Here's the Beef

Ever since I arrived in Chicago, I've been told to forget the dogs and pizza. While tried and true windy-city favorites, the real star in this town is the Italian Beef. Considering the press these sloppy sandwiches have been getting on the travel channel and Food Network, I'm guessing that was good advice. So after my last round of chemo starvation, I was finally ready to dive into to the thinly-sliced goodness that is Mr. Beef. (A sidenote here. There is a city-wide rivalry between Mr. Beef and Al's Italian Beef for the best sandwiches. My brother told me Mr. Beef was the best. My brother knows sandwiches. So that's that.

For those of you unfamiliar with this novelty, an Italian beef sandwich is very thinly sliced roasted beef, which has been marinating in jus, loaded onto a soft Italian bun. You can order it sweet (sweet bell peppers), hot (hot peppers and "giardiniera"...spicy, pickled, celery-based, root vegetable goodness), and/or wet (quite literally doused in the jus after the sandwich is assembled, but before wrapping it up). Purists, stop here. Others add cheese or other veggies.

On Monday I headed up to the counter. I assumed, as with many cult sandwich shops, that I would be ridiculed for not knowing the proper way to order. The beef gods aligned, however, and the the nice kid behind the counter schooled me in all that is Mr. Beef. Mine was hot and sweet with provolone. No "juicy" for me...not a fan of soggy bread, but I hear that I may have been short sighted. Add in some cheese fries and a tall fountain drink (much needed after my twelve block preemptive workout walk), and you have a little piece of heaven.

FYI, they also sell other stuff here too, but why? When I was in there, I heard a woman order a chicken sandwich with ketchup. You're at Mr. Beef. Why are you here? Go home now.

At around $10 for lunch, this may be the best money I've spent in the city so far. The bread was perfect. The beef, fresh and spicy. The giardiniera was perfectly tangy and not too hot...don't miss this part even if you're scared of the concept. The drink was cold. And the sleeper winner? The most perfectly crispy skinny fries. Real surprise fan favorite. The cheese sauce was of the canned variety, but with all the other hits, I'll take one miss. Word to the wise...don't wear anything you love. I easily went through more than a dozen napkins with this beast.

Judge's ruling? This is worth the hype. Bring cash and an appetite. And someone to help you walk home...you'll need it.