Chicago has invented many world-famous dishes, from deep dish pizza to the jibarito to the brownie and beyond. But few are as iconic, or as synonymous with Chicago, as the humble Italian beef sandwich.

This local creation has recently played a starring role on the hit show The Bear, but the rich and storied history of the Italian beef dates back much further. For almost a century, this iconic sandwich has been a savory, satisfying, often messy staple beloved by generations of Chicagoans.

With the premiere of the fourth season of The Bear, there’s no better time to brush up on the history of the Italian beef and discover some of the top spots where you can try one for yourself.

What is an Italian beef sandwich?

First, what are the crucial components of this Chicago-born creation? A classic Italian beef sandwich is made on a French bread roll, filled with thinly sliced beef, and topped with peppers. The finishing touch: an optional dip in a flavorful au jus bath.

While the original Italian beef is a hit for a reason, you’ll also find plenty of creative variations on the classic. Today, you can find Italian beef tamales, bao buns, egg rolls, empanadas, bloody marys, and more throughout the city.

The history of Chicago’s iconic Italian beef sandwich

While the exact story of the first-ever Italian beef may be debated, we know the sandwich originated here in Chicago within the city’s Italian community in the early 1900s.

During this time, many Italians came to Chicago and settled around what would become the Little Italy neighborhood. Looking for a way to feed large families on a low budget, these savvy Chicagoans would stretch a modest quantity of beef by braising, thinly slicing, and serving on hearty bread for a filling and cost-effective meal. And voila! The Italian beef was born.

Roma's Chicago Italian beef
Roma’s Chicago

This ingenious creation was also often served at Italian wedding receptions, lovingly described as “peanut weddings” because of their small budgets.

A guest at one of these weddings was Anthony Ferreri, a street peddler who began selling his own version of these beef sandwiches all over the city. Years later, Anthony’s children opened Al’s Bar-B-Q in 1938, serving their father’s signature item at a small beef stand on a corner of Little Italy.

Originally, Al’s Bar-B-Q was opened as a cover for a bookie joint. Sandwiches were cooked out front, and gambling took place in the back. As the restaurant’s reputation grew and their sandwiches became more popular than their illegal activities, Al’s slowly evolved into the famous Al’s Italian Beef.

Today, the original location of Al’s Italian Beef is still going strong. As the Italian beef has solidified its spot as a Chicago staple, the city has filled with tons of local spots offering their own version of the legendary sandwich.

How to order an Italian beef sandwich in Chicago

If you’re looking to try an Italian beef for yourself, you’ll want to learn the lingo first. Each sandwich comes with beef, peppers, and beef jus. You just have to specify your preferred combination.

First, choose from two distinct types of peppers. And yes, you can order both sweet and hot.

  • Sweet: Green or red peppers, sliced thin and roasted
  • Hot: A spicy mix of pickled vegetables known as giardiniera

Next, decide on the moisture level of your sandwich. The beef is scooped from a savory au jus sauce, but you can request more if you like your sandwich a bit wetter.

  • Dry: There’s no extra jus added to your sandwich and the bread remains relatively dry.
  • Wet: The sandwich gets a good splash of jus. The bread isn’t saturated, but things might get a bit soggy toward the end.
  • Dipped: Your entire sandwich is baptized in the au jus sauce, bread and all. You can even ask for your sandwich double dipped, if you’re feeling crazy.

Technically, you can also add cheese to your sandwich (typically provolone or mozzarella). But purists never order with cheese — that’s like putting ketchup on a Chicago-style hot dog. You might also see an option for a “combo,” which means an entire Italian sausage is added to your beef sandwich.

Whether you enjoy yours generously topped with punchy giardiniera and dipped in jus, or dry and loaded with juicy green bell peppers, there’s essentially no wrong way to try this messy, incredibly delicious sandwich.

Where to get Italian beef in Chicago

When it comes to Italian beef, there are a host of classic spots that are a go-to for locals and visitors alike. While many have been around for decades, there are also plenty of newcomers on the scene that are worth your attention. Here’s where to find some of the best Italian beef in Chicago.

  • Al’s Italian Beef: The city’s oldest beef stand, Al’s is Italian beef royalty. The original Little Italy spot is worth a pilgrimage, but there are also three other Chicago locations. Their signature recipe has remained largely unchanged for the past 85 years.
  • Johnnie’s Beef: Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park is a staple for a reason. It’s a cult-favorite that many locals swear by and has even attracted famous fans like Anthony Bourdain. Be prepared to wait in line to enjoy their authentic beef, Polish sausages, and refreshing shaved ice.
  • Mr. Beef: Located in River North, this long-time spot has quickly become one of the city’s most famous Italian beef purveyors thanks to its prominent feature in The Bear. The no-nonsense beef stand hits all the right notes and is a must-visit for fans of the show and Italian beef purists alike.
  • Carm’s Little Italy: In the heart of Little Italy, Carm’s has been serving Italian beef and Italian ice since 1929. One of the city’s oldest continuously running family-owned businesses, Carm’s is an essential stop for Italian beef lovers.
  • Roma’s Italian Beef & Sausage: Roma’s is a family-owned restaurant on the city’s northwest side that’s been slinging Italian beef for the past fifty years. Fans love it for the chunky giardiniera and flavorful sliced beef.
  • Portillo’s: While you can’t come to Portillo’s and not get a Chicago-style hot dog, their Italian beef is also a sleeper hit on this local chain’s menu. Paired with their crinkle-cut fries and a cake shake, their beef sandwich is often generously filled and deeply satisfying.
  • Odge’s: Head to Chicago’s West Town area for an under-the-radar Italian beef. Odge’s is only open for lunch, but the slow-roasted beef served on Turano rolls and paired with beef-fat fries (free with every sandwich) will keep you full all day long.
  • Southtown Sub: This South Side favorite has been serving subs for more than 25 years and is known for its classic Chicago sandwich, the Gym Shoe. They also offer a solid Italian beef option, filled with chopped (not sliced) beef.
  • Chef Cicco: Inside Navy Pier, this surprising food stall serves up a standout Italian beef option. The delectable beef is sandwiched in a crustier bread roll, which holds up to the homemade jus, peppers, and (very untraditional) roasted potatoes.

And Chicago’s vast Italian beef options don’t stop there. Other favorites in the area and the nearby suburbs include Bob-O’s Hot Dogs, Scatchell’s, Tony’s Italian Beef, Mugshots Bar & Grill, and Bari Italian Subs. Plus, Buona Beef is a family-owned chain with more than 20 locations across the city.

While there’s no shortage of popular beef stands across the city, there are also a handful of restaurants putting a creative spin on the classic sandwich:

There’s never been a better time to dive into the juicy world of Chicago’s Italian beef scene. The city’s dynamic food scene is known for its constant innovation and invention, and local restaurants are hard at work perfecting the classic Italian beef and dreaming up modern iterations with global flavors. You’ll just have to come try them all for yourself.