Johnnie’s Beef

My friend brought me there. I do not eat this kind of food. I was polite but when my
friend went out to get something she forgot in the car, I threw it all away.
This food is greasy, the sausage has nitrates (this place could buy good sausage but they
apparently do not try since there are so many people who eat this stuff they sell.
I later invited my friend to eat at a good fast food place.
Yet this place is packed. Sad.

Hands down, best beef you’ll ever eat. It’s a small place, there is usually a line, but it moves quickly. Nice to come to in the summer as they have some seating outside. Italian ice is to die for! And I love their sweet peppers… I don’t even like peppers but the way they season theirs makes them absolutely delicious. Mouth is watering just thinking about Johhnie’s. YUM.

It doesn’t get better. This is CHICAGO beef.

They’re bread has been pretty bad lately, but the beef is tough to beat. I hope they fix whatever is going on with the bread, then the sandwich will be perfect again. It just isn’t the same these days

Johnnie s has a very good beef sandwich they just need to put more beef on there sandwiches I love the smell when your coming up to the restaurant or driving by it makes you hit the corner and come back around to it absolutely delicious.

I only rated it because I wanted to write this review. Visited today.
I have been a Johnnie’s customer for over 20+ years and the quality of the beef sandwich has really taken a nose dive. They don’t use SLICES of beef and, it’s not a whole sandwhich all you get is little bitty CRUMBS of meat on a piece of french bread.

Lives up to the hype — and then some. Bucket List Beefs! Fries good, as well but oh that beef!

Was going to order from this place but because I walked on the other side of the street first after parking in their lot, a man told me to move. I explained that I had an outstanding order from Spizzico and was going to grab fries and more from them after I picked it up. I typically do like combining food places like that.
The man replied with «no move it» and I told him that I guess I won’t be ordering from them then. He replied back with: «the fries are garbage» and I told him I will inform his customers of that online. SO HERE IT IS!

Italian beef was wonderful. Fast service.
Will be back very soon.

My go to for AMAZING beefs! I only eat from a few other beef places, but this place is number 1. They do occasionally irk my nerves when I request XTRA JUICY & get a dry beef. But a fry, beef, & hot peppers all under $ 10, is the best deal ever! I go to both locations. Service/​food is the same at both, but Elmwood’s workers are somtimey with their attitudes. Nothing else to say but check them out people. What are you waiting for?

You should never be in Johnnie’s more than eight minutes. Seven minutes to stand in line, place and get your order and one minute to wolf down this gravy-​sopped meat miracle. It doesn’t look it but it actually packs a lot more flavor and savoriness than Al’s of Buona. Maybe having one location is a good thing.
Like any Chicagoan worth their sweet peppers knows beefs are to be eaten fresh out of the dip tray hot and soggy like the middle of August.

I finally got a chance to try out this place. Smoke was billowing sweet smells of charred Italian sausages and the line was 15 – 20 minutes deep. As I always do, I listened to «how to order» so I don’t look like a newb at the counter to the fast talking almost soup nazi esque man taking orders. Beef «wet or dry» refers to dipped or not.
I went with the Italian beef and fries. The beef was good and the giardiniera was good as well but just good. I feel after all the hype I had higher expectations that were not met. Given the fact Johnnie’s is so far from where I live I wouldn’t make a trip out there for the food but if I lived in the area I understand it’s more of a staple. The fries were just normal McDonald’s cut fries, nothing crazy. I would probably get the Italian sausage/​beef combo next time if I were to go back.

I don’t get it. This place was rated so well, but my experience was not up to the hype.
There was still a line out the door on sunday late night, so I expected great things.
sausage wtih italian beef and spicy peppers: The amount of salt is too damn high! and the sausage was dry. is this what people enjoy here?
Italian Ice: I liked it a lot, especially when i found out there’s real lemon pieces in there. Not too sweet and not too sour.
Didn’t live up to the hype, try again next time?

Found this little gem because I was looking to complete my Chicago food experience on a day trip to Chicago. Had deep dish for lunch and finished the say off with Italian beef/​sausage combo for dinner! By the time I got here at 9pm and was surprised because there was still a line going out the door which was a good sign for how good the food is! Their service is fast and efficient and takes about a minute per customer, and don’t forget that it’s cash only!
I got the combo sausage and Italian beef which was about $ 5 bucks after adding in hot peppers and tried the tamale and Italian ice as well (1.40) each. The food is definitely worth it for the price although I’m not sure I’d recommend the tamale. The tamale is unlike any tamale I’ve had before and has a really strong curry flavor and is quite salty as well. The Italian beef and sausage is pretty good although I thought it was a little on the dry side! My fault for not getting the sandwich dipped I suppose but the flavors of the beef and sausage are a perfect complement to the bread although the hot peppers can be pretty salty. The Italian ice was delectable and the perfect amount of lemony and sugary goodness. It was very light and was very good with the Italian beef!

