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I'm a month behind on this review, oops! Visited on a Thursday at 11am, there was metered parking on the street around the corner and no lines, no wait. Before you can finish placing your order, your order is in your hands. That's how fast they move. The Italian beef was the most flavorful I've ever had. Get it with the giardiniera, so good! The pizza puff was also the best I've ever had. We were the first in the elegant dining room, and by the time we left, it was packed.
First time visiting this highly recommended spot for Chicago's classic beef sandwiches. The line was super long and usually discourages one from waiting but they move it along pretty quick. We had the beef with both hot and sweet peppers and the Chicago dog. The beef is absolutely delicately soft cooked to perfection. The Chicago dog was also great and very traditional. Loved this spot and I see why it's a must visit.
Not only a fan of The Bear show, but a big fan of Italian Beef. My recommendation for order is hot and dipped, but everyone has an opinion. Room to dine inside, which was a plus. I had envisioned trying to eat an Italian beef on the sidewalk but that was not the case . Staff was friendly and patient. They also offer cool merch for sale.
Most excellent meal! Get your money ready, know your order, and make it a combo. Fast casual very cool vibes. We ate in the back on the long table and made friends with some tourists next to us. Would go back.
Not worth the hype (nowhere worth it to wait in sweltering Chicago heat for over an hour), but still a GREAT value. I got the bear and the beef somehow tasted not salty enough for me and the bread was fine. I had it dipped and I'm not entirely sure it made the sandwich better, but be forewarned that it was super messy! Fries were a soggy/greasy kind of good and they have an interesting variety of soft drinks. It's communal seating in a considerably cooler room next door and there's a nice man who cleans up and sits next to wet wipes you can use on your way out (due to aforementioned messiness). Remember to tip! Very true to how it looked in the bear. The main guy in charge was super kind. A girl had to wait extra long for her order (her friends were waiting for her) so he gave her a cannoli on the house.
Incredibly happy I got to try this place IRL! Yes expect a long wait but it's so worth it. The men inside do their very best to work fast and it shows! Even saw one server catch a beef sandwich mid air It was my first Chicago style hot dog and beef sandwich and I'm so glad I got to experience at this iconic location. The hotdog was so great and perfectly paired with crispy fries! The cannoli also lived up to its reputation- it was LARGE! Also a nice surprise was the ample seating in the back and a parking lot Tip: they do offer a cash discount
Best Italian beef sandwich I've had in Chicago. Get it dipped, and don't skip the sweet and hot peppers, they make the sandwich. Cool bonus: spotted the owner and one of the executive producers of The Bear in the spot while eating. No-frills counter service, exactly as it should be.
This place is a gold mine, due to being the inspiration for Netflix's show 'The Bear' ... and good for them. Was the food 20 minute and down the block line worthy? No. It's a decent beef sandwich and canoli ... a lunch which is reasonably priced and satisfying. While I probably wouldn't wait more than 5 minutes to get it, I wouldn't mind having it again if I was in Chicago. They get props for keeping everything orderly ... lots of these 'viral' food places have a chaotic ordering system with a menu not available until you get to the counter or people waiting mixed in with people ordering. Not this place! It runs with military-level efficiency ... no line cutters, no figuring out how to order, no ride counter staff. The staff all deserve a lot of praise. It's no less than 85 - 90 degrees in that store with all the grills going. I broke a sweat just standing inside for a few minutes. Yet all of the staff was extremely pleasant and didn't even lose patience with the 'duuuuuh' customers who were totally clueless and slow. The beef sandwich is what I ordered ... Hot, Sweet and Juicy ... which sounds like a 1970's Blacksploitation movie but actually means sweet peppers, hot pepper and dipped in au jus. I also added Provolone cheese for a buck, which I wouldn't do again because it was kind of bland. If I was doing it over, I'd skip the hot pepper and get a side of melted cheese for dipping. The sandwich was good ... a bit bland, even with the peppers. I think they should maybe add some salt and pepper or other seasonings. I expected more flavour. It was very juicy and though the bread got a little soggy, it was still fairly easy to eat, although messy enough to not be a good date spot. The canoli was the best part of the meal. Mike's bakery in Boston has fantastic canolis and I think this was on par. Don't skip the canoli. That's the low down on Mr. Beef. Going there feels more like an event than lunch. It's fairly inexpensive and very good. My concierge said Al's was a better choice but as a fan of The Bear, I wanted to try this. I don't regret going and would go again if the line was short and maybe try something different. It seems that they focus on quality ... despite the large quantity served.
