Mr Beef On Orleans
Category: Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River North666 N Orleans St
(between Erie St & Huron St)
Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 337-8500
- Nearest Transit:
Chicago (Purple Express, Brown)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sat 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: None
115 reviews
Neighborhood: Uptown
"I love this coffee shop. You can't go wrong with comfy couches, FREE wifi, tasty coffee and smoothies. Most other places in Chicago have…" read more »
62 Reviews for Mr Beef On Orleans
It's only ok. Not the best beef I've had. The meat was just dry, dry = no good. Of course, I get mine dipped, who doesn't love a savory bread pudding? The Jus was decent. Love the seating, that needs a star on it's own. But this place is overrated. My dad used to take me to a location in the burbs when I was younger, but I remember it being better for some reason.
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Once you get past all the Joe Montegna and Bob Sirott photos on the wall, you have . . . a beef stand. Not that big of a deal, although many would argue, I guess.
The staff are efficient if somewhat surly sometimes, but again that's de rigueur for a beef stand.
The reason I am writing this review is to let people know something they might not know otherwise, a wonderful semi-secret, really:
MR. BEEF SERVES PEPPER AND EGG HEROES ON FRIDAYS.
That's it. Go get one. Put ketchup on it, or better yet, don't. I love pepper and egg heroes x 100 on a chalkboard.
I've been to Mr. Beef on Orleans about a half dozen times over the years and I think my most recent visit will be my last. There is just better beef to be had in (and around) the City, imo. Their's isn't necessarily bad, a bit above average, but why get average when you can get great at Al's, Johnnie's, Paradise Pup or (most times) Portillo's.
Here are my main *beefs* w Mr. Beef: For one the actual beef is sliced a bit thicker than I prefer (and tougher) and it also just doesn't seem to be as high quality. Again not bad, but the beef always seems more tender, less fatty, and all around better flavor at the places mentioned above.
Next is the almost stale-like bread they use...and I get it dipped, so this shouldn't be an issue but it is. Bottom line here, the bread just doesn't seem to be fresh.
Finally the hot peppers, a critical component to a great Beef. Theirs has too many diced up celery chunks and not enough actual peppers. The peppers they use are sport peppers (again diced) which I really like but there are no jalepenos or other peppers included as a solid and respectable giardiniera should have.
* Quick rant // There is always a guy out in the parking lot directing cars, usually terribly so, and making a general mess of the parking situation. And then when you get back in your car to leave he's banging on your window demanding money b/c "I keep the parking lot clean and Mr Beef gives me food for that, but helping park cars is something I do on my own, so can you spare some money ?" I can honestly say, if he were to actually do a decent job i might oblige but he always seems to make a clusterfvck of the situation. Apparently we Chicagoan's are incapable of parking our own cars in a lot, ffs, b/c this isn't the only place this happens at. End Rant // *
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Some restaurants are so unique that you have an unmistakable sense of place when you visit them. That's certainly the case with Mr. Beef on Orleans; it's a quintessential Chicago eatery. Don't take the street address of "666" as an omen of anything but the beefy deliciousness that you will find at this old school eatery.
The star of the show here is the Italian beef. It's a fantastic sandwich that's a French dip with a decidedly Italian accent. The sandwich features piles of thinly sliced seasoned roast beef dripping with the pan juices on a long Italian-style roll. The roll is perfect; it's crusty on the outside and softly textured inside, which readily absorbs the beef juices. I order my Italian beef "wet," so they dip the roll into the au jus before assembling the sandwich. You also get a choice of peppers to top the whole thing off. The "hot" version features Chicago-style giardiniera, but I prefer mine "sweet" with green bell peppers. They'll give you LOTS of napkins and you're going to need them, especially if you ordered the wet version.
Expect the service to be on the order of "gruff with a teasing wink." Every time I've been, the guys behind he counter could easily pass for goodfellas. This is one of those places that likes to razz the customers a bit to keep things interesting. They're not at all mean-spirited about it, so it's just part of the cool experience that is Mr. Beef.
