George R wrote:...It's about a 5 minute walk from the Red Line's Granville Station.

Dat's what I'm talking about. Thanks a lot. I foresee a post rush-hour beef in the next week.

As for Max's, I went yesterday morning for a late brunch and have to say, it's a pretty good sammy. I ordered one wet and sweet and went to town with the house-made giardiniera chili oil. It was my innate predilection for spicy, oily things rising to the occasion. I also had the cheese fries which were divine. They were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, a sign of double-frying I believe. I steered clear of the garbage fries which seemed filled with too many contrary notes.

1 Italian beef, dipped with sweet peppers + 1 small cheese fries + 1 small diet + tax = ~$11.05

(the beef alone was $4.99)

Also loved the fact that Max's was clearly a neighborhood institution with a few families coming in for a weekend beef. It's housed in a freestanding brick structure that's been around for decades. One demerit for having the AC set to low on a hot summer day though. It was a trifle stuffy inside. Bathroom, reached through the kitchen area, was immaculate.

Let's keep the Red Line Beefs coming please!

Max's Italian Beef
5754 N. Western (& Ardmore -- if you're taking the 49 bus)
(773) 989-8200‎

LTH,

Recently had surprisingly good Italian Beef from Ron's Italian Ovens at a nephew's house in Lindenhurst. Multiple large size aluminum catering pans didn't inspire much confidence, but a taste of the subtly seasoned beef gave me pause at the well balanced flavor and moist tender beef. Italian beef gravy had an light toasty oven roasted flavor and hint of salt, not the typical catering beef base salt bomb. Chunky giardiniera in three heat levels, ok rolls, forgettable pasta salad and overdressed lettuce salad rounded out brought-in items.

Haven't been, but I'm told Ron's is mainly takeout with a couple of small tables for waiting customers. Straight forward pizza parlor menu, and my niece and nephew are divided on the pizza, though for those in the area I highly recommend Italian Beef.

Enjoy,
Gary

Ron's Italian Oven
Route 83
Round Lake Beach/Lake Villa
847-231-6269
http://myitalianovens.com/

Continuing on a previous sidetrack in this thread about Gravy Bread, it's available in the far west suburbs at Happy House Hot Dogs in West Chicago at $1.25. I was also pleased to find the elusive Red Cream soda as well. I can't vouch for the Gravy Bread but they serve a good traditional dog, I got a jumbo with everything (mustard, onion, relish, celery salt, pickle spear, and surprisingly in season bright red tomato slices) and perfectly fried crinkle cut fries.

Happy House
140 E Roosevelt Rd
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 231-8989

Well, have to rescind my post regarding Bob-O's beef. Had it again today and, well, not so good. Guess it's a hit or miss. Too bad

Went to Johnnie's in Arlington Heights yesterday to fuel up on the way to a friend's for a day of football. (Watching all that exercise takes alot out of a guy). I got the combo, wet, hot oil only. . . . It was perfect.

The sausage was grilled over fire with crispy edges. Just the right balance of flavors. I snagged a bit of the beef off the top, and it the texture was spot on, not too thick, not too thin, not overcooked. The taste was pure beef with the right balance of oregano, salt and garlic. The gardinera there is a bit too hot for me, so the hot oil added enough heat for interest, without overtaking the sandwich.

Normally I don't go for the combo. I don't like the sausage competing with the beef for my attention. So, I usually do two sandwiches, one beef hot, one sausage sweet, but I was worried that my buddy might have too many snacks at his place. And I couldn't decide whether to go beef or sausage, so the combo was the logical choice. I am very happy I went this route, as it is perfectly executed at Johnnie's. Now the only question is what to do when going by Johnnies but not heading somewhere else to eat? Perhaps two combos.

On a side note, I had my 3 year old with me. He doesn't like meat. (This fact may cause a trip to the Maury show for a paternity test). However, I handed him an order of fries and an Italian lemonade. He tried them, and as I waited for his reaction, he looked up at me, mouth full and nodded "Ya. It's good". Maybe he is mine after all.

Arlington Heights Johnnie's combo with Coke can for scale

I just enjoyed one of these delectable little treats (Italian Beef from Johnnie's - Elmwood Park location) and let me tell you, my taste buds are thanking me. Never have I experienced such a wondeful marriage of flavors. I feel like I've died and gone to West Suburban Beef Heaven. Let me tell you, it's going to take time to recover from this one. It's better than the time I thought they were giving away free hot dogs at WaMu (alas, it wasn't true).

