04/04/26 - Johnnies Beef in Arlington Heights one of the TOP Beef places in Chicago. Dam where else to you take a former Chicagoan? You go one of the top beef places in Chicagoland. I would easily rank Johnnies in the top 3 places probably number 2 in my opinion. I ordered the XL beef dipped w/giardiniera peppers. This beef was dripping w/incredible beef juice & the peppers. This isn't my first rodeo @ Johnnies Beef & it certainly will not be my last because when you find an outstanding beef it's definitely worth going back to over & over again & at time treat an out of town guest to one of the best Chicago has to offer. read more

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The food here is great! The restaurant vibe feels like a hole in the wall type of place. But it's slightly better in the sense of cleanliness and decor. The staff were friendly and responsive. Even though they forgot my fries and almost charged me again. Good thing I busted out my receipt. Tho they prolly would have refunded me if I were double charged. But on to the food review. We got 8 sandwiches I think and 10 Italian ice, 5 lemonade and 5 watermelon. Most of the beef sandos were double dipped. All of them had extra spicy and sweet pickles. Though the pickles were extra charge yet each sandwich came out to be less than $9. Overall it was pretty tasty and I thought the value was pretty good. Granted a hole in the wall ought to be cheaper yet I still felt there was great value here. Now can I make this at home? I suppose. But I prolly wouldn't and prolly would rather come here and just give 'em my money! The Italian ice and beef sandos were a good combo. There were 12 of us and 8 sandos, 10 Italian ice, fries and one large Diet Coke came to about $103. Granted we split the sandos yet it was still a pretty good value and yummy late night junk food hangout spot. Is it better than that other places that serves Chicago dogs? I think so. But you'll just have to come and try it for yourself. read more

Prices - VERY REASONABLE! Service was incredibly quick, also. Hot dogs - very good. (I'd say one notch lower than "Gene and Judes", flavor-wise, for those familiar with that place) Beefs - very good. Sausages - seem to be a bit "overdone" (think "well done", if it was a hamburger), though I believe that is the style of Johnnie's Beef, as that has been the case with both locations I have visited. They are ok, but seem to be a bit too charred. Perhaps you can request one less charred. Great prices, very good food. Just be aware of how their traditional cooking ways of the italian sausage is. read more

We have not been here in a while and we're passing by around dinnertime so we decided to dine here. I ordered the double dog (it comes with fries) the fries are just like McDonalds used to make back in the day without all the chemicals. Wow I forgot how much I loved their fries! These are clearly the best fries around (in my opinion) My husband ordered the beef bowl. We posted a video of him opening it up. They wrap it really good with plastic wrap. The guys at the counter took the orders quickly and got out food out to us just as fast. Very impressive It is freezing cold outside and it was nice and warm in here. Even when the door opened you did not get any arctic blast and we sat really close to the door. Definitely adding this to our favorites list! Great food at good prices! Cannot go wrong dining here. Will dine here again soon! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Double dog with fries Beef bowl Large diet coke - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

We tried the other Johnnie's Beef so we of course had to try this Johnnie's Beef. Hubby and daughter each got a beef and the son ordered a hot dog. Everything was great... perfectly dipped and hot. Service was incredibly quick, we were there at lunch time during the week. We sat outside and watched the birds who were looking for dropped French fries. The birds are smart, the fries are great. We made some friends as we were walking to our car... all of us talking about how good the beef is. read more

Johnnie's Beef - Beef Sandwich - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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Everyone is nice and friendly and the food always hits! I love that you can use a credit card at this location. They also have watermelon Italian Ice. read more

I know this place is an institution and really famous for the Italian beef and the grilled hotdog here. However, I came here for the very first time on a weekday to get some relief from the ridiculous heat. I wanted to try the famous Italian ice here. I came at an off time in the afternoon and of course there was a line however, this line does move. I learned on this day there's only lemon or watermelon and there's no mixing, which is perfectly fine. We got two large lemons and they really overflow and overfill that cup, which is fantastic. I will definitely be coming back here again as this is a true institution at staple. There is real lemon in the lemon ice so it's not just sugar. They have a pretty big parking lot as well. read more

Johnnie's Beef - Italian lemon ice - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Johnnie's Beef is a local staple! The Arlington Heights location accepts cash and card to make it easy for customers. They are best known for their Italian beef sandwich as well as italian ice. My husband ordered the combo sandwich (italian beef & sausage) with wet bread and hot peppers. The peppers added a good heat to the sandwich! I had the hotdog and fry combo. The fries were skinny, perfectly salted, and crispy. My hotdog had a steamed bun and quality beef. We shared the small italian ice which had a fresh lemon flavor. This is a fast casual spot with some tables and chairs inside and on an outdoor patio. Parking is minimal up front but there is more in the back. Overall, I highly recommend Johnnie's Beef for the quality, flavor, and to support small business. read more