The atmosphere at Mr. Beef is one of those places where you feel like you've just stepped into a movie set. There are two rooms. As you enter into the first room, there is a long counter where you will order, pay for and receive your sandwich. Take a few minutes to check out the celebrity photos that engulf the wall across from the counter. The photos provides a fairly comprehensive overview of Chicago celebrities from the past few decades. You'll also see photos of Jay Leno, Joe Mantegna and Joe Pantoliano. Paisanos!
You have two choices for where you eat your sandwich at Mr. Beef. The second room beyond the deli counter is the tongue-in-cheek "Elegant Dining Room." It's reminiscent of a prison cafeteria circa 1970, but it's all part of the groovy atmosphere. They also have a counter under the wall of photos in the first room where you can stand and eat your sandwich. If you go for the standing option, prepare to do the "Chicago lean." This is where you stand back from the counter and lean into your sandwich. Be warned that it's going to be super-juicy, especially if you order it wet. I will admit the first time I had an Italian beef here I wasn't fully prepared and I was wearing a long sleeve dress shirt. Needless to say, my first bite of the sandwich shot a nice stream of hot au jus up the sleeve of my shirt. You can't replicate a culinary experience like that just anywhere!
Mange! Mange!
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Jay Leno often hits up Mr. Beef on Orleans Street whenever he's in town. And the folks at Mr. Beef won't let you forget it either, as there are over a dozen pictures of him on the wall. If you're not one to take stock in celebrity endorsements, Leno isn't the only one who comes back to this establishment time and time again. Locals and tourists alike sing the praises of the Italian beef here, declaring it among the best served anywhere.
If you didn't gather from the name, this place is not veggie-friendly. The menu is meat, meat, and more meat. Sorry vegetarians, but this is what Chicago is known for. Sausage, chicken, chili, burgers, hot dogs, and the namesake Italian beef: it's all there, and it's all delicious. Order up a side of fries in a bag with a side of cheese, and you've got a Windy City meal. (Fries are hit or miss, but cheese makes everything better!) For a final touch of authenticity, more than likely the guy taking your order will be a lovable, hefty "eye"-talian goombah.
Mr. Beef may be big on beef, but he's not so big on seating. You can enjoy your bounty standing up at the counters that run along the walls, or step into the "Elegant Dining Room," where you can rub elbows with suits and hard-hats alike at two communal picnic tables.
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lets play a game. see how many sexual allusions you can pick up in this review. yay!
dude, its called mr. beef! a name you cannot say without simultaneously giggling and averting your eyes in shame. I've said this before, but I come from an entire family of Chicago lifers and these people are serious about their hot dogs and their italian beefs. So when I took the man to my familial hometown they all screeched about Mr. Beef and how we needed to go.
first of all, the typical chicago stereotype of an italian boy stood behind the counter to take our order. He called me sweetheart and I almost peed my pants. I ordered an italian beef (again averting eyes in shame because i have a sick mind and ordering an italian beef from a little tiny sweating italian man was just too much for my third grade brain).
the heaving mass that he plopped in front of me was seriously the greasiest italian beef i have ever had in my life, though. I mean, it was good, but jesus christ. Also - lets please leave celery out of my peppers.
the people who run this place are worth the trip alone - our meal had a backdrop of cursing and sweating and screaming which was oddly reminiscent of my own family, so it felt somewhat like home.
Oh come on, who doesn't love Mr. Beef. Just the silly name gets me all excited but in the end its the beef and the surly service and the fact that they have a parking lot that wins me over. I have a brother who eats very well and is the snobbiest of wine snobs......so we went here one day for him to be a rebel and laughed our asses off trying to pair the delectable shaved beef and au jus with the proper Italian wines. And the guy at the counter who called me darling....yep he gets a star for putting extra cheese on the already naughty sandwich. Old school place that makes fun of themselves and their elegant dining room of long tables and random newspapers. Only downside, no restroom for customers, kinda silly.