My only complaint is that the beverage sizes were a little disappointing. To get my fill, I felt it necessary to order two of the larger cup options, and I found it all very cumbersome to carry when walking back to the Dodge Intrepid.

I Do It Daily wrote:My only complaint is that the beverage sizes were a little disappointing.

They have great Italian lemonade (ice).

I Do It Daily wrote:My only complaint is that the beverage sizes were a little disappointing.

I hate paying $2 for a dimes worth of product. I usually will just buy a 2 liter on the way over. I also hate the markup on fries but what are you gonna do?

I went on a Italian Beef kick for a few months and my favorite would have to be Mr. Beef. I eat mine with hot peppers and wet. The hot peppers from Mr. Beef are so different from any other place I've tried and I love them. It feels very home made and nothing else came close. Most other places seemed like they just bought the giardiniera from a store.

I've lived in far Northern Lake County a little over 12 years now, and one of the things that I missed most from living & working in the city was Johnny's & Al's.

That was until last year, when a new place opened up in Round Lake Park at the corner of Hainesville Rd & Washington called Big Jacks I had to give them a try. This place is an absolute surprise!

Big Jacks makes and hand slices their own Italian beef roasts in-house, they also make their own sausages too! The gardiniere is also homemade fresh, being hand cut and crunchy in a high quality olive oil with a nice amount of heat.

This is one of the best beefs anywhere. And after a recent visit to Johnny's in A-Heights, they are without a doubt my favorite beef, period. I think its safe to say, they rank up there with Al's #1 on Taylor or the original Johnny's in Elmwood, they're beef is that good.

They have some best hand cut french fries anywhere and they have a decent Italian ice & gelato milkshakes.

They also do a great hot hot dog, its a red hot Chicago with the works, served with the hot steamy fresh cut fries wrapped in the paper (ala Gene & Jude's).

Since this sounds like such a ringing endorsement, I assure you, I'm only a huge fan and regular customer, and no, I dont have any investment interests or involvement with Big Jacks. But if I could, I'd buy into it in a second!

JyoMinakawa wrote:I went on a Italian Beef kick for a few months and my favorite would have to be Mr. Beef. I eat mine with hot peppers and wet. The hot peppers from Mr. Beef are so different from any other place I've tried and I love them. It feels very home made and nothing else came close. Most other places seemed like they just bought the giardiniera from a store.

Where else did you go? Because Mr. Beef is a respectable sammy, particularly in comparison to the run of the mill Beef joints, but pretty much every one of the top of the line places makes their own (or at least has it specially made for them) giardinera and has a very particular house style. The only exceptions among places that actually prepare the beef right are the biggest chains - Buona and Portillos. Their giardineras are not too exciting.

Does Mr. Beef still make up the sandwiches ahead of time for the lunch rush?

Anyone have an update on Chickie's? The Bride has been bugging me to go back, as her two visits to Chickie's seem to have made a very deep impression on her (both the IB and the fries), so I need to know. Is it still open? If so, who is running it? Last time I went, it was the son of the owner, but he was also working to get it sold.

Thanks.

dicksond wrote: Does Mr. Beef still make up the sandwiches ahead of time for the lunch rush?

I get to Mr. Beef about once each month - because I have an appointment a block away. Though I almost always order a sausage/beef combo, I've never witnessed pre-made beef sandwiches being dispensed. Everthing I see served is made "to order." I'm fine with the beef there - I find it better than most places I've tried - though I prefer the Italian sausage over the beef (at Mr. Beef). I've been patronizing Johnnie's for more than 25-years, and the quality of the beef sandwiches has diminished over time. I once would travel out of my way for one of those sandwiches, but not any more. It's an "okay" sandwich, in my book.

I work about a block from Mr. Beef, and I've seen them do it but only a few times and not recently.

dicksond wrote:

JyoMinakawa wrote:I went on a Italian Beef kick for a few months and my favorite would have to be Mr. Beef. I eat mine with hot peppers and wet. The hot peppers from Mr. Beef are so different from any other place I've tried and I love them. It feels very home made and nothing else came close. Most other places seemed like they just bought the giardiniera from a store.

