Johnnie's Beef

To me, Johnnie’s is more than just a beef stand. It is the reason I have a fine appreciation for the Italian beef sandwich and the motivation for me to be a part of our blog. I have been eating at Johnnie’s for longer than I can remember. If the IB had its own religion, Johnnie’s would be the holy land. Mmmmm, sacrilicious.

Johnnie’s offers a variety of menu options but I can honestly say that I have never heard someone order anything but an Italian beef and/or sausage sandwich. This Chicago favorite keeps customers lined out the door from open until close every day of the week. But don’t let the wait discourage you, the line moves quickly. This is mainly due to the Soup Nazi-esque man operating the cash register. Make sure you are ready when it is your turn to order because he moves fast with little patience.

My mouth instantly began to water when I walked through the door. After getting my sandwich and walking outside to the picnic tables where everyone was sitting, I was so excited I found myself grinning. I went for the full dip, as usual. In my opinion, the more au jus, the better. I’m thinking about trying to market it as a beverage. The beef itself is almost shredded rather than sliced, making it tender and flavorful. The bread held the sandwich together well without being too chewy. The hot peppers offered a good mix of heat and flavor to the sandwich without overwhelming it. Tasters did not agree, however, on the quality of the sweet peppers. Some found them to be too soft with little flavor, but others found them to be a nice complement. I recommend getting both.

The sandwich was smaller than other places we have visited but it costs just over $3 so if you are feeling hungry, we say go for two. One important weakness, no cheese. A good mozzarella or provolone can add serious points to a sandwich’s rating. Overall, the beef was one of the best we have had, earning an average rating of 8.4 sans mozz (this would have been higher, but one blogger was PMS-ing that day). The homemade lemon ice is a great accompaniment to the sandwich on a hot day (order the large).

The French fries were nice and crispy earning a rating of 8 even. You get a good sized portion, but nothing like the massive heap we have found at many other places. Make sure you ask for ketchup when you get your bag of food at the counter. The guy manning the fryers packages it in a folded sheet of wax paper, which for some reason was listed as a con (stupid Sir-Beefs-A-Lot).

The verdict: Johnnie’s is a must for all Italian beef enthusiasts. Skip this one on your beef tour and you might as well give up now.

Beef – 8.4
Fries – 8
L/A – 6

Credit Cards – No
Bathrooms – No
Pop Selection – Pepsi products

7500 W North Ave
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
(708) 452-6000

JuicyBeef

Carm's Italian Beef

I am a disgrace to our beef blog. We went to Carm’s on 4/7/07. Now, over 3 months later, I am finally posting my review. I apologize for my lack of dedication and general disrespect to our readers. On with the review…

Carm’s, located just a few blocks west of the UIC campus, reminds me of my grandpa’s basement, which hasn’t been remodeled since it was built in the ‘70’s. The dark wood grain walls and white fluorescent lights made for a less than inviting atmosphere. Seating was limited to a counter facing the wall lined with a few stools. The staff, however, was superb. The guy working the register, inevitably the owner, was a true Chicago Italian with a thick south-side accent.

Having visited several beef stands since our trip to Carm’s, I had trouble at first trying to remember what the food was like, which has apparently become the best description of our experience…nothing special. The sandwich was about average, earning a rating of 6.7. The au jus was more oily than juicy, which made the beef slightly tougher. The bread held the sandwich together well and the mozzarella added some good flavor. I enjoy my beef with hot peppers. To my disappointment, the peppers at Carm’s added a marginal amount of flavor and little heat. The sweet pepper enthusiasts, however, had no complaints.

Where the beef had fallen short, the fries picked up the slack with an 8.2 rating. They were crispy and golden brown on the outside and soft on the inside. The bag was large enough for two people unless, of course, you are the Beef King. He had no problem finishing them off by himself.

Oddly, one of the defining characteristics of Carm’s is the Fontano’s Subs across the street, a favorite from our hometown. Our conclusion: the beef was good but fell short of the high expectations that Carms’ reputation led us to anticipate.

Beef - 6.7
Fries - 8.2
L/A - 7.2

Credit Cards: No
Bathrooms: No
Pop Selection: Coke products including Pibb

1057 W. Polk
Chicago, IL
(312)738-1046

JuicyBeef

The Patio

Walking out of The Patio on Chicago's near south side, I found myself lost and confused. I needed guidance. How could a restaurant have such a solid grasp on how to make an Italian Beef sandwich, yet neglect all other aspects of the beef experience? I wasn't sure how I felt about the place. Should I recommend it to my legion of loyal readers? We all know I have the power to make or break this eatery.

