Starbucks 'Trenta': How The New Size Compares To Your Stomach
Famous Death Row Last Meals
Last year, I went to Chicago. I was intent on eating quintessential Chicago foods, and while I already knew about Chicago dogs and stuffed deep-dish pizza, one thing that came up in pre-trip conversations was Italian Beef, something I had never heard of. Suffice it to say, I went to Mr. Beef and fell in love.
Apparently, Italian Beef has a mild cult status among Chicago-ans, with lots of joints that specialize in it, different interpretations of the basic ingredients, and people claiming to be die-hard fans of a certain place. Chicago food blog Skillet Doux is currently going through what he calls a "Beef-off," going to different Italian beef places around the city, reviewing the sandwich, and ranking them. On his third run, he declared Chickie's number one, calling it "the Italian Beef for beef lovers" and "a superlative beef experience." As of this posting, the current list in order is:
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
Woman's Dead Fiance Is Behind Her Disappearance: Cops
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
9-21-2006 @12:30PM Mike said... Forget deep dish pizza ( well exept maybe Giordanos) Italian Beef is the thing to look for in Chicago. It's one of those things that you can occasionally find in other places, but its not quite as good as in Chicago. Get it with the Italian sausage in the middle for an added boost of cholesterol.
Once upone a time there used to be a place at O'Hare called "Bud's or something like that. If you ran like hell you could get an Italian Beef to go during a short plane change. Unfortunately, all the standard airport crap replaced it so now you get offered Puck'd pizza instead.
Reply
9-21-2006 @11:09AM Dmnkly said... Incidentally, Sarah, Mr. Beef has me a little worried these days. Over the past few months, I've had a couple of sandwhiches there that were subpar, and one that was downright lousy... something that's NEVER happened in all the years I've been going there. I'm hoping it's an odd, temporary phenomenon, but they have me worried. If they keep it up, they may earn a demotion by year's end :-)
Reply
9-21-2006 @11:40AM adle said... Oh my, Chickies for sure! I have been savoring their beef sandwhiches for years, I wish I had some amazing food porn pictures to share! You must get it juicy (or dipped in au jus) and you MUST have a bag of their greassyyyyyyy delicious fries with it too. To die for!
Reply
9-21-2006 @12:58PM Jill said... The bread looks soggy. My biggest food turn off is biting into wet bread. :o(
Reply
9-21-2006 @12:59PM sarah said... uh oh...someone please enlighten jill on the "soggy" bread in the italian beef ;)
Reply
9-21-2006 @1:06PM Dmnkly said... Oh, no, Jill... nonono :-)
For many sandwiches, yes, soggy bread is a horrible, horrible thing. But it's an essential part of an Italian Beef sandwich. The optimum degree of wetness is a matter of personal taste, but that it be wet to some degree is an absolute necessity. A dry Italian Beef is like a dry French Dip... what's the point? In fact, a common request when ordering an Italian Beef (and one I adhere to) is for it to be "dipped", which means exactly what it sounds like. The entire sandwich is submerged in a big vat of the warm, intense beefy juice for a couple of seconds, so that every bite of the sandwich is just gushing with warm, seasoned jus. It's an absolute mess to eat, but a divine experience when done properly.
Reply
9-21-2006 @1:29PM Jill said... I think I'd prefer to dip my own...juice on the side please.
Reply
9-21-2006 @1:49PM Dmnkly said... Well, to each his or her own. If that's how you prefer, it's not my place to criticize. But if you're in Chicago with occasion to sample one, Jill, I'd implore you to try it in its natural state first and then edit later if you still feel the same way :-)
Reply
9-21-2006 @1:52PM Steven Andrew Miller said... The bread looks soggy
It better be! Oh, how I miss Chicago.
Reply
9-21-2006 @1:56PM T. Allen said... oh yum! I live in Washington State. we have NOTHING like that here. so sad. Anyone up for moving?
Reply