MikePhipps:

Portillos is good. I like Portillos for hot dogs and Italian Beef sort of the same as how I like Rosati's for pizza. It's good and you can find them all over, but there are others that I like better.

 

Agreed!  Plus, great service!

 those of you  leaning toward and think that  Portillos is good beef   don't know Italian Beef 

 

 

 Portillos SUCKS  

 

 

  Some  of the most excellent beef stands in the Chicago Area  

ROMA'S on cicero just south of Montrose

 

 

 

Johnnies  Beef  on  North avenue  Elmwood Park

 

 

 JAY's BEEF 

 Two locations

 HARWOOD HEIGHTS On Nagle just north of Montrose behind the McDonalds  

 

 

  SCHILLER PARK  On irving Park Road 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 three LOCATIONS NOW ! ! !  One  in Wicker park

on West North Avenue approx 2200 West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I give all three of  the beef stands I named here  a thumbs up when it comes to authenticity  and they  have been around for years   ...

Not some slicker  like DICK Pot-holeo slop (portillos )  that popped up out of the woodwork about  years ago     ROFL    

 

WHERE REAL ITALIAN BEEF IS SERVED

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I agree with you Nak on Roma's, Jay's and Johnnie's.  The food at Portillo's isn't bad, but it's overpriced and I can't stand the mall food-court type atmosphere. 

 

Sammie's beef is pretty good too, but I get annoyed that I have to specify that I want the peppers under the cheese.  I do appreciate that they dip the sandwich though.

MikePhipps:

I agree with you Nak on Roma's, Jay's and Johnnie's.  The food at Portillo's isn't bad, but it's overpriced and I can't stand the mall food-court type atmosphere. 

 

Sammie's beef is pretty good too, but I get annoyed that I have to specify that I want the peppers under the cheese.  I do appreciate that they dip the sandwich though.

  OH Gawd  How I can forget Sammies   you're right there   MP 

 Although  I do more gyros than their beefs  as I'll buy a small roast and make  my own when I get the taste for it

That other place you found  on 45 and Gages Lake  had some good beef too. Too bad they had to close up shop

 

SAMMIES  BEEF

  3 Locations

 Lake Villa

Riound Lake Beach

Grayslake

http://local.yahoo.com/results;_ylt=AnKyvoZ_HUlnHVbksa5SOpCHNcIF;_ylv=3?p=Sammies+Beef&csz=60046

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http://www.greasefreak.com/beefs.html

Found this site. When in Chicago I go to Johnnies Beef.

with every third sandwich you buy you get a box of these

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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." ...

Mmmmmm...... Roma's....

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

Silvertonlovesdabears:

http://www.greasefreak.com/beefs.html

Found this site. When in Chicago I go to Johnnies Beef.

You mean the place in Elmwood park that's like 3 inches long?

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The Chicago Bears...a billion dollar corporation run like a Woolworths 5 & dime

Sammies used to be good when he started in the city many years ago...it's just average now at best.

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The Chicago Bears...a billion dollar corporation run like a Woolworths 5 & dime

navy&orange:

Sammies used to be good when he started in the city many years ago...it's just average now at best.

  I have eaten at three of them  I prefer  the food from  the Lake Villa  and Grayslake locations  over the Round Lake location  ... 

 

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navy&orange:

Silvertonlovesdabears:

http://www.greasefreak.com/beefs.html

Found this site. When in Chicago I go to Johnnies Beef.

You mean the place in Elmwood park that's like 3 inches long?

It is a little skimpy but close to my sister's home where I always stay when in Chicago. The ice is superb.

MikePhipps:

Portillos is good. I like Portillos for hot dogs and Italian Beef sort of the same as how I like Rosati's for pizza. It's good and you can find them all over, but there are others that I like better.

I'm a big fan of Portillo's Italian beef as well.

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NHenson:

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.

Johnnie's Beef is in Arlington Heights.  I think there is another one somewhere else though.  Their combo sandwich is the best beef sandwich around in my opinion.  It's even better than Al's.

The good Johnnie's is in Elmwood park.

Kojaks in Cary.

FREAKING AWESOME!  I have traveled around Chicago and the US always hitting up beef stands.  I always come back to Kojaks. 

The beef is never rubbery.  It is always juicy, spicy, and delicious.  The bread is to die for (they dip).  They slap in half the beef in the bun, throw in the cheese and gordinare, and apply more beef on top.  Every bite is a bite of heaven.

I also agree that portillos beef is good in a pinch but I would almost ALWAYS prefer a no name beef stand to portiollos of bouna beefs.

That is all.
Uncle Meatball

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uncle_meatball@bearfansunited.org
Member#5 CBMB BearFansUnited Fan Club!

Jay's Beef exit Montrose Ave go west turn right at Naragansett Ave

Great Beef Sweet or Hot!  A NW side tradition!

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