This was my first combo Italian beef which is a mix of sweet and spicy peppers(giardiniera). The sandwich itself was delicious. It was so juicy. I didn't enjoy the pepper and the celery. The only other Italian beef I've tried had the sweet pepper cut up into smaller pieces making it easier to eat so I would've preferred that over just a huge chunk of pepper. Regarding the celery, I assumed the spicy pepper meant it would be mostly peppers but there were only a few mixed in with the heap of celery and it wasn't spicy at all. I'd recommend this to first timers but definitely read up on what toppings you want added so you know what you're getting. I went before noon so the line took maybe 20 minutes and ordering went pretty smoothly and they give your food basically right after you order it.
Finished watching all 5 seasons of The Bear, so we thought it was the perfect time to finally try Mr. Beef. I am so happy they were open July 4th, and it seemed they stayed open a little after they were supposed to close just so they could serve every customer in line! There was a super long line out the door that took about 30 minutes (we lined up around 3pm and ordered around 3:30pm--which is when they were supposed to close). Once you order, you get your food right away because they are just constantly making beef sandwiches right behind the counter. If you pay with cash, you'll get a slight discount. They do accept credit cards with a fee. We ordered ours the way it's recommended: juicy, sweet, and hot. They offered to cut it in half for us to share, which was super nice of them! The guy working at the counter was very friendly and quick. We also ordered one of their homemade cannolis. In the dining area, it's a very long communal table that everyone sits at. People finish very fast, so there's always an open spot. The beef sandwich was definitely one of the best I've had!!! Super juicy and flavorful. I could definitely eat an entire sandwich by myself because they are so good. We'll definitely be back for another sandwich sometime!!
Really good Italian beef sandwich!! Hype is real! Worth the visit! Pretty short wait in line around noon on a weekday when I visited! Cool vibes!
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.
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.
1 year ago
Came for the beef sandwich, and left with an authentic The Bear experience. Guys at the counter having a loud conversation with each other while taking orders, cracking jokes with customers, and moving VERY efficiently. Stood in line for only 5 minutes or so despite the line beginning at the door. I ordered a sweet beef dipped, and it was delicious! Meat was thin, flavorful, and not dry. Bread was perfect, and the sandwich was a good size. Wish I tried other things on the menu. Did not check out the back room, but there is seating. Worth a stop! read more
2 months ago
We came here because we are fans of The Bear. It was just as expected! Come early because the line goes out the door! You order at the counter and your food is immediately made for you. We ordered the Italian beef and fries. They have limited seating in the back. All was very good (and messy)! The staff are super friendly! read more
1 year ago
So I had to try Mr Beef while I was in Chicago for the day. I got one dry and one wet beef sandwich. The flavor was great and didn't lack anything. The portion to was shareable my friend and I shared and it got us full enough till we got back to Michigan that night. read more
2 years ago
Came here to try their Italian beef, and it was a solid experience overall. This is definitely a no-frills kind of place--cash only, simple setup, and a dining room that's a bit dated. But what they lack in ambiance, they make up for in efficiency. We got our food within a minute of ordering, which was impressively fast. The service was also surprisingly good--the cashier realized he forgot to cut our sandwiches and quickly swapped them out without us even asking. It's little things like that that make a difference. As for the Italian beef? Good, but nothing mind-blowing. It hit the spot, but I wouldn't say it stood out compared to other spots in the city. If you're in the area and craving a quick, classic Italian beef, it's worth a stop. read more
Food - 4.5/5 I found the sandwich to be solid. Flavorful, well balanced and hit the spot. The fries were whatever but hot and sweet is perfect. Service - 4/5 I came during the Chicago marathon weekend and I feel like I didn't wait more than 20-30min. The staff was super friendly and I commend them for how smoothly everything was with such a small team and how many people were waiting in line Ambiance - 4/5 There's a few tables in the back room to sit down and eat, but don't mistake this as separate tables. It's multiple tables pushed together to make a long bench so you'll be sitting close to the people next to you. Pay it forward and be sure to clean up after yourself for the next person read more
I'd been wanting to try Mr. Beef for a while, and not just because of The Bear. Unfortunately, they're really only open during lunch hours, so I finally decided to sneak out of work early and snag a beef. I'm very happy I finally did. Inside, it's super casual. You walk up to the counter and they have it right out for you then you go to the back room which is basically just a giant picnic bench. It just feels very Chicago. As to the food itself, absolutely delicious. Prices are very reasonable and cash is preferred (required during the rush hour I think though). I hope to be back again soon. read more
1 year ago
Loved the Mr. Beef Sandwich (beef sandwich with sweet and hot peppers), so delicious! Meet was juicy and the pepper gave it a perfect touch! We arrive right before lunch and there was a small line already. The staff were nice and provided us with great recommendations. The line moves pretty quick, two options for payment - card or cash. Seating is in the back, long table with benches on each side, this is actually where they filmed the first season The Bear. It was so cool to be there in person! read more
