Johnnie's Beef

HungryZ.com

An Italian beef is a sandwich of thinly sliced seasoned roast beef, dripping with meat juices, on a dense Italian roll. Originated in Chicago, the sandwich dates back to the 1930s. The bread itself is sometimes dipped into the gravy (wet), and the sandwich is typically topped off with giardiniera (hot) or green Italian sweet peppers (sweet). For example, if you wanted to order an Italian beef dipped in gravy and with giardiniera, you would ask for a wet, beef, hot. Italian beef sandwiches are difficult to obtain outside the Chicago area but can be found at most hot dog stands throughout the city and its suburbs. The quality of the sandwich can vary greatly from place to place. But if you’re in either Elmwood Park or Arlington Heights, “Johnnie's Beef” is one stop you need to make.Glance over the tiny menu and you realize there’s not much to choose from here. The menu consisits of their famous beef, sausage, combo, pepper and egg, hot dogs, and Italian ice. While normally that would be a bad thing, at “Johnnie's” it is a very good thing. The lines at both locations can run out the door, so ordering fast is a must. Simple décor includes green tables and a couple of small TV’s in each corner. How’s the food? Let’s start slow and finish with a bang! We’ll begin with the hot dog. The dog is a Vienna beef dog nestled in a plain steamed bun and topped with all the usual suspects. While I still wish there were poppy seeds on the bun, the dog delivers. Each dog is served with fries, and fries here are very similar to the “Golden Arches”, thin and crisp. Before we get to the beef, let’s talk Italian ice. They have two flavors, lemonade and watermelon. I sampled the lemonade, and was duly impressed. The ice is shaved to a creamy consistency and even has pieces of lemon peel running throughout. Not only was it refreshing, it was fun to scoop out the ice with the lemon peel instead of the straw/spoon. If you love Italian ice, then don’t miss this one! Alright, let’s talk beef. A truly great Italian beef is sliced extremely thin and is swimming in it’s own juices. “Johnnie's” delivers, big time. The beef is so tender you can tear it between your fingers with absolutely no effort at all. The six inch roll is dense enough to hold all the wonderful beef juice inside. While many like their beefs dipped, I enjoy the bread to be crusty on the outside and soaked with juice inside. Like your beef hot? “Johnnie's” has got you covered with some of the hottest giardiniera around. Just be careful, because that first bite may catch you off guard. Not enough food? Make it a combo by adding the spicy Italian sausage along for the ride. Warning, you might need to pack some Tums if your stomach is weak. Overall “Johnnie's Beef” proves to be a world class purveyor of Italian beef. Prices are reasonable as well, nothing on the menu even hits $5. If you’re looking for a truly great Italian beef, quality hot dogs, and excellent Italian Ice, then “Johnnie's Beef” should be at the top of your list. Rating **** out of ****. Locations 7500 W. North Ave Elmwood Park, IL 60707 Tel: (708) 452-6000 1935 S Arlington Heights Rd Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Tel: (847) 357-8100                                                                            Home

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