I made it a mission to visit the infamous Mr. Beef on my Chicago trip and it was so worth it. The owner took care of everybody here during my visit and you can tell he genuinely cares about visitors. He mentioned there was going to be a wait and offered suggestions near the area for great Italian beef sandwiches for travelers that did not have the time to wait. I got the Italian beef and it was messy and delicious (that's how it's supposed to be!) I enjoyed every aspect of the sandwich, the beef, veggies, bread, and most importantly the au jus (juices from the meat). The dining area is one long table which allows for you to interact with others dining if you wish. They have their own parking lot on the side of the restaurant for those looking to drive there. Overall this was an excellent experience and the service alone was enough to make me want to come back. read more

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Yup I'm a super fan of The Bear and you knew if I was coming to Chicago, I was coming to Mr. Beef. Walking in to the place, it felt just like I was inside Season 1 Episode 1. Anyways, the line had two people hanging out the door so it wasn't too bad. We were ordering food within 10-12 minutes. The service was quick and simple, just be ready with your order. Food time. Fries were excellent. Don't skip em. The sandwich, well maybe I just don't like Italian beef sandwiches. I mean, the bread was sogged out (which I know is part of whole deal) while the beef inside was dried out and bland. But I've had several Italian beef sandwiches before (Als, Portillo's, etc) and always have the same experience, so maybe I just don't like Italian beef sandwiches lol. The best part was the sweet and hot peppers because that's the only way I can get some flavor and texture on this wet ole thing. I loved the eating area. It was all family style eating. Someone across from us mentioned that next time, I should order the sandwich dry with the jus on the side. Ding ding ding. That's what I'm gonna do next time. In the meantime, I'm glad I came. read more

Mr. Beef - Italian Beef with sweet/hot peppers and provolone and fries - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Old school sandwich shop vibe. Walk up to the counter, place your order and within seconds they have a sandwich ready for you. Got the combination which is the beef and sausage along with sweet and hot peppers (grizzly style) The peppers are not spicy so don't worry about extra heat. The sandwich itself is hearty and flavorful. It is a very wet sandwich and the bread gets soggy so it is meant to be eaten then and there. They hand you a stack of napkins and you will end up using all of them. I'm sure there is some kind of local hack in placing the perfect order so it may be good to ask around. Overall it was worth trying once. Expect to pay cash around 12 bucks a sandwich. If you use card there is a 4 percent fee. There is a communal dining area with tables set up and everyone shares the space. Worth trying. read more

Mr. Beef - Combo sandwich Italian Beef Combination - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good amount of seating and only waited 15~ minutes in line. Got the Italian beef with fries and onion rings. The Italian beef was nice and drenched and definitely flavorful. The sides of fries and onion rings were just okay and standard. Got three Italian beef and the two side for a total of 46$ cash read more

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As a fan of The Bear, I was obligated to make a stop at Mr. Beef during our Chicago trip. We showed up around noon and the place was already pretty busy, but the line moved relatively fast and we were eating within about 15 minutes of our arrival. We decided to share the Italian Beef sandwich, and of course we got that dipped. It's a huge, messy sandwich that absolutely lived up to my high expectations. It's got this rich, beefy flavor that I found completely irresistible, and the meat itself was just so tender and delicious. I'm so happy that Mr. Beef is so good. It would've been a real let-down if it had been anything other than stellar. read more

Mr. Beef - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I stopped by Mr. Beef and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The food was amazing and the customer service matched everyone was friendly and efficient, even with how busy it gets. I ordered my Italian beef sandwich dipped, and it did not disappoint. The beef was tender, flavorful, and perfectly juicy with a generous amount on a soft bun. The peppers were spot on I loved the mix of spicy and sweet. Honestly, it was so good I could've eaten another one right after. The fries were fresh and crispy without being overdone, and they had ketchup available for dipping, which was a nice touch. A couple of things to know: if you pay with cash, you get a small discount, but there's a slight fee if you use a card. They also offer free water in a cup, or you can purchase bottled water. I've heard great things about the cannolis, but they were out when I visited. The restaurant itself was clean with plenty of seating, including a long communal table. The location is convenient, though I didn't notice parking since I took the bus. It's a very popular spot with lots of tourists, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. read more

