Quick answer
From Al's #1 on Taylor Street to Johnnie's in Elmwood Park — the best Italian beef sandwiches in Chicago, editor-curated.
- Best overall
- Al's #1 Italian Beef
- Top pick
- Al's #1 Italian Beef
Top verdicts
- Al's #1 Italian Beef: Lean over the counter when you eat — Chicago beef-stance is real, and you'll otherwise wear the gravy down your front.
- Johnnie's Beef: Cash only, no seating, no frills — and the line moves fast once it's moving; bring a friend so one of you can hold the curb spot while the other orders.
- Mr. Beef on Orleans: Lunch lines now feature TV-show pilgrims; come at 11am sharp or 2pm to skip them.
Area map
All 11 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al's #1 Italian Beef | restaurant | mid | 1079 W Taylor St, Little Italy |
| 2 | Johnnie's Beef | restaurant | mid | 7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park |
| 3 | Mr. Beef on Orleans | restaurant | mid | 666 N Orleans St, River North |
| 4 | Bari Foods | restaurant | mid | 1120 W Grand Ave, Near West Side |
| 5 | Tony's Italian Beef | restaurant | mid | Chicago |
| 6 | Portillo's | restaurant | mid | 100 W Ontario St, River North |
| 7 | Bob-O's Hot Dogs | restaurant | mid | South Side, Chicago |
| 8 | The Giant | restaurant | mid | 3209 W Armitage Ave, Logan Square |
| 9 | La Palma Mexicatessen | restaurant | mid | Chicago West Side |
| 10 | Buona Beef | restaurant | mid | Multiple Chicago locations |
| 11 | Chicago Beef Company | restaurant | mid | Chicago |
1Al's #1 Italian Beef
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- The original Taylor Street Italian beef
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 1079 W Taylor St, Little Italy
- Price / value
- $10–18
- Why it made the list
- Al's #1 has been making Italian beef on Taylor Street since 1938 — this is the original location of one of the dish's claimant-inventors, and the gravy-soaked thin-sliced beef on a French roll is still cut and dipped here the same way it was 85 years ago.
- What to order
- A beef dipped, hot — sweet peppers if you want it traditional, hot giardiniera if you want the proper Chicago bite — and don't sit down with it: this is a stand-and-eat sandwich.
2Johnnie's Beef
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- The connoisseur's Italian beef pick
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
- Price / value
- $9–16
- Why it made the list
- Reddit's nearly-unanimous best Italian beef in Chicago — Johnnie's in Elmwood Park is a no-frills counter operation where the cash-only line stretches out the door at lunch, and the 4.6 rating across 2,100 reviews is exceptional for a place this casual.
- What to order
- A beef-and-sausage combo, dipped, with hot giardiniera — the combo with both meats on one roll is what makes Johnnie's the connoisseur pick.
3Mr. Beef on Orleans
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mr. Beef from The Bear
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 666 N Orleans St, River North
- Price / value
- $10–18
- Why it made the list
- Mr. Beef became a national name when The Bear made it the spiritual home of the show — but it's a real Chicago counter that's been there since 1979, and the beef is still made the right way despite the surge in tourist traffic. 4,200 reviews, 4.2 stars.
- What to order
- A beef dipped with hot — Mr. Beef's giardiniera is on the spicier end of the city's range, and dipping the bun in the gravy is mandatory.
4Bari Foods
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Italian beef from a serious Italian deli
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 1120 W Grand Ave, Near West Side
- Price / value
- $10–18
- Why it made the list
- Bari is technically an Italian deli on the Near West Side, not a beef stand, but the sandwiches they cut to order at the counter — including the Italian beef — are some of the best in the city. 1,800 reviews at 4.5 stars and the underrated beef sandwich on the menu.
- What to order
- A beef on a Bari roll, plus pick up some giardiniera and prosciutto from the deli case to take home — the sandwich is the headliner but the deli is why locals come.