Had lunch here and had to wait on line for about 20 minutes. The Italian beef was tasty and the hand cut fries were fantastic. This restaurant has been featured in the Shoe "The Bear". You can buy your sandwich and eat in their dining room which features one long communal table. Lots of celebrity photos and autographs. If you are in Chicago this is a must stop. read more
1 year ago
Mr Beef nails it with their tasty Italian beef--full of flavor and super satisfying. The fries were rich and delicious, prices are solid, and the genuine vibes and hospitality make the experience authentic. Definitely a must-visit! read more
Phew! As a fan of the Bear, I had to visit here and nothing about this place disappointed. There's no doubt there is indeed a line, but it moves fairly fast and we didn't wait more than about 20/30 minutes total. I'm sure if you are there on a day when it's crummier weather, you'll have less of a line. The menu is online and if you can get an idea of what you want, that will also move it along once you're in the line and ready to order. If you don't, people can get a bit frustrated with you. Be prepared that the main place to sit is essentially a huge bench. It's likely you'll be sitting pretty close to other people, but you get in and get out. The main attraction is the Italian beef sandwich and you can't go wrong! The fries were warm and had just the right amount of grease. Mozzarella sticks were fairly decent, but the main show was the sandwich and the fries. Prices weren't awful given the increased attention from the show and also the area. read more
2 years ago
Huge fan of The Bear so GOTTA come here to try their food. Interior is spot on and rustic n homey too. Got an Italian Beef-hot, sweet, and juicy and it's such a sloppy sandwich but SO good. From the tender beef to the gravy soaked bread to the giardiniera and sweet pepper, the entire thing is just perfect the way it is. I inhaled the thing super quick and it was so good, I came back the next day and got it again, only this time xtra juicy because you really can't go wrong with more gravy/jus. I also got a cannoli and it is done very well and filled fresh. I have had better, growing up around a lot of Italian neighborhoods and aunties who'd feed me but this is very high up there for a restaurant. Also snapped a pic with one of the actual workers that appears in the show so that was really cool. A must stop location if you're ever in Chicago, love The Bear, or just really like good sandwiches! read more
1 year ago
Stopped by here because of The Bear and had to try the Italian beef sandwich. It was juicy, flavorful, and exactly the kind of sandwich you expect from a Chicago classic. When I came around noon on a Wednesday, there surprisingly wasn't a line. As a heads-up, if you're a relatively clean eater, this spot might feel intimidating since the sandwich can get pretty messy and oily, but that's all part of the experience. Great dining area in the back, and the staff were super friendly. Definitely worth the visit! read more
3 months ago
Loved the sandwich! Everything was authentic and delicious and messy to eat! We arrived at 10:45 am with a small line just inside. We ate our sweet&spicy sandwiches in the communal dining room. I liked the amount of sweet & spicy, my friend wished she had done just sweet--a bit too spicy for her. read more
1 year ago
This sandwich was by far the best thing I ate during my short trip to the "Windy" city......I was fortunate enough to get there before an insane line formed...... About 15-20 minutes later I got my made to order Sammy with the hot and sweet peppers affectionately called "The Bear" came hot wrapped in its soaked juices which I can only describe as "Lickity Liquid" which I did in public view ( Hope nobody saw me tongue down the wax paper!!!) The staff was hustling but still took time to engage the customers.....Will most definitely be a repeat visit for me..... read more
The service was as average as you can get, food was okay but way too greasy to even honestly pick up. And when you're from a place that's kinda known for sandwiches that anit a good sign, the coke was good. Also please put a fan in the ordering area, hotter inside than it was outside. Yeah we got highs of 91 outside too so, read more
There was a small waiting line when we arrived, but not out the door. The decor is retro with mix of history of Mr. Beef. They did do a bit of banter wity each other as other people were ordering. They get out orders fast! We got an Italian Beef Sandwich sweet & spicy style, a root beer & a cannoli. Everything was on the counter before I even paid, they take cash & they do have a card reader. We just used cash to make it easy. We sat in the family style dining room, it was pretty chill vibes. The sandwich hit the spot but wasn't neither sweet nor spicy to me. But was dripping with delicious beef juices & the bread held up, the cannoli was delicious, one side was chocolate chip & the other was pistachio with a wonderful creaminess filling with the crispiest shell. May not be everyone's cup of tea but it's definitely it's the spot & fulfilling read more
7 months ago
I expected this place to be overhyped because of "The Bear" but still decided to try it. I was very wrong and so pleasantly surprised! I got the Italian beef sandwich and the meat was so tender. The bread was soft and absorbed the flavor to make it even better. I expected it to be overly salty with overpowering flavors but that was not the case. This sandwich exceeded my expectations and I would definitely go back! read more