Where else did you go? Because Mr. Beef is a respectable sammy, particularly in comparison to the run of the mill Beef joints, but pretty much every one of the top of the line places makes their own (or at least has it specially made for them) giardinera and has a very particular house style. The only exceptions among places that actually prepare the beef right are the biggest chains - Buona and Portillos. Their giardineras are not too exciting.

Does Mr. Beef still make up the sandwiches ahead of time for the lunch rush?

Anyone have an update on Chickie's? The Bride has been bugging me to go back, as her two visits to Chickie's seem to have made a very deep impression on her (both the IB and the fries), so I need to know. Is it still open? If so, who is running it? Last time I went, it was the son of the owner, but he was also working to get it sold.

Thanks.

The store was sold a while ago to the family of one of the guys that worked there for a long time. I had been there a few times since being sold and it was just as good as before. I stopped in last Saturday to find the front end being run by 3 what looked to be high school boys all sporting Chickie's T-shirts. I ordered my standard beef sweet & Hot with a coke and must say this was the best Beef sandwich I have had in a long long time. Everything about it was perfect, the amount of beef, the seasoning , the gravy (both taste and amount), the sweet peppers ( my biggest problem with Johnnie's) the outstanding giardinera and the temperature of the gravy which to me is a major key. As a reference point my favorites have always been Johnnie's Elmwood Park (I live a few blocks away and indulge weekly) Al's on Taylor, Chickies and I do like Mr. Beef. Chickie's just jumped to the the top of my list. I ordered a 2nd to enjoy the next day. Can't Comment on the Fries.

We love Johnnie's (had some today for lunch) and not too long ago My Bride had a meal catered from Jim and Pete's on North Ave in Elmwood Park at her work. She said that the beef was quite good.

I will have to stop by to give it a try.

Jim & Pete's Restaurant
7806 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
(708) 453-5204

Some people (my sister) really like their pizza and I do not think it is the same since they moved from the location nearer Harlem.

dicksond wrote:

JyoMinakawa wrote:I went on a Italian Beef kick for a few months and my favorite would have to be Mr. Beef. I eat mine with hot peppers and wet. The hot peppers from Mr. Beef are so different from any other place I've tried and I love them. It feels very home made and nothing else came close. Most other places seemed like they just bought the giardiniera from a store.

Where else did you go? Because Mr. Beef is a respectable sammy, particularly in comparison to the run of the mill Beef joints, but pretty much every one of the top of the line places makes their own (or at least has it specially made for them) giardinera and has a very particular house style. The only exceptions among places that actually prepare the beef right are the biggest chains - Buona and Portillos. Their giardineras are not too exciting.

Does Mr. Beef still make up the sandwiches ahead of time for the lunch rush?

Anyone have an update on Chickie's? The Bride has been bugging me to go back, as her two visits to Chickie's seem to have made a very deep impression on her (both the IB and the fries), so I need to know. Is it still open? If so, who is running it? Last time I went, it was the son of the owner, but he was also working to get it sold.

Thanks.

Hey dicksond. The places that I remember going to were Al's and Johnny's. The beef, bread, and au jus were all very good at all these places its just the giardinera seemed so unique at Mr Beef. The giardinera at Al's, Johnny's, as well as most other places that I've been to, all seem very similar. Its that spicy, zingy giardinera. In a taste test I'd bet alot of people would have a hard time telling the difference between the two giardineras at Al's and Johnny's.

One thing most bad Italian beefs have in common is a salty, gross au jus.

JyoMinakawa wrote:Hey dicksond. The places that I remember going to were Al's and Johnny's. The beef, bread, and au jus were all very good at all these places its just the giardinera seemed so unique at Mr Beef. The giardinera at Al's, Johnny's, as well as most other places that I've been to, all seem very similar. Its that spicy, zingy giardinera. In a taste test I'd bet alot of people would have a hard time telling the difference between the two giardineras at Al's and Johnny's.

Respectfully, Jyo, unless Al's serves a completely different giardiniera at some of the satellite restaurants, you must be either misremembering or confusing your beef places. Johnny's and Al's giardiniera couldn't possibly be more different from each other.


I can see how somebody might consider Johnny's "typical". Pickled chunks of pepper, carrot, cauliflower... though it's made (I believe), in-house and is (IMHO) especially good, it's pretty traditional stuff.