I am the Beef King.

Such a detrimental decision necessitated some advice from a wise and noble book that would steer me to make the righteous choice.

Psalm 91 from the Book of Beef:

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by soggy fries,
Nor for the apathy that flieth by day;
6 For the pestilence that walketh in darkness,
Nor for the sweet peppers that wasteth at noonday

I had to dig deep for this one, but this psalm from a not-so-credible source really captures the identity of The Patio in four simple lines and also shows why people should give this bistro a try. A line-by-line analysis will help explain how I came up with this decision.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by soggy fries,

The Patio follows the standard of serving up its fried potato slices. That is until you ask for ketchup. At this point, they douse your bag o' carbs, wrap it and serve you a soggy mess of fries. With the benefit of hindsight, it is safe to say I should've asked for the ketchup on the side. My experience would've been much better if I had had been able to foresee this ordering mistake, but instead I had to endure the pain of not having a decent order of fries. But focus on the first five words of the line here as they are the most important in the entire psalm: "Thou shalt not be afraid."

Nor for the apathy that flieth by day;

Another aspect of the restaurant that you should be forewarned about is the less than spectacular service. While one of our servers was very friendly and lovingly referred to all of us as "Hun," or "Doll," the other employees of the Patio had really lost the passion for their job. They served one of our beef bloggers pop with little to no carbonation. They must have been exhausted from making such delicious beef and didn't want to put up with some fat guy's dream of creating a beef blog. Again, this is nothing to be afraid of.

For the pestilence that walketh in darkness

The entire aura of the restaurant was dark. The lack of lighting accompanied by aged tiles and dark-brown wooden panels on the walls gave a musky feel to the beefery. If you added the staunch smell of cigarettes and whiskey with a 55 year old man that looked 85 sitting in the corner, I would've guessed it was a dive bar.

The layout of the beef stand was austere as well. The seating consisted of nine bar stools beneath a counter opposite the front with about half the stools positioned directly next to a trash can–needless to say the seating wasn't plentiful. The parking situation wasn't great seeing as how the stand is located in middle of the UIC campus where parking is limited. All of these factors really took away from The Patio's Location/Ambiance rating–but really nothing to make one timorous.

Nor for the sweet peppers that wasteth at noonday

To my own record, only one beef blogger ordered the sweet peppers. One of the other sweet pepper regulars decided to try out the other side of the rainbow and go with the hot giardenara (Way to go, Sir Beefs-a-Lot!). However, the Beefman noted that the sweet peppers had no taste and really no crunch. But that's only the sweet peppers.

While these four lines illustrate the truly frightening nature of The Patio's ancillary features, there is nothing to fear from the restaurant's main attraction, a delicious Italian Beef sandwich. The actual sandwich was almost celestial in its own right. The first bite brings a surge of tender and juicy beef, marinated for hours and sliced thinly to really deliver the perfect contour of a beef sandwich. The au jus was plentiful and with a perfect compliment of sturdy but soft bread the sandwich actually delivered a mouthful of the delicious broth with every bite. It can really only be described as "melting" in your mouth, a sensation that any beef lover will enjoy. The hot giardenera did not lack any punch, as it was filled with flavor and packed plenty of heat. The only downfall of the sandwich was that the mozzarella cheese did not have a strong presence in the sandwich.

So the question still stands, do I recommend this beef joint to my legion of readers? Absolutely. The Patio offers a delicious beef sandwich that bestows a unique and very pleasant contour and feel to the sandwich, and the flavor is exceptional as well. The reality is that we have visited many beef stands in our quest to find Chicago's greatest, and we only plan to visit more. For me to consider a beef stand worthy of a second or third visit means that I was highly satisfied with my sandwich, enough so to forgo finding a new sandwich to revisit a past acquaintance. For what it's worth, I'll definitely be visiting the Patio again.

Beef - 8.2
Fries - 5.2
L/A - 4.9

Credit Cards: No
Bathrooms: No
Pop selection: Coke Products.

