Divvy Bike Guide

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

The Divvy Bike system is one of the best new ways to get around the city on a budget. Divvy Bikes are one of the nation’s most successful urban bike sharing programs. Basically, you sign up, find a Divvy Bike station near you, enter A code, grab a bike and you’re off! Chicago has a gigantic network of more than 580 Divvy Bike stations that you can pick up and return your bike to.

Chicago Divvy Bikes

Whether you don’t have a car, are looking to explore the city on bike or just want to get some exercise, Divvy Bike is for you. It is more convenient than owning your own bike because at any time, you can drop it off at a station and get a cab or an Uber. Or if you go home with a friend, you don’t need to take your bike with you! It is also a bit cheaper than buying your own bike, and you don’t have to worry about maintaining your bike or if it will get stolen.

If biking isn’t for you make sure to read our Guide to Getting Around Chicago to learn about all of your options.

How to Get Started

The first step to taking a spin on the blue bikes is to download the Divvy app and choose a pricing plan. Plans start at $3 for a single ride and go up to a yearly membership for $99. Our recommendation is to buy the daily pass for $15 which gives you unlimited 3-hour rides.

Once you have chosen a plan and paid, you use the app to find a Divvy Bike station near you. Here, you can get a code from your phone and you enter it to get your bike. It’s that simple! Once you are done with your ride, find a Divvy Bike station near you using your app and lock the bike back in. You do not need to drop it off at the stand you got it from! You can use any kiosk to drop it off, making Divvy even more convenient. Once you drop it off, you just need to wait for the green light and you’re all good!

Not only does Divvy save you money, you are also reducing your carbon footprint. It’s a win-win!

Currently, there are over 580 stations available around Chicago. If you look at their system map, it looks like there is a stand every block or so. This makes it very convenient for you, as you will most likely always be near a stand. With other similar services, stands could be limited making it hard to finish your return. Not with Divvy!

If you are a Chicago native, or just someone in town for a visit, you should consider using Divvy Bikes. You save time by avoiding traffic, you save money on gas/ride sharing, and you are going green. Download the app and get started today!

Welcome to Willis Tower … (Sears Tower)

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

When you look at a picture of the Chicago skyline, almost anyone could point out the Willis Tower. It is one of the most iconic buildings in Chicago, and even one of the most iconic buildings in the United States! Heck, we’ll say it – Willis Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in the world! The Willis tower is a beautiful sight from the streets, but you can also visit and explore this building from the inside.

Willis Tower History

The Willis Tower, formerly called the Sears Tower, is one of the top attractions in the city of Chicago. Until the Freedom tower was built in New York city, the Willis tower was the tallest building in the United States. It was also the tallest building in the western hemisphere! From 1973 to 1998, it was also the tallest building in the world and is currently in 19th place, so the height of this building has made it a Chicago icon. This building is so iconic and easy to find we start and finish our Total Loop Tour right outside their front doors. But the massive height is not the only reason you should visit this building during your time in Chicago.

Reasons to visit

The Willis Tower features a lovely skydeck which is a must see attraction. They even have a ledge, so you can stand above the city. One of the coolest features of the skydeck is that you can see four states up there! You will have views of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan if you look across Lake Michigan! In fact, people in southwest Michigan can see the Willis Tower on a clear day and can see it lit up at night. That is one spectacular building!

Cost & Tours

The cost of admission varies depending on what type of admission you want. Standard adult admission is $24, while youth admission is $16. You can purchase a ticket at anytime, and tickets are valid up until 6 months after purchase. If you have a Chicago Citypass, you can save 50% or more as well as save on admission to dozens of other places in Chicago. If you have a large group going with you, you can save on admission! This is perfect for larger family events.

Private events

For those who want a more intimate and memorable experience, the Willis Tower offers a special dining package. For roughly $200, you and one other person can share a meal in the Willis Tower while looking over the city! One of the coolest packages is called ‘Pie in the Sky’, where you are served a Chicago style deep dish pizza.