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First of all anybody who rates this place less than five stars as an idiot and should not be posting anything on Yelp clearly doesn't know anything about Italian beef and how they should be presented. This place is a staple and icon to the whole Chicagoland area this branch out in Arlington Heights is spot on to the original in the city 100% worth a drive no matter where you're at to go get a large or an XL Italian beef with hot peppers on the side. The service in this place is absolutely stupendous & fast. I was in line with 15 people in front of me and was through the line with my food in hand less than five minutes everything accurate and perfect and delicious as it was when I was a kid eating there for many many years !! Every time I visit Chicago that's my first stop as well as Al & Joe's Italian subs in Franklin Park near the airport (bonus review) (look it up) Johnnie's beef on the inside of this restaurant is no frills , simple , Fast and place for the best Italian beefs in the whole city. Now, if you want the most authentic Italian ice you'll ever have ? Johnny's is even known more for their Italian ice than their beef and their beefs are 6 1/2 stars out of 5.!! so make sure that you get the Italian lemonade ice !! It's the staple of Johnny's beef & 100% you will not be dissatisfied !! So..if you are looking for some great authentic Chicago fast food Italian beef's,sausage,Hotdogs? This Italian beef stand should be eaten every day that you visit Chicago that's just my suggestion!! Try something different on the menu every day that you're there trust me it's worth it. ! Cheers!! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Italian beef and a hotdog with fries only mustard on the hotdog with hot giardiare on the side - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Went here for an Italian Beef. The place was packed. I was greeted and placed my order. My order was handed to me so fast, I thought they gave me someone else's food. There were no tables available so I asked a guy could I share his table. It was too cold to sit outside. The beef was tender and seasoned well. The hot peppers could be hotter but still had a nice kick. The fries were crispy and salted well. And the price for both was a good deal. read more

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When in Chicago I always need an Italian beef sandwich! Method: wet with hot peppers. This one was good. Very few hot peppers, not very wet. I left behind some of the dry parts of bread. Good heat on the peppers, but really wanted to see morel on the sandwich before I ate it! read more

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I got take out, tamales and a italian beef sandwich and a hotdog. I was already "Hangry", been in a car for 12 hes traveling from NYC to Chicage. First restaurant on the way to the hotel is Johnnie's beef. Its only normal to want to try their signature tamales, i placed an order, we shared it with my wife. As a Salvadorian, who has eaten many tamales sweet, savory, pork, chicken and tamales de elote. I didnt understand what i was eating. There was something maybe beef, pork or chicken that was the filling in the tamal. The masa was soft and doughy, couldnt eat it. The beef sandwich was ok, if you take away the pickled veggies, the beef does not have alot of taste. The hotdog was another story. I am an avid hotdog connoisseur. My favorite dog no matter where I go, is the costco hotdog. So we tried the hotdog with everything, they are right had everything but taste. Never had a bad dog, i guess there is always a first time for everything. What can i say. We were veey disappointed about lunch. read more

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Fast service and good food they just need to wipe down tables as customers leave. I would give 5 's but for the dirty tables I'm giving 2 stars read more

Johnnie s Beef is a classic Chicago beef stand. My favorite is the combination beef and sausage with their homemade sweet peppers. My tip is to order a sweet pepper sandwich and a hot dog which comes with fries! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Welcome - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

DELICIOUS!! Super Fast!! I love how they don't skimp on the Giardiniera! The fries were hot and crispy. Wish there were cheese for the fries to dip, but not a game changer! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Italian Sausage and Italian Beef - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Folks, it ain't fancy, but it's the best meal you will eat almost any day of the week. It's honestly the best beef sandwich in Chicago. I kept it simple, beef dipped with homemade hot gardinera peppers. Side of well done fries ( ha ha, they only do it one way, theirs). This place takes a credit card which the Elmwood Park place doesn't. They even have squirt bottles of ketchup instead of a paper twist with a dude squirting it in there, laughable. Bread was the good stuff from Torrano and it held together even in the gravy bath. OMG! Seriously, it's just so good. I'm sweating from the peppers & flavor bomb explosion in every bite. Can't say enough about this lunch experience. Enjoy with an out of towner and they will move to IL. Ya gotta eat it here for the full experience. Don't miss it! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Beef, dipped, w/ homemade hot gardindera peppers & a fry. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Can't believe that I never reviewed Johnnie's Beef. This place is a gem if you want an Italian Beef Sandwich- they are one of the best ones in the area, they blow Portillo's away for sure. My favorite is the Italian beef juicy with hot peppers, and the fries are pretty good as well. They have good hot dogs too that include fries with each one, and they have a pepper and egg sandwhich on Fridays which is also delicious. I'd definitely recommend Johnnie's if you want something quick and delicious. read more