The perfect quick, tasty, filling sando experience. At most a square block from the brown line, you can see the sign from the platform like a beacon. Sauce on the side would have been preferred, but the bread was so soft and the beef was so thinly sliced, it was more delightful than anticipated. Sweet peppers completed the flavor profile perfectly, and I grabbed a pineapple soda to enjoy in the dining room. The workers are kind and quick, and the space has the same charm as it does in THE BEAR. Big win. read more

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Awesome sandwich and crispy onion rings. Come hungry because it's very filling. Nice people working behind the counter and super friendly with the regulars that come in. Food is served fast and there is a dining room to eat at. Very simply deli feel just like you see in the show. read more

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This place only takes cash, sandwiches were not made to order they had a pile of pre made sandwiches which made for a very soggy bread, the sandwich was tasty but not the best I've had, it's just okay. read more

Mr. Beef - Beef sandwich - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mr Beef is one of the best places to get an Italian beef sandwich in Chicago. Some of the scenes of the Bear were shot here and gives off a rugged vibe to the place. Upon walking in you will see pictures of many famous people who have walked in and dined here. We went on a late Saturday morning and didn't have a line. The sandwich was delicious and had plenty of meat on it. read more

Mr. Beef - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After several years and all the hype, I finally tried Mr Beef. The ordering process was super easy and fast - walked up to the counter, ordered from the friendly staff and my Italian Beef and fries was ready in minutes. I decided to eat-in and the long tables next on the other side of the counter / kitchen was unique and fun. Even being well before noon, the room was almost full and clearly a mix of tourists and locals. The Italian Beef itself was very good but I wouldn't put it ahead of Johnnie's or even Al's. The fries were okay but not stand outs. Overall, a good experience. read more

Mr. Beef - Italian Beef Sandwich - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mr. Beef is an Italian Beef restaurant that serves up Chicago's finest Italian Beef sandwiches. It also happens to be the backdrop of the fictional Original Beef from The Bear. Shout out to Celina G., whose review was great and helped make my experience awesome. My Overall Rating - 5 Stars (Atmosphere, Service, Food, Return) Atmosphere - Mr. Beef's is a small, humble restaurant that was an area where you order, and a dedicated dining area which is one long communal table. Behind the counter, your food is made to order. The old school menu has items you can order, and all along the walls are photos of famous people who have visited. 1 Star. Service - The staff are super nice. The system is simple, you line up - know what you want to order so you don't hold up the line. They'll take your order, give you a stack of napkins (you'll need them), and then you pay. Bring cash if you don't want to pay extra fees. Mr. Beef is staffed by "good people", always smiling and making sure my order was right. 1 Star. Food - I came here for the Italian Beef with sweet peppers. The thinly sliced beef was super tender and packed a seasoned beef punch - in a good way. While I didn't order my sandwich dipped, the natural juices from the Italian beef were enough to soften my roll. Mr. Beef gave me a generous portion of beef, as some of them fell out as I took a bite. While they tried to escape, they ended up in my tummy. The onion rings were hot & crispy, fresh out of the fryer, and a good distraction from my sandwich. 2 Stars. Will I Return? - Yes. I went to visit Mr. Beef as a tourist, wanting to check out where several scenes from The Bear were filmed. I left after eating one of the best Italian Beef sandwiches I've ever had. The next time I come back, it will be for Mr. Beef, not The Bear. 1 Star. read more

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Fast and delicious. Better than anything in Chicago. If you want an Italian beef or a Chicago dog this is the best stop

Ordered a Beef Hot and Dipped, but somehow the meat was kinda dry and chewy while the entire sandwich was dripping wet. The fries were good. Service was nice and to the point. read more

Mr. Beef - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The inside was filled with pictures of famous celebrities who visited this location and there is definitely a long line considering I arrived on a Saturday afternoon, the line does move kind of fast and it's best to use cash in order to avoid the extra fees for using card. The Italian beef sandwich was good and definitely worth the trip to downtown for some good eats. Keep in mind that this place gets crowded and full of people so be prepared for that and know what you want to order before you get to the register. read more