For those who are looking to spend some time in Chicago, try to make some time to explore this iconic Chicago building. Spending some time at the Skydeck is a fun and memorable experience, as well as a great way to view the city.

15 Cool Chicago Facts

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

This list doesn’t need much of an introduction. We are tour guides. We pride ourselves on knowing a bunch of obscure Chicago facts. Here are some of our favorites:

#1 The first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon was held at CBS studios in Chicago

This presidential debate was the first debate to be televised. Because Kennedy was so composed and calm during the debate, it was said that this debate is what won him the presidency, and what made televised debates a major factor in American politics.

#2 You can see four states from the top of the Willis Tower

If you go to the top of the Willis Tower, you can see Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin!

#3 The original Playboy Mansion was in Chicago

When Hugh Hefner started Playboy, he built the original Playboy Mansion in Chicago! Another fun fact, Playboy itself was started in Chicago.

#4 The first ever skyscraper was built in Chicago

In 1885, the first skyscraper for the Home Insurance Company was constructed in the windy city. New York was NOT the first city to have skyscrapers, contrary to popular belief.

#5 The Willis Tower’s elevators operate at 1,600 feet per minute.

This makes the elevators in the Willis Tower some of the fastest elevators in the world. It used to be the largest building in the Western Hemisphere, so it needed them!

#6 Chicago is home to the very first blood bank, soap opera, color TV station, and controlled atomic blast

Chicago has always been a city of first! It was also home to the first car race, as well as the first ever elevated railway.

#7 Western Avenue in Chicago is the longest (continuous) street in the United States

For those who have been on Western Avenue, you already knew this! Western Avenue is almost 24 miles long, making it larger than any street in the United States, and one of the longest in the world.

#8 The Intro Scene for The Dark Knight was filmed in Chicago

Chicago is the city that inspired Gotham City, and The Dark Knight was filmed partially in Chicago. The license plates even mimicked the Illinois license plates so they would blend in during shooting!

#9 11 Fortune 500 companies are based in Chicago

Chicago has a long history of large corporations being founded in the city. Can you name all 11? Boeing Co., Archer Daniels Midland, United Continental Holdings, Inc, Exelon Corporation, Kraft Heinz, ConAgra Brands, LKQ Corporation, R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, Jones Lang La Salle, Motorola Solutions, Old Republic International Corporation.

#10 The first Mcdonald’s was built in Chicago

Mcdonald’s founder Ray Kroc started the very first Mcdonalds in the Des Plaines suburb of Chicago. The first restaurant was converted to a museum which can be visited.

#11 During the Chicago fair in 1893, Cracker Jacks were introduced to the world.

At the time, putting peanuts with popcorn was unheard of! The inventor was definitely a genius. The inventor was also an immigrant who came to Chicago from Germany.

#12 Every year, 52 million people visit Chicago

That is just under 6,000 visitors to Chicago EVERY HOUR or more than 140,000 visitors each day. This makes Chicago one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.

#13 In 1927, Al Capone made almost $60 million selling alcohol during prohibition

When prohibition was enacted, Al Capone made millions selling alcohol in the Chicago area. If you like this, make sure to check out our Chicago Crime & Gangster Tour.

#14 The cell phone was invented by a Chicago native

Martin Cooper, the inventor of the cell phone, was from Chicago. He is also considered the ‘father of wireless’ and has 11 patents.

#15 The Chicago river flows backwards

In 1887, engineers decided to reverse the flow of the Chicago River to solve some of the city’s drainage problems. The river now flows into Chicago instead of out towards Lake Michigan.

What is your favorite Chicago fun fact? Let us know!

Best Chicago Skyline Photo Opportunities

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

The Chicago skyline is world famous, and for a very good reason. It’s almost impossible to visit Chicago and not see it, but how do you get the best Chicago skyline photo? Whether you’re a professional photographer or just have a smartphone, going to one of these places will give you a big beautiful view of the city. Perfect or that memorable selfie and Instagram account!

