In search of Chicago-style Italian Beef Sandwich in Columbus

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In search of Chicago-style Italian Beef Sandwich in Columbus

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Started 1 year ago by Mister Shifter
Latest reply from tolemac5050

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Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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Just curious if anyone knows of any place in Columbus that serves a good Italian beef sandwich. I visited Chicago earlier this year and had one there and ever since then I think about wanting one ALL THE TIME.

I found a cool web page/recipe here that I may try out, but it'd be nice if I could just go grab one sometime without the hassle of making it since it takes quite a few hours to cook the meat, etc.

Also scoring some really good hot giardiniera to keep at home is on my list too. That stuff rules.

http://www.amazingribs.com/recipes/beef/italian_beef.html

Posted 1 year ago #
cc

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I have heard Wholly Joes is worth the trip:

http://cmhgourmand.com/2007/01/07/wholly-joes-a-true-taste-of-chicago/

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http://whollyjoes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33&Itemid=9

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Tip Top has one on their menu, but I'm not sure if I've tried it (I always default to my favorites when I go there):

http://www.tiptopcolumbus.com/menu/

Italian Beef $8
Shaved roast beef with provolone cheese and spicy giardinara on a toasted hoagie roll
(Make it vegetarian: sub soy beef at no extra charge)
(Make it vegan: sub soy cheese for 50 cents)

Posted 1 year ago #
lizless
Columbus/Hocking Hills
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Wholly Joe's is the real deal. They'll serve it wet (the entire sandwich, including the bun, drenched in au jus).

Posted 1 year ago #
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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Thanks guys & gals! :)

Posted 1 year ago #
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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I'll be making the trip to Wholly Joe's tomorrow. It's only about 10 or so minutes from my house. I'll report my findings :)

Posted 1 year ago #
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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That looks good, I might have to go to Portillo's for lunch tomorrow.

Posted 1 year ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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That

Walker wrote >>
Tip Top has one on their menu, but I'm not sure if I've tried it (I always default to my favorites when I go there):
http://www.tiptopcolumbus.com/menu/
Italian Beef $8
Shaved roast beef with provolone cheese and spicy giardinara on a toasted hoagie roll
(Make it vegetarian: sub soy beef at no extra charge)
(Make it vegan: sub soy cheese for 50 cents)

What the heck is that.
Sounds like half Chicago, half Philly.

That looks good, I might have to go to Portillo's for lunch tomorrow.

The best italian beef IMHO is the place next to the green door tavern in Orleans

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Tenzo wrote >>
What the heck is that.

Some of the sandwiches there are updated/altered versions. The Monte Cristo is even prefaced with "Ohio Style" so that crazy people who freak out about sandwiches don't get all bent out of shape.

Posted 1 year ago #
rus

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Walker wrote >>
that crazy people who freak out about sandwiches don't get all bent out of shape.

Posted 1 year ago #
lizless
Columbus/Hocking Hills
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Tenzo, the Tip Top sandwich is a pretty close version of the Chicago style sandwich, we just don't have the famous buns you find on the Chicago version. The buns on the Chicago version are very dense and chewy and can hold a lot of auj jus. Tip Top uses more of a hoagie style bun, that's the only difference. It's a great sandwich and other than the bun, true to the Chicago style.

The Chicago style buns are impossible to find here. I think I read that the owner of Wholly Joe's travels to Chicago to get theirs.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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Maybe he was referencing the addition of provolone cheese? Some prefer it without.

Looking forward to stopping in Tip Top in the next few days to try one.

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Tip Top just needs to get off Tenzo's lawn. That's all.

Anyway, looking forward to some mini-reviews of these various sandwiches from various locations. ;) I need to go try a few myself.

Posted 1 year ago #
UPG168

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I've been to Wholly Joe's MANY times just for the Italian Beef. My grandma used to run a tavern out of east-central Illinois, which is technically just southern Chicago suburbs. She made the BEST authentic italian beef sandwiches.
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Wholly Joe's is the real deal. I spoke with the owners and they say they are from Chicago and moved here to Columbus a while back. When they realized that there was no really good, authentic Chicago-style food to be found here, they decided to open their own place. They have all their ingredients shipped from Chicago.
You must have the italian beef for starters. Throw in a Chicago-style Frank's Red Hot for kicks.
Then next time, belly up to a gut-bustin' Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Plan ahead, cause it takes about 40 minutes to prepare ;)

Posted 1 year ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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Walker wrote >>
Tip Top just needs to get off Tenzo's lawn. That's all.

For a guy that has told people to stay on topic and no personal attacks four times in a single thread........

Posted 1 year ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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Tenzo wrote >>

Walker wrote >>
Tip Top just needs to get off Tenzo's lawn. That's all.

For a guy that has told people to stay on topic and no personal attacks four times in a single thread........

it's tough love, tenzo...kind of like a hickey.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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Or a donkey punch

Posted 1 year ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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how was yo samich, jack?

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Tenzo wrote >>
For a guy that has told people to stay on topic and no personal attacks four times in a single thread........

Four times? I'm sure I've said it 100 times in certain threads. ;)

Anyway. I'm excited to try some of these out. I have had the "Roast Beef and Onion Marmalade" at Tip Top, which sounds somewhat similar, so it sounds like something I'd enjoy trying out wherever the best version can be found. ;)

Posted 1 year ago #
gk
columbus, ohio
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Carfagnas Kitchen on Polaris Parkway has a great Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich. Carfagnas is especially noted for its choice meats.

Posted 1 year ago #