Johnnie's Iconic Italian Beef Is A Delicious Mess Of Beef And Gravy | Legendary Eats | Insider Food

With how ubiquitous Italian beef sandwiches are in Chicago, it's hard to pick just one. But the line outside Johnnie's Beef and its #1 rankings on several best lists are a good indication that this spot is one of the Windy City's favorites.

According to Eater, Johnnie's Italian beef sandwich is considered by many to be the "shining standard that others strive to achieve." Other publications, customers, and critics agree for several reasons. The meat is well-seasoned with an array of secret spices. It's sliced thin and accompanied by either sweet peppers or giardiniera loaded with crunchy carrots, celery, and chiles. Customers who order it dipped get a generous helping of gravy that's sure to be absorbed by the plush French bread holding all that beefy goodness together.

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Johnnie's Iconic Italian Beef Is A Delicious Mess Of Beef And Gravy | Legendary Eats | Insider Food

[bakamunati]

This woman is like plankton from SpongeBob

[shacoria.]

she’s getting on my nerves, like why keep asking for the spices when he says it’s top secret??? over and over again 🙄

[aesop]

“Lady what part of if I tell ya I have to kill ya are not understanding?”

“I know....is....is that oregano?”

[moosepasshippie]

I had this sandwich while traveling through Chicago a couple months ago. At first glance I was saying "Meh, looks like a typical beef dip sandwich". After taking a bite I was amazed how good it tasted. Looking forward to going back and getting another one.

[dfb]

I absolutely love their combo beef & sausage, I also never leave there without their homemade Italian Ice, its the best ever!!!!

[mattieskemoevie]

“Without good bread, what’s inside is nothing” truer words have never been spoken 3:43

[kathrynfrisch]

As a Chicago native I am very happy to see more Chicago eats and to see more local restaurants instead of downtown Chicago ones.

[SukeerthM_]

she didn't even taste it and then pestering the owner for the secret recipe .
Not cool

[SoufsideJamaica]

Its 4/20 and Lil Jay influenced me to buy an Italien Beef toasted with a Pepsi & Chips

[Dwhite]

For whatever reason I held out for years on making a trip to buy their Italian beef. I am shocked that for all these years I missed out on what is easily the best Italian beef sandwich on this planet. It is unbelievably GREAT! I don't believe that I can ever enjoy any other restaurant's beef sandwich again. I might be addicted to Johnnie's now! Better late than never.

[aroundtheworldinaprildays]

Please stop asking for the secret recipe, if they wanted tell the world they would have already.

[grontelp]

Really really not cool of her to try and identify the spices they're using on camera. That's their intellectual property and their whole business is based off their recipe. You might think its cute to name the ingredients you see in their seasoning mix for the camera, but thats so unfair to them, the people who let you into their business, tio expose their trade secret.

[justinmix]

Love all the interviews w/ the locals. Guy in the Bears jacket just reminds ya of good Chicago people, man. Super loyal to family, friends, their city, and especially their neighborhood’s family establishments

[thinhtran]

If I were the manager, at one point I would just tell her "the secret ingredient would be salt and pepper, now stfu."

[CherishHellfire]

I see comments saying the sandwich shouldn't be so wet. You really have to try it. No one I know has gone back to a dry Italian Beef after they have tried it dipped. It's a whole other dimension of flavor. The gravy/ au jus adds so much extra creamy, salty, spicy, beef-laden umami flavor to an already delicious sandwich, that the only way it could be improved it by adding a classic Chicago-style Spicy Italian sausage to the sandwich. At this point the sandwich has become so mind-blowingly amazing, that after eating one, the birds will spontaneously sing in the trees as the sun breaks through the clouds, the planets will align, and one will have their faith in a higher-power restored. Peace in our time, people...peace in our time....

edit: changed "Polish" to "Spicy Italian".

[jaylancaster]

"French bread...that is the authentic way of making an Italian beef"

LoL

[nunuhuda]

I think it was quite disrespectful that she kept asking about the secret spices. It’s a secret for a dang reason. Plus it’s rude. Jeez! Idc if any of you comes at me 😂🥴

[Dellors-Civic]

The voice over girl sounds like she is 8 years old

[Kratos-]

You can tell that it is really juicy and tender just by watching this video. Wish I could taste one. :(

[vluezy]

As a kid who grew up around Johnnies, it's good to see it get some recognition!