I was on a business trip to Chicago and I had heard from my co-workers all about this Italian Beef thing (my office is 50/50 Chicago/other people). So, not to let an opportunity go to waste, I decided to sample this uniquely Chicago cuisine. Not to be misled by different interpretations of a cuisine (for example "Chicago Style Pizza"...Im still not convinced even Chicago-ans agree what this is), I went to two places, Portillos (recommended by guys in the office) and Mr. Beef (recommended by places like Yelp.com).
From my hotel, I walked to Mr. Beef. On a side note, Mr. Beef is just outside of the tourist/business part of town, so I felt a little strange wearing my business casuals...but I put my life on the line for the quest! Anyway, Mr Beef is a little joint off of N Orleans, north of Erie. I had done just enough research into this Italian Beef to be able to order it with sweet peppers (I wanted to be able to taste the rest of the sandwich) and have it "dipped" (soaking with "beef broth"). An order of fries rounded out the meal to go. The guy behind the counter was a hoot and the presence of a police officer hanging out made me feel good about my decision (cops know the best local restaurants it seems). After paying (came out to be around $8 after tip), I grabbed my bag and headed south-east to Portillos.
Portillos seems to be the anti-Mr Beef as far as atmosphere. Walking in, I felt like I was in some sort of theme park. There were farm like decorations adorning the walls and the whole place was very spacious (which is rare for a downtown establishment...I guess Portillos does quite alright). After spending a couple of seconds assessing the situation, I made it over to the order line and placed my order...Italian Beef, sweet, and dipped. Again fries rounded out the order. Now it was back to the hotel and on to the judging.
Sandwich Size: Both sandwiches were comparable in size and price.
Winner: tie
Fries: Mr. Beef's fries were skinny and crispy. Portillos served krinkle cut. fries. Although Mr. Beef's fries had been sitting longer (due to going there first), they had more crunch and tasted better than Portillos. Portillos fries were still crispy, but didn't have as good a flavor.
Winner: Mr Beef
Sandwich: For me, the difference in the sandwiches were unmistakable. Mr. Beef's beef had a tender, moist, salty, peppery flavor with just the right amount of tender fat pockets...Im drooling now reliving the experience as I type. As a contrast, Portillos had a dry, flavorless quality to it that just didn't do anything for me other than make me yearn for more Mr Beef.
Winner: Mr Beef
So hands down the winner of my mini-Beef-off was Mr Beef. Ill make sure its on the list next time Im in town!
-ikiru
*enjoy the sauce*
I saw this place profiled on the Travel Channel and so when I made a trip to Chicago, I had to visit this place. It's in an odd location in Chicago but easy to get to via the El. The place is nothing to look at from the outside. It's just your old regular hole in the wall. As far as the food, I personally think it's overrated. It's good but it doesn't distinguish itself from the other places in Chicago that serve the same thing. For that reason alone, I say don't go out of your way to go there but if you're passing by, drop in a grab a sandwich.
Terse and to the point.
This is the best Italian Beef sandwich in Chicago, and therefore the entire planet.
It has been at this 'satanic' location for over forty years. Notice the reprint of a blurb from a Chicago Tribune newspaper in the late 1960s ("when someone gets on the Kennedy at Ohio and it looks like a parking lot") and let your jaw drop for the first time when you see the prices it was charging.
Its beef is from the Scala packing plant across the street and up a block. How I feel this distinguishes itself from other Italian Beef stands is its "hot" peppers. It is not mostly composed of capers. It has celery, carrots, and a juice that provides enough heat to taste everything without flaming out your taste buds for the next three hours. Have it dipped in the juice. The fresh bun will hold together.
The peppers are free and included with your sandwich. (Practically every other Italian Beef stand of which I know charges extra for peppers, which I classify as an annoyance. Without the peppers, it is an oversize roast beef sandwich. When the stand will not tell you in advance what *is* its charge for peppers, that classifies as a 'gouge'.) This place has the best prices in the neighborhood. Now, due to the increasing popularity of the area, it has been keeping late-night hours on Friday and Saturday (which is why I checked that box).