1503 W Taylor St
Chicago, IL 60607
312-829-0454

The Beef King

Joe Boston's

When I first heard of Boston's Italian beef, I was highly offended. I immediately thought to myself "How could a place named after another city, sell Chicago's Italian Beef, in Chicago and get away with it!" If I were looking for baked beans and clam chowder served by a staff who think they’re better than me, I’d go to a place called Boston’s. I wanted to walk in and tell the owner to shove his beef and his Red Sox haaat up an orifice I’ll refrain from stating.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the name of the Beef stand was not Boston’s, but Joe Boston’s. I was immediately relieved and I hope this information calms the nerves of our readers. Now on to the beef.

Boston’s is a very straightforward beef stand: not too much decor or menu selection, but their options are good. The beef isn’t unique or experimental in any way, but the sandwich did its job. Although pretty tender and very juicy–the beef is nothing that pitched a tent in my pants, but I was satisfied nonetheless. The bread holds up well and the au jus is very good. With a medium heat and taste the peppers are only average, nothing special. The biggest drawback to the sandwich is that the only cheese they use is cheddar (huh?) JuicyBeef had the pleasure of trying the quite tasty cheddar fries. Drink selection at Boston’s is dedicated to the Pepsi beverage company, not a favorite amongst our panel.

The place itself was probably put together in as long as it took me to finish the sandwich. A few pictures of Al Capone, The Godfather, and The WHITE Sox, along with some oversized kitchen utensils mounted on the wall, but that’s about it. Only a few small tables and chairs to eat at and a bathroom are available, which contribute the lower location/ambiance scores. The neighborhood is not the greatest but the place does have a parking lot. Unlike some of the other places we have been to, with neighborhoods that are filled with life and shopping, there isn’t any atmosphere around Boston’s. It is in the middle of two busy streets with out any other businesses around. They do offer refills at a price of 50 cents, which isn’t breaking the bank, but it still isn’t free. The only thing that added to the ambiance is the fact that the place serves chocotacos, one of the greatest desserts of all time. Nice touch, Joe.

Boston’s Beef is pretty wicked awesome but the lack in location and ambiance really take away from the Beefing experience. It could be worse; it could have been staffed by people from Boston. Could you imagine that? The servers would be rude and inconsiderate and try to get you to eat the Beef however they liked it. Not to mention that fact that they would probably try to convince you that the worst day in history was Game 6 of the 1986 World Series…although that might not be so bad. I could then enjoy my Beef while asking them how many world series they won in the past 50 years…and how many the White sox won. Thank God Boston’s is a true Chicago establishment and we don’t have to deal with that dilemma.

Beef- 7.5
Fries- 6.1
Location/Ambiance- 4.3

2932 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-9536

Editor-in-Beef

What's The Beef

Greeting us with a smile, the sign outside What's The Beef happily beckoned us to come inside and fulfill any appetite on one particular hungover Sunday. WTB serves up a multitude of beef products and even delivers to those living in the southwest corner of Lincoln Park. There is no parking lot, but a street spot was not hard to find.

The Italian Beef came in two sizes: the titular What's The Beef and the Big Beef. Mozzarella was offered as well as sweet peppers, giardiniera, and even red sauce. I was hungry as hell and ordered up a cheesy sweet Big Beef with fries. The Beef King approved.

WTB proudly makes their own Italian Beef. It's received raw, sliced, cooked, and seasoned on site. As I eagerly awaited my home-made Italian Beef, I took in the simple yet elegant ambiance of this Clybourn Corridor beef stand. The walls were plain except for a few Coke ads, Van Gough and Monet prints. An exposed brick wall provided a handsome contrast the the otherwise plain wall that featured the friendly Italian chef that had also greeted us outside and who suspiciously reminded me of the Italian American restauranteur from the Simpsons Luigi Risotto, (see photo comparison).


Taking our meal to the oversized picnic table in the middle of the room, we dug in and immediately experienced a roller coaster of mixed feeling towards the sandwich. My home-made beef high hopes feel short as the beef was dry and had little to no taste. The mediocre meat sat atop a Gonnella bread sandwich roll that would have held up well to a thorough dipping. However, upon asking to have our beefs dipped we were told they did not dip but instead would give us personal au jus cups. While the au jus was delicious it was not enough to fully moisten the chewy bread and the beef did not hold its taste.

The otherwise disappointing Italian beef was completely salvaged by the mozzarella and outstanding peppers. The amount of cheese was ample while the sweet peppers were literally the best I have ever had (and I have had my fair share of Italian beef sandwiches). The peppers were cut thin and tasted like none other that has graced any Italian Beef under my belt. The giardiniera was also quite delicious and had lots of heat. Complimenting our sandwiches were WTB's tasty fries. They were thick and hearty and I actually had trouble finishing them all after housing my Big Beef.

