Pete's Italian Beef (Stony & 79th)

I'm happy to hear interest in South Side Beef is more than flickering. Here's a report dredged up from Chowhound to fan the flames. Plenty more to come.

Pete's is a small but popular chain of Italian beef stands. A sign inside "The Original Pete's" on Stony Island near 79th informs us they're not affiliated with the Pete's at 113th & Michigan or at 51st & State and thanks us for not patronizing those two. There are several other Pete's scattered around the South Side. Big signs advertise "Home of the 3 Wings for $1 (with Fries and Bread)" but these days the price is up to $1.25. Not too long ago this Pete's used to have a sign--a favorite of mine--stating "We Deliver Expeditiously" but this has been painted over. I'm not sure if they have stopped delivering altogether or simply have slowed down.

Chicken wings are understandably small and are coated with a very salty breading. Crinkle-cut frozen fries and white bread are about what you expect. Not a bad deal but certainly not among the city's best.

The trademark Italian beef ($3.50) is a very large sandwich of almost shredded meat in very salty gravy. I can understand why it's popular but it's not one of my favorites. A generous serving but pretty one-dimensional (that dimension being salty meat). Not a terrible sandwich and worth a try if you're salt tolerant and interested in exploring the many varieties of Italian beef.

Like many other South and West Side places, Pete's serves a Philly cheese steak bearing rather little resemblance to anything you might find in Philadelphia. The sandwich is Italian beef meat and a strong-flavored white processed cheese that melts when wrapped up in the sandwich. Ordering the sandwich with everything gets you some sauteed green pepper and onion, fresh tomato slices, and a good dousing with sweet barbecue sauce. I kind of liked this thing though I'm not proud to admit it and I doubt it would impress too many Philadelphians. If I get this one again (and I probably will) I'll be sure to ask for some sport peppers, those would add a lot.

Pete's has quite a large menu with many burger variations (including that South Side staple, the gyros burger), tacos, nachos, pig ear sandwich (a steal at $2), as well as fried chicken and fish. Oddly, all fish orders come with spaghetti, as well as fries, slaw, and bread.

No seats, no counter, take out only. Be sure to admire the nearby New Regal Theater (formerly the Avalon), a Chicago Landmark around the corner at 1641 E 79th St. Right across the street from the Regal is another landmark of sorts, Leon's Bar-B-Q (1640 E 79th). Although the food is only a shadow of what it once was, the building looks the way a Chicago barbecue joint should.

[Edit: I believe this particular Pete's has closed]

Pete's Italian Beef
7843 S Stony Island Av
(and several other locations)
Chicago
773-375-6001
Open late, take out only