Battle for the #1 Beef Sandwich in America

Welcome to the "battle of the beef" the greatest beef sandwich showdown of all time! We've got @OmnivorousAdam representing the Chicago Italian Beef and Mike G Representing the Philly Cheesesteak
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Beef Prep
05:23- Bread
09:18 - Toppings
12:01 - Assembly
14:29 - Tasting
Check out @OmnivorousAdam
@CharlieAndersonCooking Long Roll Recipe - www.charlieandersoncooking.co...
HexClad Products - hexclad.com/prohomecooks
Follow me on instagram @lifebymikeg for behind the scenes action!
Music Credits:
Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
APM Music: www.apmmusic.com
Video Credits
Creator, Host, Co-Editor - Mike G
Co-Editor - Cooper Makohon
Motion Graphics - Raphael Oliveira

[@AdamWitt]

Dude... It was a pleasure chopping it up with you (literally). Kind of crazy. I've been watching your channel for 5+ years... it's odd seeing my face next to yours. You're the man. PHC/Brothers Green (IYKYK) 4 Evaaaa!

[@PaulyJaureguy]

This was the collab we needed

[@AdamWitt]

heck yeah dude. lmk how it goes.@@brentsmith7013

[@billdevlin2646]

This is the true Chicago beef. But 90percent of us get mozzarella or some sort of cheese. You did Chicago original but over time we have added the cheese. He updated the Philly and you didn’t. Don’t know what’s or who’s right. Love them both but the Chicago with cheese would have represented me and most at this point.

[@Jrrover]

​@@billdevlin2646 join the other 10% - an Italian beef is perfect without cheese! Just dip it in extra gravy next tim!

[@bengould2062]

What was the meat slicer you used? I have tried some of them and most home slicers are terrible. That one looked to work well. I have to make both of these.

[@flashpoint9135]

First both sandwiches looked amazing. Second, how did you guys not take the next logical step? Figuring out what you liked most about each and combining the best of both into the new glorious champion of thin sliced beef sandwiches?

[@DoubleUnitard]

Right?! I would have at least dipped the philly in the jus!

[@ecnova]

my fiance does that at a local spot we frequent. Chicago beef with the peppers, onions, and cheese from the philly. It's excellent

[@drechsla]

I usually order cheese fries with my Italian beef so I can poor half the cheese cup on it

[@erikhanson9391]

I always get my beefs (we just call Italian beef sandwiches "beefs") with grilled onions. Definitely non-standard but amazing. A Philly dipped (or "wet") is a great idea!

[@ad1312ad]

Really happy to hear you've seen Charlie's videos and have talked to him and decided to use his recipe! Dude is out there putting in a borderline neurotic amount of time and effort in to his experimentation and you love to see it. Reminds me a lot of Kenji's work on Food Lab tbh.

[@burkedm175]

Currently live in Chicagoland but also lived 4 years near Philly. Love both sandwiches (and city) immensely. If I were to pick a #1 beef sandwich, it would be the Italian beef because it is so beefy and tasty on it own. The cheesesteak gets an assist from the cheese and I know that cheese on anything is wonderful. That said, I will eat either with pleasure.

[@foragingadventures]

That cheesesteak looked incredible as Mike flipped it over from the pan

[@Exercise4CheatMeals]

What a sick collab. BEEF FOR LIFE.

[@CAFFIENEHOUND]

Big Beef Hot plus Mozz. Fry with Cheese, cake shake. Nothing beats that for me.

[@doodmonkey]

Just made a NYC chopped beef for my babe tonight. Lived in Philly for six years, from Boston. There is a place in my heart for everyone. In Boston, it's a steak, cheese, mushroom. Philly it's whiz, bun, steak.

[@mattcall5395]

Woah, not the crossover I was expecting to wake up to.

[@AnaLucia262]

I loved the vibe! I hope there are more videos 🌺

[@Demasx]

My mouth was watering like crazy when you guys started the taste test! 🤤

[@RameeHamad]

Been using that exact cherry pepper relish on my salmon salad wraps forever. It's great on everything. Love the channel as always.

[@51rwyatt]

Amazing video concept involving two incredible sandwiches.

[@tommanning7337]

AWESOME!!!!! You got Adam in the kitchen with ya. We’re from Chicago land, we know beef. 😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@jazzman_10]

I wonder if the way you are cutting the meat on the slicer makes a difference... I am from Spain and I assure you any butcher or cook here would have placed the meat with the short face towards the slider. I know for a fact that brazilians cut their meats different to us and they say that most of the distinct flavor is because of that. I would also have seared the garlic and spices altoghether with the meat when browning, they release more flavor than just dropping them in the sauce. The sandwiches look delicious.