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Came here because one family member is a big fan of "The Bear". Literal hole in the wall establishment, limited seating, and hot as heck inside during a Chicago summer. Portable AC unit to try to help things, but honestly, I just wondered how the guys could keep making sandwiches over a hot grill all day long. Well, the result is...amazing. Get "The Bear" an Italian beef sandwich with sweet and hot pepper combo. It was delicious and we have yet to find any remotely plausible substitute here in LA. There is just one nod to the famous tie....a poster of "The Bear" on the wall. read more

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I visit Chicago a few times a year and our first stop is always Mr Beef. Every single item is fantastic and freshly made. It's a must-stop if you're in the area read more

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Excellent food, line went faster than I expected. Get both peppers! I only wish I would have went with cheese but it was still delicious. Seating is communal but you get to meet other visitors. read more

Mr. Beef - Outside - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Now I see what all the hype is about! The roast beef sandwiches were delicious, and the Chicago-style hot dogs were just as good. There was a line out the door, but it moved super quickly -- they've really got their system down. Inside, the only seating was one big long table where everyone sat together and chatted with strangers, and honestly... it was such a cool Chicago vice to the place. read more

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I know most reviews here start off by mentioning The Bear, but how could you not? This iconic restaurant is where The Bear was based off. Quite honestly, when you step inside, you feel like you're in an episode! Everything feels familiar. You start off by seeing the Mr. Beef sign hanging over the door with the line starting there and going up the block. We were here on an early Saturday afternoon in September and the line was not bad at all. When you walk inside, the guys working here have that strong Chicago accent, they sound like cast members but could not have been nicer. As for the sandwich...it was great! I ordered the Italian Beef and chose sweet peppers. If you go here, you have to get the sandwich dipped! It was a little messy, but so good! The dining area is long tables one after another. Very fun atmosphere! This was a cool experience coming here and I recommend if you watch the show, but even if you don't. Good time!! read more

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I was so excited to step foot into Mr. Beef after watching four seasons of The Bear and it was even better than I imagined. It was literally the BEST beef I have eaten in my life--flavorful, the hot peppers were perfect, and the fries were the best home cut version. The character of the shop was everything I could have hoped for--no frills, just good food, and chill vibes. Great selections on their fountain drinks (Diet Dr. Pepper anyone?) and nice staff. My 15 y/o daughter is already asking me when can we go back and we were just there yesterday! read more

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Hospitality is absolutely unmatched! They were so kind to me! They made ordering quick and they now take card payment! The parking lot next to the restaurant is also super convenient for this area! For food I ordered an Italian beef dipped, a cheese fry and a pizza puff. The Italian beef has such good flavor! I wish it was dipped a bit more cuz parts of the bread were cold, but still delicious! The fries were that perfect, nostalgic crispy yet soft fries, perfectly greasy and comforting (IYKYK). The cheese dip was okay, a little watery for me, I'd skip it next time. And the pizza puff hit some for me! If youre from chicago, you know about the whole in the wall food spots with pizza puff that were dirt cheap. It healed my inner child lol great flavor inside with fresh ingredients inside. There is plenty of seating area but I was also there right after they opened so might be different during the afternoon/evening. Overall worth the drive! There were some tourist in there that were absolutely amazed by the Italian beef! I'm so grateful to have grown up here and be blessed with this food! read more

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It's always fun to hit up the iconic spots in places you visit. There wasn't a chance I was gonna miss Mr. Beef. It's a pretty dense sandwich with soggy bread which starts off great but ended up falling apart. The flavor is definitely there, could use a hint of salt though. Got a pizza puff as well since I've heard about them my entire life and thought it was fine. Long lines move quick with community style seating inside. read more

