The Best Italian Beef in Chicago | Cheapest Italian Beef vs Most Expensive

[@AdamandMadalyn]

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[@soxbearshwks8988]

growing up in Elmwood Park 50s-60s we went to Johnnies on North Ave. for beef.. BUT being Catholic we couldn't eat meat on Fridays, so Johnnies offered a pepper and egg sandwich... i'm craving one right now....

[@djabacus1972]

Johnny's is the best hands down!!!!

[@anthonybottigliero8336]

OMG Johnnie's is so good. They're still workin' it! Also great is the hotdogs at nearby Gene & Jude's.

[@comelliawilson9696]

I loved this, I’m from Chicago and I’m going home 4th of July week and I can’t wait to try Bari. Thanks for sharing

[@qbertq1]

Looks like you had one Italian beef sandwich, a roast pork sandwich, and two Philly cheesesteaks.

[@yooperdog]

I'm hungry, I miss my Chicago good eats. Yum.

[@kentrnka4977]

Novi's beef on Oak Park Avenue and Ogden in Berwyn is what I grew up on and it was great

[@theguynamedgio]

Novi’s beef is solid I just find their giardinara to be off putting if you expect more of a traditional oil based giardinara . It’s very vinegary like a picked giardinara

[@markd4741]

Back in the day in the Chicago Italian Neighborhoods, there were Bakeries scattered all over for many long decades. As time passed, and perhaps due to convenience, there were large Bakers who could provide such fresh breads daily delivered, and of course in the 60's on forward, Gonella became the simple "Gold Standard" in the windy city. I was born-raised on Taylor St, so I have personal experience. You'd see the trucks pull up and delivering bags and bags of bread.

[@richpatterson306]

You have to go to The Original Nottali &Son on Belmont,the best Italian Deli in Chicago,none better 🤌

[@sherrytrobinson1546]

For $29.00 dollars. You take your time going to the market. You probably make your own for the same price. Nobody trying to pay their mortgage 😊

[@harryowen4734]

Try J's beef.a little over 8.00$.about 8.50$ .big sandwich feels like a 1/2 pound. 4410 n Narragansett. You can't go wrong

[@bryannelson6139]

Thank you for the review. I will definitely check out these places the next time in Chicago. I live in Minneapolis and all I can say is thank God for Portillo’s. I couldn’t survive here if I didn’t have Portillo’s and I would have to move to Chicago.

[@christinamolaro496]

Been in the business. Johnny's is the best and I can name a few close second's. True Italian beef it starts with good inside round baked fresh with great spices it's all in the au jus. A lot of places don't even make their homemade beef and slice it fresh anymore they get it brought in and it's frozen LOL.The SPICES make the beef and the BREAD makes the sandwich of which D'amato's bread is the best!! in the city you should not have to add Peppers or hot giardiniera to make it taste good. That's like going to Portillo's😂 Al's is tasteless not enough spices in their juice and the people that are eating it don't know the difference because they're loading it up with hot peppers LOL😂 when you can eat an Italian beef without all the extras don't get me wrong I love my mozzarella and my hot giardiniera then you know it's a good beef. And Johnny sweet peppers are the best roasted and flavored just right. And their pepper and egg is the bomb with some beef juice on top and the prices are way better than some of these other joints. Bon appetit🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@meltonsonthemove]

Johnny's in Chicago was great. We had it dipped but I would advise maybe on the side.

[@LuvSubbin]

We learned something - we've never heard of the Chicago Italian Beef sandwich. Chi Town is on our list to visit soon (U-505 and the Pullman Museum) and we will add a tasting to our trip!

[@BlockchainMoney87]

Pullman museum by my home

[@ashlieneevel9671]

Have an Italian Beef dipped with mozzarella or provolone and giardiniera also try it as a combo with an Italian sausage and then also have a Maxwell St Polish

[@abstractsocietyllc622]

You have to go to Al’s. Southside places have the best beef

[@jacobcollier8966]

Make sure y'all get some Harold's chicken and try Lems barbecue

[@handzzondeck]

I think we're on to something here ​@@ashlieneevel9671 Let's call it a Chicago 3way

[@carolseniours9437]

Luke’s is a must stop for me when I’m in Chicago.