All in all, the home-made beef is nothing to write home about. Despite this, the fixings on the sandwich more than make up for that shortfall, allowing the sandwich to receive a solid review. If hunger strikes while driving down this section of Clybourn Avenue, or you find yourself rooted to your couch in Lincoln Park, What's The Beef provides a tasty meal however big your hunger may be.

Bathroom: Yes / Credit Cards: Yes / Soda: Coke Products / Refills: Free / TV: No

Beef: 7.4
Fries: 7.7
Location/Ambiance: 6.8


What's The Beef
1863 N. Clybourn
773-477-7200

BeefMan

Portillo's Hot Dogs

“If there was a Kingdom of Troy for sandwiches, Portillo’s Italian beef would be its Helen.”
-Thy Beef King

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Growing up in the suburbs, the Beef Bloggers weren’t lucky enough to be surrounded by countless Italian Beef stands as we are today. For us, if we needed a beef, Portillo’s was the spot. For that reason, Portillo’s may very well be responsible for the Beef Blogger’s love affair with the Italian Beef.

With 31 locations in the Chicagoland area, Portillo’s might be sleeping around. That’s okay though, with one of the best beefs in Chicago, we forgive them.

At every Portillo’s location, the menu is filled with several options other than Italian beef. Chicken, burgers, hot dogs, sausage, and for the non-meat eaters (God help you) salads and fish sandwiches are also available. Their famous crinkle cut fries are an excellent side choice, as are the cheese sticks or mushroom poppers. And for those looking to start the night out right, the Chicago location offers beer and wine for their guests.

But enough foreplay, let’s get to the beef. Whether you choose the regular or the Big Beef, each bite is the perfect blend of juicy, tender and chewy. The au jus has a flavor that complements the rest of the sandwich without overpowering it, and the right amount of dipping leaves the bread juicy, yet intact, through out the meal. A plentiful amount of mozzarella cheese gives the sandwich an added amount of flavor, even if it doesn’t need it. The hot giardenera peppers are a tasty mix of vegetables and peppers to add to the flavor without overwhelming the sandwich with hotness. If spice isn’t your thing, the sweet peppers give the sandwich an extra delicious crunch.

For each Portillo’s, owner and proprietor Dick Portillo has chosen a different decorative theme that ranges from the 60’s or 50’s era to 30’s style prohibition. When you walk into the Chicago location at 100 E. Ontario, old time saloon hall music takes you back to a time when mobs ran the streets and Al Capone was king of Chicago. Tommy Guns along the walls and replica barber shops on the second floor add to the lively ambiance with it's historical appeal.

With two floors and outdoor seating, the restaurant is constantly teeming with patrons from tourists to natives to members of the Chicago Police Department. During your meal, the friendly staff comes around to dispose of your garbage or to collect the trays with the four individual drink holders (which take up more room in the end). If you’re looking for a quick meal, the fast, efficient drive-thru can get you beefing on the go.

At the end of your meal, Portillo’s dessert menu can help satisfy your sweet tooth with their cheesecake or strawberry shortcake. If you’re like the Beef Bloggers though, after enjoying a Portillo's Italian Beef, you'd probably need a cigarette instead.

Beef-9.3
Fries-8
Location/Ambiance-9.2

100 E. Ontario
Chicago, IL
(312)587-8910

Sir Beefs-a-Lot

Mr. Beef

If an establishment is going to name its restaurant Mr. Beef, then it had better be sure that its carte du jour better be up to standards. In this case, it was. In the heart of River North, just a couple of blocks away from the previously visited Al’s Beef, Mr. Beef (666 N Orleans St) is a short distance from the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue.

As our panel first tasted the Beef we knew we had picked the right choice this week. The beef is tender and the bread is delicious. I got my beef dipped with hot peppers and mozzarella cheese. The dipped beef almost melted in your mouth while the bread held up through the 15 seconds it took me to finish the sandwich. The sandwich held up till the very last bite. The sandwich was tender, greasy, and left me wanting another. The fries were good, not great, and were of average amount. The only drawback to my meal was the giardenera. It had a little heat to it but did not contain any flavor–a true drawback to an otherwise excellent sandwich. My fellow Beefers tell me that the sweet peppers were good, tender and flattered the beef well. Pepsi Products are the drinks that Mr. Beef uses to compliment its beef sandwiches. Although the meal is very tasty, the sandwich was slightly under average in size. If quantity is what you are looking for, you may need to order two beefs.

