Italian Beef Sandwich

I've been lurking on the forum for some time and have seen some great pics for Italian Beef sandwiches. Does anyone have a great recipe?

Click on the Recipes link above...

I posted a reply w/ recipe to this question on the topic below.

Thanks,

Kevin

http://www.roadfood.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9366

Thanks this helps alot. I have never tried an Italian Beef before and would like to add it to my menu. It looked similar to a Philly but wanted to know what actually made it an Italian.

Don't need no stinkin' recipe.

Buy it directly from Vienna Beef and serve. Best you'll ever taste.

I plan to offer it on the sandwich menu at my pizzaria, along wit their Chicago-style dog

Simon, if you run a pizza shop, you have an oven thats pretty well fired up all day.. Why would you spend the extra $$ on something pre-packaged? Where's the love??

quote:

Originally posted by UncleVic

Simon, if you run a pizza shop, you have an oven thats pretty well fired up all day.. Why would you spend the extra $$ on something pre-packaged? Where's the love??

Because it's hands down the best Italian beef I've ever tasted. Why bother with an immitation when you can serve the real deal?

Sorry Simon... The "Real Deal" dont come out of a bag or can.. It's crafted in a pan, in ones kitchen. If your into packaged items, try a career at McDonalds or Boston Market.

quote:

Originally posted by UncleVic

Sorry Simon... The "Real Deal" dont come out of a bag or can.. It's crafted in a pan, in ones kitchen. If your into packaged items, try a career at McDonalds or Boston Market.

ROTFLMAO
AMEN MY ROADFOOD BROTHER!!!!
simon you have a restaurant....take the time to play around with the recipe and make a better version for your customers ...plus you can offer it cheaper to them which will = happy customers and more business and money for you.....
think about it...
good luck
ron

Sorry, guys. No matter what your opinion, I don't knock what works.

Simon...
If Vienna is "Hands down...the best you've (ever) tasted", then you really need to plan a trip to several italian beef "joints" in the Chicago area.

Start here:

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11331&SearchTerms=italian,beef,chicago,johnnie's

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=3447

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=2629

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1307

Amen, tsores

quote:

Originally posted by Luvstoeat

Simon...
If Vienna is "Hands down...the best you've (ever) tasted", then you really need to plan a trip to several italian beef "joints" in the Chicago area.

Been there, done that. All were slightly different and good in their own way, but found none that I would call better.

Well, Simon:
with having been given some sound ADVISE by knowledgable people, and failing to heed it.. LET me know how business is NEXT YEAR.

quote:

Originally posted by genewj

Well, Simon:
with having been given some sound ADVISE by knowledgable people, and failing to heed it.. LET me know how business is NEXT YEAR.

The problem I see with a lot of people on this list is they assume that because their way works for them, then it must be the only way to do things.

Vienna Italian beef from is a very good product. I would not serve crap. Nor would I serve anything that I didn't enjoy myself. Same with their hot dogs. The Italian Beef Sandwich and the Chicago style dog are proven items that need no re-thinking. They work and they compliment my eclectic Italian menu.

quote:

Originally posted by genewj

Well, Simon:
with having been given some sound ADVISE by knowledgable people, and failing to heed it.. LET me know how business is NEXT YEAR.

By the way, Genewj, I don't recall asking for advice on this subject. I came into this thread by GIVING ADVICE to the original poster.

But it's nice to know you place such importance to my success on a single sandwich when sandwiches aren't even the focus of my menu.

I am kind of lost on this thread. Are we talking about the "Vienna Beef" that makes the hot dogs that everyone on this forum thinks is so great? If so why wouldn't the Italian Beef be better than ANY other? Correct me if I am wrong!

Just my 2 cents, but why reinvent the wheel? Vienna's Italian beef is an excellent product. Add Vienna's au jus and it's as good or better than anything else. I lived in Chicago for 40 years and never tasted anything better. I'd guess that 95% of the beef sandwiches I ate in Chicago were probably Vienna's anyway. We serve it in our joint in Charlotte. It's easy and delicious.

I could sit here and argue for weeks on my beliefs. Not even going there. But when you claim a bag or canned product is good, you must enjoy pre-made burgers, frozen pie, bagged soups, and the list goes on. Which is good for a quick serve establishment. But alot of us folks here like the food that involves hands on, from the market, labor intensive chow. Reason Roadfood is unique... Any fool can serve something from a pouch.. It's the mom and pops that make the maps here..

How do I purchase the Vienna Italian beef living in New Mexico? Retiring from Chicago, I understand what you speak about.