[@padders1068]

Thanks guys, they both looked, and I'm sure tasted just as delicious! I'm now hungry! Thanks for sharing! 🙂🙂😋😋❤❤

[@jepolch]

I *loved* this video. Thanks Mike and Adam! I'll be making one of these sandwiches soon. Guess which one. Thanks!

[@dlgrilli]

This was a fun video. Huge Philly cheesesteak fan here, but that Italian beef - wow! I'm going to try to make it!

[@johnc9949]

I haven’t watched yet but this is the most important research. My bet is they are both amazing and equally perfect. I’m from Chicago but family from Philly

[@marcelaa.4116]

Los dos sandwiches son geniales. Aplausos para los dos 👏👏👏👏😍 Gracias por los detalles 🙌

[@camicri4263]

I would have both sandwiches any day! They look amazing! Great job! Both winners!

[@jacquelinemassinello3451]

Agreed !! Yum 😋

[@ETILHK54]

Your videos always make me hungry.

[@MrK-ti5lt]

My kingdom for that meat slicer! (Good video guys ! I plan on trying Josh Weissman's Italian Beef recipe soon and it'll be fun to compare it with these tweaks : )

[@Ben-ep1de]

They look delicious. If you ever come to Australia you should try out national meat sandwich, a bunnings sausage sizzle 😂

[@NomadOverNormal]

Oh my gosh this looks OUTSTANDING. Off to the grocery store

[@lukerk49]

Both of those looked 11/10 you both should be very proud of how great you are at cooking.

[@PASquared]

Philadelphia resident here of 3 decades...I don't think I've ever seen a seeded roll on a cheesesteak, nor have I seen anyone put Hoagie Spread on a cheesesteak. I'm sure it happens for both, but I've never seen it. Both of those are very common with Hoagies, though.

[@alysiabr]

John’s roast pork on Snyder has sesame seed rolls for their steaks

[@lesleywatkins1172]

Wow, these sandwich’s look amazing! 😊

[@steventodd2234]

This weirdly reminded me of old brothers green videos haha. Loved the colab!

[@taccosnachos]

Great collab! 🎉

[@ronmsharonm2708]

loved it!

[@prccap]

Love Adam!! His channel just keeps getting better!!

[@AdamWitt]

aww thanks dude!

[@JK4fam2008]

I want both of em!!! Those sandwiches look fire 🔥

[@RisenThe]

Something you should try for the italian beef is to put your meat in a hot pan, and then use the au jus to deglaze the pan. It quickly evaporates and sticks to the meat. This also works for the philly steak since the flavor profiles work well together.

[@micahsmom1883]

I love these type of sandwiches from the shops in Chicago, I can smell it now. We now live in the sticks, so I make sandwiches like this from our own beef cooked at home. It may not be authentic but it is also a good way to use leftover beef (but nothing beats the real thing) or make fresh. I think it is time to get beef out of the freezer to make these for dinner tonight, easy to do with such basic but good ingredients that we keep on hand all the time.

[@BradKaboord]

My choice would be half of both. I love both and like variety. Well done by both of you. See you on the next upload.

[@Mikesacco1B]

This video rocks. So geographically correct but perfect for someone wanting to make these at home

[@robbiedaniels2164]

Awesome video.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your content 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤

[@ditz3nfitness]

A good ol' sandwich just NEVER gets old!

[@mattmarzula]

Ground chuck. Course ground. Smashed into a patty. Grilled on open flame. Placed on a plain bun. Add a pickle and a squirt of ketchup and mustard. Done.

[@majoroldladyakamom6948]

A plane bun? 😢 Should be PLAIN bun. 😂

[@mattmarzula]

​@@majoroldladyakamom6948you're correct.

[@kathleenmead9259]

YUM! Happy holidays!

[@bettinahooper5344]

I’ve never had a Chicago chopped sandwich and was (oddly) taken aback there was no onion: I’d love to try it, but can’t see myself resisting caramelizing onions to chuck in the jus with the sliced meat….Lived near Philly for a few years (Pat’s all the way) and can’t WAIT for my range with griddle to get hooked up. There will be cheesesteak parties. I really enjoyed watching this- thanks!

[@torreyholmes7205]

Two great channels

[@adterpandrea]

THANK YOU for *not* putting whiz on the steak! Mass media has done a huge disservice to our lovely cheesesteak! Born/raised in Philly and *never* saw whiz on a steak (in Philly) till the late 80s when it started appearing on TV shows that way and the 2 places in South Philly started pandering to tourists. NOT a real Philly thing!

[@hannahreder9728]

Native Chicagoan- the beauty of the Italian beef sandwich is the goo. I think y’all messed up by just dipping the finished sandwich in the jus. I think the best part is when they dip the entire Italian beef sandwich in its big vat of juices, baptizing it. Once it’s wrapped up and sits for minute or two it turns into something else which I think captures the real essence of the Italian beef. Wrapping the sandwich after dipping in the hot jus creates a bit of steam so the contents of the sandwich turn into this amazingly gooey, rich, beefy experience. With the vinegar packed spicy giard added it’s just insane. Some giardeniara companies or sandwich spots add green olives to their giard too and it’s so good.