The thing that stood out most to us was the speed in which you get your IB. There is absolutely no waiting–you order and you receive. The Beef King actually quipped “Holy shit it’s ready.”

Mr. Beef is a true Italian Beef joint–I half expected to find Tony Soprano and his mob doing business in the back room. The workers were full-blooded Chicago Italian Americans and proud. The walls were adorned with photos of celebrities, both local and national, who have enjoyed the Mr. Beef experience. The dining hall contains dozens of posters of Italian staples such as The Godfather and Rat Pack. The place also contained an ATM and a parking lot (which is key in River North) which added to the ambiance rating.

Things that subtracted from the ambiance ratings were the missing bathrooms and the fact that it did not accept credit cards. Other than these trivial downfalls, it is one of the top rated Beef Stands we’ve visited. If you consider yourself an Italian Beef connoisseur, than Mr. Beef is a must.

Beef - 8.5
Fries - 7
Location/Ambiance - 8.9


666 N Orleans St
Chicago, IL
(312) 337-8500

Editor-in-Beef

Max's Famous Italian Beef

The oddest place I've ever seen two inanimate metal cows is on the 5400 north block of Western Ave. They graze in front of Max's Beef, a stand-alone building on the west side of the street where Italian Beef is the name of the game.

On a gloomy Saturday afternoon when most people chose to stay within the comfort of their own home to avoid the cold and rain, Max's still managed to draw enough people to occupy all the tables in their small restaurant. The dozen or so tables are complimented by a few more seats along the walls. The entire surface area of the walls is covered with a mural of the Chicago skyline with one small detail that you've never seen anywhere else – every other building has a small cartoon cow on top smiling at you.

Walking into the establishment, the first two things I noticed were the incredible variety they had on their menu, as well as the fact that they had two TV's showing both the Cubs and the Sox game at the same time. Upon ordering I noticed they had an option to increase the beef on my sandwich. I respect that option, and I salute all the heroes that make it – but this Saturday I had to pass. The hot giardenera did not come on the sandwich, however. Instead, Max's offers a giant tub of hot giardenera on each table in the restaurant, so that each patron can satisfy their own lust for the delicious concoction. By any licensed doctor's standards, my giardenera intake on this specific day was abnormally high.

The sandwich was delivered in a giant conglomeration of beef and mozzarella cheese and everything that reminds me of freedom and the good life. The flavor of the beef was tender and carried a strong punch of garlic, a sign of a long slow marinade. While some might not like the taste or lingering odor of garlic, the fact that it was so pungent gives a sign of a beef made with a time and care as it should be. The marinade was unlike anything else that we've consumed thus far. The dipped bread did not hold up for very long, and the heaping pile of beef that Max's loaded on my sandwich was not helping the cleanliness of the whole experience. Then again, the only time I'm concerned about the cleanliness of an Italian Beef is when I'm pounding one right before the prom, and I haven't done that in about six years.

The Fries were golden, crispy, and full of flavor. Watch out for the cheese that's included with those fries, though. One of our bloggers found out the hard way that the cheese they include with their cheese fries is very much like a fat girl in a bikini – odd and lumpy texture, it smelled terrible, and the taste it left in your mouth after the whole experience was over warranted a trip to the bathroom to brush your teeth.

Overall, though, the experience as a whole was a good one. This beef stand is well worth visiting, especially if you're looking for something that tastes a little different than the industry standard. The mural at Max’s is worth going to see, and be sure to enjoy one of their delicious Italian Beef sandwiches while you’re there.

Beef -7.5
Fries – 7.1
Location/Ambiance – 7.75

5754 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773)989-8200

The Beef King

Byron's Hot Dogs

Among the more ubiquitous of North Side eateries is the local hot dog stand, and in our Lakeview neighborhood, it is virtually impossible to walk more than a few blocks along a main thoroughfare without passing one of these establishments. One such “restaurant” is Byron’s Hot Dogs, located in North Lakeview (1017 W Irving Park Rd), adjacent to the Sheridan Red Line stop and a few blocks away from Wrigley Field.

