Roast Beef Sandwich

I'm a fan of hot roast beef sandwiches with au jus for dipping. I'm not really talking about French Dip sandwiches, but I like those too.

Here are some examples of what I'm looking for (hold the cheese for me):

Lion's Choice (St. Louis based chain, used to be in Warrenville)


Nick's Famous Roast Beef (Beverly, MA)


This Little Piggie Had Roast Beef (New York)


I'll even get an Arby's regular and a side of au jus to satisfy my craving. I prefer the round roll overall to the french dip roll. I have to say Arby's new Angus beef is really great compared to the usual "meat" they use now.

I can say that Wildfire and Pinstripes (Glenview) have excellent shaved prime rib dip sandwiches. J. Alexanders has a good one, but it now costs $18.00 and that's pretty high.

Anyway, are there any places in the entire Chicago area (or Wisconsin) that have sandwiches like these? Or a great french/prime rib dip?

My guess is that with all the great Italian Beef places in Chicago, you may have a hard time finding the type of sandwich shown in the pictures. They may be local specialties elsewhere and be crowded out of the market here. I know they different types of sandwiches and different cuts of meat, but if you want an wet beef sandwich a really good Italian Beef is hard to beat.

bw77 wrote:My guess is that with all the great Italian Beef places in Chicago, you may have a hard time finding the type of sandwich shown in the pictures. They may be local specialties elsewhere and be crowded out of the market here. I know they different types of sandwiches and different cuts of meat, but if you want an wet beef sandwich a really good Italian Beef is hard to beat.

I'm a die-hard Italian Beef fan, I am not looking for that. Thanks though.

I would direct you to two GNR's that both serve excellent beef sandwiches similar to what you are looking for.

First, Manny's. Although the beef is hand carved, and therefore not as thin shaved as those in your picture (some would consider that a plus), it is an excellent example of a roast beef sandwich.



Second, Italian Superior Bakery on Fridays. The Prime Rib Sandwich is the daily special, and I can highly recommend it.



Manny's Coffee Shop
1141 S. Jefferson
Chicago, IL 60607
312-939-2855

Italian Superior Bakery
933 S. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612
312-733-5092

Not bad Steve. The second one looks like an italian beef with giardiniera though. I don't have a problem if the roast beef is shaved or a little thicker. But I really like a side of au jus. Do either of these have that?

Does Manny's still carve their roast beef? I thought I'd heard that they no longer do.

=R=

It's not in Chicago...but if you are ever in Minneapolis, check out the amazing Mavericks Roast Beef....exactly what you are looking for!

ParkLaBrea wrote:It's not in Chicago...but if you are ever in Minneapolis, check out the amazing Mavericks Roast Beef....exactly what you are looking for!

Sure is! My brother is up there a few times a year to visit his in-laws, so I'll tell him about it.
Mavericks Roast Beef

Ram4 wrote:Not bad Steve. The second one looks like an italian beef with giardiniera though. I don't have a problem if the roast beef is shaved or a little thicker. But I really like a side of au jus. Do either of these have that?

Italian Superior serves the jus. It's not the typical Italian Beef taste profile, though it looks the same. It's really roasted prime rib that is shaved thin.

ronnie_suburban wrote:Does Manny's still carve their roast beef? I thought I'd heard that they no longer do.

=R=

I'm not sure. It's not my usual order. Maybe someone who was at the GNR dinner had a beef sandwich and can comment.

Ram4 wrote:Anyway, are there any places in the entire Chicago area (or Wisconsin) that have sandwiches like these? Or a great french/prime rib dip?

My favorite is at Petey's II: Prime rib sandwich medium rare on toasted garlic soft roll and side of au jus ($13-14). Comes with relish tray, soup or salad (garlic dressing), and choice of potato(cottage fries). I always sit at the bar and have Gus pour me a strong vodka tonic. Nicest guy in the world. Menu online is not complete. The Bungalow in Oak Lawn might have it, too. I've only had it in Orland Park.

Petey's II Restaurant
159th & La Grange Rd, Orland Park
Ph: 708 349 2820

stevez wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:Does Manny's still carve their roast beef? I thought I'd heard that they no longer do.

=R=

I'm not sure. It's not my usual order. Maybe someone who was at the GNR dinner had a beef sandwich and can comment.

