pantera131313:

Portillos is true CHICAGO BEEF. Hell the guy started as a 1 man shop in Chicago or burbs and made his beef in the BATH TUB !!! Doesn't get much more ma and pop than that. It has GROWN into a huge CHAIN because it is good. It is still authentic.

ohh so thats why his meat taste like.... well something fromunda, fromunda someones ***

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We knew ... in that huddle ... there was a group ... destined ... to apply the kind of pressure ... that had not been seen before." ...

MikePhipps:

Badgers and Bears:

BearsMod1:

depends on where you are at...other wise just pick a corner.....literly......

We are staying at the Drake for the Steelers game this year

 

http://www.alsbeef.com/

 

Nearest location to The Drake is 169 W. Ontario.

I lived in "Little Italy", just off of Taylor street, while going to UIC. My oldest brother started me on Al's beefs, and convinced me that Al's was the best. I thought that for a while, but about ten years ago I tried Portillo's. I used to go there as a kid, but always got the hot dogs. Never tried the beefs.

In my opinion, there is absolutely no comparison. Portillo's beefs, with the hot peppers, are easily the best that I've ever had.

I get the big beef "dry" with a side of gravy and a side of hot peppers. That way, the crust on the bun is still crispy, with a juicy middle.

I went back and had an Al's beef about a year ago, with my wife. I remember talking up Al's beefs. I told her that they were even better than Portillos. We were both really disappointed. It wasn't as good as I remembered. My wife absolutely loves Portillos beefs, and literally refused to finish her Al's beef when we went there.

Do a mapquest and find a Portillos. You won't be disappointed.

Rugerman:

MikePhipps:

Badgers and Bears:

BearsMod1:

depends on where you are at...other wise just pick a corner.....literly......

We are staying at the Drake for the Steelers game this year

 

http://www.alsbeef.com/

 

Nearest location to The Drake is 169 W. Ontario.

I lived in "Little Italy", just off of Taylor street, while going to UIC. My oldest brother started me on Al's beefs, and convinced me that Al's was the best. I thought that for a while, but about ten years ago I tried Portillo's. I used to go there as a kid, but always got the hot dogs. Never tried the beefs. In my opinion, there is absolutely no comparison. Portillo's beefs, with the hot peppers, are easily the best that I've ever had. I get the big beef "dry" with a side of gravy and a side of hot peppers. That way, the crust on the bun is still crispy, with a juicy middle. I went back and had an Al's beef about a year ago, with my wife. I remember talking up Al's beefs. I told her that they were even better than Portillos. We were both really disappointed. It wasn't as good as I remembered. My wife absolutely loves Portillos beefs, and literally refused to finish her Al's beef when we went there. Do a mapquest and find a Portillos. You won't be disappointed.

 

I like Portillos food.  For the OP there is a Portillo's at Ontario and Clark at 100 W. Ontario.  About 2 blocks closer to you than Al's.

The thing I don't like about Portillo's is the atmosphere.  I feel like I'm in a mall food court when I eat there.

Lukes Beef on Jackson across the street from Sears Tower...better than Portillos

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Every sheeps dream is to marry a Packer fan

There's a Luke's in Mundelein, no?  Sammies has a pretty good beef sandwich too.

MikePhipps:

There's a Luke's in Mundelein, no?  Sammies has a pretty good beef sandwich too.

 

Yep but the owners just sold it...knew them well and it pissed me off. Sammies started in the city in a tiny truck by Portage Park and theres one in Grayslake but Lukes is way better

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Every sheeps dream is to marry a Packer fan

djsoundwave:

Luke's Homemade Italian Beef at 215 W Jackson is pretty good.

I have to say that the best Italian Beef I ever had was in the suburbs at a place called Johnny's Beef. It was near Elk Grove Village, I think.

 

If I had to ranked them:

 

1: Al's beef (best there is)

2: Portillo's (good subtitute if no Al's around)

3: Johnny's (only one is out west)

MikePhipps:

Rugerman:

MikePhipps:

Badgers and Bears:

BearsMod1:

depends on where you are at...other wise just pick a corner.....literly......

We are staying at the Drake for the Steelers game this year

 

http://www.alsbeef.com/

 

Nearest location to The Drake is 169 W. Ontario.

