked daily and should exist coupled with an order of the impeccable hand-cut fries. Social club online hither.

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3917 Due north Harlem Ave
Chicago, IL 60634

The Mr. Beef name carries a lot of expectations. Fortunately, this Northwest Side eatery, which is unaffiliated with the locations in River North and Homer Glen, lives up to that legacy. Cheese isn't a usual Italian beef topping just diners tin become their sandwiches with mozzarella, American, or cheddar here. A nice mix of herbs and spices season the meat while the giardiniera is flecked with red pepper flakes for extra oomph. Society ahead online. A second outpost is located in Forest Park.

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352 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

A new Lincoln Park deli and market place debuted earlier this twelvemonth, offering prepared foods, grab-and-go items, dips and spreads, and more. Possessor Mitchell Abou Jamra, who also runs All Too Well's neighboring eating house Evette's, pays tribute to his family and upbringing through a lineup of delectable sandwiches. The "Sheffield & Westwood" (named after streets Abou Jamra and his grandparents accept lived on) is a Lebanese-influenced Italian beef that gets elevated with sumac giardiniera and crumbled pieces of basis beefiness kafta. It's dipped in jus to finish. Online ordering is available here.

All Too Well's Italian beef has Lebanese influences.

All Too Well [Official Photograph]

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1547 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

The Italian beef meets Southeast Asian flavors at noodle shop and convenience store Phodega. Owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo have come up with a diversity of fun bites, and among them is a Viet dip consisting of shaved rib eye, cilantro, onions, and jalapenos on French bread. It's also served with a side of pho jus for dipping then beef lovers who like their sandwiches wet need not worry. Online orders tin can be placed here.

• Open in Google Maps

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6454 West North Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

Located about a mile and a one-half from beef goliath Johnnie's, this Italian grocer often gets disregarded in the discussion of all-time sandwiches. The meat is mildly seasoned, simply the actress hot cauliflower-sport pepper giardiniera helps balance the flavors out. For those who'd rather make their sandwiches at home, Serrelli's sells its beef in large buckets that are packed to the brim.

• Open up in Google Maps

7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
IL, 60707

There volition never exist an agreement on the best Italian beef in Chicago but Johnnie's is the closest to a consensus. Its sandwich is considered by many to be the shining standard others strive for — a perfect balance of sweet or hot peppers and well-seasoned beef that soaks up all the jus. The line often snakes out the door and information technology's easy to understand why. This is an iconic bite that every Chicagoan and tourist should experience. There'south a second location in Arlington Heights.

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1001 N Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

From stunning Instagram-friendly pastries to traditional Filipino dishes featuring modern twists, at that place's tons to honey about Kasama — one of the country'south all-time new restaurants. Chef-owner Tim Flores fifty-fifty manages to put his own spin on Chicago's revered Italian beef with a "Kasama Combo" sandwich that layers shaved pork adobo with longganisa sausage and giardiniera. It's an ingenious riff that's every bit as practiced equally the original, if not amend. Online ordering is bachelor hither.

• Open in Google Maps

666 N Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654

There are dining options aplenty in River Due north but few are as satisfying as this former-schoolhouse spot. The nostalgia-laden space — consummate with celebrity photos lining the walls — stands in stark contrast to the rest of the neighborhood, while the beefiness sits in a jus bathroom to enhance the flavor before being loaded onto a crusty roll that'south able to hold up to the juices.

Mr. Beefiness on Orleans has its share of celebrity fans, including Jay Leno.

Mr. Beef on Orleans [Official Photo]

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100 W Ontario St, Chicago
IL, 60654

It'due south true: Homegrown restaurant empire Portillo'southward offers a dependable sandwich that manages to hold its own against the city'southward dedicated Italian beef purveyors. The menu also features non-traditional choices similar a "Beef-N-Cheddar Croissant" and a breadless "Beef Basin," equally well as a "Big Beef" for the largest appetites. And because there are dozens of locations across Chicagoland, residents are never likewise far away from a quality Italian beef. Place online orders here.

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1120 W Grand Ave, Chicago
IL, 60642

The beloved Italian deli and grocer in West Boondocks is renowned for its option of subs, merely don't miss the Italian beef. The meat is tender, juicy, thick-cut, and served on a roll that stands up to its beefiness. Get it with the extremely hot firm giardiniera for a kick that'll humble fifty-fifty the most seasoned spice fanatics. Identify online orders hither.