Jay Leno has been in here since *before* he appeared in "Collision Course". I think the name got him here the first time.
Yes, it is called "Mr. Beef" for a good reason. But if you get here on a Friday during Lent, you will be able to order a Peppers & Eggs sandwich.
Back in the mid-1980s, I was working for Sears in the Sears Tower. I had a CTA monthly pass, and at least once a week, I would go for a late lunch here. Why do I bring this up? On one of those days when I went here; I missed "Herb" - _*the guy who never ate at Burger King*_ [Remember that ad campaign?] - who picked *that* day to eat at the Burger King in the basement of Sears Tower. [Mr. Beef used to feature Royal Crown products. The beef always tasted better with a can of 'Upper 10' lemon-lime soda.]
Who knows? Maybe one of these days when I become semi-famous (or infamous - like any number of politicians depicted hereupon), there will be an autographed photograph of me on the wall here.
Transit options: Oops. I forgot this. The Brown and Purple Line "L" Chicago | Franklin station is three-and-a-half blocks away. Use the Superior Street exit. The #66 Chicago bus runs all the time. If you somehow got stuck at Navy Pier and cannot fathom {oops again} the prices the restaurants there are charging, go to the bus terminus and take it to here. The #11 Lincoln | Sedgwick bus runs _northbound only_ on Orleans until 8:00 pm on weekdays. [Take the "L" instead, ok?]
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I'd been itching to go to Mr. Beef based on all of the glowing things I've heard about the place over the years. As an Al's loyalist, it was a big of a push for me to try something different, especially since I now live in San Francisco, so my Italian Beef sojourns are increasingly rare.
The place itself is properly outfitted with the numerous signed, yellowing photos of local and national celebrities and heavy use of lenoleum. Service was quick and relatively friendly. So far, very Al's like.
But the product is where the differences showed. The Italian Beef sandwich was a bit dry, despite my request to have it dipped. Also the beef was not quite piping hot nor as garlicy and flavorful as Al's melts-in-your-mouth delicousness. Finally, the 'sweet peppers' I asked for amounted to three pepper slices. I usually see twice that.
Overall, it was decent stuff, better than most places, but not nearly as good as Al's Ah well, next time I'll go to Al's.
6... 6 6! the number of the BEEF! the best beef in the city. don't go anywhere else for italian beef if you're downtown. monsieur boef, je t'aime...
I'm probably going to make a few enemies with this review.
I'm guessing that if you took a pool of random Chicagoans, and asked them to name their favorite Italian beef joint, Mr. Beef would probably come out on top. Many of the local food critics routinely put Mr. Beef at the pinnacle of Italian beef-dom, and the place has built a strong reputation over many years of business.
But I gotta tell you, while Mr. Beef's pretty good, it's far from the best around. On my visits, I've found the beef to be too much on the dry side, and I am not a fan of the fact that they mix the peppers directly into the beef (I like mine placed on separately, thank you very much). The location is most inconvenient, and it's kind of dirty (and I have a very high tolerance for dirt at my fast food joints).
So, there you have it. Mr. Beef is an institution, so if you've never partaken, I think you should. As for me, I'll take my repeat business to Luke's or Portillo's.
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As time passes here on Yelp you will come to learn that I am the king of beef, if you think there is a Italian beef place I havent tried in or around the city name it and odds are ive been there.
I cant say that I have tried them all (I just found Little Joe's homemade beef in Countryside which is really good) b/c you never know but I have had most of them and I have consumed most of them in double digits and some in triple digits. Mr. Beef is OK, now its better than portillo's and the franchised Al's down the street and it is most likely one of the better spots for a tourist/visitors to try (most of the all stars are away from downtown and not near the lake) but it is not even close to making my "all-beef" team which consists of five starters as well as eight beef stands that come off the bench to get the job done
Look for my reviews of those places and every other as time goes on but I thought it appropriate to do Mr. Beef as my first post, I mean hey anyplace that Jay Leno's says has the "best beef" must have it then right? wrong. Again its good but if your telling me the real Al's on Taylor or Mr. Beef has the best beef in the world...then you havent visited the right places. Stay tuned.