[@HenrySenk-nx9ud]

Who puts cheese wiz on an itialian beef. Have you tried Al's, Lulus, Scatchels, Johnnies, Ricobenes, Portillos, too many others to list.

[@patriciagoodman967]

Scatchell's Beef on the southwest side at Cermak off of Cicero Ave. They have the best Italian beef in Chicago. I stand on that.

[@mickeywelka5940]

Got to go out of downtown for better prices. Quality will also be there too

[@laurafoote214]

Johnnies!

[@40yrOldCoach]

MAXWELLS 87TH CALIFORNIA... $6 BEEF WITH PEPPERS... THE BEST

[@maureencora1]

TEXAS Has Portillo's Hot Dogs & Italian Beefs Locations 5 in Dallas / Fort Worth & Soon 2 in Houston. YEA! I was Made in Chicago, IL. (southside) I Love Italian Beef Subs.

[@VanBuchanan]

Hey Maureen! Where is the Portillos in Fort Worth?. Oh! How I miss the Windy City Street Food. Old Avalon Park guy from decades ago....literally decades ago.

[@luftwaffe6521]

@@VanBuchanangoogle map it my friend!

[@sychavez7269]

right lol​@@luftwaffe6521

[@anthonybottigliero8336]

How are they? I've heard some of the Portillo's outside of the Chicagoland area can be disappointing.

[@maureencora1]

@@anthonybottigliero8336 Well It's Better Than Nothing. It's Like a Cheesesteak Outside of Philly, PA.

[@hepplure6172]

Luke's is a must stop every Chicago trip!

[@etnod2345]

I’m glad I was raised in the hood because ain’t no way in hell $9 is the cheapest beef in the city

[@AdamandMadalyn]

$9 probably isn't the cheapest. But so many people had told us to go to Luke's that we decided to use it as our baseline for the video.

[@BrianUchiha1]

Bro chill of course u can get a $6 beef from a hood spot that taste like crap lol

[@geraldstewart2556]

Hell yea nasty af 😂​@@BrianUchiha1

[@theguynamedgio]

@@BrianUchiha1Johnnie’s beef was 5 dollars like 4 years ago. It’s about 6/7 bucks now. Nothing beats that beef especially for the price

[@leslierussell9317]

LOVED THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RaulMartinez-wu1sy]

They are the best 💯

[@jaybarma4498]

Scatchel's w/ jalapeno gardinera in Cicero

[@davidyoungsr753]

Definitely. Veggies so crunchy. Beef is excellent

[@warrenpaszkiewicz4789]

Went to portillos in villa Park in a parking lot...'87. Reeled me in then

[@carylee2002]

Al's beef on Taylor Street is the original. No need to say more.

[@boogitybear2283]

There was a place called Duke’s Drive In located in Bridgeview, Illinois, had the best Beef Sandwiches. Sadly the owner shut it down and retired. I miss that place!

[@darkpoet3174]

They reopened in Mokena, IL. Same family running the place.

[@luftwaffe6521]

Ah cruise nights at Duke’s

[@soxbearshwks8988]

@@luftwaffe6521 in high school early 60s, we would go to Dukes occasionally from Elmwood Park, cause we had heard that's where the muscle cars went on the weekends...

[@exploradorat3656]

Wish I'd tried it when I ate meat! Drove by often but didn't know that they had good ones there

[@cle-chi]

arabs took over harlem ave by 87th. bridgeview

[@johnkonley1421]

Tony's Beef 7007 S.Pulaski is my Favorite

[@leslierussell9317]

LOVED THIS!!!!

[@patriciagoodman967]

Demanzio's beef on Taylor off Western Avenue OMG! Westside of Chicago in the medical district. Italian beef are sssssoooooi deliciously good

[@brianschwartz7351]

How do you know do a tour of Italian beef in Chicago and not go to Al’s on Taylor or Johnny’s beef ??? May want to ask yelp top beef places next time! Lmao

[@AdamandMadalyn]

We went to both in a previous video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmLYYYeqj9N_pqc

[@sychavez7269]

these are the weakest beef sandwiches ever. Most all chicagoans go to Als beef, Johnnies and Mr beef. if your working in the burbs most go to Portillos, Buona beef.

