OK Chicago people....

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bryan t

Banned
I saw the Italian Beef (food channel) shoot out between Mr Beef and Al's in Chicago...I have never been to either place...a friend introduced me to Portillo's...and that's the place I go when I am chicago..soooooo which is better Al's or Mr Beef...I would like to know which one to go to when I am down there.
 
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peter

Member
If I want a good beef I go to Romas on Cicero just south of Montrose. There beef beats all you have mentioned. Al's is overpriced I think. No Mr. Beef near me never cared for theirs anyways. I also like portillos, got one 5 mins away.
 
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parman

New member
Those are both good. I like "Johnnys Beef" original location in Elmwood Park for decades and now one in Arlington Heights..yummy stuff.
 
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wags

New member
So if Protillos is so bad to you what is good to you? Ever watch them make the beefs at Portillo's?? There are no microwaves around!

I grew up about 4 blocks from Roma's on Cicero yummy stuff; Johnny's in Elmwood Park is also very good, Al's is so so it has a slight hint of nutmeg or something. Now that I am out in the burbs Portillos is the most popular then you have Bona Beef which no one has mentioned, I like them when I want a spicy beef.

Not to highjack this but I have to ask, let’s talk hot dogs and hamburgers who has the best in the Chicago land area?

Paradise Pup in DesPlanes is my fav for burgers, as for dogs any place with Vienna dogs on a steamed bun and none of that red stuff, add the fries in with the dog and life is good! AKA Jean&Judes
 
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peter

Member
Not to highjack this but I have to ask, let’s talk hot dogs and hamburgers who has the best in the Chicago land area?

Paradise Pup in DesPlanes is my fav for burgers, as for dogs any place with Vienna dogs on a steamed bun and none of that red stuff, add the fries in with the dog and life is good! AKA Jean&Judes[/QUOTE]


Jean&Judes for sure. But I really like Jimmy's dogs on Grand and Pulaski not the best neighborhood. Steamed bun is a must, and for sure no ketchup, that would be a sin on a chicago dog.
 
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jmag

Member
the two you mentioned are both very good. als has several locations so they are easier to get. they have terrific homemade fries as well. you cant go wrong with mr beef either. i wish they had locations in the burbs. portillos is good, but in my opinion, you dont get much beef for what they charge, but they are everywhere. have fun finding out which one you find best.
 
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arcticgeorge

New member
I like Mr. Beef myself, big sandwich thats extra juicy if you like it that way. As far as Lake County.... Fratello's in Volo makes a real good beef...Orlando's in Round Lake use to have a real good beef sandwiches but they have backed off on the amount of beef, much smaller now and the price went up!
 
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skutr

New member
Portillo's is fast food italian beef. If you want the good stuff go to Carm's on Wolf Rd in Hillside - just across the street from the cemetary
 
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1blue99srx600

New member
Als
Mr. Beef
Bouna
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SUCK

Portillos
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YUMMY

OMG Paradise Pup- I work 3 blocks from there! Merkt's Cheddar fries are the best it's too bad the line is always so freaking long especially on nice days.

Jean & Judes- We call rubber dogs!
 
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joechicago

Member
Portillo's is better than Mr. Beef and Al's. Of the two, Mr. Beef is much better.

As far as hot dog's go, Jean & Judes on River Road and Grand is the best, no doubt. I grew up in Elmwood Park and still go 20 miles out of the way to get one.

BUT, there is some good hot dog news. For those of you who know Jean and Judes, there is a new joint in Lake Zurich of all places. It's called Delicious Redds. Amazing. It is a dead ringer for Jean&Judes. I have told it was copied from Jean&Judes exactly. The exact same menu, no ketchup for the dogs, fresh cut to order fries, and rubbery snappy hot dogs. It is in "downtown" lake zurich. If you are in the area, try it, I promise you it is fantastic.
 
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cat_man_mike

New member
Buona beef is chain resturaunt garbage! Portillos beefs are all roll and no beef, you have to get the "big beef" to get a normal sized overpriced beef that is really average at best. Al's is decent but it is VERY dependant on which one you go to. For a good Al's you have to go to the original. The only Johnny's I have been to is the one on Cass and Ogden in Westmont. Excelent beefs and great dogs (nowhere near jean & judes but noplace is). But the best beef in Chicago is by far Mr. Beef. Don't let the looks of the place fool you when you walk in. It does look like a dump (So does ElFerrols in summit but still the best burrito in the area, but that is a discussion for another thread) but the food more than makes up for the ambiance.
 
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bryan t

Banned
Good advice....thanks folks Sounds like I am gonna have to try me a chicago dog when I am down there..It may seem strange to you guys, who always come up here for vacation (summer and winter)..but for me...I go down to Chicago, minneapolis or Milwaukee to have a little vacation...usually in the summer...we try to go to concerts, and eat lots of food we don't get up north. WHITE CASTLE, AND CRISPY CREAM DONUTS!!!!! I know some of you will think those two places are gross...but when you don't have one anywhere near you it's kind of a treat...oh yeah forgot one..Popeyes Chicken

BTW was gonna start a pizza post...but...I prefer thin crust pizza...I didn't much care for Pizza UNOS chicago style...but I did like one deep dish we tried from Taylor Street...Might as well continue this post on the good chicago food....if any of you want to try some different places up north (especially the Tomahawk/minocqua area)..let me know...I literally have been to all of them.
 
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wags

New member
Chicago Pizza, from someone who grew up on the streets of Chicago I can tell you that the deep dish and stuffed pizza are not Chicago style pizza, a good thin crust cut in squares is a true Chicago Pizza from the little street corner neiborhood pizza place.
 
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rodehard

New member
I agree with Peter; Roma's is the best. Their old location was Harlem & Irving Park. We used to scoop the lot, pick up a race and off to Dee road to win a few bucks. Those were the days.

If you order a beef in Chicago, know the codes. Sweet and juicy means sweet peppers and extra juice so it makes the bun all soggy. Messy but good.
 
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