Here is a list of the best places to capture your Chicago skyline photo. Remember to check the weather before you go to make sure you will have good visibility.

Whole Foods Market

1101 Canal St #107, Chicago, IL 60607

This may not be a traditional place to view the glorious Chicago skyline, but you can get an amazing view here! This is one of the best kept secrets for viewing the skyline and admission is free. With the large windows and open floor plan, there is plenty of space to view the skyline.

The Art Institute of Chicago

111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

The Art Institute has some great views of the Chicago skyline. If you are an Illinois resident, you can view the skyline for free on Thursdays from 5-8pm. This is perfect for the locals who want to take a glimpse at the skyline. For every other day, and for those who live out of state, admission is $23. On the bright side, showing your student ID will get you $5 off!

We want to take this moment to let you know that several of places on our list can be accessed when you purchase a Chicago CityPass which can save you over 50% off the listed admission price into The Shedd Aquarium, The Skydeck at Willis Tower, The Art Institute of Chicago & The Field Museum. If you plan to visit these places during your trip it’s worthwhile to check if this can help save you money.

The Shedd Aquarium

1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

If you are already planning on going to the aquarium, you can get a good view of the Chicago skyline too! The Shedd Aquarium is one of the top aquariums in the country and its home to countless amazing exhibits. Admission to the aquarium is $89, so if you plan on going make the most out of your visit and check out the Chicago skyline on the upper level!

Lake Point Tower Restaurant

505 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611

The Lake Point Restaurant has some incredible skyline views of the city as well as Lake Michigan! Admission is free, and you can also get a great meal while you are there!

Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower)

233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

Willis tower, formerly the Sears Tower, is one of the most popular places to view the skyline in the city. It features a see through glass floor on the edge of the building, where you can walk out and get a great view of the city. Admission varies, but it’s usually less than $20. Be sure to check for discounts they do offer them frequently.

ROOF on theWIT

201 North State Street, 27th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601

This rooftop view is completely free to check out depending on the date. It’s usually busy, but there are some great views of the city that can be captured here.

Chicago Helicopter Experience

2420 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

For those who want to have a fun experience alongside getting a good skyline view or picture, you can always charter a helicopter ride. If you get a group to all pitch in, the price can drop substantially.

Have you taken a great Chicago skyline photo from a different location? Let us know where below.

Must Try Coffee Shops in Chicago

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

You may not realize this, but Chicago is home to some of the finest coffee in the world. If you live in the Windy City, or if you’re just visiting, make sure to take advantage of these coffee shops in Chicago. There are so many coffee shops in Chicago that it can be hard to choose, but the list we put together will hopefully make your choice easier.

The only downside is that once you try one of these places, regular coffee will just never be the same again!

This list contains the top five coffee shops in Chicago. They are rated on quality, atmosphere, and the approach the company takes to sourcing coffee.

La Colombe Coffee Roasters

Multiple Locations in Chicago

La Colombe is one of the best known quality coffee companies in the United States. They source coffee beans from all over the world and directly from the farmers. La Colombe has consistently been recognized for its quality product and their charitable work.

The founder of this company was also the subject of the Travel Channel documentary ‘Uncommon Grounds’ in which he goes to remote and sometimes dangerous locations to make deals on quality coffee beans directly from the source. When you get coffee from La Colombe, you are getting some of the finest coffee beans in the world. Currently, they have four (soon to be five) locations in Chicago, so hopefully you can find one near you!

Osmium Coffee Bar (Dark Matter)

1117 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

If you are looking for the traditional ‘quirky’ coffee shop with a laid back atmosphere, Osmium is the perfect place for you! Not only is the environment fun and creative, but the product itself is superb. There is a reason so many people

This coffee shop is located in an industrial space, so you might miss it if you don’t look closely enough. Many people have called this coffee bar a ‘hidden gem’ because many just assumed it was a wholesale coffee vendor, but they indeed do sell by the cup. The prices are also reasonable!