As the name suggests, Byron’s specializes in that inimitable staple of Windy City cuisine—the Chicago style hot dog. However, many hot dog joints offer excellent alternatives to the red hot, Italian Beef sandwiches among them. We decided to sample Byron’s IB offering to see if this local establishment would qualify as more than just a hot dog stand.

Unfortunately, any expectations we had for a quality beef experience turned out to be disappointed. Things began inauspiciously when, upon ordering, the employees had to bring more beef to the counter from refrigerators in the back. This beef had not been sitting in marinade, and it was added to the existing beef juice only to be extracted seconds later to prepare our sandwiches.

The first bite revealed the beef to be lacking in flavor. The meat was not tender as is ideal for the IB sandwich, and the too thickly slicked beef only exacerbated this problem. Those of us who ordered our sandwiches dipped were dismayed to find that the bread disintegrated into a soggy mess after only a few minutes, necessitating a plastic fork to continue eating. The giardiniera lacked variety, consisting entirely of Serrano peppers, though I did find one sliver of carrot, which added a modicum of color to my otherwise unremarkable sandwich.

What Byron’s Italian Beefs lacked in quality was offset, ever so slightly, by quantity. Our server was not shy with the beef, heaping two giant tong-fills of beef on to each sandwich. The fries, which reminded me of McDonald’s spuds in size, shape, and taste, were a pleasant surprise, as was the availability of free refills on assorted Pepsi products from the fountain.

We were also impressed with the friendly service, acceptance of credit cards, and outdoor seating—though this last attribute was necessary to compensate for the absence of indoor seating. Byron’s is a friendly neighborhood hot dog stand with a convenient location for anyone passing through the Irving Park corridor, and those looking to grab a Chicago style dog on the way to Wrigley or the Lake could certainly do worse. Discriminating IB enthusiasts, however, should look elsewhere.

Beef – 4.75
Fries – 7
Location/Ambiance – 6.5

1017 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago, IL
(773)281-7474

Dr. Beef, PHD.

Vienna Beef Factory

For our third week of beefery, we took our quest to the source of all the great beef stand staples in the Chicagoland area: The Vienna Beef Factory. Located at 2501 N. Damen, this factory has been home to the Vienna Beef Company since 1972. Nestled between the Damen, Fullerton, and Elston intersection (one of the worst in the city in terms of congestion and accidents) and the north branch of the Chicago River, the factory offers a cafeteria at the front of the building open from 6am til 4pm on the weekdays and 10am til 3pm on Saturday. A small but ample parking lot sits in front of the entrance with a red and yellow sign that reads "The Factory Store." Inside, a variety of meats can be purchased both at a deli counter to be taken home or at a typical beef stand counter to be consumed on the spot. After purchasing my Italian beef with sweet peppers and no mozzarella (the only cheese offered was nacho. weird) I got my helping of ketchup and sat down.

Before enjoying my sandwich, I noticed the setting was not typical. It appeared this was not only a restaurant open to the public, but also a cafeteria for the factory workers complete with lockers and vending machines. Many framed Vienna beef posters adorned the walls as well as signed sports jerseys representing each Chicago sports franchise. But enough about the room and into the sandwich. The beef itself was very fresh and tender with a nice flavor and was warm and consistent throughout. The sweet peppers were tasty and had a soft crunch to them. While I myself did not try the giardiniera, my fellow hot pepper beef eaters had nothing but good things to say. The bread was meant to be dipped and held up well. However, I had sorely forgotten to ask for a dipping at the counter, resulting in a slightly chewy bun not allowing me to maximize my beef experience. The fries accompanying the beef were tasty and plentiful. To wash down our I beefs, we were presented with the rare option between Coke and Pepsi products at two separate soda fountains. Fully satisfied after our meal, we perused the many delicacies available at the deli counter and in glass refrigerators against the wall. I contemplated purchasing that Vienna Beef t-shirt on my way out the door, but then thought it better to pick that up as a memento for when we come back to take the factory tour.

Beef- 6.7
Fries- 6.9
Location/Ambiance- 7.3

2501 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773)278-7800

BeefMan

Wrigleyville Dog

A pop fly from Wrigley Field, a stage dive from the Metro and drunken stumble from the Clark street bars, Wrigleyville Dog is a popular spot for late night munchies. Open till 6am on Fridays and Saturdays, Wrigleyville dog gets crowded with rowdy patrons at the end of the night. When the crowd slows down the service time, entertain yourself with a vintage soccer gumball machine–just don’t eat the gumball.

