Best Italian Beef sandwiches and combos in Chicago (Berwyn, Oak Park: college, price)

[Avengerfire]

Please do tell your favorite place(s) to get them in the city.

[DoneWithDC]

I am a lover of Portillo's. Throw the hot giardiniera on it and it is truly heaven. I also love the crinkle-cut fries there. Top it off with a malt and I'm the happiest guy on Earth.

[Irishtom29]

I like Bouna in Berwyn at Oak Park and Roosevelt. Al's on Taylor St. is pretty good. Johnny's in Elmwood Park used to be first rate but I haven't been there in a while, I'm told it's not what it used to be, who knows? Ricobenne's on 26th St is good as is Freddie's on 31st.

There's a new stand called Angelo's going up on Archer in Bridgeport where Stan's used to be, have to try that out. I'm told the place by the El station at Archer and Halsted is good.

I like Portillo's too, easy to find one and always good.

[NearWestSider]

My favorites, in order of preference:

1. Carm's, Hillside. I used to frequent the one in Roosevelt Road in Berwyn, which I liked better, but apparently is gone. So Sad.
2. Al's, on Taylor Street. The gold standard for Chicago beefs. Not my personal favorite, but always a quality product and a must-try.
3. Novi's, on Ogden in Berwyn. This one is somewhat controversial due to their unique take on hot peppers, which to some borders on heresy. Personally, I LOVE the red pepper paste, which in my opinion makes this sandwich a stand out.

Vittori's on Taylor Street (later in Downer's Grove) is still my all-time favorite, but is apparently no longer in existence. What a shame.

Portillos and Buona's are good, too, but there are too many stores to make them special.

[johnjaja]

jay's italian beef in harwood heights on narragansett just across from wright college.

[skipcromer]

Any place with a good italian beef open extremely late? I just got the craving.

[oldhousegirl]

Check out this site, and their picks. GreaseFreak: images of Chicago-style food Only in Chicago, gotta love it. My fav is Al's Italian Beef. Taylor street over the Near North location.

[GreXican]

By far, the #1 place to get Italian beef sandwiches is Al's Italian Beef. The tasty spiced meat just cannot be beat from any other place I have had italian beef from - and believe me, I've had italian beef at many a place.

[long101]

Originally Posted by GreXican

By far, the #1 place to get Italian beef sandwiches is Al's Italian Beef. The tasty spiced meat just cannot be beat from any other place I have had italian beef from - and believe me, I've had italian beef at many a place.

I think Als might be the most over rated place in the city. I would go down the street to a no name place and get a better beef at half the price.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by johnjaja

jay's italian beef in harwood heights on narragansett just across from wright college.

I second Jay's.