It's an experience, I guess. There are a bunch of places in chicago like this though, and I don't see what's so great about the beef. But my friends seem to crave it.
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As a non-Chicago native, I had never heard of an Italian Beef before moving to this fair city. And after a resounding, "Whoa, what? You've never HAD an itAlian bEEf?" I decided to find out the most quintessential place to delve in for the first time. Mr. Beef was my winner, and I was well rewarded.
We got two hot-n-sweet beefs, a Dr. Pepper and an order of fries for $14.50. Then we walked over to the dining room a long, communal table with benches and dug in. The sandwich was awesome! Juicy and made the crusty bread a little soggy with jus. I would have like a little more giardaniera but what was there was tasty. The fries were sort of an afterthought which was disappointing but they were also $1.45 so... ah well. And the man behind the counter refilled our Dr. Pepper for free.
On the whole, I loved Mr. Beef and am excited about exploring other beefs from other beeferies. But this will definitely give Wiener's Circle a run for its money as my favorite gluttonous dive.
Definitely better than Portillo's, and seems to be on the edge of greatness, if the beef was just a little less dry.
Definitely gets bonus points for the cool interior and "elegant dining room".
I particularly will always have comical memories of the drunk Russian guy and his girlfriend, who couldn't master sitting on the dining room picnic table bench and fell off. Then ended up with her feet pointing in the air like it was the most normal thing in the world, all the while cursing in Russian. Nothin' but class, at the Mister Beef, I tell ya!
Of all the beef and dog places reviewed, this one is for sure the MOST OVER-HYPED place of them all..(Al's close 2nd).. Who gives a hoot if an OUTSIDER, famous or not eats there!! Whats that say anyhow? LOL..a New Yorker or a pudwacker from LA likes it? that in itself is a not to goodof sign. I give it 3 only because if I hear or read another review about that NON-VIENNA sell out Portillo's again, I am gonna go by a BMW..become a Cubs fan and get my hair done at a "Stylist" and just get it over with!!! LOL.....HINT...If you have to "chew" the beef, its garbage! JOHNNIES is the KING and these guys are the peasants.
I've been coming here for 20 years. I'm so lucky I don't live in Chicago anymore, otherwise I'd be 100 pounds heavier. I'd eat here every day if you let me. The Beefs are the best. Double dipped is the way with hot peppers.. oh man, if it wasn't freezing out there right now I'd get on a plane and come grab one right now. my mouth is watering just writing this review.
They have a huge "dining room". Well it's a long picnic style table the runs the length of the room, where everyone sits down, and eats. not talk, just eat, who can talk with all the beefy juicy goodness dripping down your arm.. The room is covered with Chicago paraphernalia and there Blues Brother "statue" thingy at the end of the room.
Anyone that makes a visit to Chicago needs to experience this place, and if you don't like it, well then I guess you wouldn't make a good Chicagoan.
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This beef sandwich is warm and juicy enough to inseminate. Thanks to the eagle scout who introduced me to this one. Better than Bueno, though not as entrepreneurial.
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I like it hot and wet. Sometimes I ask for a sausage (pronounced saaasage) and bam a combo.
One of the best beefs in the city. Plus the decoration on the walls in their 'dining room' are good old school Chicago. What more can you ask for.
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Yum! that's my opinion of the Italian beefs at Mr. Beef. I have to say that any food that drips meat juice all over my hands while I'm eating it gets points with me. I only wish that the giardiniera was spread out over the sandwich a bit more. the fries are alright, but is this place called Mr. Potato? No!
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Mr. Beef, I love you.
Eating your sandwiches are like eating pure happiness stuffed between a delicious italian roll that, of course, has been soaked in your happy juices.
That sounds dirty.
But seriously, Mr. Beef, I am hungry and dreaming of you right now.
TIP: For a "lighter" meal try the italian subs from the Deli. Really one of the better Subs in town.