[@christinezapata7777]

Chickies Beef is the absolute best in Hillside

[@Nikki-80]

@@sychavez7269true

[@patriciakirby5575]

Als is the best hands down in. Lived in them during college

[@BlockchainMoney87]

Never heard of lukes bread look fire

[@anthonybottigliero8336]

I've been wanting to get the Italian Beef at Kindling for a while, but I can't find someone else to go with! Yes $29 is a lot for a beef, it's also about the experience.

[@willydiesel2081]

Portillo's portillo's portillo's portillo's. I've had them all Al's Johnny's. Literally all of them nothing beats a portillo's beef

[@soxbearshwks8988]

i'm retired in Az. and i got to Portillos here in Tempe for beef/maxwell street polish...

[@stevefromchicago8277]

For a chain they are good and consistent

[@tomfilipiak3511]

Get a couple pounds of beef,some buns,some natural gravy,some guardian,at Rubinos,in Tinley park,roast some of your own sweet peppers,and you got a lot of sandwiches to feed the masses!

[@scottmeth5150]

@adam. Are you putting ketchup on your IB???

[@mickeywelka5940]

Buona Beef rates very high. Taste and price. Forget the $29 sandwich, that's ridiculous

[@michaelloucks4448]

You got that right mickey bro do you see how much money they want at McDonald's for a meal and mickey that's not even real beef .

[@ChiSox326]

The most expensive Beef looked more like a Cheese steak than a true Italian beef imo !

[@anthonybottigliero8336]

A lot of places (Portillos, Ricobenes, etc) you can order melted cheese on your sandwich. Kindling uses a kind of fancy cheese whiz. It's extra, you don't have to get it. But IMO, you're getting the sandwich for the experience, so may as well get the full experience. I've also heard the fries are great, and you can ask for the fancy cheese on the fries as well.

[@ChiSox326]

@ it's definitely more of a cheesesteak imo I'm going to Johnnie's or Mr Beef or a ton of other places for a really great beef !

[@jamesmichaelyoung8563]

TONY'S ON 70TH SOUTH PULASKI...TRIED EM ALL!!! THE BEST!!!

[@danquirk1686]

Italian beef started out as a cheap meal. $29.00? Don't think so

[@sidwhitten1503]

I have a comment to make if you want a good beef sandwich go to Mickey’s drive-in on Manheim Road in Bellwood, Illinois. Best beef sandwiches. You’ll find anywhere had a reasonable price.

[@barbarafriedkin5093]

Yep Al's the original I'm stuck in Arizona but they have Luke's and it's homemade great and cheap and it's in Arizona and Phoenix

[@davegrimpe9052]

They now have a Portillo’s in Surprise Az !!!!

[@joellatchin1361]

MR.BEEF on Harlem just south of Irving Pk. Rd....................................................................

[@AdventureVanMan69]

Grew up not far from Tony’s Italian Beef on 70th and Pulaski on theSouth Side. Easily my favorite ad not too far from Nick & Vito’s pizza!

[@tomfilipiak3511]

Nick and Vito’s pizza,a big scam,nothing to it,had it last year and one of the worst I ever had!I have had their pizza before nothing to write home about!Home run in on Archer,really good!

[@barbarafriedkin5093]

Out of all these Lukes is the best and cheapest. And I don't want newsprint on my $40 Italian beef

[@keithmasumoto9698]

Willis Tower, but I also still call it Sears tower.

[@AdamandMadalyn]

Old habits die hard. I’m sure if I had said Willis Tower everyone would have told me it was Sears lol

[@colleenshea7626]

Me too.

[@chrishelbling3879]

Sears' Tower, not a tourist trap at all?

[@crazylola4032]

I knew when I saw them at Luke’s they didn’t know real Chicago food

[@diannegazzola1957]

Best I Chicago are no longer unfortunately in business Margie's beef and Boston beef

[@maureencora1]

Do You Know How Many Italian Beefs You Can Get For $29.99?