I lived in "Little Italy", just off of Taylor street, while going to UIC. My oldest brother started me on Al's beefs, and convinced me that Al's was the best. I thought that for a while, but about ten years ago I tried Portillo's. I used to go there as a kid, but always got the hot dogs. Never tried the beefs. In my opinion, there is absolutely no comparison. Portillo's beefs, with the hot peppers, are easily the best that I've ever had. I get the big beef "dry" with a side of gravy and a side of hot peppers. That way, the crust on the bun is still crispy, with a juicy middle. I went back and had an Al's beef about a year ago, with my wife. I remember talking up Al's beefs. I told her that they were even better than Portillos. We were both really disappointed. It wasn't as good as I remembered. My wife absolutely loves Portillos beefs, and literally refused to finish her Al's beef when we went there. Do a mapquest and find a Portillos. You won't be disappointed.

 

I like Portillos food.  For the OP there is a Portillo's at Ontario and Clark at 100 W. Ontario.  About 2 blocks closer to you than Al's.

The thing I don't like about Portillo's is the atmosphere.  I feel like I'm in a mall food court when I eat there.

 

But they serve beer???? And if you gotta bring the wife it has a better selection!!! No complaining!!!!

navy&orange:

MikePhipps:

There's a Luke's in Mundelein, no?  Sammies has a pretty good beef sandwich too.

 

Yep but the owners just sold it...knew them well and it pissed me off. Sammies started in the city in a tiny truck by Portage Park and theres one in Grayslake but Lukes is way better

There's a Sammies in Lake Villa too. That's closer to me than any Lukes. You ever try Hoagie Hut? Pretty good steak sandwiches there. Never tried their Italian Beef though.

Mike, never heard of it. If it's not close to Mundelein, I cant get there.

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Every sheeps dream is to marry a Packer fan

There's one on Grand Ave. in Waukegan.

1) Romas...Cicero between Irving n Montrose

2) JJs...Schiller Park on Irving and at Montose and Narragansett

3) Lukes...downtown, Mundelein, Addison n Harlem

4) Tie between Fodracks Libertyville and Portillos...various locations

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Every sheeps dream is to marry a Packer fan

Luke's has a pretty good dessert menu to

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We knew ... in that huddle ... there was a group ... destined ... to apply the kind of pressure ... that had not been seen before." ...

Jay's Beef is the best .......

JohnPierce:

Jay's Beef is the best .......

 

Where's Jays?

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Every sheeps dream is to marry a Packer fan

navy&orange:

4) Tie between Fodracks Libertyville and Portillos...various locations

 

You finally made it to Fodraks?  Last couple of times I got their beef I thought it had gone downhill a bit.  Too dry and I thought they were skimping on the beef.  Now Fodraks gyros........mmmmmmm!!!!!

Johnnies, Mr Beef, Roma...

Badgers and Bears:

Whats the best place in Chi

 

Bozo's

 

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Roma's.... 

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SAEPE EXPERTUS- SEMPER FIDELIS- FRATRES AETERNI- U.S.M.C. OOH RAH!

It's all about Pop's Italian Beef in palos heights @ 127th and harlem. They have a couple more locations 2 but the original is the best in my opinion.
http://www.popsbeef.com/

Al's beef on Taylor street new U I C

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the Packers still SUCK


Everytime I see the name Afalava I think of the Little Rascels with Spanky Darla and and Buckwheat . LOL sorry , off topic. I drinky


From SAYERS5140
so you no thinky? then ya trip and fall over your slinky all the way down the stairs and break your pinky, wake up in da morning with your breath nice and stinky, get arrested and thrown in the clinky?

Portillos is consistently the best.  Buona's Beef is a little spicier, but they consistently short you and are more expensive.  Rosati's is popular, but I've found their meat to consistently be dry.  I've had Mr. Beef a few times, and it is very good, but just too far off the beaten path for me, when I'm up there.  I'm planning on ordering some beef from Portillos for Christmas.  They will send it anywhere.  My other family members that left Chicago order it often.

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#69 Member of the Official CBMB Jay Cutler Fan Club

In Cutler We Trust

I live in Rockford, so anything in the Chicago area is a treat. Thanks for the tips on where to go.

When I was in Chicago this summer I had the Mr. Beef dry and Al's dipped.  It was close, but I have to go with Al's on this one just because of the dipped part. 

BiNgO:

Portillos is consistently the best.  Buona's Beef is a little spicier, but they consistently short you and are more expensive.  Rosati's is popular, but I've found their meat to consistently be dry.  I've had Mr. Beef a few times, and it is very good, but just too far off the beaten path for me, when I'm up there.  I'm planning on ordering some beef from Portillos for Christmas.  They will send it anywhere.  My other family members that left Chicago order it often.

I like Rosati's Beef because it's one of the few places I don't have to specify that I want the peppers under the cheese (they stay on the sandwich better that way). But you're right, putting it in the oven dries it out a bit (especially the bread) so ordering a Cheef from Rosati's pretty much requires a side of juice.