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

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

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

Silvertonlovesdabears:

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

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

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  ...