5Tony's Italian Beef
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- A solid neighborhood beef stand
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Chicago
- Price / value
- $10–17
- Why it made the list
- A smaller neighborhood Italian beef counter that earns 4.5 stars across 980 reviews — solid neighborhood-tier rating that signals Tony's holds up against the famous chains for the locals who've been going for years.
- What to order
- A beef dipped with sweet peppers — Tony's is built around the classic format, and the kitchen's strength is in not overcomplicating it.
6Portillo's
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Portillo's Italian beef plus a chocolate cake shake
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 100 W Ontario St, River North
- Price / value
- $10–20
- Why it made the list
- Portillo's is the chain that introduced most non-Chicagoans to Italian beef — 8,200 reviews at 4.3 stars at the River North flagship confirm what the locals already know: the beef is genuinely good, even if Portillo's is now a national operation.
- What to order
- Italian beef dipped with hot giardiniera — and split a chocolate cake shake for the table while you're at it; both are Portillo's signatures.
7Bob-O's Hot Dogs
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- South Side combo Italian beef
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · South Side, Chicago
- Price / value
- $8–16
- Why it made the list
- A South Side hot dog stand whose beef sandwich earns surprisingly devoted Reddit love — 1,400 reviews at 4.4 stars — for a place most North-Siders have never visited.
- What to order
- The beef-and-sausage combo, dipped — South Side counter operations consistently nail the combo, and Bob-O's does it cleanly.
8The Giant
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- A chef-driven take on Italian beef
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 3209 W Armitage Ave, Logan Square
- Price / value
- $14–25
- Why it made the list
- Logan Square's modern restaurant from chef Jason Vincent — The Giant put a serious chef-driven Italian beef on its menu, and the beef-from-a-fine-dining-kitchen treatment is a different category entirely from the counter operations.
- What to order
- The Italian beef on the dinner menu when it's available — Vincent treats the dish with the same care as the rest of the kitchen.
9La Palma Mexicatessen
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mexican-Chicago Italian beef fusion
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Chicago West Side
- Price / value
- $9–16
- Why it made the list
- A West Side Mexican deli that serves an Italian beef alongside its torta menu — La Palma's beef-on-torta-bread is a Chicago-Mexican fusion you won't find anywhere else, and 1,700 reviews at 4.3 stars confirms it's not a gimmick.
- What to order
- The Italian beef torta with hot giardiniera — the Mexican telera bread holds up to the gravy better than a French roll, and the format works.
10Buona Beef
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Combo beef from Chicago's #2 chain
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Multiple Chicago locations
- Price / value
- $9–17
- Why it made the list
- Buona is the second-largest Italian beef chain in Chicagoland after Portillo's — a Berwyn-founded operation that's been at it since 1981 and is in the conversation among locals who actually live near multiple options. 5,600+ reviews at 4.2 stars.
- What to order
- A beef-and-sausage combo dipped with hot — Buona's combo is widely cited as the best of the chains.
11Chicago Beef Company
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- A focused, smaller-volume beef operation
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Chicago
- Price / value
- $9–17
- Why it made the list
- A smaller, focused Italian beef operation that earns 4.4 stars across 950 reviews — the rating territory that signals neighborhood regulars are treating it as a daily-habit option rather than a special-occasion stop.
- What to order
- A beef dipped with hot giardiniera — Chicago Beef Company keeps the menu tight and the focus on the sandwich.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chicago Italian beef?
Chicago Italian beef is thinly sliced seasoned roast beef (slow-cooked in au jus) served on a long Italian roll. It's ordered 'dry' (no dipping), 'wet' (dunked in the au jus), or 'dipped' (fully submerged). Always served with giardiniera (spicy pickled vegetables) or sweet peppers. The bread soaking and falling apart is a feature, not a flaw.
How do you order an Italian beef sandwich?
The correct order: Italian beef, dipped (or wet), hot (giardiniera). Say it as one sentence: 'Italian beef, dipped, hot.' Combo means Italian beef + Italian sausage on the same bread. 'Extra juice' means more au jus. 'Extra hot' means more giardiniera. Never ask for ketchup.
