George R wrote:A hidden secret for Italian beef is Piero's Pizza in Highland Park's Ravinia neighborhood. It's probably the best IB in the North Shore. It's little known for IB because it's mainly a takeout pizza place...I haven't tried the IB at their Northbrook branch, but that one opens at 11 on weekdays.

3125 Dundee Rd
Northbrook
847-498-5700

I'll play guinea pig for this either Wednesday or Thursday. Anything else they can do well for a fallback just in case the IB turns out to be Papa Murphy's cardboard garbage? I guess I can try a slice. I've worked pretty close for a few years now, never been tho, I do hit the Elegance In Meats next door a few times / month.

Brought this up on a different post recently, but never got a chance to find this one and pile on...

My new favorite is Brando's Beef in Berwyn. Hits all the right notes, done how you want it, total quality.

Sausage and fries are good, too.

Burgers are also a great option.

Brando's Beef
6838 Windsor Ave.
Berwyn, IL 60402

Thomas D. wrote:I'm in town for a family event and have a limited window in which to get an italian beef. Is there anything decent within a fifteen minute drive of Highland Park? Staying at the intersection of Lake Cook and Skokie Blvd.

A very tasty, non-traditional variant of Italian Beef -- known as The Bomber -- can be had at Spiro's Deli in Glenview. It features Italian beef on a sesame seed sub roll with cheese, pickles, onions and a house-made sauce. I can't say it necessarily scratches the IB itch, but it's a very good sandwich in its own right. They also offer a good selection of other submarine-type sandwiches -- all made to order.

I also endorse the IB at fRedhot's in Glenview. As others have posted, it's not traditional but it's very tasty and the beef is made in-house by Fred himself, which is a major plus.

=R=

Spiro's Deli
1210 Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025-3020
(847) 729-6650

fRedhots & Fries
1707 Chestnut Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 657-9200

A very tasty, non-traditional variant of Italian Beef -- known as The Bomber -- can be had at Spiro's Deli in Glenview. It features Italian beef on a sesame seed sub roll with cheese, pickles, onions and a house-made sauce. I can't say it necessarily scratches the IB itch, but it's a very good sandwich in its own right. They also offer a good selection of other submarine-type sandwiches -- all made to order.

I love this sandwich. Full disclosure Peter the owner of Spiro's is related to one of my managers. IB is made fresh daily, I've always meant to try just an IB sandwich but The Bomber is too strong of a pull. A hot mess, in a good way. Spiro's also makes a very good steak sandwich, and the gyros are pretty good also. Peter is a great guy, sometimes I just wish he had a better location and I think he would do gangbusters in Glenview.

seebee wrote:

George R wrote:A hidden secret for Italian beef is Piero's Pizza in Highland Park's Ravinia neighborhood. It's probably the best IB in the North Shore. It's little known for IB because it's mainly a takeout pizza place...I haven't tried the IB at their Northbrook branch, but that one opens at 11 on weekdays.

3125 Dundee Rd
Northbrook
847-498-5700

I'll play guinea pig for this either Wednesday or Thursday. Anything else they can do well for a fallback just in case the IB turns out to be Papa Murphy's cardboard garbage? I guess I can try a slice. I've worked pretty close for a few years now, never been tho, I do hit the Elegance In Meats next door a few times / month.

Well, today was guinea pig day! Piero's (Northbrook) Beef:


I tried my best at a Ronnie_Suburban world class photo here:


This is a thicker cut than I prefer. All in all, I was not a fan. A little on the salty side as well. Giardiniera was more warm than hot, beef was a little chewy. Bread was run through the toaster, and jus was served on the side. More of a french dip style than a true Chicago Beef Sammich.



At $6.50 for the sandwich alone, I was pretty shocked at how blah it was. Yeah, that's right, I said $6.50 - no fries, no nuttin'. Cooker's in Deerfield a stone's throw away has a pretty much identical beef sammich with world class fries (if you choose to specify "extra crispy," that is) for about 5.50 out the door as a Tuesday special. It's surely a preference thing, but no way would I recommend this Piero's (Northbrook) product. Just wasn't my thing at all. Piero's Highland Park might be different, it might be exact same, no idea. I wouldn't go back for one at the Northbrook location if it were free.


Also, I got a $2.80 sausage slice as a fallback option. The cheese was good. That sauce tasted like the same stuff Dominick's (grocery store) uses. Thick, tomato pastey, a bit bitter. Real cheese though.


I really wasn't a fan at all. My co-worker who was also eager to try a new beef was also disappointed, but we were happy to play guinea pig. Live and learn.

seebee wrote:

seebee wrote:

George R wrote:A hidden secret for Italian beef is Piero's Pizza in Highland Park's Ravinia neighborhood. It's probably the best IB in the North Shore. It's little known for IB because it's mainly a takeout pizza place...I haven't tried the IB at their Northbrook branch, but that one opens at 11 on weekdays.

