pudgym29 wrote: Seemingly, being on a list of recommended italian beef shacks could not save Jimmy's Homemade Italian Beef.
Was it too far from anything else?

I have lived in this neighborhood over 20 years, and like most residents, have long ago found my preferred beefstands within a 5 minute drive (Bob Os) or a 15 minute drive (Johnnies).

I suspect that Jimmy's only ever made an IB list because it was easy to stop while in the area, where it is surrounded by other spots that the reviewer would absolutely need to hit...

Never heard any word of mouth in the time it existed, so the closing is no surprise. That strip of Addison is dead dead dead.

fishfryguy wrote:

pudgym29 wrote: Seemingly, being on a list of recommended italian beef shacks could not save Jimmy's Homemade Italian Beef.
Was it too far from anything else?

I have lived in this neighborhood over 20 years, and like most residents, have long ago found my preferred beefstands within a 5 minute drive (Bob Os) or a 15 minute drive (Johnnies).

I suspect that Jimmy's only ever made an IB list because it was easy to stop while in the area, where it is surrounded by other spots that the reviewer would absolutely need to hit...

Never heard any word of mouth in the time it existed, so the closing is no surprise. That strip of Addison is dead dead dead.

My brother and I were at Jimmy's last year. It was decent, but not one of the best.

fishfryguy wrote:I have lived in this neighborhood over 20 years, and like most residents, have long ago found my preferred beefstands within a 5 minute drive (Bob Os) or a 15 minute drive (Johnnies).

I suspect that Jimmy's only ever made an IB list because it was easy to stop while in the area, where it is surrounded by other spots that the reviewer would absolutely need to hit...

Never heard any word of mouth in the time it existed, so the closing is no surprise. That strip of Addison is dead dead dead.

I've been out of the area now for about a year and a half. But prior to that I was less than a mile from this place for 17 years. And I never paid any attention to it at all.

I had the Italian beef at the Two Brothers taproom in Warrenville. The meat itself is locally-sourced (accoring to the menu), but the beef on the actual sandwich was somewhat dry even though I ordered my sandwich dippped - so much so that I ordered additional gravy. Nevertheless, the roll was nice and the giardinera was tasty without being overwealmingly hot.

Looks to me like the folks who own the two "Leadbelly" places here in Portage and Gladstone Park on the NW side are going to try Italian Beefs at the old Supercup/Central Kitchen and Tap location at Lawrence and Central in Jefferson Park:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beefbell ... 4354452462

I wish them well. They'll have a few places nearby with a more than decent IBS to compete with.

Jay's on Narragganset

Roma's on Cicero

dudley's Dog House 3930 Montrose

Susies (yuck)

Beef and Burger

Johnnies on Milwaukee Ave Jeff park

kenji wrote:Roma's on Cicero

Yes! I used to work up in that area and Romas was always a frequent lunch spot. Perfect dogs and beefs in a perfect Chicago fast food joint.

Theres a record store right around there too so i might make the trek up there soon.

Raffe's Record Riot is across the street just North down the block. Still there.

My go-to on the NW side is Mr. Beef and Pizza in Dunning. But there are a bunch of great beef joints in that area for sure. I'll check this one out too.

Ram4 wrote:My go-to on the NW side is Mr. Beef and Pizza in Dunning. But there are a bunch of great beef joints in that area for sure. I'll check this one out too.

I agree. Mr. Beef and Pizza and Jay's are the cream of the crop in that particular area. The rest tend to be a notch down, unless you happen to catch them on a good day, which does happen.

kenji wrote:
[edit]
I wish them well. They'll have a few places nearby with a more than decent IBS to compete with.
Jay's on Narragansett
Roma's on Cicero
Dudley's Dog House 3930 Montrose
Susies (yuck)
Beef and Burger
Johnnies on Milwaukee Ave. Jeff park

Except, as this subject already revealed, Dudley's Dog House is now Taqueria la Fogata.

At the point where pudgym29 quoted Taqueria la Fogata was coming soon. It was open when I passed by today.

Had a beef at Mr. Beef and Pizza (on Harlem and Irving Park) last night. Still one of the best, as always. I've never had a bad one there or even a so-so one.

kenji wrote:Johnnies on Milwaukee Ave Jeff park

Wait, what's this now?

Disclaimer: Not being a Chicago native, I've eaten less Italian Beef's in my life than some of you in one day. As such, I'm not really a good judge for the Best, or even Any, Italian Beef. But I could offer an outsider's opinion on one of the strongest contenders on this thread - Johnnie's on North.

