16 Illinois Italian Beef Restaurants That Rival Deep-Dish Fame
Chicago might be famous for deep-dish pizza, but locals know the real superstar is Italian beef. This messy, juicy sandwich stacked with thin-sliced beef, peppers, and giardiniera on a soft roll has been winning hearts for decades.
While pizza gets all the tourist attention, Italian beef is the sandwich that keeps Chicagoans coming back for more. From legendary family joints to hidden gems across Illinois, these sixteen spots prove that sometimes the best food comes dripping with flavor and wrapped in paper.
1. Al’s Beef – Chicago (1079 W Taylor St)
Walking into Al’s Beef feels like stepping back in time to when Italian beef sandwiches first became a Chicago obsession. The aroma hits you before you even open the door—beef simmering in spices that have been perfected since 1938.
This Little Italy institution is widely regarded as one of the earliest and most influential Italian beef stands in Chicago history, helping shape the sandwich into what it is today.
What makes Al’s special is their commitment to tradition without cutting corners. The beef gets sliced paper-thin and dunked in gravy that’s been simmering all day.
Every sandwich comes out dripping with flavor, whether you order it dry, wet, or completely dipped.
The staff works with lightning speed, somehow remembering every customer’s order in the lunch rush chaos. Lines stretch out the door during peak hours, but the wait is absolutely worth it for a taste of authentic Chicago history served on a fresh Italian roll.
2. Mr. Beef (On Orleans) – Chicago (666 N Orleans St)
Famous for being featured on TV shows and beloved by celebrities, Mr. Beef has earned its reputation one sandwich at a time. The crew behind the counter treats everyone like family, whether you’re a first-timer or a regular who’s been coming since childhood.
Their no-nonsense approach to Italian beef means you get exactly what you came for—quality meat, perfect seasoning, and bread that somehow stays crispy despite all that gravy.
The location near River North makes it a favorite for downtown workers looking for a real lunch. You won’t find fancy decorations or complicated menus here, just honest food made the right way.
The beef arrives perfectly seasoned, and the sweet peppers add just the right amount of sweetness to balance the savory gravy.
Don’t skip the cheese fries if you’re extra hungry—they’re legendary in their own right and pair beautifully with any sandwich order.
3. Johnnie’s Beef – Elmwood Park (7500 W North Ave)
Since 1961, Johnnie’s has been making pilgrims out of beef lovers from every corner of the Chicago area. The suburban location doesn’t stop people from driving thirty minutes or more just to grab one of their famous sandwiches.
What started as a small stand has grown into a beloved institution that has remained remarkably consistent over the decades, earning loyalty through tradition rather than reinvention.
The secret lies in their gravy recipe, which has customers debating its magical ingredients like it’s a state secret. Each sandwich gets assembled with care, ensuring the perfect ratio of meat to bread to peppers.
The outdoor seating area fills up fast during summer, with families gathering for casual dinners under the stars.
First-timers often make the mistake of ordering just one sandwich, only to regret not getting extras for later when they taste how good it is.
4. Portillo’s (River North) – Chicago (100 W Ontario St)
Portillo’s transformed from a hot dog cart into a Chicago empire, but their Italian beef remains one of their crown jewels. The River North location brings the full Portillo’s experience to downtown Chicago with a massive dining room that still manages to feel welcoming.
Their beef sandwiches come loaded with options—you can customize everything from the wetness level to the pepper situation, making each order uniquely yours.
The chocolate cake shake might steal headlines, but regulars know the beef sandwich is where Portillo’s really shines. They’ve managed to scale up without sacrificing quality, which is no small feat in the restaurant world.
The beef stays tender and flavorful, while the rolls somehow maintain their integrity even when completely dipped.
The fast-casual setup means you can grab a quick lunch or settle in for a leisurely meal, depending on your schedule and appetite for Chicago classics.
5. Buona Beef – Berwyn (6745 W Roosevelt Rd)
Family recipes passed down through generations make Buona Beef a special stop in the western suburbs. The Berwyn location captures everything great about neighborhood Italian beef joints—friendly faces, consistent quality, and prices that won’t empty your wallet.
They’ve been serving the community since 1981, building loyalty one perfectly seasoned sandwich at a time.
What sets Buona apart is their focus on freshness, with beef roasted regularly and carefully prepared to maintain flavor and consistency across locations. Their giardiniera has the perfect kick without overwhelming the other flavors, and the sweet peppers add a nice contrast for those who prefer less heat.
The drive-through option makes it easy to grab dinner on busy weeknights, though eating inside lets you soak up the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes Buona feel like your neighborhood spot even if you live miles away.
