Italian beef sandwich and Chicago city

The Best Chicago Spots To Eat Italian Beef

NEWS

By MICHELLE MCGLINN

Italian beef sandwich at Johnnie's Beef

Johnnie's Beef

Tucked away in the suburb of Elmwood Park, Johnnie's Beef's small, dated building is admittedly the first spot almost any Chicagoan will recommend.
The sandwich is juicy, packed with meat, and both perfectly sweet and mildly spicy. It may help to know how to order, so you might want to practice before you go.
Italian beef sandwich with French fries

Al's #1 Italian Beef

Al's #1 on Taylor Street can be fairly credited for making Italian beef a Chicago icon, especially considering how good the sandwiches still are today.
Italian beef sandwich with French fries
It's rumored that the first Al's location braises and slices its beef in-house. The beef also tastes a little different, supposedly due to sweeter spices used in the braise.
Italian beef sandwich

Mr. Beef

At Orleans-based Mr. Beef, not only are the sandwiches good, but the welcoming personality of the owners and their loyalty to customers also keep Chicagoans coming back.
Italian beef sandwich in paper wrapper
The classic nature of the Italian beef and a simple, bare-bones approach to the sandwich sets the establishment apart. For the best experience,
opt for a hot, dipped sandwich.
Italian beef sandwich and French fries

Buona Beef

Buona Beef is a great place for Italian Beef, but you have to go to the right place. The one at Rate Field, where the White Sox play, would be a good choice.
Italian beef sandwiches on tray
It may be a case of the atmosphere influencing the flavor, with the thrill of the ballpark making the beef taste good, but the beef is also juicier
and spicier than at other spots.
Italian beef sandwich and French fries

Carm's Beef

Carm's Beef specializes in Italian ice, so if you want a beef-and-ice combination, this is the place to go. It's also a great place if you're a giardiniera fiend.
Carm's uses a mix that has green jalapeños, which adds a unique, fresh flavor, and it also serves one of the best breads. Go for a hot, dipped Italian beef for the best experience.