Al's, on the other hand, couldn't be further from typical. Bright red, finely shredded, no large chunks of pickled pepper, heavy on thinly sliced fennel, lots of crushed red pepper -- it is, perhaps, the least typical of any beef place mentioned here, definitely the easiest to identify in a lineup, and one of the main reasons Al's fans love it. (Lousy picture for the giardiniera -- I'm sure somebody else will pick up the slack).

And incidentally, if atypical (and delicious) giardiniera is your thing, I'd steer you towards Pop's:


Extremely fresh and working in pickled, fresh jalapenos and dried crushed red. Or Chickie's:


Fresh slivered jalapeno with a little shredded vegetable.

Either one, in a class above Mr. Beef (in terms of giardiniera and overall sandwich, both).

(* - Edited to correct photo links)

With the caveat that I'm still not a big beef fan, but I've tried enough to have reasonable perspective, I went to Chickie's a couple of months back to capsule review it for a local publication and it was pretty terrific. Beef and gravy seemed on par with any of the best, and the very individual giardinera style was interesting, though as with most things involving jalapeno, I removed them and enjoyed the heat they left behind. Fries were very good too, and the atmosphere is just what you'd want it to be in that location. It's a first-tier place as far as I'm concerned.

Dmnkly wrote:

JyoMinakawa wrote:Hey dicksond. The places that I remember going to were Al's and Johnny's. The beef, bread, and au jus were all very good at all these places its just the giardinera seemed so unique at Mr Beef. The giardinera at Al's, Johnny's, as well as most other places that I've been to, all seem very similar. Its that spicy, zingy giardinera. In a taste test I'd bet alot of people would have a hard time telling the difference between the two giardineras at Al's and Johnny's.

Respectfully, Jyo, unless Al's serves a completely different giardiniera at some of the satellite restaurants, you must be either misremembering or confusing your beef places. Johnny's and Al's giardiniera couldn't possibly be more different from each other.


I can see how somebody might consider Johnny's "typical". Pickled chunks of pepper, carrot, cauliflower... though it's made (I believe), in-house and is (IMHO) especially good, it's pretty traditional stuff.


Al's, on the other hand, couldn't be further from typical. Bright red, finely shredded, no large chunks of pickled pepper, heavy on thinly sliced fennel, lots of crushed red pepper -- it is, perhaps, the least typical of any beef place mentioned here, definitely the easiest to identify in a lineup, and one of the main reasons Al's fans love it. (Lousy picture for the giardiniera -- I'm sure somebody else will pick up the slack).

And incidentally, if atypical (and delicious) giardiniera is your thing, I'd steer you towards Pop's:


Extremely fresh and working in pickled, fresh jalapenos and dried crushed red. Or Chickie's:


Fresh slivered jalapeno with a little shredded vegetable.

Either one, in a class above Mr. Beef (in terms of giardiniera and overall sandwich, both).

(* - Edited to correct photo links)

Dmnkly, The first pic is of Johnny's beef with hot peppers but the second pic is Al's beef with hot and sweet peppers, but you can't see the hot, only the large sweet pepper. So these pics are of two different types of beefs, of course they look completely different. But I'm not saying anything about the look it is my opinion that Al's and Johnny's hot peppers tastes similar. So I'm not confused I just have a different opinion as you, and thats ok.

JyoMinakawa wrote:

Dmnkly wrote:

Al's, on the other hand, couldn't be further from typical. Bright red, finely shredded, no large chunks of pickled pepper, heavy on thinly sliced fennel, lots of crushed red pepper -- it is, perhaps, the least typical of any beef place mentioned here, definitely the easiest to identify in a lineup, and one of the main reasons Al's fans love it. (Lousy picture for the giardiniera -- I'm sure somebody else will pick up the slack)

Dmnkly, The first pic is of Johnny's beef with hot peppers but the second pic is Al's beef with hot and sweet peppers, but you can't see the hot, only the large sweet pepper. So these pics are of two different types of beefs, of course they look completely different. But I'm not saying anything about the look it is my opinion that Al's and Johnny's hot peppers tastes similar. So I'm not confused I just have a different opinion as you, and thats ok.

Actually, you can see the hot giardiniera in the above picture: it's the little shredded & minced bits between the big yellow sweet pepper and the bun.

