Good Italian beef in or around O'Hare

Hello,

Let me first say I've been a longtime admirer of Chicago and LTH from afar. Until recently I lived in Indianapolis and I owe LTH a great debt of gratitude for providing so many delicious meals on my frequent trips to Chicago.

I'll be flying to Beijing tomorrow for a 2-year study abroad and stopping in O'Hare in time for lunch. I have a feeling that the Chicago food I will miss most in Beijing will be Italian beef sandwiches so I'd like to know if there are any noteworthy beef stands in or very close to O'Hare.

Nice to finally introduce myself, and I'll definitely keep LTH posted on eating in Beijing.

Johnnie's in Arlington Heights


1935 S Arlington Heights Rd
Arlington Hts, IL 60005-4017
(847) 357-8100


Not incredibly close, but worth it.

If you are short on time, you might want to try Al's.

http://www.alsbeef.com/company/locations.asp

Both Park Ridge locations are close to O'Hare but the Higgins address is just off the Kennedy expressway at Cumberland, a short ride from the airport. you could even take the train and get off at cumberland and walk to Al's.

And best wishes for your adventure in China!

Didn't we just do this a month ago?

Just had a beef from Al's on Higgins last night. It is not even close to the original Al's, the meat more mushy, the juice not the same. It was decent, but if you want one of the best go to Johnnie's on AH road. It will be worth the extra 10 minutes if you can spare them.

Thanks guys for the recommendations and the links. I was short on time so I settled for the Vienna Beef stand in C concourse. It was stingy and bland, and I am sorry that it will be the Italian beef memory I carry to China.

But so as not to end on a negative note, the street food here in Beijing is pretty great! I will post more to LTH as I have the time.

Thanks,

eating while walking wrote:Thanks guys for the recommendations and the links. I was short on time so I settled for the Vienna Beef stand in C concourse. It was stingy and bland, and I am sorry that it will be the Italian beef memory I carry to China.

Yeah, airport beef isn't worth it: they don't do enough volume to keep the stuff at its best.
For overpriced airport food, though, the dogs at those stands are pretty good: nicely steamed buns, and don't forget the radioactive-green relish and sport peppers (no ketchup!). Serious lack of fries, though.

Too late for the OP, but for future seekers of beef near O'Hare, Parse's does a decent job. Natural casing Vienna dogs, too.


Parse's Red Hots
7049 W. Higgins Ave., Chicago
(773) 763-9693