6. Pop’s Italian Beef – Chicago (10337 S Kedzie Ave)
On the South Side, Pop’s has been keeping the neighborhood fed with outstanding Italian beef since 1981. The unassuming storefront hides a treasure that locals guard jealously—they’d rather keep Pop’s their secret than share it with the whole city.
The family-run operation means every sandwich gets made with pride and attention to detail that chain restaurants can’t match.
Pop’s doesn’t need flashy marketing or celebrity endorsements because their food speaks for itself. The beef arrives perfectly seasoned and sliced so thin it practically melts in your mouth.
Their homemade gravy has regulars trying to guess the secret ingredients, though the family keeps that recipe locked down tight.
The small dining area encourages takeout, which works perfectly since these sandwiches taste just as amazing eaten in your car or at home as they do fresh from the kitchen counter where they’re assembled with care.
7. Scatchell’s Beef & Pizza – Cicero (4700 W Cermak Rd)
Scatchell’s proves you can excel at both pizza and Italian beef without compromising on either. The Cicero location has become a go-to spot for families who can’t decide between Chicago’s two greatest foods—here, you don’t have to choose.
Their Italian beef maintains all the traditional qualities that make the sandwich great while their pizza operation runs equally strong in the background.
The beef gets the same love and attention whether you’re ordering one sandwich or feeding a party of twenty. Scatchell’s understands that consistency matters, so every sandwich meets their high standards before leaving the kitchen.
The combination of quality ingredients and time-tested techniques creates a product that keeps customers coming back week after week.
Grabbing both beef sandwiches and pizza for a group gathering makes you the hero of any party, especially when everyone realizes how good both items taste together on the same table.
8. Frannie’s Beef & Catering – Schiller Park (4304 River Rd)
Near O’Hare Airport, Frannie’s serves as the perfect introduction to Chicago Italian beef for travelers and a reliable favorite for locals. The catering side of their business proves they can scale up without losing quality, but the counter service shows their commitment to individual sandwich perfection.
Every order receives the same careful attention whether you’re feeding two people or two hundred.
Frannie’s beef sandwiches showcase what happens when traditional recipes meet genuine passion for great food. The meat stays tender and juicy, soaking up just enough gravy to enhance the flavor without making the bread fall apart.
Their pepper selection lets you customize your heat level, from mild and sweet to spicy enough to make your eyes water.
The location makes it a popular spot for airport workers on lunch breaks, creating a lively atmosphere where regulars swap stories while waiting for their orders to come up hot and ready.
9. Mr. Beef & Pizza – Mount Prospect (1796 S Elmhurst Rd)
Mount Prospect residents consider themselves lucky to have Mr. Beef & Pizza in their neighborhood. Despite sharing a similar name, this restaurant operates independently from Mr. Beef on Orleans and has built its own loyal following in the northwest suburbs.
They’ve earned that loyalty by never cutting corners and always putting customer satisfaction first.
The beef here rivals anything you’ll find in the city, sliced fresh and piled high on rolls that come from a trusted bakery. Mr. Beef understands that the bread matters just as much as the meat—it needs to hold up under all that gravy while still tasting delicious.
Their sweet peppers get cooked to perfection, adding sweetness without turning mushy.
The pizza side of the menu means you can mix and match for family dinners, though many customers find themselves ordering just the beef because it’s that good and they don’t want to fill up on anything else first.
10. Jay’s Italian Beef & Sausage – Harwood Heights (4418 N Narragansett Ave)
Jay’s has perfected the art of the Italian beef and sausage combo, creating a sandwich that hits every flavor note perfectly. The Harwood Heights location serves as a neighborhood anchor where generations of families have gathered for casual meals and quick dinners.
Their commitment to quality shows in every aspect, from the seasoning on the beef to the char on the sausage.
The combination sandwich showcases why Jay’s has such a devoted following—the beef and sausage complement each other beautifully, especially when you add hot giardiniera for extra kick. They cook their sausages on a flat-top grill that gives them a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
The beef gets sliced thin enough to layer properly but thick enough to maintain texture.
First-timers often start with just beef, but regulars know the combo is where Jay’s really shows off their skills and mastery of classic Chicago sandwich construction techniques.
11. Luke’s Italian Beef – Chicago (215 W Jackson Blvd)
In the heart of the Loop, Luke’s feeds the downtown lunch crowd with Italian beef that competes with the best in the city. The Jackson Boulevard location makes it convenient for office workers who want real Chicago food without leaving the business district.
Luke’s proves that fast service doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—they move customers through quickly while still making each sandwich with care.
The beef arrives perfectly seasoned with a gravy that has just the right consistency and flavor balance. Luke’s understands that downtown customers have limited lunch breaks, so they’ve streamlined their operation without cutting corners on ingredients or preparation.