Short version: Sandwich was meh, everything else was 11/10.

I was biking past the neighborhood, and Johnnie's shows up on my list of Chicago institutions to try. Reasonably hungry, I thought meat on bread sounded perfect. I ordered my "wet and hot," which sounded odd.



Looking every bit as glorious as I imagined, I bit into the sandwich expecting great things. Then... it was okay. The bread was a bit mushy, but not to the point of being unpleasant. The hot peppers was one-note, covering up the other flavors (coming from someone who puts chili/peppers on everything). The beef? Because the ingredients of the sandwich are so unevenly distributed (big lumps of meat at one end, peppers only on the outside edge of the 'wich), it was difficult to get a representative taste of how all 4 ingredients worked together (bread/gravy/beef/peppers). I didn't get much flavors from the beef - it seemed undersalted. The jus was a bit better (I was enduring my way through the meat parts so I can get to the dipped bread part, not unlike the relationship between pie fillings and pie crust). It was too lean for my taste - I felt like I was eating overcooked brisket, one of the easiest way to annoy someone brought up in Cantonese cuisine. Perhaps the pastramis and corned beef's of the world are more suited for me.

On the other hand, Johnnie's is my ideal for what a restaurant should be:
-efficient kitchen flow (sandwich ready seconds after ordering)
-people behind the counter are committed to getting food to your belly and nothing else (they don't even have a tip jar!)
-standing counter with open kitchen view for those who just want to grab a quick meal
-large outside tables such that in a busy service, communal eating is encouraged
-simple menu, with clear specialization of 1 savory and 1 sweet item (the italian ice was not bad at all!)
-reflective of local culture/history/products
-not really a chain (1 other location)
-regulars coming from all walks of life
-reasonably priced

bernard wrote:I ordered my "wet and hot," which sounded odd.

The bread was a bit mushy, but not to the point of being unpleasant.

You ordered a beef sandwich "wet" and say that the bread is mushy. Do you realize what "wet" or "dipped" means?

I probably should've posted here instead. It can appear inflammatory to knock a favorite, but that certainly was not my intention (in fact I think it's a decent bargain for 5 bucks). I ordered it wet because it's the recommended order; I'll try it without next time.

Well, bernard, I have to agree with you about a Johnnie's beef sandwich being a bit meh. Not my favorite. However, if you're biking past there again, do try a Johnnie's combo. Somehow, the beef with the sausage [that's cooked over live charcoal] and sweet and hot peppers merge into sangwich tasty wonderfulness*.

*ymmv. maybe beefs just won't be your thing.

Giovanna

Giovanna wrote:Well, bernard, I have to agree with you about a Johnnie's beef sandwich being a bit meh. Not my favorite. However, if you're biking past there again, do try a Johnnie's combo. Somehow, the beef with the sausage [that's cooked over live charcoal] and sweet and hot peppers merge into sangwich tasty wonderfulness*.



Giovanna

I'm fully in your camp. Pretty sure I've posted this before. The beef, imo, is not worth a special trip, but the charcoal grilled italian snausage makes a Johnnie's "combo" a thing of absolute beauty.

Bernard - To me and many others, Johnnies is at or near the top when it comes to what textbook Italian Beef should be. And you really need it to be dipped so the bread can soak up all the spices and fat from the juice. It's ok for it to be wet. Sometimes it will be too much for the bread, sometimes it won't. It just depends. But it tastes great. Sounds like your Johnnies experience was subpar, which can happen with that leaner kind of meat - it can be dry or tough, it happens. But most of the time it doesn't happen. Most of the time it will be tender, juicy and you'll love it.

The sad thing for Italian Beef lovers is that most places don't have a great version. It's usually prepackaged, oversalted crap. That's because IB takes a lot of work to make and most places don't want to deal with it. I can't say I blame them, it takes a big commitment to do it right.

seebee wrote:
I'm fully in your camp. Pretty sure I've posted this before. The beef, imo, is not worth a special trip, but the charcoal grilled italian snausage makes a Johnnie's "combo" a thing of absolute beauty.

True, dat. But make sure you get there well before closing time- you should be able to smell the sausages grilling when you get in the door. If you're there after, say 7pm, they just keep the pre-cooked sausages under a warmer and they are then completely different: dried out and tough. Get to Johnnie's Arlington Heights location within an hour of closing time, and you'll experience wonderful dining while smelling floor cleaning fluid while they work around your feet. Seriously. You've been warned.

