Shaved thin and soaked in savoury jus, Italian beef is nothing like the deli cold cuts you’re used to. A staple sandwich in U.S. cities like Chicago, where fans of the hit TV series The Bear would see lead character Carmy making these sandwiches daily, the Italian beef phenomenon has finally started making its way north of the border.
And while Carmy and his crew (including Toronto’s very own Matty Matheson) may have stopped slinging beef, in season three of The Bear debuting on June 27, Carmy tells his sister Abbie, “We’re going to get a star,” signaling his aim for a coveted Michelin star. So if you haven’t tried the sandwich that put The Bear on the map, now’s your chance! This sandwich’s meat is the real star, but traditional toppings like hot or sweet peppers and caramelized onions make it shine even more. Tired of your usual ham and cheese? Check out these two spots to taste it yourself!
Marq’s Chicago Beef
View this post on Instagram
Available in a six-inch or a nine-inch, Marq’s Chicago Beef sandwich features paper-thin slices of round roast that have been oven-roasted in a blend of spices and finished in hot gravy. Served on a soft French roll, you can top it with hot giardiniera peppers or sweet peppers. The gravy’s so good, some people opt to dunk the entire sandwich in it, and that’s totally okay, too! You can also get the Italian beef done on a butter croissant topped with cheddar cheese. In the mood for some fries, but still want the beef? The Beef n’ Cheddar Fries give you both, featuring French fries laddled in cheese sauce and topped with slices of shaved beef.
Address: Market 707-707 Dundas St. W.
Frank Ranalli’s Pizza and Italian Beef
View this post on Instagram
At Frank Ranalli’s, you can enjoy your Italian beef sandwich one of three ways: dry (no jus), wet (extra jus) or dipped (dip the whole sandwich in jus). Choose from the Sweet italian beef Sandwich or the Hot Italian beef Sandwich, or, get the best of both worlds and order the beef and sausage combo sandwich. All three sandwiches are served on a French roll and can be topped with sweet or hot peppers. Extra beef goes for $3.99, and there are also Italian beef and cheese fries that are topped with sweet or hot peppers.
Address: 1357 Dundas St. W.