Few foods are as deeply tied to Chicago and Illinois culture as the Italian beef sandwich. Piled high with thinly sliced, seasoned beef and dunked in savory gravy, these sandwiches have built loyal followings for decades.
From neighborhood holes-in-the-wall to iconic city staples, Illinois does Italian beef better than anywhere else. Here are 13 spots where locals keep coming back, rain or shine.
Al’s Beef – Chicago, Illinois
Since 1938, Al’s Beef has been the gold standard for Italian beef in Chicago. Started by Al Ferrari on Taylor Street, this legendary spot has been serving the city’s most iconic sandwich for generations.
The beef is slow-roasted, thinly sliced, and soaked in rich, herby gravy.
Order it “wet” and dipped, and you’ll understand why Chicagoans consider this place a birthright. No frills, no fuss, just pure beef perfection that has stood the test of time.
Johnnie’s Beef – Elmwood Park, Illinois
Ask any Chicagoan about the best Italian beef outside the city limits, and Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park will come up every single time. Open since 1961, this cash-only, walk-up window spot has a cult following that stretches far beyond the suburbs.
The beef is tender and flavorful, the bread holds up beautifully, and the sweet peppers are a must-add. Weekend lines can wrap around the building, and every person waiting will tell you it is absolutely worth it.
Mr. Beef – Chicago, Illinois
Mr. Beef on Orleans Street is the kind of place that feels like stepping back in time. This no-nonsense spot has been a Chicago staple since 1979, and it earned a massive new wave of fans after being featured on the hit TV show “The Bear.”
The Italian beef here is straightforward and deeply satisfying, layered with well-seasoned, juicy sliced beef on a sturdy Italian roll. Regulars swear by the hot giardiniera, which adds just the right kick to every single bite.
Portillo’s – Chicago, Illinois
Portillo’s might be a chain now, but its Chicago roots run deep. Dick Portillo started this empire out of a tiny trailer in 1963, and the Italian beef sandwich has always been the crown jewel of the menu.
The beef is perfectly seasoned and sliced thin, and the option to get it “dipped” in hot au jus is non-negotiable for regulars. With multiple Chicago-area locations, Portillo’s made incredible Italian beef accessible to everyone without sacrificing one bit of quality or flavor.
Buona Beef – Berwyn, Illinois
Buona Beef has been a western suburb favorite since 1981, and the Berwyn location keeps that tradition alive with every order. Founded by the Buonavolanto family, this spot takes obvious pride in its slow-roasted, hand-seasoned beef that practically melts on the roll.
The menu also features Italian sausage combos and fresh lemonade that pair perfectly with the sandwich. Families have been bringing their kids here for generations, and those kids grow up and bring their own families.
That loyalty says everything.
Roma’s Italian Beef & Sausage – Chicago, Illinois
Roma’s Italian Beef & Sausage is a beloved neighborhood gem tucked into the Chicago street scene. This spot keeps things refreshingly simple, focusing all of its energy on making one thing exceptionally well: a deeply flavorful, properly dipped Italian beef sandwich.
The sausage combo is also a crowd favorite, pairing smoky Italian sausage with the juicy sliced beef in one magnificent roll. Regulars appreciate the no-attitude atmosphere and the fact that the food consistently delivers every visit, every season, every year.
Jay’s Beef – Chicago, Illinois
Jay’s Beef has been feeding Chicago’s South Side for years, and the regulars here are fiercely proud of their spot. There is something magnetic about a place that knows exactly who it is and never tries to be anything else.
The Italian beef is hearty and loaded with flavor, made with a seasoning blend that keeps people coming back week after week. The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the staff treats everyone like a familiar face.
That combination is rare and worth celebrating.
Tony’s Italian Beef – Chicago, Illinois
Tony’s Italian Beef is a Chicago classic that earns its reputation one sandwich at a time. The beef is slow-cooked until it is fork-tender, then sliced thin and layered generously onto a soft Italian roll that soaks up every drop of the rich, savory gravy.
What sets Tony’s apart is its consistency. Whether you visit on a Tuesday afternoon or a Friday night rush, the sandwich tastes exactly as good as you remember.
That kind of reliability is what turns first-time visitors into lifelong regulars almost instantly.
Bob-O’s Hot Dogs – Chicago, Illinois
Do not let the name fool you. Bob-O’s Hot Dogs in Chicago serves an Italian beef sandwich that holds its own against any dedicated beef-only spot in the city.
This quirky little stand has built a reputation for punching well above its weight class.
The beef is well-seasoned and properly juicy, and the giardiniera adds a satisfying crunch and heat. Visitors who come for the hot dogs often leave talking about the beef instead.
It is the kind of pleasant surprise that makes Chicago’s food scene so endlessly exciting to explore.
Chickie’s Italian Beef – Hillside, Illinois
Chickie’s Italian Beef in Hillside has been a go-to destination for western suburb beef lovers for decades. The recipe has stayed largely unchanged over the years, which is exactly how the regulars like it.
Consistency is the highest compliment in the Italian beef world.
The sandwich here is generously portioned, soaked in a deeply seasoned broth, and served on bread that holds together even when fully dipped. First-timers are often surprised by how bold and satisfying each bite is.
Locals are never surprised. They already knew.
Novi’s Beef – Berwyn, Illinois
Berwyn has more than one Italian beef legend, and Novi’s Beef proves the suburb has serious depth when it comes to this Chicago staple. This neighborhood spot operates with a quiet confidence, letting the quality of its beef do all the talking.
The sandwich is straightforward and deeply satisfying, with thin-sliced beef swimming in a rich, herby jus and topped with your choice of peppers. Regulars here have been ordering the same thing for years, and they have absolutely no plans to change that anytime soon.
Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage – Blue Island, Illinois
Blue Island’s Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage is a south suburban treasure that deserves far more recognition than it gets from the wider food world. The beef here is slow-roasted low and slow, developing a deep, savory flavor that hits differently than the competition.
The sausage combo is a local favorite, combining the juicy beef with a snappy Italian sausage link in one legendary roll. Pop’s has the kind of old-school charm that feels increasingly rare today, and the community around it is fiercely proud to call it their own.
Scatchell’s Beef & Pizza – Cicero, Illinois
Scatchell’s Beef & Pizza in Cicero is proof that some places get everything right from the very beginning. This Cicero institution has been serving Italian beef and thin-crust pizza to loyal locals for generations, and both menu items have earned serious street credibility.
The beef is tender, well-seasoned, and properly dipped, with just enough giardiniera heat to keep things interesting. Pairing a beef sandwich with a slice of their pizza is a combination that regulars swear by and newcomers quickly adopt as their new favorite meal.