Mr. Beef - Italian Beef Sandwich and Pizza Puff - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Italian Beef alone should be the draw, but people love the Bear, so.... You (tourist) walk up to the counter and order. As you're talking, a huge stack of napkins lands in front of you. You grab the napkins because you know you can never have too many. For a few cents off, you pay in cash for your beef with hot and sweet peppers. Then another stack of napkins comes, as if someone forgot the first set of napkins was given to you. You now have a double stack of napkins. The hot sandwich and you make your way to the dining room area, which is just one long communal table where you sit with other tourists. Off in the distance, you hear someone explaining the basic plot line to the Bear to a friend as you chew through the thin pieces of Italian beef stuffed together in fluffy bread. It's a late lunch and you devour the full sandwich. Those hot peppers aren't so hot, but your mouth feels a kick. Your napkins play an important supporting role, absorbing the grease dripping from the sandwich. You wrapped the beef in napkins, but it's no use. Your hands are still greasy. You didn't drink that entire free cup of water so you pour some on other napkins. It's now a Wet One. You still have several napkins left over to take home. After cleaning up your area because you don't leave messes in front of other people, you walk past a group of guys wearing lanyards for some convention. Before leaving the dining room, you see two large boxes of "dessert" - Dum-Dums and fortune cookies. You leave with a fortune cookie. read more

Mr. Beef - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was in Chicago visiting a friend over President's Day weekend and was trying to make a point of doing/seeing/going to all the Chicago places. As an avid watcher of The Bear, this was on my list and honestly, it was a religious experience. As an east coaster, I've never had Chicago-style Italian beef, but the one I had at Mr. Beef has set the bar for me. I got it with sweet and hot peppers, and when I unwrapped the paper, I could tell they had given it a generous dip in the gravy. So so juicy, so tender, so flavorful, genuinely one of the best sandwiches in my life. As everyone else here says, it's very spartan, just the ordering counter and the long table in the other room for people to eat at. They do take cards, though I suspect it's cheaper if you pay with cash. Overall, if I actually lived in the city, I'd be here all the time, no doubt. read more

Similar to many, we came to check out Mr. Beef after finishing The Bear! Great spot for a quick bite. We ordered the Italian beef, Italian sausage, and cannoli. Our food was out in no time! We headed to the back to eat and hands down, I think this was probably the best Italian beef I've had during my time in Chicago. The sweet and hot peppers are a must add on. Service is quick and it's a fun little shop to visit especially if you've seen The Bear. read more

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My sister wanted me to check out Mr. Beef on our girls trip to Chicago. She's been there before and loved the Beef Sandwich and we are both fans of The Bear(on Hulu) I wanted to check it out as well! When we stopped it it was not busy at all, we ordered up at the counter, the guys there were friendly and quick on our order. By the time we ordered and found a spot to sit in the back it got real busy. The food was hot, fresh and delicious, it was cool to see the inside with The Bear posters, the real family pictures and the history of Mr. Beef. read more

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The wait was fairly long and there was no air condition. The food was okay definitely nothing crazy could use a bit more seasoning. The wait staff was talkative so that was a plus. read more

Mr. Beef - Italian Beef Sandwich - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really wanted to go. The line didn't look too long and Google said it wasn't that busy....turns out it was. The line took a long time and was slow moving. Additionally there wasn't air conditioning inside so it was pretty hot inside. I love that the line means that business is booming which is great for the place. I'll have to leave more time and bring a personal fan next time! read more

Mr. Beef - Mr. Beef!! - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Must do place to stop and eat Chicago's Italian beef! The owner was one who greeted us and served us and was very pleasant and thankfully we came in. It's where the Hulu's The Bear was filmed and many actors have come to enjoy this place out. The Italian beef sandwich tasted great. They have limited seating but have a Family style long table and everyone was very much enjoying their sandwiches as well! read more

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The place "The Bear" storyline is taking after...tried the Mr Beef. Well, here's my read: - Italian Beef - it's good...has some flavor...but others such as Portillo's is a better (more flavorful) Italian beef. - Hot Dog - just what you'd expect from a Chicago dog. - Fries - excellent fries with a real good cook on them. - Cannoli - Pretty darn good it was and the best item out of the items we tried. Be prepared to stand in line...this place is always busy. read more

Mr. Beef - Dog, Italian beef, fries and cannoli - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a must-stop if you love The Bear or just a classic Italian beef. The line can look intimidating, but it moves quickly and the food comes out fast once you order. It's no longer cash-only, though you'll save a little if you do pay in cash. The Italian beef here is my favorite in the city. Portions are generous and the no-frills atmosphere adds to the authentic Chicago experience. Definitely worth the hype read more