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This is testosterone overload...... It's an all male cast here with an all man-eaters type of menu.... Fast, loud, greasy and very Italian.
This landmark restaurant is an institution, long here before the area was remotely even considered trendy.
The food typical Italian and American fast food. The fries are pasty looking, bland and very greasy. They need to be improved! The sandwiches are tasty but again not for the health conscientious minded person.
Food isn't bad but, there are better places to feel like a real man.
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I am always on the lookout for a good hot dog, and these guys do not disappoint. I rate my hot dogs on the "snap" you get when you bite into it, and these got some serious snap! The fries are decent, and I like the option of getting the cheese on the side, rather than putting it on the fries and making a big mess out of the whole thing. Minus one star for not having nachos or mozzarella sticks.
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I was really hoping this was a strip club. So imagine my dismay when I realized this was a freaking dumpy sandwich shop. It was even more of a letdown when I realized I dragged my vegetarian friend to an Italian beef shop (Oopsie!) with the word "Beef" in its name - which as I explained to her was basically a Philly cheese steak without the Philly or the cheese.
But man, the food and experience more than made up for itself. The guy who takes the orders stepped right off the set of The Sopranos and repeated verbatim to his staff (who were just inches away) everything we had just ordered out loud. Efficiency, baby!
We took our greasy subs loaded with sliced beef provolone and sweet peppers and headed for the "Elegant Dining Room" which transports you to a stunning ambiance of picnic tables, grimy walls and movie posters. Romantic. I love it.
I take one dip of my french fry into my cheese sauce and am hooked. This is how you do it with street food in Chicago. My sandwich did not disappoint. And the Soprano guy took it a step further and (all impromptu-like) made my hunny a *special* veggie sandwich concoction with cheese and bell peppers. Awesome.
At $20 for two, it's a little pricey for what it is, but worth it for the delicious food, experience and elegant dining room. Cash only. ATM on premises.
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This place is overrated. My beef was flavorless and the hot peppers weren't hot. In fact, I wouldn't really call them peppers but mostly celery.
For real beef try Al's on Taylor street or Portillo's.
While visiting Chicago, I looked up yelp reviews to find out what's the best local cheap eats around where I was staying. Less than a mile? Sounds close enough. I started walking and by half way I realized that it was further than I thought. After near 40 minutes of walking and plenty of sweat shed, I finally found this hole-in-a-wall little place, bought the sandwich (hot, with cheese) and a milk shake, was already exhausted and very hungry, decided to take a $12 cab ride back to my hotel.
So that meal ended up costing about $20 (geez), but was well worth it!! It was the greasiest sandwich I've had in my life. It's one of those things that will for sure give you heart attacks. The beef juice (or grease) was running down the sandwich and my hands and face were covered with it. Talk about messy food! Oh but it was so good. I had serious food coma right after.
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Prior to my departure, I was told I simply HAD to try the Italian Beef at Mr. Beef's.
I held my breath until i got to this place. I mean, it's gotta be damn good, right? I'd never had an Italian Beef, and I was looking forward to it. I even arrived, dying of hunger..........ready to chow. When Grace is ready to chow, restaurants can turn off their "open" sign because she might just clean the house out!
Not so at Mr. Beef's.
You know, it's alright. But holy smokes... this is not a 5-star kind of alright!!! I'd give the Italian Beefs a 3 stars, the Vienna Beef Hot dogs a mere 2 stars, and the fries were even less.... though serving it with a cheese dip did make it more worthwhile.
Flavoring was decent, yes - and the liquid pouring out of the meat, be it their own juices, mixed in with some oil and other seasoning, might be good on its own but I am so not into soaked bread with my sandwiches, and this thing was dripping wet - and not all of it was just "juice". We had asked for "hot" instead of "sweet" - and the peppers they used were mild at the very best. Nothin' hot about it.
The owners were funny as hell, we witnessed some entertaining conversations between them and other patrons, and we also spent a few minutes talking later on. Great men, funny, and friendly, too. I felt like I had walked onto an episode of the Sopranos or something. :-)
Also - - just for being a landmark, not to mention being beloved by all in the city - - I give it the extra star.