Caffe U mbria

346 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Caffe Umbria is a Seattle based coffee chain with a branch in Chicago. They are known for their in house coffee beans. So unlike other premium coffee shops, the taste of their coffee is consistent because it’s the same bean. Many other premium coffee shops change flavors frequently based on availability. But with Caffe Umbria, you can get the same thing every time, making this the perfect coffee shop for those who like consistency with their coffee.

Caffe Streets

1750 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

As soon as you walk into this coffee shop, you are greeted with an incredible wood decor that will inspire you to feel more creative. The coffee is ground on demand and their specialty coffee is great! But honestly, just go for the atmosphere!

We love Caffe Streets because they are genuinely a part of the fabric of the community. Not only do they aspire to serve the best coffee (and they do) they want to create a warm, friendly and welcoming place for you to get work done and socialize.

Bridgeport Coffee

Multiple Locations

Bridgeport Coffee is known for their ethical approach to coffee. Instead of going through suppliers, they have created direct relationships with growers themselves. This is why many choose to shop at Bridgeport, but the coffee is also incredible! They have several locations throughout the Chicago area.

Is there anything better than a great cup of coffee? We think it’s hard to beat! Enjoy while you’re in Chicago!

6 Best Chicago Lunch Specials Under $10 [Updated 2018]

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

Chicago has an incredible food scene. Heck Chicago has an incredible Food Tour scene. But this can come with a hefty price tag. One of the best ways to find a deal on a meal is to check out a Chicago lunch special.

We have listed our favorite 6 restaurants offering great Chicago lunch specials.

And we took it one step further – these are the best Chicago lunch specials that won’t cost you more than $10. Remember, just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean that its bad! These restaurants are incredible, and this list has a variety of options to make sure there is something for everyone.

Pierogi Heaven

169 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606

This popular Polish restaurant has only a few menu items but there is a good reason for that. For under $10, you can get a large dish of Pierogi’s and a drink and still have some meter change.

L‘ Patron

3749 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

This is one of the most popular ‘street restaurants’ in Chicago. This restaurant serves Mexican cuisine. No reservations needed. Just walk up and grab your food! You can also sit out on their patio and enjoy the hip industrial area. $10 goes a long way here. In fact, $10 might be enough for two people! If you go, be sure to try The Gringo, it’s delicious!

Nhu Lan Bakery

2612 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

The Nhu Lan Bakery is a Vietnamese bakery located in Lincoln Square. The word on the street is they have the best banh mi in the city, and for under $10! $5 can get you a delicious and healthy meal that will keep you full until dinner, and you would still have enough for one of their delicious smoothies.

Pequod’s Pizza

2207 North Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

This has got to be one of the best pizza deals in the city. For $5, you can get a 7-inch personalized pizza with a soda. This deal is available on Wednesdays during lunch, so if you are in the mood for a classic deep dish pizza for lunch make sure you take advantage of this deal. If you can’t be there on Wednesday, they still have great deals during the rest of the week and their caramelized-cheese crust is incredible!

Harold’s Chicken Shack #88

124 E 35th St, Chicago, IL 60625

For $10 at Harolds Chicken Shack, you can get a quarter chicken dinner meal. This meal is available for lunch as well! Prices vary by location, but it’s usually at or under $10. But in this case, you came for the quality! There are plenty of cheap chicken places in Chicago, but none of them are Harold’s.

Lutz Cafe & Pastry Shop

2458 W Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60625

If you are still hungry after eating one of these delicious cheap lunch specials, be sure to go out and try a pastry from the Lutz Cafe! For $5, you can get a pastry just for yourself. Sometimes, we deserve to treat ourselves!

Hopefully, the next time you want a cheap lunch you will skip the fast food places and head to a place that is unique to Chicago. If you are spending time in this beautiful city, be sure to get the full experience and try something new!