[@dennismiller7082]

10

[@maureencora1]

@@dennismiller7082 Italian Beef For $2.99?

[@paulieramos]

​@maureencora1 he's still stuck in 1975

[@ChiSox326]

Bari used to make great sandwiches but now there just ok as they switched bread and don't use D'Amato's bread anymore ! But D'Amatos is right next door to Bari lol and the best Cold cut sandwich in the city is J.P Graziano's

[@johndavic7468]

anyone who pays more thatn 10 bucks for an Italian beef is out of their mind

[@michaelweed9583]

There ain’t no sausage link in Italian Beef !!!!!!!!!! Looked good though ☮️💙

[@vivsavage13]

Johnnies Beef is my favorite. There is a lot of good Beef places though. There's like 3 to 5 places that are probably a cut above the rest.

[@charmaneholland3960]

Hey folks, Portillos also ships their food all over country.📦

[@RWildekrav66]

I’ll take Pop’s Italian Beefs any day of the week , dipped or with just a little gravy to me the best . Plus they don’t skimp on the beef and they have a regular size and a large size . The best beef I ever had was Jimmy’s Hot dogs on Belmont and Kilbourn but that was years ago and Jimmy’s was the first to make gravy bread , we as kids never had much money if any and Jimmy would take a big piece of Italian bread dunk it in gravy and give it to us for a nickel. Another place was Boobies on River Rd (?)

[@springjoy6804]

AGREE!!! POPS BEEF IS THE BEST!!!

[@eightknots425]

Get your beef sandwich at portelle

[@ChristSotos-fy4vw]

Pepinos, originally in Calumet City now in Schererville Indiana still same owners

[@rickypickles5046]

DIPPED is the only way!

[@springjoy6804]

Pops Beef (South side and burbs) is by far the BEST! I am a recent transplant to the North Side and have been to most of the recommended places to try..... NOTHING beats Pops!!

[@sidwhitten1503]

If you want a real Italian beef sandwich go to Mickey’s on Mannheim Road in Bellwood is the best Italian beef around. Try it. You’ll never forget. The only thing you’ll forget is that you ever went to Portillo’s and thought they had good beef.

[@sherriesteele-petty2998]

Thanks! Gonna try it ASAP! ❤

[@cle-chi]

Yeah had Mickeys before. Was a great tender sandwich!!

[@samclontz6175]

Lil Joes Countryside IL

[@Wintersnowfall8]

I think the Netflix show The Bear drove up the prices.

[@davidyoungsr753]

Must take advantage of the market. If you know where to go prices still good

[@christopher1459]

Als beef..hands down the best, a close second is Serrellis on North Ave. Pete's in Oak Park, Ridgeland and Roosevelt Rd..Johnnies was always good, until they sold out, and the sandwich is cut in half and double the price..

[@abstractsocietyllc622]

Ok so great video but yall missed all the best places I’ve lived in Chicago my entire life and never heard of the places you guys went. You missed out on the best chicago has to offer. Al’s #1 Italian beef it was on diners drive in and dives 1079 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607 Mr. Beef 666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654 Try these when you guys come back Ferros 200 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616 Fabulous Freddie’s Italian Eatery 701 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616

[@AdamandMadalyn]

This was a follow up video to another we made previously. We went to both Al’s and Mr. Beef! We will have to add Ferros and Fabulous Freddie’s to the list for next time! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmLYYYeqj9N_pqc

[@LynnPost-p7g]

Bouna Beef in Berwyn

[@1123mo1]

Luke’s looked the most true to form. Kindling and the rest, meh! Call those sandwiches something else. If I order a hot dog and get a delicious burger, doesn’t quite make it a hot dog?

[@jameschaloupka4905]

These are beef in name but not really Italian beef. Too much fluff to be an original Italian Beef. Let's go to Als on Taylor, Johnnies in Elmwood Park, Portillos any location, Carms, and these would probably Buona which has become a black pepper sandwich with some beef flavoring.

[@rvkumar2845]

i accidentally saw one video recently. I liked the presentation so i went back to see all the previous videos. But one thing i noticed is that despite being good videos very few views. so revenue from it could be less. are you full time youtubers or working somewhere or doing business?

