Chicago Italian Beef Near Ontario and State Street

All Too Well switches things up past adding basis kafta and sumac giardiniera to its Italian beef.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Where to Chomp on Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago

The very best in juicy roast beefiness with hot peppers

by Updated Mar 8, 2022, 11:09am CST

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

| Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Italian beef is undoubtedly ane of the most cherished of Chicago'southward signature foods. Topped with hot giardiniera or sweetness peppers, the sandwich is wholly unique to this great urban center, and at that place's trigger-happy argue over who does it the all-time. Considering there are numerous delicious options all effectually town, it's incommunicable to choose just one. 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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Annotation: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1102 East Irving Park Rd
Streamwood, IL 60107

Visit this hot 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 full of stale herbs. There's as well a cheesy beef variant and a mini beef for folks who want to pair the sandwich with an excellent Vienna Beef Depression Dog. Online ordering is bachelor here.

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4418 N Narragansett Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706

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

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8258 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60634

Though Bob-O'south originally started off as a hot dog stand, Italian beefiness is now arguably the main allure. Beef connoisseurs would practise well to caput to Dunning for a meridian-notch sandwich featuring meat fabricated in-house. It's seasoned, sliced, and cooked daily and should be coupled with an lodge of the impeccable manus-cut fries. Order online here.

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3917 N 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 but diners can get their sandwiches with mozzarella, American, or cheddar hither. A dainty mix of herbs and spices flavour the meat while the giardiniera is flecked with red pepper flakes for extra oomph. Lodge alee 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 marketplace debuted before this year, offering prepared foods, grab-and-get items, dips and spreads, and more than. Owner Mitchell Abou Jamra, who also runs All Besides Well's neighboring restaurant Evette'south, pays tribute to his family and upbringing through a lineup of delectable sandwiches. The "Sheffield & Westwood" (named later on 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 beef kafta. It's dipped in jus to finish. Online ordering is available hither.

All Too Well'southward Italian beef has Lebanese influences.

All Too Well [Official Photo]

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1547 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

The Italian beef meets Southeast Asian flavors at noodle shop and convenience shop Phodega. Owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo accept come upwardly with a diversity of fun bites, and amongst 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 so beef lovers who like their sandwiches moisture demand not worry. Online orders can be placed here.

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6454 W N Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

Located most a mile and a half from beef goliath Johnnie'due south, this Italian grocer often gets overlooked in the give-and-take of all-time sandwiches. The meat is mildly seasoned, merely the extra hot cauliflower-sport pepper giardiniera helps residual the flavors out. For those who'd rather brand their sandwiches at domicile, Serrelli's sells its beef in large buckets that are packed to the brim.

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7500 W Due north Ave, Elmwood Park
IL, 60707

In that location will never be an agreement on the best Italian beefiness in Chicago simply Johnnie'south is the closest to a consensus. Its sandwich is considered by many to be the shining standard others strive for — a perfect remainder of sweet or hot peppers and well-seasoned beef that soaks up all the jus. The line oft snakes out the door and it's easy to understand why. This is an iconic bite that every Chicagoan and tourist should feel. In that location'due south a second location in Arlington Heights.

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1001 North Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

From stunning Instagram-friendly pastries to traditional Filipino dishes featuring modern twists, there's tons to love about Kasama — one of the country'south best new restaurants. Chef-owner Tim Flores even manages to put his own spin on Chicago's revered Italian beef with a "Kasama Philharmonic" sandwich that layers shaved pork adobo with longganisa sausage and giardiniera. Information technology's an ingenious riff that'south equally as expert as the original, if non improve. Online ordering is bachelor here.

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666 Due north Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654

At that place are dining options aplenty in River North but few are as satisfying as this one-time-school spot. The nostalgia-laden infinite — complete with celebrity photos lining the walls — stands in stark contrast to the rest of the neighborhood, while the beef sits in a jus bathroom to raise the season before being loaded onto a crusty roll that's able to hold up to the juices.

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

Mr. Beef on Orleans [Official Photograph]

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100 W Ontario St, Chicago
IL, 60654

It'due south true: Homegrown eating place empire Portillo's offers a dependable sandwich that manages to agree its own against the metropolis's dedicated Italian beef purveyors. The menu as well features non-traditional choices like a "Beefiness-N-Cheddar Croissant" and a breadless "Beefiness Bowl," as well as a "Big Beefiness" for the largest appetites. And because there are dozens of locations across Chicagoland, residents are never too far away from a quality Italian beefiness. Place online orders here.

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1120 W Chiliad Ave, Chicago
IL, 60642

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

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1079 West Taylor St, Chicago
IL, 60607

The purported origins of the Italian beef sandwich can exist traced back to this Taylor Street stand in Little Italy. That'due south where Al Ferrari and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli Sr., gear up shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would go one of the city'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, presume the proper upright eating stance, and enjoy a bit of Chicago history. Online ordering is available here.