Although not officially a beef stand, the beef bloggers visited this stand after the season opener of intramural softball. Portions were just right for a group of hungry beef eaters right after a rigorous game, it also helped us forget that we lost.

Opinions ranged from okay to just about average, earning it an overall average rating of 6.4. The meat in the sandwich was tender but a little on the dry side and lacking in flavor. Without the option of dipping the beef, the bread stayed dry and chewy. Those who prefer their beef covered in cheese will be satisfied with the healthy portion of mozzarella blanketing the beef. Tender and crispy sweet peppers made up for the lack of beef flavor but didn’t affect the juiciness of the sandwich. Hot peppers had a decent taste but didn’t have us reaching for our refreshments to drown out the heat.

Next time you find yourself exhausted from a night of moshing at the Metro or just bitter from the latest Cubs loss, Wrigleyville Dog will at least satisfy your hunger. But if you’re looking for an above average beef, try the hot dogs instead.

Beef- 6.4
Fries- 6.5
Location/Ambiance- 6.5

3737 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
773-296-1500

Sir Beefs-a-Lot

Al's #1 Italian Beef

Trying to decide where to eat in River North is never the easiest decision of my week. Whether you're sitting down at a restaurant or getting something quick, there is always a plethora of choices. If you're trying to decide after finishing up a wine tasting event at a River North art gallery or just got your pump on at one of the numerous techno clubs, one eatery that is always a solid choice is the timeless Al's Beef.

Al's is fitting for all levels of Italian Beef consumers, but an aficionado might find some options limiting. Their tender Vienna Beef is soft to the tongue and ripe with flavor. Their combination of quality beef, a seventy year old recipe of herbs and spices, and the perfect amount of cooking time makes Al's among the best places for the actual beef in the sandwich. They also provide the option of dipped, wet, or dry bread, as well as different sized beefs for different sized appetites.

Our Beef Bloggers found very little wrong with the actual beef. It was other flaws in the sandwich and the experience as a whole that caused Al's to get less than extraordinary ratings. For example, Al's Beef on Ontario did not offer mozzarella cheese on our sandwich and claimed that cheddar would be an ample substitute. Personally, I have no qualms with cheddar cheese. In fact, I insist on consuming it at least once a week on some sort of enormous chili bowl or delicious hamburger. However on my Italian Beef, mozzarella is the cheese of choice. To add to the discontent of a lack of mozzarella, the sweet peppers were soft and fell short of the crispy feel of a fresh vegetable, and the giardenera did not pack much heat, but was filled with flavor.

The French Fries at Al's Beef were more like burnt slices of potato rather than the golden garden variety that we have seen at countless other beef venders. This gave them a very bland flavor, however a rather large portion of them was served. Basically, they offered a large portion of something I did not enjoy–not exactly a plus. One of the Bloggers preferred the taste of plain potatoes, however even he admitted they were queer to the industry standard. To wash it all down, Al's provides a wide assortment of Pepsi products, which didn't appeal too much to our Bloggers but may be the preference of the reader. Also, be weary–there is not much parking for Al's Beef and their lack of a public bathroom might cause select customers some discomfort.

Personally, I've been to Al's Beef at different times of the day, different levels of sobriety, and different levels of hunger, and have never walked away from there unsatisfied. If you could only make one trip to a Beef Stand in River North, Al's probably would not be the perfect choice. But if you have more time in the neighborhood, Al's is a must-try.

Beef – 7.4
Fries – 6.1
Location/Ambiance - 7

169 W. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL
312-943-3222

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Coming Soon...Chicago Beef Blog. 5 Chicago guys that simply can not live without Beef have taken it upon themselves to travel throughout the greatest city in the world in order to find the best sandwich in the world, the Italian Beef. After attending the Internationally known School of Beef Products, our 5 founding fathers of beef will rate every beef stand we can find based on Overall Beef Sandwich, Fries, Drink selection, Ambiance/Location, along with added perks and downfalls. We pride ourselves on the eclecticity of our judges. Among our panel we have some who like it dry, some who like it wet, some who like it hot, and some who like it not, and even some who like it all (Goober). We declare our dedication to beef by promising to rate one new beef stand every Saturday until there is no more beef to eat, or one of us dies from a heart attack, whatever comes first. My money is on the heart attack. So join us on our journey to find the most delectable beef stand in Chicago.