I'm almost certain that at the recent 24-hour Chowathon, we were told that due to rising costs, the roast beef is no longer carved to order at Manny's.

=R=

Dinner last night was at Al's on Taylor Street, so I will admit I had Italian Beef on the brain when I responded.

Awesome pictures Ram....my mouth is watering....such silky, tender, rare Maverick's beef!!

stevez wrote:

Ram4 wrote:Not bad Steve. The second one looks like an italian beef with giardiniera though. I don't have a problem if the roast beef is shaved or a little thicker. But I really like a side of au jus. Do either of these have that?

Italian Superior serves the jus. It's not the typical Italian Beef taste profile, though it looks the same. It's really roasted prime rib that is shaved thin.

Thumbs up on the prime rib sandwich at ISB. Definitely NOT "Italian Beef" as we know it in Chicago (though count me a fan), though it IS beef and it IS prepared by (very nice) Italians.

I've been a fan of the french dip for years -- while I can dig a good italian beef, my heart belongs to a french dip. One of the best I've found in the Loop is at Sidebar Grill -- which is on LaSalle near Wacker. It's always delightfully rare and relatively trimmed of fat (it's prime rib so there's a bit here and there -- enough to add unctuousness -- if that's a word) and it's on really good bread that I believe is sort of a foccacia -- it soaks up the jus very nicely. The jus is tasty as well, which for me is a big deal. One of my biggest pet peeves about this particular sandwich genre are the folks who commit beef-a-cide and serve you meat that is gray, tasteless and tough and gristly. Woe to them!

One note -- the sandwich at Sidebar Grill ain't cheap. It's maybe $15 or $16 -- but it's worth it when you get it. It's always delicious. Fries accompany and are usually pretty tasty.

Wish I had more to recommend -- this town tends to favor italian beef over plain roast beef.

Sidebar Grille
221 North La Salle Street Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 739-3900

If you go at lunch -- be prepared for a wait. It has a typical loop following and can be hard to get into at 12. I usually find a seat at the bar though.

Earthlydesire - I appreciate that. On french dips, I usually don't want much fat at all unless it's a prime rib dip and it's that melt in your mouth type fat. The prime rib dip at Pinstripes in Northbrook/Glenview is a big favorite of mine. It's not usually pink but always very tender and has some fat in it. Served on a pretzel bun with provolone and horseradish cream and a not too salty (good) au jus for $13. I love it. You can also play bowling or bocce there.

Pinstripes Bowling Bocce Bistro
1150 Willow Rd
Northbrook IL
(847) 480-2323

Also in South Barrington and coming to Oak Brook.

I mention this not because I am advocating it as good but.....I grew up in Rockford, Ill. and we had something called Beef-a-Roo, a very Arby's like place for sandwiches like you are discussing.

http://www.beefaroo.com/

Of course if you happen to stop by Rockford to get a Beef-A-Roo, you can also get a Maid Rite, a loose meat sandwich, one of the weirder sandwiches you can ever get.

http://maid-rite.com/

In a month or two a Maid-Rite is supposed to open in Chicago at 2429 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Haven't been in some time, but I'd be surprised if Lawry's wasn't still hand-carving it's roast beef sandwich for lunch a la Manny's. Sorry to hear that Manny's is no longer in the game. For me, it was one of their signature dishes; one of those non-deli items that established Manny's for me as a not-to-be-missed, last-surviving Jewish cafeteria rather than an iconic Jewish deli.

ronnie_suburban wrote:

stevez wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:Does Manny's still carve their roast beef? I thought I'd heard that they no longer do.

=R=

I'm not sure. It's not my usual order. Maybe someone who was at the GNR dinner had a beef sandwich and can comment.

I'm almost certain that at the recent 24-hour Chowathon, we were told that due to rising costs, the roast beef is no longer carved to order at Manny's.

=R=

That's a shame. Might be that they weren't selling the entire steamship. Too many leftovers to deal with. Does this mean that Manny's no longer offers roast beef or are they buying a pre sliced roast beef product?

Seems to me the solution to reduce cost and maintain quality would be to roast an inside round (18-20#) rather than the steamship round (50-70#) they roasted in the old days. 1/3 the cost (and size) but pretty much the same piece of meat, just smaller.