[@yooperdog]

Both look delicious

[@patrickhurley6668]

Gotta do the Threeway The Northshore Beef in MA Tender roast beef with James River BBQ, Mayo, & Cheese.

[@ennakarengonzalez3632]

This. T H I S. Didn’t know I needed this combo.

[@ichbinkyle]

I’ve eaten Italian beefs Monday through Friday this week. No one in the house likes it as much as me. I have to run to the store in a few hours for another roast and I’m out of bread. I’m gonna try Kaiser rolls because they’re on sale. I have so much gravy to use up! I’ll add cheese and mix the 2🤘🏼

[@proxgreen]

Great video mike !

[@old-fashionedcoughypot]

Awesome dough hook on the stand mixer! What brand is the dough hook, please.

[@XxGlassZebraxX]

Do you have a video that covers just homemade drinks? I’d love to see the way you make your matcha and coffees please! Matcha definitively seems like something I can’t get right.

[@chenzocosimo3250]

Both look amazing. Italian Beef is the best sandwich ever.

[@thaddeussykes757]

Enjoyed this video had both from there cities. Prefer a wet Italian beef could you all compare a New York chopped cheese next?

[@pandoraeeris7860]

The prime rib roll at Jolene's Market in Honolulu is the best beef sandwich (I order a side of mozzarella sticks to stuff inside it).

[@PitMasterJBackyardBBQ-up2rj]

Guys, absolutely wonderful! I've already duplicated both versions to a tee, and there is no king, they're both the picks I will use when feeding the people. They're just something great for everyone and they get the conversations going. Philly or Chicago? Are you willing to stand up (or battle) for your favorite?

[@JCrozier1]

Great vid! I want them both. anytime.

[@omark7204]

Fantastic video and collaboration! I’m in the market for a good meat slicer. Could you please tell me the make and model of meat slicer you bought?

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

Never had italian beef before but as a huge fan of a philly cheesesteak it looks just as good! Honestly my dream might actually be the italian beef style meat but then provolone cheese and giardiniera. Probably a cardinal sin to mix the two, but still.

[@susanoppat3138]

Sorry. Cheese every time baby! LOVED the sear it with the roll on top, then flip it for the sear on top. Mmmmmmm… salivating. The onions are REQUIRED. Loved you mixed them in.

[@joeweaver9913]

I'm a cheesesteak connoisseur but I had a French Dip sandwich on toasted sourdough the other night and it was amazing....at a bar named O'Rorke's in Gettysburg. Nice Irish pub vibe there

[@pinbi7]

French dip , not actually French , very much American , solid contender in this competition

[@preciouscoleis]

As a Chicagoan, I always get my Italian Beef with grilled onions and cheese. I know this is not traditional, but it makes the taste that much better.

[@jackrodosta7971]

Dam you both, I'm sooo hungry. Awesome video now I've got to make both, but with a Texas twist, on my smoker 😮

[@dversetto]

I’ve only ever had a Cheese Steak in Philadelphia. Never had one that I preferred to a Chicago Italian Beef. Maybe I need to try a Philly Cheese Steak in Chicago?

[@mondayrocks]

Would love your recco for a meat slicer!

[@rhondahunt9888]

I want them both!

[@theparanoidape6560]

Miss the brothers green, two legends cooking cheap, easy, and fun :(

[@ShawnC.W-King]

They're both Amazing and unique, ya can't compare both of them as they are uniquely different. The Cheesesteak is missing cheese whiz or provolone.. somehow the American cheese seems wrong.

[@adterpandrea]

I'm 60 years old, born/raised in Philly. I *never* heard of whiz on a cheesesteak IN PHILLY till the late 80s and started seeing it on tv shows. Whiz on fries not on steaks

[@tomb427]

You make me want primos along with Philly Cheese now

[@IrrelevantGeOff]

S’GO Adam!!

[@patrickquinn8995]

White American deli chz on the philly please. Yellow just not the same. Both sandwiches look killer though! Thanks for the vids!

[@ResearchQueen1]

This was fun 😀

[@ginonajiola4326]

I would call this the semi-finals. In the finals the winner of this competition would go against the roast beef po-boy from Parkway in New Orleans.

[@talkandeattv]

I have to say Italian beef not just because im a chicago native but because it has more balance with the giardiniera. A philly cheesesteak is just meat and cheese.

[@russbrewer2778]

Having had lived in Philly and now Chicago, it's hard to decide which is better. I lean more towards the Philly.

[@Ana-ls8rh]

They both look delicious but I'm gonna have to go with the philly cheesesteak! Cheese + caramelized onions for the win!