Quality of food is the same as the original location. This location has plentiful indoor and outdoor seating, which is a plus. Whenever we are out and about in the West/NW burbs we try to stop here if possible. read more

It has been a while since I have been to Johnnie's. The beef sandwiches are so good, the best around! The beef, gravy and sweet peppers, yum! I love the Italian iced lemonade. A basic restaurant with quick service. Sorry Portillo's, Johnnie's Beef is way better!! read more

The food is always 10/10. Service is fast and prices are great definitely top 3 spots in Chicago read more

Johnnie's Beef - Watermelon Italian Ice - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Solid lunch spot for good food. Quick service!!! Get the spicy peppers and put it on everything!!!!! Italian sausage is good and spicy. Need the bread to make it taste good. A bit dry without the bread soaking in juice to complete the tasty bit. Italian beef is messy but the worth it. Get the spicy peppers it is the best. It's a bit much and you kinda get tired of the taste but it's solid. The regular hot dog is fine but no need for this. I wish they cooked the meat and bread with the same care and love they do for the other stuff in their menu. I got it since the hot dog and fries combo was a good deal. The fries are good here. read more

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Delicious beef sandwich. One of the best in the NW suburbs. Clean restaurant, fast service, reasonable prices.

Tasty Chicago Beef and refreshing Italian Ice Stopped by here after work for a quick dinner. They legitimately had my order ready before I could put my wallet away. There's plenty of seating both indoor and outdoor, although being off a busy road. Driving in was also a bit annoying, although parking is plentiful. Staff were busy preparing for dinner and you could see a positive espirit de corps. Beef sandwich: the regular size was perfect for me, but if it was after a workout would definitely have gone after the 9 incher. It comes dipped by default, but if you want more gravy they have a bowl option for a dollar more which I'm definitely considering for next time. The peppers were surprisingly spicy and definitely need a chaser after biting into those bad boys. The large watermelon Italian ice was super refreshing and despite having a sign that said to watch out for seeds, didn't have an issue with it. Great flavor and would definitely get that over a pop any day. Can see why people come here regularly! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Italian beef, regular size with spicy peppers. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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I first heard about this place through a FB post as well as on Reddit. It's been on my list for awhile, so I decided to check it last night. It's a regular size grab and go restaurant, but they do have plenty of tables to eat at. They take debit and credit cards. I ordered the regular Italian beef sandwich, combo (sausage and beef), and watermelon Italian ice. Service is very quick. By the time I received my receipt, my order was ready. I got my sandwiches with sweet peppers, juicy, and dipped. The Italian beef and sausages both have great flavor and they are not dry. Johnnie's is easily in my top 3 and I ate at a lot of Italian beef places. Skip Portillos, that's mostly for newbies who don't have a lot of knowledge. The watermelon Italian ice was delicious, so I used a bigger spoon when I got home. Prices are very reasonable. You can see in my pictures, they gave me a lot of meat. read more

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my favorite beef sandwich in chicago, it was simple but so good. The bread soft the meat so flavorful and juicy. everyone seems to have their favorite and this place ended up being mine, will be back and recommend for beef sandos read more

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Have to give all the stars- but I've said numerous times- like other day-/ lunchtime lady slinging the beef and giardinare wasn't even looking - straight one armed slign got a bread and little bit of beef sandwich with a few pieces of celery-- every time man!!! Serious not sure why!!! Maybe Soo good that's all they give you-- man the old days are thing of past!! Proud to make you're sandwich nice And ask you!! How was it!!?! Not no more!! WHERES THE BEEF!??? Johnnie!!? read more

Johnnie's Beef - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Simply the Best Beef. It never disappoints. Homemade beef is the secret. You order your food and in less than 30 seconds it's in your hands. I never get tired of this beef sandwich. read more

Johnnie's Beef - Italian Beef Hot - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

No frills, just doing one thing and doing it well. My wife didn't know what to get so I took the liberty of ordering two Italian Beefs hot and wet, she was not a fan of the hot part. read more

A decent Italian beef and decent fries. There are better Italian beef's out there. Super quick service. The watermelon shaved ice was awesome read more

Johnnie's Beef - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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Food is amazing. Service is great. Ambience is awesome. It's amazing. Been going here all my life.