Zel's in NW Indiana:



My notes from this visit, which was a few years ago: "Very simple, real roast beef. None of that "roast beef composite material" you find at Arby's. It lacked the seasoning you get with Itallian beefs in Chicago, but it was moist and tasty. After we ate ours, we found out there was a condiment bar. We'll have to add stuff next time."

ETA: Locations:

1318 East Columbus Drive
East Chicago, IN
(219) 397-6167

6909 Columbia Avenue
Hammond, IN
(219) 845-0433

7889 West Lincoln Highway
Crown Point, IN
(219) 864-1011

George R wrote:In a month or two a Maid-Rite is supposed to open in Chicago at 2429 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Looking at their menu they did not have a Roast Beef sandwich proper although they did have a 'Iowa Cheese Steak' and a 'Open-faced Hot Beef Sandwich'. I'd be willing to bet you could order the simple.

Lincoln Avenue Maid-Rite
2429 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

Opening in June 2012

I love a good roast beef sandwich! For a long time this was the favorite sandwich in America and many diners and regular restaurants could not have it on their menus. Many of the places would roast their own beef and, while not the sandwich pictured on this thread, put it between a pair of slices of white bread often topped with lettuce, tomato and a splash of mayo. Often they offer a french dip as well.

One local place that still roasts their own...

George's Family Restaurant
145 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park
(708) 848-4949
http://www.georgesoakpark.com

-----------------

The Depot American Diner
5840 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago
(773) 261-8422

Also does a good one in this vein.

Another varation often with excellent beef and results is where it is heated and often cheese added.

I had one of the best in recent memory day before yesterday in the bar at ...

The Berghoff‎
17 W Adams St
(312) 427-3170
http://www.berghoffgroup.com



"Hand carved roast beef piled high on a crispy French baguette with caramelized onions, pepperoncini peppers and melted provolone cheese"

It also seemed to me that there was some giardiniera and a horseradish spread.

Also I would be amiss not to mention the GNR...

Lincoln's O
2813 Highway Ave, Highland, IN
(219) 923-4144



The US Steel, once again hot and with cheese, is a tender and tasty sandwich.

Once again I could not resist mapping.

It appears that Lawry's does still serve a roast beef sandwich at the their lunch bar.

http://www.lawrysonline.com/lawrys-primerib/chicago/menu/AleandSandwichBar

ronnie_suburban wrote:Does Manny's still carve their roast beef? I thought I'd heard that they no longer do.

=R=

Last time I was in Manny's for dinner (December), I asked where the roast beef was (my favorite sandwich from my days tagging along with my dad to work...he owned a clothing store around the corner) and I believe the counterman said it was still available at lunch.

Do they still carve roast beef at the Berghoff bar? The counter man would always ask if you wanted him to dip the top of the roll in the au jus. That was my favorite.

PreFlopRaise13 wrote:Do they still carve roast beef at the Berghoff bar? The counter man would always ask if you wanted him to dip the top of the roll in the au jus. That was my favorite.

I will ask next time. Sounds great!

I was in the bar seating and not at the counter. Just ordered from the waiter and he delivered.

DKoblesky wrote:I mention this not because I am advocating it as good but.....I grew up in Rockford, Ill. and we had something called Beef-a-Roo, a very Arby's like place for sandwiches like you are discussing.

Certainly not the highest praise but if memory serves, the beefloaf at Beefaroo is superior to that at Arby's (I haven't been to Arby's in years though).



Not sure you can get a Beefaroo au jus though.

abe_froeman wrote:Zel's in NW Indiana:

There's a long thread on Zel's (and bolshevik!) over here. A year ago at least, they had six locations. I need to give Zel's another try.

ronnie_suburban wrote:Does Manny's still carve their roast beef? I thought I'd heard that they no longer do.

I hope the days of good roast beef at Manny's aren't gone for good. Here's a nice sandwich from about a year ago.



I don't recall seeing any jus at Manny's but maybe Gino would give you a little dish of blood. Being from Buffalo, I'm content with a wet roll and plenty of horseradish.

Speaking of Buffalo, maybe you need to visit Western New York, where they take roast beef sandwiches very seriously. Here's a hand-sliced beauty from Charlie the Butcher (very good but not my favorite beef on weck).



You can get a plain roll but they may look at you funny if you don't want the weck.