Mr. Beef question

Does anyone agree with me that the sandwich sizes at Mr. Beef have declined? One is never enough for me anymore, and it used to fill me up. My friend and I have taken to ordering three sandwiches, and splitting the third. But at $6 a sandwich, this is an expensive proposition. Someone tells me that Luke's in the Loop has bigger beef sandwiches, but I've never found the ones at Luke's even close in quality to Mr. Beef.

Where is Mr. Beef? From your post i am thinking Chicago, but remember not everyone here is from there.

Mr. Beef is in Chicago, yes. I thought it was so well known I didn't need to specify, but my Chicago-centricity apparently is set too high!

I can't comment on the Mr Beef sandwiches, Danimal, but I did get over to Luke's for lunch when i was in Chicago for training a few months back.

I too didn't find them to be too tasty, albeit they were quite large and filling, with plenty of meat. At least, I thought it had a lot of meat -- but then again it was my first and only italian beef sandwich.

I'm thinking the Luke's sandwich was around 5 bucks or so.

Doesn't Mr Beef offer an 'extra meat' option for an additional charge?

I don't think it has an extra meat option, but I'll check next time I visit. It really should.

If Luke's is your only Italian Beef experience, you've got to come back to Chicago and have the real experience at Mr. Beef or Al's. Luke's is not a good example.

I agree.

Unfortunately, I was pretty much limited to where I could walk at lunchtime from the Sear's Tower, and Luke's is on the very next block.

I had more time in the evenings, but Mr Beef isn't open during the evening hours as near as i can tell.

I'm not too impressed with Mr. Beef, and I especially dislike the fact that the pre-make the sammy's. Why it retains high rankings in the media amazes me. A few months ago I participated in a very excellent day that was an Italian beef tasting. The results can be found here:

http://www.chowhound.com/midwest/boards/chicago6/messages/34657.html et seq.

A second round of tasting is forthcoming. Contact me if interested.

Rob

Most definitely post the link to the second round of tastings.

Is Buona going to be entered into this round? Luke's?

I had no idea that Al's was shredded, but low and behold I went back to the picture on hollyeats and see



so that pretty much shows it all

I also didn't know that Mr Beef premakes theirs. Ugh.

I had never heard of Mr. Beef. Actually I think a lot more people should be more specific as to where they are talking about when they post. There is a thread currently here about St. Pete. which from reading the thread I finally figured out meant Saint Petersburg, Fla.

How many of you know of Sheetz? Or King's Pizza? Both of these are Mid-Atlantic regional and I haven't found either of them elsewhere.

MikeS.

I've never run into Sheetz or King's Pizza myself

When I moved to Chicago 12 yrs ago there were three things I had to try - the real deal deep dish pizza, a dog from an authentic stand, and an italian beef.

Sampled many dogs, and most are pretty good, some variance in style but a really great Chicago dog is a simple matter.

I grew up in St.Louis (cracker thin crust) so the Uno pizza thing was too much, not what I really like, way too heavy, as my two yr old would say - bleeck.

I was told - Mr Beef! it's the only place! the best!
Sorry can't do it, I get the same feeling after eating there that I get at White Castle - it's good going down, but 20 min later I'm regretting the whole thing.

Then I met my wife, a full on chicago Italian (say eye-talianne) whose father grew up on Taylor st. and she was raised on the west side. She took me to Johnnie's in Melrose park. That's the place for a beef.

Go to Johnnie's have a beef , cruise down North Ave a little further and spend the afternoon at Sportsman's park (you know, the ponies!) and if you have the kids with, take them to Kiddieland across the street (awesome vintage fun park, all the rides and a rollercoaster too).

The other way to go (best in summer) is Al's Beef on Taylor St.
When you're finished go across the street to Mario's Italian Lemonaide. This is the greatest thing on a hot day. Sort of like frozen lemonaide, but creamy and slushy, and with flavors like watermelon and cantaloupe is the best way to end a meal!

So many cool things in Chicago once you get past the places, you're "supposed" to go...

Johnny's sounds good. I'll have to try it sometime. Thanks.

where is Sheetz or King's Pizza? Mid atlantic means different things to different people.