JyoMinakawa wrote:Dmnkly, The first pic is of Johnny's beef with hot peppers but the second pic is Al's beef with hot and sweet peppers, but you can't see the hot, only the large sweet pepper. So these pics are of two different types of beefs, of course they look completely different. But I'm not saying anything about the look it is my opinion that Al's and Johnny's hot peppers tastes similar. So I'm not confused I just have a different opinion as you, and thats ok.

Actually, they're both hot and sweet.

And the picture of Al's is terrible for seeing the giardiniera... which is why I was hoping somebody else had one. But fact remains that I'm not sure it's possible to choose two places that have more different giardinieras than Johnny's and Al's -- Mr. Beef included. Texture, flavor, color, composition -- everything. It's not a criticism, I just presumed you were confusing Al's with someplace else, since Mr. Beef's has much more in common with a "typical" jarred product than Al's. I dig Mr. Beef (from 1999-2006 I would have called it my favorite!) and I'm actually not a big fan of Al's, but there's no getting around that their giardiniera is as distinctive and atypical as they come. If you disagree, hey, you disagree, but the difference -- to my tastebuds, at least -- is so stark I presumed it was a simple mistake, that's all.

abf005 wrote:...a new place opened up in Round Lake Park at the corner of Hainesville Rd & Washington called Big Jacks I had to give them a try. This place is an absolute surprise!

Burt, can you give me a little more guidance on where this is? I searched in Microsoft Streets and Trips but wasn't able to find it.

Dmnkly wrote:And the picture of Al's is terrible for seeing the giardiniera... which is why I was hoping somebody else had one.

Al's Italian Beef, Taylor St.



Al's Giardiniera

Dmnkly wrote:

JyoMinakawa wrote:Dmnkly, The first pic is of Johnny's beef with hot peppers but the second pic is Al's beef with hot and sweet peppers, but you can't see the hot, only the large sweet pepper. So these pics are of two different types of beefs, of course they look completely different. But I'm not saying anything about the look it is my opinion that Al's and Johnny's hot peppers tastes similar. So I'm not confused I just have a different opinion as you, and thats ok.

Actually, they're both hot and sweet.

And the picture of Al's is terrible for seeing the giardiniera... which is why I was hoping somebody else had one. But fact remains that I'm not sure it's possible to choose two places that have more different giardinieras than Johnny's and Al's -- Mr. Beef included. Texture, flavor, color, composition -- everything. It's not a criticism, I just presumed you were confusing Al's with someplace else, since Mr. Beef's has much more in common with a "typical" jarred product than Al's. I dig Mr. Beef (from 1999-2006 I would have called it my favorite!) and I'm actually not a big fan of Al's, but there's no getting around that their giardiniera is as distinctive and atypical as they come. If you disagree, hey, you disagree, but the difference -- to my tastebuds, at least -- is so stark I presumed it was a simple mistake, that's all.

My bad Dom, so they are both hot and sweet. That being said, we are eating 2 different beefs. I'm sure eating it with both hot and sweet peppers effects it in some way. Maybe we can agree to disagree, I doubt I can change your mind and vice versa. The important thing is that we love Beefs.

Katie wrote:

abf005 wrote:...a new place opened up in Round Lake Park at the corner of Hainesville Rd & Washington called Big Jacks I had to give them a try. This place is an absolute surprise!

Burt, can you give me a little more guidance on where this is? I searched in Microsoft Streets and Trips but wasn't able to find it.

Big Jack's Chicago Style Red
507 N Hainesville Rd
Round Lake Park, IL 60073
(847) 548-5225

Google is your friend.

Am I correct in assuming that the Johnny's being referenced in several of the above posts is actually Johnnie's? I believe there is a Johnny's or something close on the south side.

Marshall K wrote:Am I correct in assuming that the Johnny's being referenced in several of the above posts is actually Johnnie's? I believe there is a Johnny's or something close on the south side.

Correct.

Johnnie's (my error), the most famous and pictured above, is Elmwood Park and Arlington Heights.

Then there's Uncle Johnny's in Bridgeport, which is a little corner grocery that does a beef sandwich.

Adding to the confusion, there's apparently a Johnny's in Westmont and Darien that I've never tried.

Not to be confused, of course, with Johnny's Uncle Jim's in Portage Park!