Lately, Andrea and I have been missing some Chicago street food “delicacies”–especially the famous Italian Beef sandwich. Our favorite is form Al’s #1 Italian Beef on the corner of Wells and Ontario. It is SO juicy and mouth- wateringly delicious! There is nothing close to it out here in the east. Some York County favorites are crab cakes and pickled beet eggs–not quite a Chicago hot dog or Italian Beef. So last night, we decided to make our own!
We found what looked like a good recipe online, and tried it out. After marinating over night, we heated up the juice and dipped that beef in it…very good! We found most of the ingredients we needed except giardinara (try finding THAT in PA). The thing most native Chicagoans find tasteful (including my wife), is to dip the whole sandwich back into the juice. Italian beef is overflowing with all kinds spices and flavor. We just finished eating a few minutes ago, and were pretty impressed. Now it wasn’t quite up to par with Al’s, Portillo’s, or the Fairhaven cafeteria, but it was close. A valiant attempt indeed!
Here, here! Another lament from out west where we, also, are devoid of Chicago-style…anything! Thankfully we at least have Mexicans & mexican food!
Your Aunt Laura just made us Italian Beef for lunch on Sunday! It was so good…except your Uncle Brian put Ketchup on it! Blasphemy!
You should try Pat’s King of Steaks in Philadelphia. It’s quite an experience.
Pat’s King of Steaks is located where 9th Street crosses Wharton & Passyunk Ave. Open 24/7 except Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Eve. They are open New Year’s Day. Pat’s is where the Philly Cheesesteak originated. It’s an “experience”.
…too bad that Philadelphia is at least 2 hours away. I have heard that Geno’s is better than Pat’s. I do like the fact that Geno’s posted a sign that says, “This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING Please SPEAK ENGLISH.” We’ll have to try it some day when we head that way. Maybe we can have a double-dose on the same day to finally settle which is better!