Al'south was one of the earliest Italian beefiness makers.

Al's Beef [Official Photo]

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1600 Due south 61st Ave
Cicero, IL 60804

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-popular grocer and deli, which has been operating in Cicero since 1968.

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4700 Westward Cermak Rd
Cicero, IL 60804

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

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

Scatchell's [Official Photograph]

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2701 Due south Eleanor St
Chicago, IL 60608

As its name suggests, duck headlines the card at this cozy retro-themed gastro-tavern. But chef-owner Kevin Hickey too delivers mouthwatering Midwestern condolement fare, including a "Decent Beef" sandwich. His have 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 within a crusty Italian sub coil and topped with optional accompaniments similar giardiniera, sweet peppers, and melted cheese. Diners can likewise dial up the decadence by adding blackness truffle shavings. Online ordering is bachelor 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 xv different spices and the hot giardiniera, a reddish alloy of celery and chili oil, bursts with heat and is a must for spicy nutrient lovers. The restaurant offers catering packages and ships its sandwiches too. Online ordering is available here.

Novi'south giardiniera brings the heat.

Novi'south Beef [Official Photograph]

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7007 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago
IL, 60629

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

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

Tony's [Official Photo]

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10337 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60655

The jus is the star of the prove at suburban chain Pop's. The meat isn't melt-in-your-mouth tender, but information technology provides a pleasurable jaw workout. Society online here.

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11925 Due south 80th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464

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

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1. The Original Nana's Hot Dogs

Visit this hot dog stand up in Streamwood for a host of delicious greasy delights. The tender housemade beef arrives thinly sliced and covered in a flavorful gravy that'due south full of stale herbs. There's also a cheesy beefiness variant and a mini beefiness for folks who desire to pair the sandwich with an excellent Vienna Beef Low Dog. Online ordering is available hither.

1102 E Irving Park Rd
Streamwood, IL 60107

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2. Jay'due south Beefiness

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 tin can add provolone or American cheese.

4418 N Narragansett Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706

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3. Bob-O'southward Hot Dogs

Though Bob-O'southward originally started off every bit a hot dog stand, Italian beef is now arguably the main attraction. Beefiness connoisseurs would do well to caput to Dunning for a top-notch sandwich featuring meat made in-firm. It's seasoned, sliced, and cooked daily and should be coupled with an order of the impeccable hand-cut fries. Social club online here.

8258 West Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60634

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4. 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 tin can get their sandwiches with mozzarella, American, or cheddar here. A dainty mix of herbs and spices season the meat while the giardiniera is flecked with ruby pepper flakes for extra oomph. Club ahead online. A 2d outpost is located in Wood Park.

3917 N Harlem Ave
Chicago, IL 60634

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5. All Likewise Well

All Too Well's Italian beef has Lebanese influences.

All Too Well [Official Photo]

A new Lincoln Park deli and marketplace debuted earlier this year, offering prepared foods, take hold of-and-go items, dips and spreads, and more. Owner Mitchell Abou Jamra, who besides 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 afterwards 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. Information technology's dipped in jus to finish. Online ordering is available here.

352 West Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

• Open up in Google Maps

6. Phodega

The Italian beefiness meets Southeast Asian flavors at noodle shop and convenience store Phodega. Owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo accept come up up with a variety of fun bites, and amid 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 so beefiness lovers who similar their sandwiches moisture need non worry. Online orders can be placed here.

1547 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

• Open in Google Maps

7. Serrelli'due south Finer Foods

Located about a mile and a half from beef goliath Johnnie'due south, this Italian grocer often gets overlooked in the word of best sandwiches. The meat is mildly seasoned, simply the extra hot cauliflower-sport pepper giardiniera helps balance the flavors out. For those who'd rather brand their sandwiches at abode, Serrelli'southward sells its beef in large buckets that are packed to the skirt.

6454 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

• Open in Google Maps

viii. Johnnie's Beef

At that place will never be an agreement on the best Italian beefiness in Chicago but Johnnie'due south is the closest to a consensus. Its sandwich is considered past many to be the shining standard others strive for — a perfect balance of sugariness or hot peppers and well-seasoned beef that soaks upwards all the jus. The line ofttimes snakes out the door and information technology's piece of cake to understand why. This is an iconic seize with teeth that every Chicagoan and tourist should experience. There'southward a second location in Arlington Heights.