Was in the Oak Brook area last week and Chickies has once again surpassed Johnnies as my absolute favorite beef sandwich. I closed my eyes and it was as if I were at 28th and Pulaski, the only difference being I was sitting at the counter rather than standing. Beef sweet and hot served at the perfect temperature. HOT!

Marshall K wrote:Was in the Oak Brook area last week and Chickies has once again surpassed Johnnies as my absolute favorite beef sandwich. I closed my eyes and it was as if I were at 28th and Pulaski, the only difference being I was sitting at the counter rather than standing. Beef sweet and hot served at the perfect temperature. HOT!

You mean Chickie's on Wolf Rd in Hillside? Definitely one of the top 5 beef joints!

I am no expert, but the Italian Beef sandwich at U Dawg U in Northfield is the type of sandwich where thinking about it makes my mouth water. Best fries on the North Shore as a bonus.

300 Happ Rd
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 441-6200

Max wrote:You ordered a beef sandwich "wet" and say that the bread is mushy. Do you realize what "wet" or "dipped" means?

This has probably been clarified many times in various threads but "wet" and "dipped" are two different things. You'd expect mushy bread with a dipped beef (where the entire sandwich has been dropped into the juice), but it shouldn't be completely soaked through with a wet beef, where the beef is pulled immediately from the juice, and another spoonful of juice is sometimes added (some places call this "extra gravy").

Personally I like to order "wet" and then request a cup of the beef juice on the side (where possible) to control the mush level and keep each bite exactly as moist as I want it. And then my fries can get a nice bath as well.

jilter wrote:I am no expert, but the Italian Beef sandwich at U Dawg U in Northfield is the type of sandwich where thinking about it makes my mouth water. Best fries on the North Shore as a bonus.

I would say I am a little biased about U Dawg U because they are friends of my family. That being said, U Dawg U serves prepackaged beef and gravy - none of it is done in house - totally average beef. Best fries on the North Shore? Their fries are all frozen. Am I missing something? Did Robbie change his entire menu after all these years?

We on the North Shore live in an Italian Beef desert. Portillo's is the best you're going to get, and it's in Skokie. There isn't anything north of there worth mentioning.

When I order WET at the Original Al's I get DIPPED. How do I order better so I get WET not DIPPED?

I've been eating at Al's (1079 W Taylor, Chicago) since about 1970. Throughout my college years, Al's combos served as a reliably cheap, tasty, filling meal. Last week, I stopped by for lunch after a year or two hiatus. I ordered a large combo, hot peppers, fries and a Coke....and was told it would be $18 cash. My jaw dropped at the out of control price and evident greed that has overtaken them. I didn't even have that much cash on me--they do have some dodgy ATM on premise if you're willing to expose your bank account to them--I wasn't so inclined. So I reordered just a small beef, hot peppers, no fries and a Coke and still ended up with a $10.50 charge for a 4 or 5 inch basic sandwich plus drink. The beef was as good as ever, but it's the first time in my life I ever walked away from Al's still hungry. A very disappointing turn of events.

leek wrote:When I order WET at the Original Al's I get DIPPED. How do I order better so I get WET not DIPPED?

I've never been to Al's but if I wanted to control the mush factor, I'd just order with sauce on the side and spoon /dip it myself...

Ram4 wrote:We on the North Shore live in an Italian Beef desert. Portillo's is the best you're going to get, and it's in Skokie. There isn't anything north of there worth mentioning.

There is a Portillo's in Vernon Hills. I don't know where you live in Highland Park, but the Vernon Hills Portillo's is 10.9 miles from downtown Highland Park; the Skokie Portillo's is 11.6 miles away.

Katie wrote:

Ram4 wrote:We on the North Shore live in an Italian Beef desert. Portillo's is the best you're going to get, and it's in Skokie. There isn't anything north of there worth mentioning.

There is a Portillo's in Vernon Hills. I don't know where you live in Highland Park, but the Vernon Hills Portillo's is 10.9 miles from downtown Highland Park; the Skokie Portillo's is 11.6 miles away.

I have been getting Italian Beef at Moccio's pizza in Highland Park. It is very well seasoned. I just looked them up and Yelp is reporting they are closed. I have not verified this yet. Has anyone tried the Italian Beef at Cooker's in Deerfield?