The Best Chicago Books

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

If you are thinking of taking a trip to Chicago, reading one of our best Chicago books before you go is a great way to get familiar with the city and decide how you want to spend your time here. Chicago is an enormous city full of history, culture, and a vibrant nightlife. If you really want to make the most of your trip, start here.

**Please know the links on this page will take you to Amazon. If you make a purchase Free Chicago Walking Tours will receive a commission. Thank you in advance for any purchases that are made!**

111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss

While in Chicago, it’s important to make the most of your time here. There are so many great things to do in this city it can almost seem overwhelming. Of all the Chicago books in our list this one gives it to you straight.

This book pinpoints all of the best attractions in Chicago in a list-style format. A book like this is a great read for the plane ride over! If you are driving, let somebody else take the wheel so you can check out this incredibly well put together book.

The million dollar question is: Can I see all 111 places in one visit? Technically sure, we don’t see why you couldn’t. That might take you longer than you anticipate as most locals haven’t seen all 111 in their lifetime. We think you should see all 111 over a few different trips in different seasons too.

Chicago: Then and Now

This popular picture-based book shows how the skyline of Chicago has changed over the years. This is the perfect book for lovers of history and architecture!

After you get back from your trip, you can also put this book out on your coffee table as it makes a perfect coffee table book! If you did go to some of the sites listed in the book, you can talk about these places with your guests. This book serves as a helpful guide as well as a great educational experience!

Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago 2018

If you are not taking one of our Free Chicago Walking Tours and still want to check out some of the best sites, getting a few guidebooks before you head to the city is always a great idea! And honestly, even if you are touring with us it’s not a bad idea to grab a guidebook.

One of our favorite guidebooks come from ‘Not For Tourists’ series. These guidebooks are advertised as a way to travel the city like a local! Not only will this help you avoid embarrassing tourists cliches, but navigating the city comfortablely will help you make the most of your time when you travel.

Lonely Planet Chicago (Travel Guide)

This is another incredibly popular travel guide. When searching for a travel guide, the more reputable the company the better the information will be. The Lonely Planet guides have tons of useful information for every age group and interest! Sure, you can read up on blogs and articles on the internet, but having a book with this much information is a great way to make sure you do not miss everything.

No matter what your interests are, Chicago has something for everyone. Whether you are coming to the city for business or pleasure, you should make the most out of your time while you are here! Our short list of the best Chicago books will have you feeling like a local. We hope you enjoy your stay!

Did we miss a great book? Let us know!

Chicago Travel Apps to Download Right Now

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

We’re so thankful that the days of getting lost in a new city are over! With smartphones, there are countless Chicago travel apps to help you navigate the city and beyond. But there are so many apps to choose from. Free Chicago Walking Tours is here to help. And you know we are listing the best free ones.

Before your trip, make sure to download these apps to help you navigate Chicago so you can focus on the important things like having the time of your life.

Transit Stop: CTA Tracker

This is by far the most helpful Public Transportation app for navigating The Windy City. Transit Stop has live updates on the trains and busses in the Chicago. You will get detailed maps, arrival times, and be able to plan your route. In Chicago, public transportation is cheap. Take advantage of that while you are here! Don’t forget to check out Free Chicago Walking Tours Guide to Getting Around Chicago

SpotHero for Parking

For those of you who are brave enough to drive around Chicago you need to get this app ASAP. In fact, anybody living in or visiting a large city should have it. In a nutshell SpotHero allows users to find and purchase discounted parking spots all over Chicago. Say buh-bye to the days of paying full-price for parking!

Chicago Visitors Guide

This handy app is a virtual version of the Chicago Visitors Guide by our friends at Choose Chicago. This app is 100% free and provides unbiased information as well as recommendations for the best restaurants, bars, and live entertainment is going on during your time in the city. It’s like your own personal concierge!