3125 Dundee Rd
Northbrook
847-498-5700

I'll play guinea pig for this either Wednesday or Thursday. Anything else they can do well for a fallback just in case the IB turns out to be Papa Murphy's cardboard garbage? I guess I can try a slice. I've worked pretty close for a few years now, never been tho, I do hit the Elegance In Meats next door a few times / month.

Well, today was guinea pig day! Piero's (Northbrook) Beef.

This is a thicker cut than I prefer. All in all, I was not a fan. A little on the salty side as well. Giardiniera was more warm than hot, beef was a little chewy. Bread was run through the toaster, and jus was served on the side. More of a french dip style than a true Chicago Beef Sammich.

At $6.50 for the sandwich alone, I was pretty shocked at how blah it was. Yeah, that's right, I said $6.50 - no fries, no nuttin'. Cooker's in Deerfield a stone's throw away has a pretty much identical beef sammich with world class fries (if you choose to specify "extra crispy," that is) for about 5.50 out the door as a Tuesday special. It's surely a preference thing, but no way would I recommend this Piero's (Northbrook) product. Just wasn't my thing at all. Piero's Highland Park might be different, it might be exact same, no idea. I wouldn't go back for one at the Northbrook location if it were free.

I really wasn't a fan at all. My co-worker who was also eager to try a new beef was also disappointed, but we were happy to play guinea pig. Live and learn.

Damn.

My brother and I were looking forward to trying this as we work right down the street and are desperate to find a great beef near Northbrook. Those pictures do not look very good and yes, the beef looks like it's sliced way too thick.

That Italian beef looks terrible. It's obviously not the real thing whatsoever.

OK, if I'm feeling really lazy and want to find a good, traditional IB in the Skokie/Wilmette/Evanston 'hood, what's the LTH recco? (I get IB from the Portillo's in Skokie every so often, but I'm the first to admit that the chain might not deliver the best of the best.)

Your thoughts are welcome!

PS I will definitely check out fRedhots.

Report from Tore's at Elston/Diversey/Western:

SCALE of 1-10: A 10!!

perfect in every way, beef perfect, hot giardineria perfect and it included carrot pieces. Bun perfect, size just right (not too small), au jus great.

I wouldn't change one thing and their french fries are awesome too.

Really? I gave up on it about a year ago (it went downhill after being pretty good for a while), but I guess I owe them another shot.

gleam wrote:Really? I gave up on it about a year ago (it went downhill after being pretty good for a while), but I guess I owe them another shot.

Timing is everything at Tore's. It can go from outstanding to average with the cycle of the moon. The giardinara is pretty good, though.

Amazing that Tore's is even considered in the 'great beef' category. Not because it's not, just because of the circumstances. I was going there a lot when I worked somewhat in the area. That was back in the late 80's early to mid 90's. I think in the 7 years I was going there that there were 3 different owners. The menu was constantly changing, but the beef was always great. Somehow it survived all the ownership changes. And I can't imagine how many owners it's had since then.

Next time I'm in the area I'm going to make an effort to stop in there.

Very good fries.

JeffB wrote:Very good fries.

Yeah. That's always been the best thing there.

midas wrote:Amazing that Tore's is even considered in the 'great beef' category. Not because it's not, just because of the circumstances. I was going there a lot when I worked somewhat in the area. That was back in the late 80's early to mid 90's.

Wasn't it Marro's back then? I used to really like Marro's and thought the beef took a slight step down when it reopened as Tore's.

Rene G wrote:

midas wrote:Amazing that Tore's is even considered in the 'great beef' category. Not because it's not, just because of the circumstances. I was going there a lot when I worked somewhat in the area. That was back in the late 80's early to mid 90's.

Wasn't it Marro's back then? I used to really like Marro's and thought the beef took a slight step down when it reopened as Tore's.

I don't remember when it changed. I was actually going there much earlier than the late 80's, but it wasn't until about then that I started going more frequently.

I've only been to Tore's once. The beef was enormous and the fries are great. But it wasn't perfect, the beef was a little tough/dry, but we knew if we went at the right time it would be even better. I'm not a proponent of beef sandwiches with a lot of meat in them either, but if you like a big one, they deliver.

Franabanana wrote:OK, if I'm feeling really lazy and want to find a good, traditional IB in the Skokie/Wilmette/Evanston 'hood, what's the LTH recco? (I get IB from the Portillo's in Skokie every so often, but I'm the first to admit that the chain might not deliver the best of the best.)

Your thoughts are welcome!

PS I will definitely check out fRedhots.

Guess what? You get to be an LTH guinea pig, beacuse we haven't found a go-to beef joint in those parts, so you'll have to find one for all of us! Portillo's is the best in that area for me, even though there is an Al's in Evanston (but it pales in comparison to the Taylor St. location which is a crime because Al's is in my top 2).

Fran,

I guess from Ram4's reply, you can figure a great IB in your area hasn't been found yet. Now if you want to dedicate yourself to this effort, terrific. If not, then wait until you pass an place known to be great by the IB afficionados.

Not every area has everything you desire.