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1079 West Taylor St, Chicago
IL, 60607

The purported origins of the Italian beefiness sandwich can be traced back to this Taylor Street stand in Little Italy. That's where Al Ferrari and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli Sr., set shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would become one of the city's iconic foods. Today, the original location is all the same in business concern and the beef remains unchanged — marinated in secret spices and dipped in gravy. Then end in, assume the proper upright eating stance, and savor a flake of Chicago history. Online ordering is available here.

Al's was ane of the primeval Italian beef makers.

Al'south Beef [Official Photo]

• Open in Google Maps

1600 S 61st Ave
Cicero, IL 60804

Freddy's showcases the ability of giardiniera. The mix of carrots, celery, olives, and sport peppers perfectly complements the beef served at this mom-and-popular grocer and deli, which has been operating in Cicero since 1968.

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4700 West Cermak Rd
Cicero, IL 60804

The eye-catching signs and bright lights exterior this longstanding shack beckon passersby in for a messy-yet-glorious Italian beef sandwich. It boasts finely-shaved meat, fantastic gravy, and crunchy giardiniera that'southward made with celery and red pepper flakes.

It's hard to miss Scatchell'south while driving down Cermak Road.

Scatchell's [Official Photograph]

• Open up in Google Maps

2701 S Eleanor St
Chicago, IL 60608

As its name suggests, duck headlines the carte at this cozy retro-themed gastro-tavern. Just chef-owner Kevin Hickey also delivers mouthwatering Midwestern comfort fare, including a "Decent Beef" sandwich. His have on the Chicago archetype features thinly sliced prime rib and bulky jus flavored with Calabrian chilies, garlic, oregano, basil, and rosemary. The beef is tucked inside a crusty Italian sub roll and topped with optional accompaniments like giardiniera, sweet peppers, and melted cheese. Diners can besides punch up the decadence by adding black truffle shavings. Online ordering is available here.

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6746 Ogden Ave
Berwyn, IL 60402

Established in the '60s, Novi's is an institution out in southwest suburban Berwyn. The thick-cut beef marinates in gravy laced with 15 dissimilar spices and the hot giardiniera, a reddish blend of celery and chili oil, bursts with heat and is a must for spicy food lovers. The eatery offers catering packages and ships its sandwiches as well. Online ordering is available here.

Novi's giardiniera brings the heat.

Novi's Beef [Official Photo]

• Open in Google Maps

7007 Due south Pulaski Rd, Chicago
IL, 60629

South Siders swear by Tony's, where the thick-sliced beef pleases and the unique giardiniera contains garbanzo beans. Traditionalists will be happy with the standard beef sandwich just for an unbeatable combo, order it aslope Italian sausage. The eatery also sells beef by the pound in party trays.

Tony'due south has been serving the Southward Side since 1975.

Tony's [Official Photo]

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10337 Southward Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60655

The jus is the star of the show at suburban chain Pop's. The meat isn't cook-in-your-oral cavity tender, but it provides a pleasurable jaw conditioning. Social club online hither.

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11925 S 80th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464

Over in Palos Park, this Italian market sells more than just groceries. The deli offers an exceptional sandwich; instead of soaking in juices, the roast beef is sliced to lodge and quickly dunked in gravy alee of meeting the bread. Information technology'south taken to even greater heights with the addition of zippy giardiniera and sweet green peppers.

• Open in Google Maps

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ane. The Original Nana's Hot Dogs

Visit this hot dog stand in Streamwood for a host of succulent greasy delights. The tender housemade beef arrives thinly sliced and covered in a flavorful gravy that'southward full of dried herbs. At that place's as well a cheesy beef variant and a mini beef for folks who want to pair the sandwich with an fantabulous Vienna Beefiness Depression Dog. Online ordering is available hither.

1102 Due east Irving Park Rd
Streamwood, IL 60107

• Open up in Google Maps

ii. Jay's Beef

What sets Harwood Heights favorite Jay'southward apart from the contest is its quality accoutrements. The sugariness peppers sing, the hot peppers are a pleasant mix of celery and jalapeños, and cheeseheads can add provolone or American cheese.

4418 North Narragansett Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706

• Open in Google Maps

3. Bob-O'southward Hot Dogs

Though Bob-O's originally started off as a hot canis familiaris stand, Italian beef is now arguably the principal attraction. Beef connoisseurs would do well to head to Dunning for a top-notch sandwich featuring meat fabricated in-firm. It's seasoned, sliced, and cooked daily and should be coupled with an order of the impeccable hand-cut fries. Gild online here.