This was SO good. The beef sandwich was perfect, i had to go order another one right away! My boyfriend and I also got a watermelon and a lemon Italian ice and they were both incredible, definitely way better than store bought Italian ice. This is going to be a new staple for me whenever I visit Chicago now! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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Best beef around! They move you through very fast. However at lunch the lines are long and the dining area is packed. I especially like the Italian lemonade! read more

I ate here 3 times within a 48 hour period!! Yeah, it's like that!!! The warm sweet peppers on the side and mixed on my sandwich with hot giardinera, mannnnnnnnnnnnn!!! Amazing! They had pickles! Winner, winner in my books! Fast service. Like, Jimmy John's NC service. You blink and your food is in your hands. For this place, that was a plus! Very accurate each time! I tried the hot beef Italian and the hot beef with Italian sausage combo. When I tell you, those 2 sandwiches were explosive in my mouth! I could eat these sandwiches daily, and am jealous of the Chicagoans that know what time it is and indulge! Can't wait to get back for an authentic Italian beef with hot and sweet peppers! Delicious! SN: They have the small cylindrical ice! IYKYK read more

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Why ? You used to be our go to for hot dogs . I can not remember the last time you got my order right . What is so hard about making a hotdog with just mustard & onion ? I'm going to assume pretty damn hard ! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Soggy hotdog with nothing I want on it - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Today was only the second time that I've eaten here, but I won't be coming back. I ordered the XL Italian beef but it was extremely skimpy on the beef, there was more bread than beef. I asked them to make my French Fries well done but he refused. He said they only come 'one way'. Seriously, would it have been such a problem to drop them in the fryer for another minute or two? Especially since they were not very busy at the time that I was there.... read more

This is the beef spot. It's always on lists of best Italian beef places in Chicago, and if it's not it's because it's technically not in city limits. Johnnie's used to be where my dad would go every Friday for lunch with his co-workers and it's now the place he takes visitors right after landing at the airport. It was even the number one spot I wanted to go to after spending a month in France. The menu is very simple, almost like a flow chart. You want a beef. Maybe you want an Italian sausage in there as well. You can get it dipped, and you should get it dipped (which means they take the whole sandwich and dunk it in the beef juices). Then you can add sweet or hot peppers (giardiniera). My go-to is the beef, dipped, hot. Note that cheese isn't an option here like most beef places, though Portillo's has it. The beef is super tender and the juice is full of flavor. I find Portillo's lacking compared to it, and while original Al's is good sometimes their juice is too peppery. Here it's savory with the right balance of heat and spices. You can also just get the sausage, fries, or a pepper and egg sandwich (on Fridays). They also recently added beef bowls to their menu, which is basically their menu without bread. An order of fries is actually pretty large so you might be ok with one order for two adults. When you walk in you'll see that they actually have two registers on opposite sides of the store, since they're optimized for lunch rush. The people working there are usually a little short with their replies but that's part of the charm of the place. The patio is perfect for summer nights, and a great place to have your Italian ice with real chunks of lemon for dessert. There's a good reason Johnnie's has been around for decades, and they even take credit cards now which makes it far too convenient to ruin your diet. A must visit. read more

FAST! You know that when they have your food wrapped and bagged and in front of you before you can even finish tapping to pay that they know what they're doing, and they do it well! There was a large lunch crowd and zero line. The hot peppers, pickle, mustard, onions elevated the hot dog to a yummy experience. I recommend getting it Chicago-style with everything! Prices made me happy- no reason not to each lunch here every day. Seating inside and outside, or take it to go. read more

Johnnie's Beef - Chicago style hot dog with everything, plus fries - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Frequently listed on lists of the top iconic restaurants in Chicago, Johnnie's has a very short menu and then do it well. When you have the name of what you serve in the restaurant name, I guess you better do it well. Went for the Italian Beef Combo, which includes a spicy hot Italian sausage nestled in the beef, had it completely submerged, of course, but skipped the peppers. Side of fries. Great value, low prices compared to many. Apparently insiders, of which I am not, it being my first visit, know they can order the "double double" with double the beef, double the sausage. That'd be a monster, because I could barely finish the single, and I am a man of large appetites. Straight cut fries were cooked and seasoned to perfection. Large outdoor eating area if that is your thing. Also on the menu, hot dogs and Italian lemon ice. Next time. Johnnie's deserves their place on those lists. I'll be back. read more

Johnnie's Beef - Beef and sausage dipped with fries - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Well I must say I waited years to eat here & it was worth the hype & experience there's nothing better than a dipped beef sandwich with sweet & hot peppers. Also don't forget to order their lemon ice treat ! This place was a 9.5 trust me ! read more

Johnnie's Beef - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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I used to love coming to this place, however, over the years the quality is getting worse, the beef and fries is getting smaller, and the price is going up. I recently went and ordered a beef and fries and I was very disappointed. This used to be the place that packed your beef well with meat and overloaded fries to the point where the fries were spilling over and fries were outside their container. Now the beef is so much smaller than it used to be and there's barely any beef in the sandwich anymore and the Italian beef price keeps going up. The service and environment is still great, but food-wise it is not the same anymore. The Elmwood Park location is still great and doing it like this place used to so I recommend going to the other location if possible because they have the best Italian beefs. read more

Johnnie's Beef - Italian Beef - Hot Dogs Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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