Johnnie's Beef

07/18/2008 Posted by ChicagoGuy76

Have any of you who think Johnnie's is the "BEST" especially idigmusic55 ever had Portillo's??? I know some locations are very chincy on the amount of beef, but even so it should be about the whole experience but most importantly the FLAVOR, the SPICES you can taste... I had a mission when I came home from the Army to find the "BEST" Italian Beef. I've tried hundreds. Most places that claim to be the best only serve a hot beef sandwich, NO ITALIAN FLAVOR! PLEASE, PLEASE TRY OTHER PLACES BEFORE YOU CLAIME ONE AS THE "BEST"!

07/14/2008 Posted by idigmusic55

I can't believe Patrick Hayes I love Johnny's Beef I have never reviewed anything before but his comments necessitated response. Johnny's is my favorite beef I have ever had, the bread is not store bought its Gonnella, A hometown bakery that's been around since 1836, and the beef oh god the beef spicy juicy just enough meat I live in NYC now and I dream about it at night. The fries are delicious somehow they avoided the whole anti trans fat craze and kept their fries delicious anyway I just wanted to set it straight as if the mile long line there everyday wasn't enough to convince you to try it

12/16/2007 Posted by maxk1125

great beefs. fast service even for larger crowds. it is a small place with juicy beef and GREAT ITALIAN ICE. doesnt rip you off.

10/15/2007 Posted by patrickhayes

I really don't know how this place keeps get first place. I really wonder who owns this place? I mark Johnny's one step above a generic beef. (A generic beef is one that has the same basic ingredients that you will find at any pizza/beef shop that chooses to drop some beef in ajue. Giardiniera is store bought. And the bread is the same.) The beef has an ok taste but ,nothing to right home about. I thing most people who love this place really don't go anywhere else. Or are not willing to try something else, since they think it is the best and for some reason so, do a lot of people. I like to try different places and I am glad because I can truly tell you I have had the best beef. It is fro a place in Cal city called Pepino's thy are moving to a better area over the border. The fall in to the best of everything. Taste and value. Try Pop's or Chickies all better than Johnie's. Hell Portillo's has more flavor and they are just as stindgy with the amount of beef you get . And just so you know, I have been to Johnnie's a few times so, it is not a one time thing. Also for the combo the sausage seems to be over cooked each time. You can get a better beef at, at least a half dozen places.

Pros: it is better than some

Cons: you wait in line for nothing special

08/27/2007 Posted by philback

We knew it was a good sign when we pulled up and saw people lined out the door around noon on Sunday. Everyone in front of us ordered the tamales and the italian ice. We were there for the italian beef and it was fantastic. Service was super fast, the tiny kitchen area was run with precision and we only wondered if it kept busy like that all day! Anyway, this place is worth the drive for a great sandwich. We can't wait to try it again, next time we'll try the tamales too.

Pros: Fast, fantastic food, fast moving line

Cons: Far from the downtown area, but no real complaints!

11/21/2006 Posted by kittycat31

I'VE BEEN GOING TO JOHNNIE'S MY WHOLE LIFE AND IT IS MY FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT. I NOW LIVE ON THE WEST COAST AND ALWAYS GO BACK THERE WHEN I'M IN TOWN

Pros: EVERYTHING

Cons: NONE

10/23/2006 Posted by sonbello

Just a few words..The Best, the best, the best.......I hate this place my mom's beef doesn't even come close.....Trust me we tryied to reproduce it..We can't...Johnny's beef is the Soup yadda, yadaa of Chicago, and deservely so....Bravi....But one day. One day I will reproduce it and than I will conquer Chicago..Ciao

Pros: Great beef.

Cons: On cold days waiting outside is horrible, horrible.

10/04/2006 Posted by splapp1

I visited Johnnies recently and was sorely disappointed. They were so stingy with the beef that they made a Portillo's Italian beef look like a gut buster. After I saw what I got I started checking other orders. Same thing. Shortly after my visit I was talking to a friend who lives not too far from Johnnies. It used to be his favorite beef stand. But it changed hands some time ago and he doesn't go anymore due to the small portions.

Pros: Italian Ice

Cons: Where's the beef?

08/14/2006 Posted by ro3bust

I've been to a respectable amount of italian beef joints including certain establishments that are high on everyone's lists and while some of them aren't bad, none of them leave the kind of impression that Johnnie's provides. Every element to their sandwich comes together in perfect balance--the wonderful thin slices of beef marinated and cooked to tenderness in a superb au jus, the explosive flavor of giardenera peppers circulating throughout each mouthful, all placed inside bread that is dipped in that perfect au jus. Top it off with an order of fries and an order of italian ice, and you have a slice of heaven in your hands. I grew up in Chicago, but now live in the West Coast. Whenever I come back to visit, this is the first place I go to remind me there's no place like home.

Pros: heaven in a sandwich, long lines but quick service

Cons: none

07/15/2006 Posted by karenkuff

THE BEST BEEF SANDWISH IN THE WORLD , I MAKE MY HUSBAND DRIVE FROM THE CITY TO GET A BEEF AT LEAST 5 OR MORE TIME A MONTH,THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE JOHNNIE'S BEEF, THE BEST AROUND ,NO PLACE BETTER AND THAT IS NO JOKE THE BEST

Pros: THUMBS UP ALL THE WAY

Cons: THUMBS UP ALL THE WAY