It's worth having - - but to my tastebuds, this was not 5-star sandwich by any means.
While sitting there eating, I had flashbacks to my wonderful Jake's Steaks CheeseSteaks. It was perhaps the only time I missed California desperately.............. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I just wish I had more time to try different Italian Beefs to be able to discern if it's Italian Beefs in itself that I didn't like, or if I just happened upon the wrong place to try as my introduction to Italian Beefs.... or for that matter, Vienna Beef hotdogs too!
The wall of celebrities was cool to look at, though.
Photos of all attached.
Cool joint - but 5 stars? I think not!!!
Solid 3-stars, good food, but nothing great.
(Sorry E... can't agree on this one!)
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Since when is Jay Leno an expert on Italian beef sandwiches?
The beefs available here are just OK, they're nothing great. If you've lived in Chicago for years, you've probably had many better sandwiches than the ones served here. They are very overpriced for what you get and don't really have much flavor to them.
The fact that this place is somewhat of a Chicago institution probably factors into peoples' opinion of the food. That and the minimalist dining room. But if you judge the place just on the food, it's not really anything out of the ordinary. Just another Chicago beef stand. However, if Jay Leno is your source for the best Chicago food establishments, this place is for you.
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One star for the name, and uh, one star for the name I guess. I had the combination sandwich and the "hot" sauce, which consists of italian beef and italian sausage topped with giardiniera and dipped into gravy. I seriously think we may have received an old batch of beef because it was brought out in a three-inch metal tin, not at all hot, and dipped into lukewarm gravy which didn't help. The beef was mediocre and the sausage lumpy and dry. I was also waiting for the "hotness" of the giardiniera to cut through all the grease but it never happened. In fact, the greasiness of the sandwich stayed with me all night. Overall, a very disappointing experience.
I like a place where the staff calls me 'boss.' Honestly, think about how comforting that is.
Before saying this is the best Italian beef in the world, I had to be sure. Long story short, after a long and fattening journey. I'm going to put it at #2 on my list with a bullet. Not bad Mr. Beef, not bad at all...
Only one small downside: On the right wall they have maybe a dozen photos of Jay Leno inside the joint over the years making that awful smirk and looking like a jerk. Something about eating Italian beef and seeing Jay Leno's idiot face just puts me off. Hope it's good for business, I guess.
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What do I know from Italian Beef? Jack squat - I'm from San Francisco where the phrase "Italian Beef" would probably be interpreted very differently (as would "Mr. Beef" no doubt). But what I do know is tasty, and the Italian Beef sandwich here is unbelievably tasty. Plus, anywhere that has a head shot of Christopher Walken has to be good.
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I knew a Mr. Beef located on 666 would taste delicious just like a newborn's blood...
Go italian beef!
I also heart how they factored in the tax so the $5 price on the menu is what you pay.
Go no-change!
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Fuckin awesome. I love this place. It's everything you should expect at a place like a small family run sandwich shop. We had the Italian beef/sausage combo. Man what a heart attack waiting to happen! It was fucking great. We shared the long picnic table with a bunch of Japanese tourists. Such meaty perfection. Should have gone here and ordered 5 sandwich combos instead of that trip to Bistro110.
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My favorite Mr. Beef meal is the Italian beef with hot peppers, fries and a Fanta grape soda.
Oh Mr. Beef, I wish you delivered to California.
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After pizza and dogs, this is my other Chicago food fav. Picnic benches add to the environment as you eat bread soaked in the Italian beef's juices, and make a mess of it all.
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The perfect place to recharge after an evening of salsa at Excalibur. Good beef, good music, great fries!
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I'd heard a lot about this Chicago landmark. While I give it two thumbs up for longevity and neighborhood charm.....the italian beef sandwich needs a little more of a kick. I could see how the flavors would be superb if you were hammered looking for that 3am snack. But at 4pm on Wednesday my friend and I agreed a slice of provolone or muenster would have added to the dipped sammy.