Ventra

If you’re going to be in Chicago for a while (say, more than 2 days) and you’re going to ride public transportation (buses and trains) then you should consider downloading Ventra, Chicago Transit Authority’s payment system. This app won’t make or break your Chicago experience. You still need an actual Ventra card to board buses and trains, but you can skip some of the lines with this app.

Uber and Lyft

We try not to take sides in the ride share battle. So we offer $5 off your first Uber ride and $5 off your first Lyft ride. Why not try them both and decide for yourself? If you need to get somewhere and don’t know your way around or if there are no trains or busses nearby, just open up one of these apps and your driver will magically appear. Rides are cheaper than taxis and your credit card is stored in the app for payment – no exchanging money! Hooray!

Download these Chicago travel apps and you will be navigating our city like a pro!

Did we miss an awesome app? Let us know!

2017 Millennium Park Summer Movie Schedule

Posted on May 6, 2017 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

Starting in June and running until early September you will be able to enjoy 14 different movies for FREE in Millennium Park on their giant 40ft screen. You can sit back and relax from a seat in the Jay Pritzker Pavillon or breakout the blanket and bottle wine (it’s OK to do so!) and chill out on the lawn.

If you plan on bringing kids just double check the movie that is being shown as there are several ‘R’ rated films.

Each movie starts at 6:30pm every Tuesday. Mark your calendars…

Tuesday, June 13 – The Blues Brothers (R)

Tuesday, June 20 – Caddy Shack(R)

Tuesday, June 27 – Julia & Julia (PG-13)

Tuesday, July 11 (presented in Spanish with English subtitles) – El Norte (R)

Tuesday, July 18 – La La Land (PG-13)

Tuesday, July 25 – Network (R)

Tuesday, August 1 – Bend it like Beckham (PG-13)

Tuesday, August 8 (Double Feature!) – Ghost (PG-13) & The Shining (R)

Tuesday, August 15 – Hidden Figures (PG)

Tuesday, August 22 – Five Heartbeats (R)

Thursday, August 24th (11:00 AM Showing) – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (80th Anniversary)

Tuesday, August 29 – The Princess Bride (PG)

Tuesday, September 5 – Wayne’s World (PG-13)

Have fun and we hope to see you out there!

Chicago Style Italian Beef

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Free Chicago Walking Tours

Today we’re examining Chicago Style Italian Beef including the history, the ingredients and most importantly where to get it. In the past we’ve broken down Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and it is probably more involved than you might think.

Chicago Style Italian Beef History

We’re not sure why we Chicagoans have such a hard time with history and getting stories straight. Who started the Great Chicago Fire of 1871? Where did we get our Chicago Nicknames? Italian Beef also has some debatable origins. Here are a handful of the most recognized theories.

1925 a company by the name of Scala’s Original Beef and Sausage Company started in Chicago. (Spoiler alert: it still does operate and supplies many Chicago restaurants with their meat for beef sandwiches). According to them the Italian Beef was introduced at weddings and banquets. The roasted beef was sliced thing and served on bread to help “stretch” the food to feed the many guests. It was, needless to say, a very popular item and the rest is history.
Then there is the story of an Italian immigrant working in the Chicago Stock Yards in the early 1900s. (The stock yards were Chicago’s meat-packing district, and Chicago led the world in meat packing back then). The worker would take home the less desirable cuts of meat that the company sold and according to the story made literally the same exact thing that is served today: roast the beef in Italian spices and broth, slice it, serve on Italian bread. This one seems a bit far-fetched, but we love it.
And while perhaps not the inventory of Italian Beef sandwiches we do have to tip our caps to Al Ferreri and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli. Why? Because that trio is responsible for opening Al’s Beef in 1938. The restaurant is still open today and has expanded quite a bit. In fact there is one in Dubai now!

Regardless of who invented the Chicago Style Italian Beef when we know this much – it’s dang good. Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients used to make these sandwiches.