Of course, we do need intrepid seekers of good food. So yes, sometimes we all take one for the team around here.

Regards,

I want to happily report that I have found an Italian Beef sandwich in the North Shore area that I would consider great - Wolfy's in Northbrook! Who knew? Check the Wolfy's thread for more info.

Wolfy's
873 Sanders Rd
Northbrook IL
847-272-1177

Ram4 wrote:Check the Wolfy's thread for more info.

This post in particular.

=R=

Timing is everything at Tore's. It can go from outstanding to average with the cycle of the moon. The giardinara is pretty good, though.

Living in Roscoe Village for the last five years I'll echo this statement. It's damn convenient with the parking and not ever being busy but I gave up about a year ago. The ups and downs are too much. I'm pretty sure it's just pre-purchased Scala beef but Scala beef can be good if done right. I'm about due for about a stop back, will try on Tuesday and give an up-date.

Even when it's great Tore's still doesn't touch Al's on Taylor or Johnnie's.

pizano345 wrote:

Timing is everything at Tore's. It can go from outstanding to average with the cycle of the moon. The giardinara is pretty good, though.

Living in Roscoe Village for the last five years I'll echo this statement. It's damn convenient with the parking and not ever being busy but I gave up about a year ago. The ups and downs are too much. I'm pretty sure it's just pre-purchased Scala beef but Scala beef can be good if done right. I'm about due for about a stop back, will try on Tuesday and give an up-date.

Even when Tore's great it still doesn't touch Al's on Taylor or Johnnie's.

for what it's worth dept.: I don't know about all the ownership changes, but about 5-6 years ago, I was asked the Hispanic worker there about their beef, he said they buy 13 lb. "sirloin butt" from Scala's and make their own beef in house.

pizano345 wrote:Living in Roscoe Village for the last five years I'll echo this statement.... The ups and downs are too much....Even when Tore's great it still doesn't touch Al's on Taylor or Johnnie's.

this.

I gave up on Tore's, too. Had some good beefs there, had some terrible ones....the terrible ones were, well, terrible.

I'll make the trip if i want a good beef, Tore's ain't it.

johnnies - elmwood park only, is still my favorite,

but I had a really nice IB sandwich today for my 2nd lunch. It had been years(pre LTH) since i had been back to Al's on Taylor and was really happy to get re-acquainted today. Meat and dip have alot going on, giardinara has more celery than i like but overall this sandwich worked and was gone in about a minute.

I wont stay away that long again.



dadgum right thats good:

jimswside wrote: but I had a really nice IB sandwich today for my 2nd lunch.

hearing "2nd lunch" and seeing a beef sangwich, now I'm personally hungry for a 2nd dinner.

...must resist....

We live 2 blocks from Roma's.

On Saturday I had a rare occasion to find myself in the West (or any, really) 'burbs. Mrs. Kman and I decided that a stop at Johnnie's on the way home was a worthy deviation from the straight-home route. Crowd was the usual, line out the door but moving well, and we lucked into a good parking spot. I ordered a combo-juicy-hot and wife had beef-juicy-hot and a large fries/root beer/lemon ice no lid to share. Line moved quickly with only one person hemming and hawing and we had our food in 10 minutes easy. Found a picnic table that had just opened up and sat down and pulled the bags apart to use as our placemats and share our food. Oh my, it's still my definitive sample of what a Chicago IB should be. In fact, heck, it's only just shy of 10 PM here and I know I can drive there before closing and I'm barely restraining myself from doing so.

I'm not keen on the current labor strike stopping the road construction . . . but by all means use it to your advantage to get to Johnnie's while the Ike is wide open!

Since I now work in Northbrook and the only beef I have found that I consider very good to great is Wolfy's, I do sometimes miss having other options. I work with my brother and he is usually on the street while I'm the inside guy. On numerous occasions he has brought back Johnnie's Beef for us from the Arlington Heights location. The beef is piping hot when he gets back(around a 30 minute ride). I swear - piping hot as if they were just brought in from across the street. Even though the sandwiches were all dipped, the bread holds up fine and they are always as good as ever. Johnnie's is amazing and probably my all-time favorite.

Gonna try Wolfy's to see if I want to do carryout for 10 from there, but wondering if anyone has used either the Vienna bulk packaged stuff or like Papa Charlie's that I've seen at Costco? Will be grilling as well, but need to decide whether or not to bring in the IB as well this weekend. Thanks!!

I have always been a Johnnie's fan (the better half grew up a block away) but I decry the shrinking size of the sandwich over the years, and the frequent screw-ups on my orders.

I have to thank the poster back in May who suggested that fRedHots in Glenview has one of the best non-traditional IBs around. We visited a week ago, and I was very impressed with the sandwich.

The beef lacks the oregano sharpness that a great (Johnnies) IB has, but the beef has the deepest roast beef flavor I've yet sampled. And better still, this sandwich is a full sized, full bore meal!

So thanks to all LTH'ers for this thread, and I just wanted to suggest that up north, if you are in the mood for a very beef oriented IB, try fRedHots!