An Italian beef is a sandwich of American origin, originating in Chicago, made from thin slices of roast beef simmered and served with a thin gravy on French bread. Common toppings are a choice between spicy giardiniera (called "hot") or mild bell peppers (called "sweet"). The entire sandwich may be dipped in the juice the meat is cooked in before serving with a side of French fries.

The sandwich traces back to Italian-American immigrants in Chicago as early as the 1930s, but the exact origin is unknown. The sandwich gradually grew in popularity and was widely eaten in the city by the 1970s and 1980s.

Preparation

The sandwich is made from beef that has been roasted in beef stock and other seasonings. A 1962 recipe calls for bay leaves, garlic powder, tomato paste, and crushed dried red pepper. The meat is cooked until it is not pink in the middle. When it is done, it is sliced as thinly as possible, usually thinner than one would for a roast beef sandwich. The bread is typically crusty so it does not fall apart after being dipped.

Traditionally the sandwich is either ordered "sweet" with grilled or boiled bell peppers, or "hot" with spicy giardiniera. The sandwich can also be topped with cheese (mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar). Some restaurants offer the addition of Italian sausage, typically called a "combo." Marinara sauce is sometimes offered as a topping. One possible origin is that the sandwich was invented by Italian American immigrants who sliced inexpensive beef cuts exceedingly thin to feed many people and to tenderize tougher cuts of beef that they were limited to buying due to discrimination. The beef was served on bread to further stretch the meal and mask the poor quality of the meat. Some historians believe that Pasquale Scala invented the sandwich in the 1920s to serve at weddings. Al's Beef claims that Tony Ferreri invented the sandwich in the 1920s to serve at weddings; his son Al later began selling beef sandwiches in 1938.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the sandwich was not very popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but it began to take off in the 1970s. By the 1980s, the sandwich was ubiquitous throughout Chicago and celebrities such as Neil Diamond and Jay Leno reportedly enjoyed the sandwich. Still, the sandwich was mostly unknown outside the city until the release of The Bear in 2022. Restaurants across the U.S. reported a surge in demand for the sandwich in the months following the premiere of the show.

See also

  • Philly cheesesteak
  • French dip
  • List of regional dishes of the United States
  • List of American sandwiches
  • List of sandwiches

References

  • GreaseFreak's images of Chicago-style Italian beefs