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Started By
Message
the nola rb poorboy vs the chicago italian beef
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:15 pm
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:15 pm
top round beef, gravy, and bread: a survey on the nola rb poorboy and the chicago italian beef
chicago doesnt have too much going for it culinary wise except for two things: a huge number of restaurants and the italian beef. the latter is much more impressive, imo, because anywhere with a huge population can be impressive to outsiders due to sheer volume. but the italian beef is actually a solid contribution to the plate of the world, and it was invented in chicago.
the chicago tribune did a really good review of the italian beef today: LINK story has history and a review of some of the best italian beef take outs and restaurants.
the history is boring. it's an unremarkable history, certainly not like the roast beef poorboy. but the taste is remarkable. will i say that the best italian beef sandwich is superior to the best nola rb poorboy? on some days, yes. i'd still prefer a zimmer's or johnny's shrimp poorboy to either, but in terms of a beef sandwich, i think the portillo's italian beef with sweet peppers and dipped is the best beef sandwich yet discovered.
a few people on the board have given me scruff for saying portillo's is #1. i've tried almost every beef from the restaurants rated in the article. portillo's is #1 by a wide margin. local chicagoans, the ones who live in chicagoland, agree i believe. you go to any portillo's out in the suburbs where natives live, and the line is impressive. portillo's on ontario may attract tourists, but portillo's through chicagoland attracts natives unlike any other beef joint.
a portillo's italian beef is the only thing that i tell visitors is a culinary must do. and i stand by that.
the restaurant chain was recently sold to a group out of boston, so we shall see how quality stands up. and we shall see how much franchising they will do. don't be shocked to see one coming to a city near you soon.
vs
chicago doesnt have too much going for it culinary wise except for two things: a huge number of restaurants and the italian beef. the latter is much more impressive, imo, because anywhere with a huge population can be impressive to outsiders due to sheer volume. but the italian beef is actually a solid contribution to the plate of the world, and it was invented in chicago.
the chicago tribune did a really good review of the italian beef today: LINK story has history and a review of some of the best italian beef take outs and restaurants.
the history is boring. it's an unremarkable history, certainly not like the roast beef poorboy. but the taste is remarkable. will i say that the best italian beef sandwich is superior to the best nola rb poorboy? on some days, yes. i'd still prefer a zimmer's or johnny's shrimp poorboy to either, but in terms of a beef sandwich, i think the portillo's italian beef with sweet peppers and dipped is the best beef sandwich yet discovered.
a few people on the board have given me scruff for saying portillo's is #1. i've tried almost every beef from the restaurants rated in the article. portillo's is #1 by a wide margin. local chicagoans, the ones who live in chicagoland, agree i believe. you go to any portillo's out in the suburbs where natives live, and the line is impressive. portillo's on ontario may attract tourists, but portillo's through chicagoland attracts natives unlike any other beef joint.
a portillo's italian beef is the only thing that i tell visitors is a culinary must do. and i stand by that.
the restaurant chain was recently sold to a group out of boston, so we shall see how quality stands up. and we shall see how much franchising they will do. don't be shocked to see one coming to a city near you soon.
vs
This post was edited on 7/15/14 at 5:03 pm
5
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:16 pm to runningTiger
I think I saw that on a food network episode. I looked delicious.
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:19 pm to runningTiger
I've leaned here that nothing in Chicago is good. I'm very passionate about RB poboys
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:25 pm to runningTiger
I honestly can't tell anymore if you are trolling or just stupid
And Portillos is already a huge chain. It's very good. I take anything Chicago over most Nola (minus Cajun obviously), and I still take the Nola RB all day. Dipped in gravy of course
And Portillos is already a huge chain. It's very good. I take anything Chicago over most Nola (minus Cajun obviously), and I still take the Nola RB all day. Dipped in gravy of course
This post was edited on 7/15/14 at 4:28 pm
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:26 pm to Big Moe
quote:
I honestly can't tell anymore if you are trolling or just stupid
Has to be trolling...no one in Chicago will say that Portillo's is better than Johnnie's or Al's.
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:28 pm to Yak
Still haven't been to either, although I've heard Portillos > Al's from the locals I've talked to
I always get it w/ cheddar. Cheese fries there are bomb too
I always get it w/ cheddar. Cheese fries there are bomb too
This post was edited on 7/15/14 at 4:29 pm
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:29 pm to Yak
big al's is the suck. johnnie's is really good, but not as good as portillo's.
the line at suburban portillo's says it all. i've tried them all numerous times. portillo's is king and it's not close.
almost every friend of mine in chicago was born and raised in chicagoland, and i'd say 3 out of 4 of them think portillo's is best when it comes to italian beef. they would know a lot better than transplants who have lived there just a few months.
and who gets an italian beef with cheddar? that sounds disgusting. get it as it was meant to be:
sweet peppers, dipped.
the line at suburban portillo's says it all. i've tried them all numerous times. portillo's is king and it's not close.
almost every friend of mine in chicago was born and raised in chicagoland, and i'd say 3 out of 4 of them think portillo's is best when it comes to italian beef. they would know a lot better than transplants who have lived there just a few months.
and who gets an italian beef with cheddar? that sounds disgusting. get it as it was meant to be:
sweet peppers, dipped.
This post was edited on 7/15/14 at 4:32 pm
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:38 pm to runningTiger
He gets a cheezy beef. You should know that, but then again I'm talking to a troll.
People hate on Al's but he's the godfather of Italian beef. Its like the Philly steak shops...you like one and hate the other.
People hate on Al's but he's the godfather of Italian beef. Its like the Philly steak shops...you like one and hate the other.
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:40 pm to runningTiger
It's a good change up, I switch between the original and the cheesy beef croissant. And I always get it dressed w/ hot peppers, sweet peppers is what all the locals say not to do 
This post was edited on 7/15/14 at 4:42 pm
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:43 pm to Stogie
quote:
People hate on Al's but he's the godfather of Italian beef. Its like the Philly steak shops...you like one and hate the other.
I still need to try Al's out. I have one close by so I'll get around to it
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:49 pm to TigerWise
quote:
I've leaned here that nothing in Chicago is good
lies
Posted on 7/15/14 at 4:50 pm to runningTiger
I'd put Chicken Sue's roast beef up against anyone's in Chicago.
Posted on 7/15/14 at 6:04 pm to Placebeaux
quote:
Chicken Sue's roast beef
who?
Posted on 7/15/14 at 7:50 pm to Big Moe
Had Portillo's with my brother last fall in Chicago. Chain or not, the dipped Italian beef sandwich with sweet peppers was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. It was painful to move after, but it was well worth it. I'm glad we had the opportunity to check the restaurant out.
Posted on 7/15/14 at 8:58 pm to 12Pence
I wasn't hating on it at all for being a chain, I love portillos. 
I was pointing out to the OP that it's already a chain w/ at least 20 locations, so quality shouldn't be affected by expansion
I was pointing out to the OP that it's already a chain w/ at least 20 locations, so quality shouldn't be affected by expansion
Posted on 7/15/14 at 9:00 pm to runningTiger
Chicken Sue's in Lakeview
Posted on 7/15/14 at 9:03 pm to runningTiger
Sup TulaneLSU? Wyd?
Posted on 7/15/14 at 9:05 pm to LSUzealot
I really miss his poems
Posted on 7/15/14 at 9:09 pm to Salmon
quote:
I really miss his poems
Can I get a list? Top-10 TulaneLSU poems. Make it happen.
Posted on 7/15/14 at 9:09 pm to Salmon
quote:
I really miss his poems
Can I get a list? Top-10 TulaneLSU poems. Make it happen.
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