8258 West Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60634

• Open in Google Maps

four. Mr. Beef and Pizza

The Mr. Beef name carries a lot of expectations. Fortunately, this Northwest Side eatery, which is unaffiliated with the locations in River North and Homer Glen, lives up to that legacy. Cheese isn't a usual Italian beef topping but diners can get their sandwiches with mozzarella, American, or cheddar here. A nice mix of herbs and spices season the meat while the giardiniera is flecked with ruby pepper flakes for extra oomph. Order alee online. A 2nd outpost is located in Forest Park.

3917 N Harlem Ave
Chicago, IL 60634

• Open in Google Maps

5. All Too Well

All Also Well's Italian beef has Lebanese influences.

All Likewise Well [Official Photograph]

A new Lincoln Park deli and market debuted earlier this twelvemonth, offering prepared foods, catch-and-become items, dips and spreads, and more. Owner Mitchell Abou Jamra, who also runs All Too Well's neighboring restaurant Evette's, pays tribute to his family and upbringing through a lineup of delectable sandwiches. The "Sheffield & Westwood" (named after streets Abou Jamra and his grandparents have lived on) is a Lebanese-influenced Italian beef that gets elevated with sumac giardiniera and crumbled pieces of ground beefiness kafta. It's dipped in jus to stop. Online ordering is available here.

352 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

• Open in Google Maps

6. Phodega

The Italian beef meets Southeast Asian flavors at noodle shop and convenience store Phodega. Owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo accept come up up with a multifariousness of fun bites, and amidst them is a Viet dip consisting of shaved rib eye, cilantro, onions, and jalapenos on French bread. It'due south also served with a side of pho jus for dipping and so beef lovers who like their sandwiches wet need not worry. Online orders tin can be placed hither.

1547 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

• Open up in Google Maps

vii. Serrelli's Effectively Foods

Located well-nigh a mile and a half from beef goliath Johnnie's, this Italian grocer often gets disregarded in the word of best sandwiches. The meat is mildly seasoned, merely the extra hot cauliflower-sport pepper giardiniera helps balance the flavors out. For those who'd rather make their sandwiches at habitation, Serrelli'south sells its beefiness in big buckets that are packed to the brim.

6454 W Northward Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

• Open in Google Maps

8. Johnnie'south Beefiness

There will never be an agreement on the best Italian beef in Chicago but Johnnie'southward is the closest to a consensus. Its sandwich is considered by many to exist the shining standard others strive for — a perfect balance of sweetness or hot peppers and well-seasoned beefiness that soaks upward all the jus. The line oftentimes snakes out the door and it's piece of cake to understand why. This is an iconic bite that every Chicagoan and tourist should experience. There'south a second location in Arlington Heights.

7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
IL, 60707

• Open in Google Maps

9. Kasama

From stunning Instagram-friendly pastries to traditional Filipino dishes featuring modern twists, there's tons to love about Kasama — one of the country's best new restaurants. Chef-owner Tim Flores fifty-fifty manages to put his own spin on Chicago's revered Italian beefiness with a "Kasama Combo" sandwich that layers shaved pork adobo with longganisa sausage and giardiniera. Information technology'due south an ingenious riff that'south every flake every bit adept every bit the original, if not amend. Online ordering is bachelor here.

1001 Northward Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

• Open up in Google Maps

ten. Mr. Beef on Orleans

Mr. Beef on Orleans has its share of glory fans, including Jay Leno.

Mr. Beef on Orleans [Official Photo]

In that location are dining options aplenty in River North merely few are as satisfying as this former-school spot. The nostalgia-laden infinite — consummate with celebrity photos lining the walls — stands in stark contrast to the rest of the neighborhood, while the beef sits in a jus bath to enhance the season earlier being loaded onto a crusty scroll that'southward able to agree up to the juices.

666 N Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654

• Open up in Google Maps

11. Portillo'southward

It's true: Homegrown restaurant empire Portillo'southward offers a dependable sandwich that manages to hold its ain against the urban center's defended Italian beef purveyors. The menu besides features non-traditional choices similar a "Beef-N-Cheddar Croissant" and a breadless "Beef Basin," as well as a "Large Beef" for the largest appetites. And because there are dozens of locations across Chicagoland, residents are never too far away from a quality Italian beefiness. Identify online orders here.

