Italian Beef
Thin-sliced roast beef soaked in jus on a French roll, topped with sweet peppers or hot giardiniera. Order it dipped.
Luke's Italian Beef
An old-school Loop grease joint feeding the office lunch crowd for more than 30 years. Well-seasoned gravy on a bun that holds up.
Al's #1 Italian Beef (Taylor St)
The Infatuation's #1 beef, and the Taylor Street original still roasts on site. Eat it standing at the counter like the regulars.
Johnnie's Beef
Ask a Chicagoan for the best beef and you'll hear Johnnie's more than anywhere. Cash only, a line out the door, and worth the drive.
Mr. Beef on Orleans
The real-life inspiration for The Bear, and a no-nonsense beef right downtown. The easiest classic for visitors to reach.
Tony's Italian Beef
The Infatuation's #2 in the city. The beef is good enough that you don't need to drown it in jus.
Carm's Beef and Italian Ice
Some of the best jus in town on excellent bread. It's a short walk from Al's, if you want a side-by-side taste test.
Bob-O's Hot Dogs
A Northwest Side stand that critics and neighbors both love: juicy, spicy beef with a proper giardiniera crunch.
Roma's Italian Beef & Sausage
A neighborhood stand with juicy beef and a gentle burn. Most visitors never find it, which is why it's worth the trip.
Southtown Sub
The South Side's pick: beef overflowing with giardiniera, eaten tailgate-style in the lot.
Chicago's sandwich
Thin-sliced roast beef simmered in seasoned jus, piled onto a long French roll and topped with hot giardiniera or sweet peppers. It's messy on purpose.
How to order:
- Dry, juicy or dipped: dipped means the whole sandwich gets dunked in the jus
- Hot, sweet or both: hot is giardiniera, sweet is roasted green peppers
- Combo: adds a grilled Italian sausage
"Beef, hot, dipped" is the classic. Eat it standing at the counter and lean forward.
For the full ordering cheat sheet, see How to Order an Italian Beef. If you love the giardiniera, try our picks for giardiniera sandwiches.