[@lynetteclauser3551]

What was that pot you baked your long rolls in and where can I get one?

[@larryryba4497]

Need a Round II: Beef on Weck vs Baltimore Pit Beef

[@ThorMccammon]

Beef on weck hands down the best beef sandwich in America. I grew up eating Italian beef at home and still has a soft spot in my heart. After living in Philly for 2 years the best sandwich IMO is not beef it's the roast pork sandwich at DiNic's. 😊 It's a shame Buffalo New York is only known for the Buffalo wings. The beef on weck is sooo much better and I love chicken wings!

[@SimplySteve117]

Dudes, You cannot pick between the two. They are both awesome sandwiches.

[@alexm2324]

Love this video, only critique as a Chicagoan is that you GOTTA go with hot giardiniera. Marconi is a go-to brand but you can't go with mild...gotta have that heat

[@alexm2324]

Also I've rarely seen someone get both hot AND sweet peppers, it's usually one or the other

[@Jrrover]

@@alexm2324 truth

[@Hollis_has_questions]

They're both nice, but if y'all want to experience heaven, you should make Mandy Lee's Miso-Stewed Beef French Dip Sandwich on Food52. She used short ribs and cut the meat with scissors just like Mike. But she toasted both kinds of bread - baguette and ciabatta - with generous amounts of melted butter on both sides of the bread. Then she put slices of provolone on both sides, on the inside, and melted them perfectly before piling the meat on. Her dipping sauce is the miso broth that she braised the meat in, defatted - although she used about 1-1/2 T. of the fat to mix into the meat. After dipping the sandwich into the broth, she literally slurped each bite down. Seriously, Mike, you should try some of her insane fusion recipes. Her cookbook is The Art of Escapism Cooking. The Mushroom Sauce is effing amazing!

[@Hollis_has_questions]

P.S. The 15-second Scrambled Eggs live up to the name, but use potato starch. And definitely serve them with the Mushroom Cream.

[@michaelpalmer3521]

Hot Beef baby! But I love vinegar. And JUICE Cheese Steak is also a fav w Provolone onions peppers mushrooms and something hot.

[@arceneaux777]

This is amazing - you cats play off of each other well.

[@jernigan007]

CENTO HOAGIE SPREAD IS AWESOME !!! Jersey Mike's pepper relish is better, imo. i love all Cento products

[@VorlonFrog]

If you visit New Orleans, you'd find a third contender: the Creole Pot Roast po-boy sandwich.

[@dcar7446]

Portillo’s big beef well dipped American cheese sweet and hot peppers or the croissant cheddar beef next best beef I’d say is Novi’s beef(Berwyn) they actually use that cherry tomato sauce but with blended in giardiniera peppers they also make a cheesy beef too it’s basically a wet or juicy Philly they dip the beef then top it off with nacho cheese I’ve known the traditional Philly to have provolone cheese grilled onions mayo and then you have the Chicago Philly which is white American cheese grilled onion grilled bell peppers mayo

[@mrnino5086]

cool video

[@51rwyatt]

I can see the NOLA roast beef po-boy hanging tough with this pair of sandwiches

[@user-zd9un7es9k]

Chicagoland native for 45 years, have lived in South Carolina 9. They have Phillies here, but no Italian beef sandwich 😢. To me Phillies lack flavor. I have learned to make my own😅 # Team Italian Beef

[@Ozzy87]

ahhhh the italian beef sandwich you’ll find no where in Italy

[@t4squared]

It’s called that because Italian immigrants in the USA made the sandwich. You can’t possibly be this dumb

[@pinbi7]

i thought the answer would be obvious , America #1 beef sandwich is NY pastrami on rye bread and mustard sandwich served with a giant pickle and some coleslaw on the side

[@PrincessYolda]

"Any sandwich is gonna be better with caramelized onions." *Suspiciously eyes his PB&J&Onion Sandwich*

[@jamesthomas4080]

Instead of a PB&J&O if you made a PB&OJ sandwich I bet it would be good. Maybe Stonewall Maple Bacon Onion Jam?

[@monicad351]

I like both just as much. As long as its not dry 😂

[@HazeGreyAndUnderway]

"For the sake of the video keep it dry" For the sake of the video YOU DIP THAT THING

[@marlonhereford5182]

No one in chicago eats it dry lol

[@Erik_Swiger]

I know what I want for Christmas this year. You guys come to my house and make sandwiches.

[@veece7846]

Help please what is bread conditioner for those of us that are not familiar with it sadly ? Thank you !!!

[@tommanning7337]

For the hell of it, I would have dipped the cheese steak in the juice. Yeah man!!!!! 😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@mizhopper]

How do you clean the deli slicer without hurting yourself?

[@MOVIMKR7]

I’m so hungry now