100 W Ontario St, Chicago
IL, 60654

• Open in Google Maps

12. Bari

The love Italian deli and grocer in West Town is renowned for its selection of subs, but don't miss the Italian beef. The meat is tender, juicy, thick-cutting, and served on a roll that stands upwardly to its beef. Get it with the extremely hot business firm giardiniera for a kick that'll apprehensive even the most seasoned spice fanatics. Place online orders here.

1120 W Grand Ave, Chicago
IL, 60642

• Open in Google Maps

13. Al's Italian Beef

Al's was i of the primeval Italian beef makers.

Al's Beef [Official Photograph]

The purported origins of the Italian beef sandwich can exist traced dorsum to this Taylor Street stand up in Piffling Italy. That's where Al Ferrari and his sister and blood brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli Sr., set up shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would become one of the metropolis's iconic foods. Today, the original location is withal in business and the beef remains unchanged — marinated in secret spices and dipped in gravy. And so stop in, assume the proper upright eating stance, and savor a chip of Chicago history. Online ordering is bachelor hither.

1079 Westward Taylor St, Chicago
IL, 60607

• Open in Google Maps

14. Freddy's Pizza

Freddy's showcases the power of giardiniera. The mix of carrots, celery, olives, and sport peppers perfectly complements the beef served at this mom-and-pop grocer and deli, which has been operating in Cicero since 1968.

1600 S 61st Ave
Cicero, IL 60804

• Open in Google Maps

15. Scatchell's Beef & Pizza

It's hard to miss Scatchell'southward while driving downward Cermak Road.

Scatchell'south [Official Photograph]

The center-catching signs and bright lights outside this longstanding shack beckon passersby in for a messy-yet-glorious Italian beef sandwich. Information technology boasts finely-shaved meat, fantastic gravy, and crunchy giardiniera that's fabricated with celery and carmine pepper flakes.

4700 West Cermak Rd
Cicero, IL 60804

• Open in Google Maps

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xvi. The Duck Inn

Equally its proper noun suggests, duck headlines the menu at this cozy retro-themed gastro-tavern. Merely chef-owner Kevin Hickey also delivers mouthwatering Midwestern comfort fare, including a "Decent Beefiness" sandwich. His take on the Chicago classic features thinly sliced prime rib and beefy jus flavored with Calabrian chilies, garlic, oregano, basil, and rosemary. The beef is tucked inside a crusty Italian sub roll and topped with optional accompaniments like giardiniera, sweet peppers, and melted cheese. Diners can also punch up the decadence by adding black truffle shavings. Online ordering is available here.

2701 S Eleanor St
Chicago, IL 60608

• Open up in Google Maps
• OpenTable
• Foursquare

17. Novi's Beef

Novi's giardiniera brings the heat.

Novi's Beef [Official Photo]

Established in the '60s, Novi's is an institution out in southwest suburban Berwyn. The thick-cut beef marinates in gravy laced with 15 different spices and the hot giardiniera, a cherry-red blend of celery and chili oil, bursts with rut and is a must for spicy nutrient lovers. The restaurant offers catering packages and ships its sandwiches too. Online ordering is available here.

6746 Ogden Ave
Berwyn, IL 60402

• Open up in Google Maps

18. Tony's Italian Beef

Tony'southward has been serving the South Side since 1975.

Tony's [Official Photo]

South Siders swear by Tony'due south, where the thick-sliced beef pleases and the unique giardiniera contains garbanzo beans. Traditionalists will exist happy with the standard beefiness sandwich but for an unbeatable combo, order it aslope Italian sausage. The eating house too sells beefiness past the pound in party trays.

7007 South Pulaski Rd, Chicago
IL, 60629

• Open in Google Maps

nineteen. Pop's Italian Beef & Sausage

The jus is the star of the show at suburban concatenation Pop's. The meat isn't melt-in-your-oral fissure tender, merely it provides a pleasurable jaw conditioning. Order online here.

10337 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60655

• Open in Google Maps

twenty. Frangella Italian Market place

Over in Palos Park, this Italian marketplace sells more than than but groceries. The deli offers an exceptional sandwich; instead of soaking in juices, the roast beef is sliced to order and quickly dunked in gravy alee of meeting the bread. It's taken to fifty-fifty greater heights with the add-on of zippy giardiniera and sweet green peppers.

11925 S 80th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464

• Open in Google Maps

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Source: https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-italian-beef-sandwiches-chicago

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