[@bears4671]

The beef is the most important but dont underestimate how important the fries are, its always Portillos for me

[@NameMeDan1]

No Jay’s Beef or Johnnie’s Beef?!?

[@AdamandMadalyn]

We went to Johnnie’s in a previous video!

[@raloufen4292]

Commercials interupted the verdicts on the food. Every. Time.

[@mjfixitman1]

The ink on the newspaper 🤔

[@dennishenderson2294]

I've had Italian beef sandwich in Chicago. but I think Hotdogopolus in Boca Raton in south Florida has the best I've had. The owner is from Chi.

[@georgepalmerin4514]

Suburban people

[@christinamolaro496]

Sounds Greek not Italian LOL

[@theresabergesson-rp5ez]

I won’t yell at you about that last beef sandwich because I am only buying good ingredients even if it means less food because you can taste good ingredients

[@edwardjonesjr2519]

Paradise Pup

[@bentbooster012]

Jays is da bomb

[@gregorydonohue8789]

Madalyn, you are beautiful. All due respect to you and your fella Adam. Just keepin it real.

[@miked2u1]

Did you dip that Luke's beef in KETCHUP!??? 🚫🚫🚫 Your opinion is canceled.

[@cbatta2025]

The Filipino sandwich isn’t even a “beef”. 😂

[@AdamandMadalyn]

Yep. We said we were cheating with that one

[@peterbrettner9803]

Jays beef is the best beef.

[@rochechitown]

You gotta come into the city & get the real! The BEST Italian beef I've had are: Damenzos 2324 W. Taylor Street Scatchells 4700 W. Cermak Al's all over Portillos all over croissant & cheddar Gioacchino's 5201 St. Charles Road Bellwood, IL Mr. Greek Gyros 234 S. Halsted Also don't sleep on The gym shoe sandwiches in Chicago too 🔥🔥🔥

[@scottdowns2934]

Skimpy beef portions. Put more beef on . Charge more.

[@franciszajauskas35]

You guys skip so much Buona Beef Portillo's Al's Johnny's nottali tonys the list goes on and on you need a true Italian beef not a Fufu beef like you guys are trying and for $29 I'll go buy a top round and make my own beef

[@AdamandMadalyn]

We went to Al's, Johnnies, and Portillo's in our previous video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmLYYYeqj9N_pqc

[@allcountypavingsealcoating646]

Portillos is the best

[@christinamolaro496]

Portillo's for people that don't know good Italian beef you have to add hot sharpener to make it taste good LOL

[@brianbaznik7794]

I did not see a single Real Italian Beef. Mild? Sausage? God forbid Cheese!!!!!!???? Come back and try 3 to 5 Beefs. Order all by saying; Sweet, Hot and juicy! You will be having Chicago Beef then.

[@colleenshea7626]

Dunk the WHOLE beef. Hot and wet, hot and or sweet peppers and WET!!!

[@STAR-RADIANCE]

This is absolute torture 😮!

[@dennismiller7082]

Nick's gyros got the best Italian beef sandwiches

[@bigjer2899]

Downtown Chicago ?? No thanks…I value my life…LOL…LOL

[@1crustycritter]

You watch to much fox bud

[@glennjoselane1690]

Al's Italian Beef beats them all!

[@borrego54559233]

Why are these two dopes getting a Bari sandwich and sitting in the Damato’s seating area… blasphemy!!! Beat it

[@oldfarmshow]

😳❤️👍

[@jeanneberndt118]

Johnnie's is the best

[@rickdoehler502]

Got thru your 1st place, bye bye

[@heatherdashrae2]

No, the pork sandwich doesn't count.

[@jb-fh2og]

i thought i wanted to watch this video bit these people are weird af

[@williambukovsky3591]

DISGUSTING CUT THE BEEF IN HALF OR EACH BUY YOUR OWN BEEF 🥩

[@JoanRodriguez-g3j]

Go to Portillo's!!!

[@davidmontville4885]

Not as good after the sale

[@luftwaffe6521]

They are expensive and skimp on the meat. Too corporate now.

[@tomfilipiak3511]

Portillos,hit and miss,same with pops!