Best Tray (Catering) of Italian Beef?

I am a Johnnie's fan. Hands down. I don't think anyone comes close. When I find myself back in the Chicago area, even within an hour's distance of Johnnie's, I am there.

My family in Aurora is hosting a memorial in our backyard in a few weeks and I would love to have a tray or two of the best, carry-out catering Italian beef that the area has to offer, as close to the Johnnie's vein as might be possible. Proximity to Aurora is not a problem, as I am willing to drive pretty much anywhere in the Chicagoland area to procure an excellent tray of Italian beef. Has anyone recently hosted an event and had a particularly lovely Italian beef? Thank you very much for your time and any and all recommendations!

Buona Beef is pretty good for this, but if you are willing to travel - I LOVE Michael's on North Avenue in Oak Park. I brought 50 lbs for a benefit in Northern Wisconsin - we sold out in a few hours - they were just delicious. Lots of garlic and oregano

Most places sells the beef cold and give you the gravy - you mix it yourself on the stove, in the oven, or crockpot. The leftovers freeze well.

Michael's Beef House
6747 North Ave
Oak Park
Tel: 708-848-8080

Dominick's (not the grocery chain) in West Chicago did a really nice set up of Italian beef for my neighbor's daughter's graduation party. Meat in gravy, bread, peppers all seperate for self assembly, it was quite good. The neighbor has used them several times for the same and is very happy with them and the service. I have also gone to a few catered events that have served Portillo's and found that to be good, there is one in Aurora, Oswego and Batavia.

Domincks Cucina Pizzeria and Restaurant
207 Main Street
West Chicago
630-293-0725

Whenever I have a party I do catering from Mr. Beef on Orleans in Chicago.

They generally require 24hrs notice and pickup must be Mon-Sat since they are closed Sunday.

I much prefer Portillos to Buona beef. They do a good job with catering as well.

Way back pre-LTH, I was introduced to Chickie's via catered beef. At the time, they gave you a large side container of tallow-heavy jus with beef debris. Things don't change much at places like Chickie's, so it's a good bet.

JeffB wrote:Way back pre-LTH, I was introduced to Chickie's via catered beef. At the time, they gave you a large side container of tallow-heavy jus with beef debris. Things don't change much at places like Chickie's, so it's a good bet.

If Chickie's does catering, it's a slam dunk (or dip). Accept no substitutes!

Why not give Johnnie's a call? I'm sure they would do that for you. Sell it to you by the pound. I'm sure they have gotten that request before.

I believe that there may be an Italian beef catering taste-off in store, as (a) I know that a lot of the attendees love Italian beef; and (b) every offering suggested sounds great. I will post the results after the 21st (I will probably do 3 or 4 different purveyors...why not!). Thanks again!

ee wrote:I am a Johnnie's fan. Hands down. I don't think anyone comes close. When I find myself back in the Chicago area, even within an hour's distance of Johnnie's, I am there.

My family in Aurora is hosting a memorial in our backyard in a few weeks and I would love to have a tray or two of the best, carry-out catering Italian beef that the area has to offer, as close to the Johnnie's vein as might be possible. Proximity to Aurora is not a problem, as I am willing to drive pretty much anywhere in the Chicagoland area to procure an excellent tray of Italian beef. Has anyone recently hosted an event and had a particularly lovely Italian beef? Thank you very much for your time and any and all recommendations!

I seem to think that Johnnies doesn't do beef by the pound; even though I live about 3 blocks from Johnnies, when I'm doing a party, I get the beef from Mr. Beef on Harlem (just south of Irving) - its truly the best beef in the City

We've bought Johnnie's by the pound for parties. No problem. They'll also sell you bread and anything else you want.

Don't forget Scala's who supply many beef stands in the area. I know that a lot of stands mishandle the beef, but the basic Scala product is good.

When Pat Scala spoke to the Culinary Historians of Chicago two years ago, IB sandwich samples were available after his speech. They were excellent.

You can order degree of doneness and whether you want your beef already sliced or whole.

Scala Packing Company, Inc.
701-707 N.Orleans St.
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944.3567
http://www.scalasbeef.com/specialties.html

I grew up eating Marnell's (Chicago Heights) beef sandwiches. They were much better in the late 80's - then they sold to someone else and it wasn't the same. Now I live in Napa Valley, Cali and I can't find a decent beef sammie (or pizza for that matter - Aurelio's in Homewood spoiled me for life). Later this month I'm hosting a Bears (me) vs 49'ers (DH) party and want to serve Ital. beef, does any one have a good recipe? I tried to search this site for one, but I've not been sucessful (I'm not sure I know what I'm doing). Any hints, tips or leads would be helpful!! Thanks!! GO BEARS!!!!!!!

I order beef by the pound from Johnnie's all the time at both locations.
They need 24 hour notice, 2 pound min, you can order sweet peppers, hot giardinara by the pint , the bread comes in 2 feet loafs. The beef is cold and packed in zip lock bags with gravy on the side. Heat the juice and dip the dip the beef for each sandwich , if you leave the beef in the juice it will turn to rubber. And don't forget to heat up the sweet peppers . I have also ordered sausage which heated up very well. The beef is about $7.00 a pound and the sausage is $1.25 each. You can't go wrong with Johnnie's

We have all of our parties catered from Cozzi Corner in Downers Grove. Our guests have always raved about the Italian Beef and anything else that we have ordered from there. Fried Chicken, Ital. Saus., etc. I know that they delivery although I'm not sure how far they go.
Good luck!!