7500 Westward 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 near Kasama — one of the country'southward all-time new restaurants. Chef-owner Tim Flores fifty-fifty manages to put his ain spin on Chicago's revered Italian beef with a "Kasama Philharmonic" sandwich that layers shaved pork adobo with longganisa sausage and giardiniera. It's an ingenious riff that's every bit as good equally the original, if not amend. Online ordering is available here.

1001 N Winchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

• Open in Google Maps

x. Mr. Beef on Orleans

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

Mr. Beef on Orleans [Official Photo]

There are dining options ample in River North merely few are every bit satisfying equally this former-school spot. The nostalgia-laden infinite — complete with celebrity photos lining the walls — stands in stark contrast to the balance of the neighborhood, while the beef sits in a jus bathroom to enhance the season earlier beingness loaded onto a crusty roll that's able to hold up to the juices.

666 North Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654

• Open in Google Maps

11. Portillo'south

It'south true: Homegrown restaurant empire Portillo's offers a dependable sandwich that manages to concord its own against the metropolis's dedicated Italian beefiness purveyors. The carte also features non-traditional choices like a "Beefiness-N-Cheddar Croissant" and a breadless "Beef Bowl," also every bit a "Big Beefiness" for the largest appetites. And because there are dozens of locations across Chicagoland, residents are never besides far away from a quality Italian beefiness. Place online orders here.

100 W Ontario St, Chicago
IL, 60654

• Open in Google Maps

12. Bari

The beloved Italian cafeteria and grocer in West Boondocks is renowned for its selection of subs, just don't miss the Italian beef. The meat is tender, juicy, thick-cut, and served on a whorl that stands up to its beefiness. Become it with the extremely hot business firm giardiniera for a kick that'll apprehensive even the most seasoned spice fanatics. Identify online orders hither.

1120 West Grand Ave, Chicago
IL, 60642

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xiii. Al's Italian Beefiness

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

Al's Beef [Official Photo]

The purported origins of the Italian beef sandwich tin be traced back to this Taylor Street stand up in Little Italia. That's where Al Ferrari and his sister and brother-in-police force, Frances and Chris Pacelli Sr., ready up shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would become one of the city's iconic foods. Today, the original location is still in business concern and the beef remains unchanged — marinated in hole-and-corner spices and dipped in gravy. And then finish in, assume the proper upright eating stance, and savor a flake of Chicago history. Online ordering is available hither.

1079 W Taylor St, Chicago
IL, 60607

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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-popular grocer and deli, which has been operating in Cicero since 1968.

1600 Southward 61st Ave
Cicero, IL 60804

• Open in Google Maps

xv. Scatchell's Beefiness & Pizza

It'southward hard to miss Scatchell'due south while driving downwardly Cermak Road.

Scatchell'southward [Official Photo]

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

4700 W Cermak Rd
Cicero, IL 60804

• Open in Google Maps

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16. The Duck Inn

Every bit its name suggests, duck headlines the bill of fare at this cozy retro-themed gastro-tavern. But chef-owner Kevin Hickey also delivers mouthwatering Midwestern comfort fare, including a "Decent Beef" sandwich. His take 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 similar giardiniera, sweet peppers, and melted cheese. Diners can too dial up the decadence by adding blackness truffle shavings. Online ordering is available here.

2701 S Eleanor St
Chicago, IL 60608

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17. Novi's Beefiness

Novi's giardiniera brings the heat.

Novi's Beef [Official Photograph]

Established in the '60s, Novi's is an establishment out in southwest suburban Berwyn. The thick-cutting beefiness marinates in gravy laced with fifteen unlike spices and the hot giardiniera, a cherry blend of celery and chili oil, bursts with oestrus and is a must for spicy food lovers. The eatery offers catering packages and ships its sandwiches as well. Online ordering is bachelor here.

6746 Ogden Ave
Berwyn, IL 60402

• Open in Google Maps

18. Tony's Italian Beef

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

Tony'due south [Official Photo]

Southward Siders swear by Tony's, 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 information technology alongside Italian sausage. The restaurant likewise sells beef past the pound in party trays.

7007 South Pulaski Rd, Chicago
IL, 60629

• Open up in Google Maps

19. Pop's Italian Beef & Sausage

The jus is the star of the prove at suburban chain Popular's. The meat isn't melt-in-your-mouth tender, but it provides a pleasurable jaw conditioning. Order online hither.

10337 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60655

• Open up in Google Maps

20. Frangella Italian Marketplace

Over in Palos Park, this Italian market sells more than just groceries. The deli offers an infrequent sandwich; instead of soaking in juices, the roast beefiness is sliced to order and chop-chop dunked in gravy alee of meeting the bread. It's taken to fifty-fifty greater heights with the addition of zippy giardiniera and sweet light-green peppers.

11925 S 80th Ave
Palos Park, IL 60464

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

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