Chicago Style Italian Beef Ingredients

Al’s Beef Chicago Style Italian Sausage. Don’t you tell us this doesn’t make you hungry.

We like this part the best. So often we don’t know what were eating. A Chicago Style Italian Beef? Easy, it’s meat, bread, juice and maybe some peppers, right? Not so fast…

The meat used to make an Italian Beef sandwich is beef. Typically it’s one of three different cuts of meat: sirloin rear, bottom round or top round. Bottom Round is by far the most popular which if you look at the graphic below it would be a 32 lb. cut of beef just above the shank on the outside of the steer’s hind legs.

Study and remember these cuts the next time you are shopping for beef in the grocery store. Source: Yzmo at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)

Most likely the cut used in Italian Beef is going to be from the Bottom Round because it’s lean and it’s the cheapest cut. However the meat isn’t as tender as some of the other cuts. To make the meat soft and delicious it’s roasted at a medium heat in a garlicky broth infused with Italian spices such as oregano. This style of roasting in a liquid is called a wet roast. Depending on the exact style of cut and how long the beef is roasted you could lose almost half of the weight during the cooking process. Yikes!

Once the beef is cooked it’s then sliced thin in a deli slicer and returned to it’s broth to cook some more before being served to you on an Italian roll with your choice of peppers – either sweet or hot.

You’re going to get your choice – sweet or hot peppers. Of course you could opt for neither, but if you take one or the other here is what you’re getting:

Sweet Peppers – the pepper is actually called the Friggitello, but you might here it in the streets called “Golden Greek”. We (Americans) will often times confuse this with a peperoncini – THIS IS NOT a peperoncini. Oh, and often times if you order sweet peppers on your Italian Beef you could get simply cooked green bell peppers, which is OK too.
Hot Peppers – Mmm. This is where it’s at! When you order hot peppers on your Chicago Style Italian Beef you aren’t simply going to get a couple of whole peppers thrown on there. You’re going to get a hot relish of pickled vegetables that INCLUDE peppers called Giardiniera. (Pronounced: JAR – DIH – NAIR – AH) This HOT style relish is a Chicago thing and we’ll often times add sport peppers to kick it up a notch. The remaining vegetables include carrots, celery, cauliflower, serrano peppers and gherkins. There can be an entire post on Giardiniera – which is a good idea…

Some places you can have them throw cheese on top, typically melted mozzarella. We’ve had it. It’s not bad – actually it’s quite good. However, there is just something that feels “right” about not getting cheese. No one is going to look at you crazy if you order a cheesy beef though.

And when you order you are definitely going to be asked “Wet or Dry?” This can throw a first-timer off. You might be wondering, “wait…what? it’s a sandwich..” Here is what you need to know to properly answer:

Wet: The beef gets pulled from the broth with tongs and is immediately put onto the Italian roll – most of the juices are soaked into the bread.
Dry: The beef gets pulled from the broth and the server gives the beef a chance to dry off. Most of the juices drip back into the pot and don’t make it to your bread.
Dipped: This is a thing. Beef sandwich is made and then with the tongs the ENTIRE sandwich is dipped into the broth. 100 out 100 in the flavor department, 100 out of 100 in the very soggy, kind of hard to eat department too.

Where to get Chicago Style Italian Beef

Johnnie’s Beef (Courtesy of TripAdvisor)

There are so many great places for Italian Beef in Chicago. We couldn’t possibly list them all. We’ll do our best to provide our favorites. If we forgot a place on this list add it to the comments section. In no particular order…

Al’s Beef – Many locations, one of the originals founded in 1938

Mr. Beef on Orleans – Another one of the originals – classic.

Johnnie’s Beef – One of our favorites – located just west of Chicago. Yum.

Portillo’s – A Chicagoland favorite – has a large menu of other foods too and many locations across the city.

Jay’s Beef – This place serves awesome beef sandwiches and is located in Wicker Park. So we like it. A lot.

Enjoy your Chicago Style Italian Beef sandwiches!