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I'm an LA girl and loved Phillip's dipped sandwich but Mr. Beef are by bar far better. I like the bread and the flavor in the beef broth. The ambience is so cool, loud but fun! I would recommend it if you're ever going to to Chicago. read more

Mr. Beef - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Here's a pro tip for first-timers: try to listen to the manner in which everyone order as you stand in line (and you WILL stand in line). It makes it less intimidating when you get up to whomever is taking the order. Understand, this joint is busy, they pump out a lot of sandwiches in a short time, and they are efficient as all heck. On my last business trip, I went twice. It was the best food I had the entire week. If it is your first time, you really should try the beef. Locals mkay go off-roading with the menu, and they have some very nice options (they had a meatball sandwich, for example - though I got the feeling it might be a special). No matter the length of the line, it will move, so if you're having trouble deciding, you're not going to miss out if you let someone behind you "play through." Now, about the beef. It is the best I've ever had. The first day, I got it "sweet and juicy" (sweet peppers and dipped). If you do this, it will be messy, but you will not need any more gravy, typically. The second day, I ordered "the Bear" (the same as before with giardiniera added). The second was a dramatic improvement on an already tasty sandwich. The cannoli is made in-house. They are the best I've tasted outside Boston. They have a small dining area to your left when you enter, and they also have a small parking lot that fills up quickly. Also, note their hours, so that you are not disappointed, as they close early. read more

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Came in on a Friday morning around their opening time and there was a bit of line. I got the Bear (the Italian beef sandwich with sweet and hot peppers) (4/5) and it was good! I think the bun was too wet for my liking, so I would try to order this dry next time. The hotdog (3.5/5) was just fine but I think just stick to the beef sandwich. The cannoli (4/5) was great too! Fairly big and just sweet enough for my liking. read more

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As with many recent customers, our main drive to come to Mr. Beef was due to the show, The Bear. Obviously we wanted to try an Italian Beef, but seeing the set design in real life was a bonus! - PARKING - We actually walked from our hotel as it wasn't too far, but it looks like they had a small lot around the corner if you drove. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Due to the rising popularity from The Bear, Mr. Beef had a line that took around 30-40 minutes just to get to the counter. However once you get to the counter, they put together your order right there and you're ready to eat/leave immediately. Bring cash if you can - they also have an ATM available if you need, but last resort I do believe they take card - not sure if they have any fees. There's a small window seating, or you can go into the dining room in the back. - FOOD - Italian Beef: We got this wet and with hot and sweet peppers. If we were dining in, I would've tried the dipped! The meat is juicy and I enjoyed the peppers. I do feel like my expectations were very high, so after I ate my sandwich, I just felt like it was a good meal. Nothing crazy or mind blowing, but good. - OVERALL - Fun to see the set design in person! If you're able to wait, would definitely recommend coming here at least once while you're in Chicago. read more

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This is the restaurant from the show the Bear. It was a must stop while in Chicago. Let me just say the food was amazing. We had the "bear" it's a hot need sandwich dipped with everything on it. It was a 10/10 Make sure to bring cash, however they do also accept credit card. The service is fast! Long line doesn't mean you are waiting an hour. I would definitely come back. Great food! read more

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Stopped in for the food tour with work and just loved the experience! Manager was hilarious and very welcoming, and that sammie though.... Perfection lol The dip on the bread was perfect allowing the roll to still have texture and I'm glad I had it with both hot and sweet peppers as it added a lot of flavor to the already tasty beef. Absolutely will be back next time I'm in town for work or pleasure. read more

Mr. Beef - Fast Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fast service decent sandwich even better fries and onions rings. Had the sweet Italian beef- very meaty. We came at 1030 am so no line. Be ready to order. read more

Came To Chicago last week from Los Angeles for a conference ( not the Game) and had to visit the World Famous Mr. Beef on Orleans as seen in the show "The Bear". We stopped in on 1/17/2026 and Yes, it looks just like the show Season one. The staff were awesome. Had the Italian Beef the Chicago way aka "The Bear". It was all that I could have expected including the mess. The dinning are is a very large long wooden table where you sit family style. I also picked up a shirt. Definitely will be back and recommend you give it a try. read more

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