Jay's Beef - New Location in Bucktown

Well, if a distant beef stalwart were going to open shop in my 'hood I can't say Jay's would have been my choice, but I know Jay's Beef has its fans here, so I figured it bore mentioning.


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Jay's now has a Chicago location on North Ave. between Damen and Western. It's easily the most upscale beef stand I've encountered, inasmuch as that term can be applied to a beef stand. Still, it's odd to order a beef sandwich in a place that has padded easy chairs, felted benches along the walls and copper (!) fixtures. Six small tables, the usual Jay's menu and a couple of young guys working the counter. And a little more smoke in the air than I'd like. They seem to be working the kinks out of the ventilation system.


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I hate to judge too harshly considering that they've only been open since Thursday, but the sandwich is pretty much what I remember from the Schiller Park Jay's, for better or worse. The beef had obviously been sitting in the juice too long and was fairly tough and stringy. The chopping on the hot peppers was fairly haphazard, resulting in some unusually chunky, long strips that didn't quite sit right to me. And Jay's seasoning doesn't do it for me. It IS an exceedingly generous sandwich. So, not terribly impressed, but like I say, I remember there being some Jay's fans in the house and I imagine this'll satisfy and save some mileage.

Jay's Beef - Chicago
2255 W. North
Chicago, IL
773-772-2333

Still, it's odd to order a beef sandwich in a place that has padded easy chairs, felted benches along the walls and copper (!) fixtures.

Say hello to "Beefbucks"

The only location that I have been to is the one at Montrose and Nagle. We've always been happy with the quality of the beef sammie.

Dmnkly wrote:The beef had obviously been sitting in the juice too long and was fairly tough and stringy. The chopping on the hot peppers was fairly haphazard, resulting in some unusually chunky, long strips that didn't quite sit right to me. And Jay's seasoning doesn't do it for me. It IS an exceedingly generous sandwich. So, not terribly impressed, but like I say, I remember there being some Jay's fans in the house and I imagine this'll satisfy and save some mileage.

I live down the street from Jay's and have been a few times, most recently this past Friday when in a rush to get to The Whistler (and not on an empty stomach). The beef is extremely generous, and luckily it wasn't too tough or stringy this time, but the giardiniera just isn't good at all. As shown in Dom's photo, it's very roughly chopped and basically raw. Though there were huge chunks of jalapeño, it was very mild, and the lack of any vinegar tang disappointed me.

Given its proximity, I'm sure I'll be back at some point, but I'll remember to keep my fridge stocked with better giardiniera.

-Dan

The quality on the one @ montrose and nagle has really gone down teh last coupel years. I used to make this a regular stop when visiting family in the area but this is no longer the case

Chefcon wrote:The quality on the one @ montrose and nagle has really gone down teh last coupel years. I used to make this a regular stop when visiting family in the area but this is no longer the case

Really? I've found the opposite to be true.

3 of the last 4 were meh. Therefore it has been pushed off the list. I will just go to Mr Beef instead although I live not very far from Joe Boston's so I can get my beef fix around the house as opposed to when I make it to see family.

stevez wrote:

Chefcon wrote:The quality on the one @ montrose and nagle has really gone down teh last coupel years. I used to make this a regular stop when visiting family in the area but this is no longer the case

Really? I've found the opposite to be true.

Steve, I strongly agree with you on this.

I think the quality of the beef, and the portions have gotten much better. Their hot giardinera isn't their strong suit, but everything else is very good.

Personally, I really, reaaaaaallly like the giardiniera on Jay's beefs. Love the fresh veggie/lots of celery aspect of it. Don't miss vinegar notes in it AT ALL. I always ask for lots extra . . . Jay's is my second favorite beef right after a combo from Johnnie's.

Also, I'll put a vote in for the Montrose/Nagle Jay's having improved in the past few years. Seems like ever since the very cranky old guy died the quality and happiness quotient of the place improved considerably.

Giovanna

Giovanna wrote:Personally, I really, reaaaaaallly like the giardiniera on Jay's beefs. Love the fresh veggie/lots of celery aspect of it. Don't miss vinegar notes in it AT ALL. I always ask for lots extra . . . Jay's is my second favorite beef right after a combo from Johnnie's.

Also, I'll put a vote in for the Montrose/Nagle Jay's having improved in the past few years. Seems like ever since the very cranky old guy died the quality and happiness quotient of the place improved considerably.

Giovanna

Justin (aka Jay) was a grumpy guy but for me his personality added the character to the place. On the rare occasion I go to Jay's on Nagle I do miss his presence.

I saw him on more than one occasion loudly berating the staff [reserving the worst hostility for the man I think was his son], and it gave me a very large sad.

Giovanna wrote:I saw him on more than one occasion loudly berating the staff [reserving the worst hostility for the man I think was his son], and it gave me a very large sad.

I saw this too, and it was really disturbing. But, going back to your previous post, I have to disagree some. I think Jay's was at it's best when the old man was alive and running the place. It got really bad for the first few years after he died. Now I think it's much improved from what it was a few years ago. I don't think it's as good as when he was alive, but it's better than it was right after he died.

midas wrote:I saw this too, and it was really disturbing. But, going back to your previous post, I have to disagree some. I think Jay's was at it's best when the old man was alive and running the place. It got really bad for the first few years after he died. Now I think it's much improved from what it was a few years ago. I don't think it's as good as when he was alive, but it's better than it was right after he died.

This closely parallels my experience as well. I completely wrote Jay's off after the old man died until recently. It's only in the past 8 months to a year that the quality has picked up again at the Montrose/Nagle mothership. I haven't been to any of the other locations since then.

Sorry folks, I'm new to the game and this is my first post.

I've been eating at Jay's Beef since the late 70's. I've NEVER been disappointed. The seasoning and size has always been consistent. I'm a beef guy, I've never tried anything else there so I won't comment on it. I live around the corner and eat there at least once a week (they start making my order when they see me walk in). I'm really surprised that it didn't make the list.

The old man was a pain in the rear. He was loud and obnoxious, so much so that my mother told him off. He was a distraction to an otherwise nice, neighborhood, experience.

Jay's is my favorite by far, for price, portion, and consistency. I believe Al's is overrated...good taste, but small and expensive.

Skyghost wrote:Sorry folks, I'm new to the game and this is my first post.

I've been eating at Jay's Beef since the late 70's. I've NEVER been disappointed. The seasoning and size has always been consistent. I'm a beef guy, I've never tried anything else there so I won't comment on it. I live around the corner and eat there at least once a week (they start making my order when they see me walk in). I'm really surprised that it didn't make the list.

The old man was a pain in the rear. He was loud and obnoxious, so much so that my mother told him off. He was a distraction to an otherwise nice, neighborhood, experience.

Jay's is my favorite by far, for price, portion, and consistency. I believe Al's is overrated...good taste, but small and expensive.

Skyghost - are you referring to the location on Nagle/Montrose or the Bucktown location? It's not immediately clear. Thanks.