The bread stays fresh throughout the day, ensuring the last customer gets the same quality as the first.
Grabbing Luke’s for lunch has become a downtown ritual for many workers who appreciate having access to authentic Chicago Italian beef without fighting traffic or leaving their neighborhood for a proper meal.
12. Novi’s Beef – Berwyn (6746 Ogden Ave)
Right across from Buona Beef on Ogden Avenue, Novi’s holds its own in Berwyn’s competitive Italian beef scene. The family behind Novi’s has been refining their recipes for many years, creating a product that stands out even in a neighborhood known for great beef.
Their dedication to traditional preparation methods means every sandwich tastes like it came from your Italian grandmother’s kitchen.
Novi’s beef gets roasted slowly until it reaches perfect tenderness, then sliced and served with gravy that’s been simmering for hours. The peppers come in both sweet and hot varieties, giving customers control over their flavor profile.
The rolls arrive fresh daily from a local bakery that understands the importance of bread that can handle serious gravy without falling apart.
The friendly service makes every visit feel like coming home, with staff who remember regular customers and their usual orders without needing to ask twice or check notes.
13. Roma’s Italian Beef & Sausage – Chicago (4237 N Cicero Ave)
On the Northwest Side, Roma’s has been serving outstanding Italian beef since opening their doors decades ago. The Cicero Avenue location attracts customers from across the city who’ve heard about their exceptional sandwiches and want to taste what makes Roma’s special.
The family recipes passed down through generations create flavors that can’t be replicated by restaurants without that history and heritage.
Roma’s takes pride in every sandwich that leaves their kitchen, ensuring the beef stays moist and flavorful while the bread maintains its structure. Their sausage is prepared in-house or sourced to closely match longstanding family recipes, giving the combo sandwich extra depth.
The giardiniera has the perfect balance of vegetables and heat, adding crunch and spice without overwhelming the other ingredients.
The neighborhood atmosphere makes Roma’s feel like a local secret, though their reputation has spread far enough that people make special trips from distant suburbs just to grab lunch here.
14. Tony’s Italian Beef – Chicago (7007 S Pulaski Rd)
Tony’s brings South Side Italian beef excellence to Pulaski Road with sandwiches that keep customers coming back for more. The no-frills approach means the food takes center stage, and Tony’s beef delivers every single time.
They’ve built their reputation on consistency and quality, never wavering from the standards that made them a neighborhood favorite in the first place.
The beef gets seasoned with a spice blend that enhances the natural meat flavor without covering it up. Tony’s gravy has the perfect consistency—thick enough to coat the meat but thin enough to soak into the bread properly.
Their sweet peppers get cooked until they’re tender but not mushy, adding sweetness that balances the savory beef beautifully.
The South Side location means you’re getting authentic Chicago Italian beef from a community that knows and demands the real thing, not some watered-down tourist version designed for people who don’t know better.
15. Carm’s Beef & Italian Ice – Chicago (1057 W Polk St)
Carm’s combines two Chicago summer essentials—Italian beef and Italian ice—in one perfect location near Little Italy. The Polk Street spot becomes especially popular during warm weather when customers want their beef fix followed by something cold and refreshing.
The combination might seem unusual, but once you try it, you’ll understand why locals have been doing it for years.
The beef sandwiches maintain traditional quality with meat that’s sliced thin and piled high on fresh bread. Carm’s doesn’t skimp on portions, ensuring every customer leaves satisfied and maybe even a little bit stuffed.
Their gravy recipe creates the perfect base for the beef, adding moisture and flavor without making everything soggy or falling apart before you finish eating.
Finishing your meal with Italian ice in flavors ranging from classic lemon to creative seasonal options makes Carm’s a complete experience that satisfies both savory and sweet cravings in one convenient stop.
16. Freddy’s Pizza – Cicero (1600 S 61st Ave)
Despite the name suggesting pizza dominance, Freddy’s Italian beef holds its own against any specialist in the Chicago area. The Cicero location has been serving both pizza and beef for years, perfecting each without letting one overshadow the other.
Their Italian beef showcases what happens when a restaurant refuses to compromise on quality regardless of what else appears on the menu.
Freddy’s beef gets the same attention and care as their famous pizza, with meat that’s seasoned perfectly and gravy that’s been simmering all day. The sandwiches come out hot and loaded with flavor, proving that multi-tasking in the kitchen doesn’t mean sacrificing excellence.
Their sweet peppers add the right touch of sweetness without turning the sandwich into something too complicated or fussy.
Ordering both pizza and Italian beef for family gatherings makes everyone happy, giving people options while ensuring nobody leaves hungry or disappointed with their meal choices from Freddy’s diverse menu.