Hello Mr. Beef!! I know we are a dime a dozen, but we came because we love show, The Bear. We think the experience was 5 stars versus the actual Italian beef sandwich. Granted, we got the beef on the side and not the traditional "Chicago" way or "wet", but we also ordered a side of French fries which were bland...wheres the salt? The place was slammed!! It took us a good 30+ minutes to get through the line, but the guys behind the counter were hustling. There was one employee that ended up in a small verbal altercation with a patron (I'm sure he was provoked), but it was slightly off putting. The restaurant prefers cash, but we were going to pay via card but after witnessing the employees frustration we got cash from the ATM inside just to not have to potentially "deal with him". Anyways. It's definitely worth a try and the experienced but probably a once in a lifetime for us. read more
3 months ago
Top notch! Excellent food and great service. 100% lived up to the hype. Italian Beef, Chili Hotdog, and BBQ Steak sandwiches and fries were all fresh and delicious. We ordered ahead (before 3 pm), simply walked in, skipped the long line, grabbed the food and received cheery greetings from the very busy staff! read more
2 years ago
As a huge fan of the bear, this was everything. I felt like I was being transported into season 1. To be fully transparent, I am vegetarian so I didn't even order a sandwich. Was there for the vibes and got mozzarella sticks which were yummy. I'm not even going to suggest a vegetarian sandwich because it's called Mr Beef so it feels wrong... right? But watching the hustle bustle and seeing the posters on the wall was all the fun I needed. This place has lines that wrap around the corner and for good reason so do not be discouraged! read more
9 months ago
Obsessed with the Bear tv show so I knew I wanted to get to the filming location and experience it in person! You walk into the shop and order at the counter and they prepare it for you while you wait at the counter and you can either take it to go or sit in the dining room. My friend and I both got a combo sandwich which was Italian beef and Italian sausage. It was alotttt of meat and food but I enjoyed it! read more
Yeah... every visit back to Chicago includes a stop for an Italian beef. Typically that's at Portillo's or Buona beef or even Al's.. yeah move over other guys! Mr need ya hit the spot. Beef is juicy, giardeneria (sp) is crisp and tastes great! I've found me another hot spot here at Mr Beef! If you're in the mood for a Chicago classic give this joint a try! You won't be disappointed! In health and happiness! Cheers! read more
A Chicago staple Eamon here for a late lunch and following its popularity from the TV show the bear at this place does not disappoint. Easily better than a Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich. It also beats out the rivals in the area like Portillos. The beef was tender and flavorful, and the bread was fresh. The employees are friendly, helpful, and patient . They accept credit cards, a huge bonus. read more
6 months ago
Fabulous! We tried several Chicago beef stops during our last trip and this was my favorite. read more
As a fan of the bear, I knew when I visited Chicago over the summer that this was a must visit place for me. We made sure that we ate lightly for breakfast and made our way over to the original location. There was a little bit of a line that we arrived after lunch because we had heard at lunchtime the place is slammed. I will let you know that when you go into main ordering area there is definitely no air conditioning, but the people behind the counter have been there for years on are the nicest around. I ordered a classic Mr. beef and also a diet Dr Pepper but the owner was so nice and called me dear and told me that he wasn't gonna give me a diet Dr Pepper because the fountain wasn't working properly that day. I really appreciated that after we paid for our Mr. beef sandwiches and of course we had to get some fries. We headed to the fancy dining room, which was air-conditioned and unusually hot day in September. We were happy that we were able to sit down on long tables and chat with other customers who are also there for the same reasonwe were there. They've been around for decades and I can see why and I will definitely return once I return to Chicago in February. read more
4 months ago
Was it worth it? As an experience, yes. I can say I've been there. The service was fun, brusque but very good natured. The sandwich was great although one of the peppers was just huge. Cannolli was nice too. Near 45 minutes L ride from Loyola, would go again if I was nearby but might not make the trip solely for Mr. Beef. read more
Tastes like most Italian beef & sausage in Chicago. Beef was on the dry side. Beef jus soaked in the bread was very good. I was more impressed with the house made giardiniera. It was flavorful and not too spicy. Service was polite and efficient. There's some seating but you should also plan to do carryout if it's packed. read more
2 years ago
Like most, I have been wanting to stop by and try since the bear aired. It's a typical feeling Chicago sandwich shop. They move you through quickly and have a strong system to get you your order fast. We got there for lunch at the right time because shortly after the line was at the door. I liked that the Italian beef was juicy though I could always use more juice hahah. It was a solid beef. The onion rings were also good - just out of the fryer. I was pretty full off just the sandwich so keep that in mind when ordering! I liked the long table in the connecting room - makes it easier to eat there and gives a community feel. People move in and out frequently so it's easy to find a seat. read more
More info about Mr. Beef
666 N Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654
River North, Near North Side
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(312) 337-8500
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Ask the Community - Mr. Beef
Still cash only?
Do they serve halal meat?
Is it really no change? First time visiting
It is cash only! If that's what your asking?
Why does the picture of the Mr. Beef sandwich says 9.50. They're $8.00 now?
Look at the date of the photo prices change due to inflation
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