Uncle Vic, I agree. I can put together a reasonably good Italian roast beef sandwich. the au jus and all. Even do a decent Muffelata as well as a pressed Cubano.
Thanks for reminding me I should't get lazy.
Gotta go now now, I'm getting hungry.

Cheers to you Rouxdog... That attitude will place you in the Roadfood hall of fame someday!
Hope ya have a fun and relaxing retirement there..

quote:

Originally posted by kensandyeggo

Just my 2 cents, but why reinvent the wheel? Vienna's Italian beef is an excellent product. Add Vienna's au jus and it's as good or better than anything else. I lived in Chicago for 40 years and never tasted anything better. I'd guess that 95% of the beef sandwiches I ate in Chicago were probably Vienna's anyway. We serve it in our joint in Charlotte. It's easy and delicious.

THANK YOU! That's exactly what I kept trying to get across.

quote:

Originally posted by UncleVic
But alot of us folks here like the food that involves hands on, from the market, labor intensive chow. Reason Roadfood is unique... Any fool can serve something from a pouch.. It's the mom and pops that make the maps here..

I agree 100%. That’s the exact reason that people drive out of their way to visit local and sometimes obscure locations to dine. If more people understood just how good food can really taste, there would be far, far less golden arches in this country. This does not mean hotdogs, hamburgers, or yes-even Italian Beef is a no no, especially if someone goes out of their way to create a really good product, using the best ingredients. A good chef, or cook is an artist.

I have another pet theory and that is if more people ate good tasting food, food that is properly seasoned and not just filler and garbage there would be far less obesity in this country.

For a moment think about this: why is it you don’t need a 16 ounce steak to fill you up? A smaller steak will do it if it’s well prepared, with the proper seasoning and served with a good salad, and vegetables? I think it’s because your body reacts to the chewing, (texture), taste, spice, and finally nutrients in a good meal, and feels satisfied more quickly.

On the other hand a fast food meal offers your body bulk filling an empty space. This is not to say I don’t eat a big steak now and then or that I don’t grab a fast food meal due to time restraints. But when I have the time and want to really enjoy (savor) a meal it’s from a restaurant that cooks from scratch.
Jack@DrofBBQ.com
www.DrofBBQ.com

O.K., now I've got to get in my 4 cents worth. 2 cents wasn't enough. Mom and Pop's are as likely as anyone else to use packaged/frozen foods. It's practicality. Unless you go into the kitchen and watch them make everything (starting the day before), how can one be sure? What's that old addage......"Never eat at a place called Mom's."

According to some of the comments here, us hot dog "slingers" should kill our own cows (or bulls as to Vienna), butcher them, grind the meat, put it in the smoke house for awhile, stuff it into casings and have "home-made" hot dogs. Why isn't this being advocated for hot dogs? Talk about a pre-packaged food, hot dogs are the epitome of "Heat and Serve."

Vienna's beef comes frozen for practicality. How much of Mom & Pop's food do you think has never been frozen? How much meat at the local butcher shop or supermarket has never been frozen? After thawing, Vienna's beef is pink and fresh-smelling, sliced just right. No one can argue the quality of Vienna's products. Beats the hell out of learning to butcher bulls and getting to those final slices of beef on that au jus dipped roll. I get tired just thinking of the work involved in doing it from scratch. If anyone has any disagreement with anything I've posted............................never mind.

quote:

Originally posted by kensandyeggo

Mom and Pop's are as likely as anyone else to use spackaged/frozen food. It's practicality.I get tired just thinking of the work involved in doing it from scratch.

That's the point only you have it backwards. Packaged / frozen foods are the reason a high percentage of resturants go away very quickly. Those that bake, cook, bread, or otherwise prepare good food are more likely to prove sucessful in the long wrong. And they are getting to be more difficult to find becuase it is a lot of work vs just thawing, frying and serving.Just my humble opinion.
Jack

Yup, I don't hear too many people here praising the frost bite they could taste in their green beans, that powder used to make gravy with their instant mashed potatoes, or that commercial tasting (tasteless) pre made fried chicken reheated in a fryer. Should just package all this stuff in a tray and make it ready to nuke...

Now we go scratch, fresh peeled potatoes with local milk and butter made into mashed potatoes, local green beans, gravy from drippings, homemade batter or dredge for the chicken...

Yup... Thats a tough choice...

And Simon, if you feel so strongly on your choices, please do post your restaurant name and location!

I have to agree with Simon, a lot of Chicago places do serve beef from "Vienna Beef"

Frank

quote:

Originally posted by fdaniels
I have to agree with Simon, a lot of Chicago places do serve beef from "Vienna Beef" Frank

I'm curious, how would you know that were true?
Jack