What is giardiniera?
Giardiniera is Chicago's secret Italian beef weapon — pickled vegetables (celery, carrots, cauliflower, peppers) marinated in olive oil and vinegar with hot peppers. Chicago giardiniera is oilier and spicier than the Italian original. Hot giardiniera has chili peppers; sweet peppers (bell pepper strips) are the mild alternative.
What is the best Italian beef in Chicago?
Bari on Grand and Johnnie's in Elmwood Park are the most-recommended by Chicago travelers. Al's #1 on Taylor Street is the most historic and famous. Mr. Beef on Orleans inspired The Bear. Each has different strengths — Johnnie's for the best overall sandwich, Al's for the most iconic experience, Bari for local consensus quality.
Is Italian beef a Chicago-only thing?
Italian beef originated in Chicago in the 1930s–40s by Italian-American immigrants on the Near West Side. While you can find Italian beef elsewhere, genuine Chicago Italian beef (proper bread, correct seasoning, hot giardiniera, the dipping ritual) only exists authentically in Chicago.
What is a combo sandwich in Chicago?
A combo is a Chicago Italian beef sandwich with both thinly sliced beef AND a char-grilled Italian sausage link on the same Italian roll, dipped in au jus together. The beef soaks into the sausage, the sausage fat enriches the beef — one of Chicago's greatest culinary achievements.
When is the best time to eat Italian beef in Chicago?
Italian beef is primarily a lunch food — most stands are busiest 11am–2pm on weekdays. Many stands close early (by 5–8pm). The best experience is a weekday lunch when beef has been simmering all morning. Weekend lines at tourist spots like Al's and Mr. Beef can be long.
What exactly is an Italian beef sandwich?
An Italian beef sandwich is a quintessential Chicago sandwich made with thinly sliced, seasoned roast beef, simmered and served au jus on a long Italian roll. The bread is often dipped in the beef's cooking liquid (gravy), making it 'wet' or 'dipped.' It's usually topped with sweet peppers or spicy giardiniera.
What's the difference between a 'wet' and 'dry' Italian beef?
A 'wet' Italian beef means the entire sandwich, including the bread, is dipped into the flavorful beef gravy (au jus) before serving, making it incredibly juicy and messy. A 'dry' beef means only the beef itself has been simmered in the gravy, and the bread remains undipped. Most purists opt for 'wet' for the full Chicago experience.
Where can I find the best spicy Italian beef in Chicago?
For those who love a kick, almost every Italian beef spot offers giardiniera (a pickled vegetable relish) to add spice. Places like <a href="#bari-foods"><strong>Bari Foods</strong></a> and <a href="#als-1-italian-beef"><strong>Al's #1 Italian Beef</strong></a> are known for excellent, potent giardiniera. Just ask for 'hot peppers' to ensure you get that authentic Chicago heat.
Is Italian beef only found in Chicago, or can I get it elsewhere?
While Italian beef sandwiches are synonymous with Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area, you can find versions of them in other parts of the U.S., particularly where there's a strong Chicago diaspora. However, for the most authentic and highest-quality experience, Chicago remains the undisputed capital of Italian beef.
What are some good Italian beef places near Wrigleyville?
If you're in the Wrigleyville area, your top pick for a classic Italian beef is <a href="#weiners-and-winners"><strong>Weiners & Winners</strong></a>, known for its solid, no-frills beef and convenient location close to Wrigley Field. It's perfect for a pre-game bite.
Can I get Italian beef delivered in Chicago?
Yes, many of the Italian beef spots in Chicago offer delivery through popular food delivery apps. Larger chains like <a href="#portillos"><strong>Portillo's</strong></a> and <a href="#buona-beef"><strong>Buona Beef</strong></a> are widely available for delivery across multiple locations. Some local favorites also participate, making it easy to enjoy this Chicago classic at home.