Had a layover in Chicago and took a cab here. That dude who works the counter cracks me up because he’s slightly surly towards everyone. So when I ordered and then asked him how I could catch a cab back to the airport, he broke a smile as he realized he didn’t know how to help me and I laughed.
Had a combo, slightly dipped (upon recommendation from the customer behind me in line) and it was awesome. Definitely one of the best Italian Beefs I’ve ever had. Also got the smaller version of the lemon ice and it goes really well with the sandwich. Think it was all under $ 10. Totally reasonable. Definitely worth coming out here to give this a try.

There is always a like out the door at this place every time I pass by. Today I wasn’t in a rush and went in to see I was missing all this time. I had a beef sandwich with hot peppers, a hot dog with fries and two small Italian lemonades. The beef sandwich was so delicious! I would say it’s a little better than portilos. The hot dog was very good according to my partner in crime. He would not let me take a tiny bite.
The service is very fast, and that’s great since we started behind a long line.
it’s a small place and it’s best to come here when it’s very nice outside. There no tables or much space inside if you think you’ll sit in. They many tables outside and plenty of parking space.
Definitely recommend it if you want to try some good beed sandwich.

More than deep dish pizza or Chicago style dogs, Italian beef is what makes Chicago the great city it is. A megalopolis, it is the true and only Second City with absolutely no inferiority complex.
Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park sells the best Italian beef in Chicagoland. Get it hot and sweet, dipped, with a side of fries and some Italian ice lemonade.
There will most likely be a line, but it moves quick, and they only take cash.
I only go for deep dish when friends or family come from out of town… yes a red hot is good from time to time… But Italian beef from Johnnie’s is part of the restaurant rotation for me, a go-​to when the craving hits… And that’s often. Their hot peppers can turn your lips numb…

This is one of the best Italian beefs in Chicago, IMHO. I know that’s a tall order but you can tell because there is a line out the door at 11:30 AM. I know they make other items such as Italian sausages, pepper and egg sandwiches, etc. but I’m here for the perfectly thin, delicious and juicy Italian beef — make that juicy and hot. The sandwich will cost you $ 4.49, seems like their prices are stuck in the 80s but I’m not complaining. It’ll cost you a minimal additional 39 cents for their giardenerra hot peppers, it’s worth it. If you’re feeling really adventurous, get both hot and sweet peppers.
I get fries with it to break give my mouth a chance to rest from all the deliciousness of the beef and prolong the enjoyment. I wanted to bring some back with me on the plane because there is no such thing around here. Yes, that’s how good it is! Now go stand in line and bring your cash, they don’t take cards. Get an Italian ice if you’re so inclined. YUM!

Rosa J. ended her working marathon officially this evening. What does she do usually when she wants to reward herself? She sticks with the Chi-​town style: an Italian beef sandwich and lemonade-​flavor Italian ice to keep her energized and hydrated.
Johnnie’s Beef is cash-​only, and there’s no ATM onsite. Ensure that you walk in from the «right» door because it’s the launch point. Once you’ve placed your order, paid, and received the food, please exit from the left-​hand side to look for an open patio or proceed to your own vehicle.
Everyone working at the kitchen appeared to be a pro. There’s always a line, but don’t you worry. The «sausage» master is doing his thang; the «Italian ice» boy is certainly standing by. Without a doubt, all the kitchen assistants and cashier are knocking their socks off so that we all can enjoy our food immediately.
As soon as the cups of Italian ice and the brown bag were delivered into my hand, I quickly slurped the Italian ice. I had to say that was delicious and a great cure for my anemic body.
Once I was satisfied with a little taste of lemonade ice, I began to devour my Italian beef sandwich (dipped, with hot peppers). Honestly, I wasn’t frantically crazy about that beef. It was juicy and tender, but I didn’t find it interesting and memorable. I recalled my nostalgic first-​bit of «Snappy Dog» in Edison Park. I would say I preferred the «home-​style» beef sandwiches. In other words, I thought Johnnie’s Italian beef sandwich was slightly «commercial» for my tastebuds.
Having a meal at a local dog/​beef joint is always an economical choice. For $ 16 and some change, we had two (2) small cups of Italian ice, two (2) orders of Italian beef sandwich with hot peppers ($ 0.35 for the extra pepper add-​on).
I always have cravings for Italian beef sandwiches. When my «addiction» calls, you will probably see me at Johnnie’s.

My boyfriend lives SO CLOSE to Johnny’s. SO CLOSE. I beat myself up for a couple days after my first visit here because I waited nearly two years to try it. WHY? I don’t know. So much regret. I’ve missed out on so many delicious meals… Coulda, shoulda, woulda…
IT’S OKAY, FELICE. YOU CAN MAKE UP FOR MISSING OUT FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS.
Short and simple. Beef, dipped with hot peppers. Lemon ice. Get that and your tummy will thank you. Your tummy will be silenced because its hunger has been appeased. Plus you, yourself, can take a moment of silence for the glory of the holy Italian beef and lemon ice.
CASH ONLY and don’t be surprised if there’s a line. Also, get the ketchup cos it’s just so gracefully packaged bahaha (in paper).