Jay’s Beef

I don’t really rate these joints on their service just strictly the product that they’re selling. Jays gets 3 stars from moe as far as their beef goes. I thought it was pretty cool that you can literally see your beef being made right in front of you, but the end product wasn’t very satisfying. Not the worst beef I’ve tried but definitely no where near as close to the best. I felt that the beef itself lacked flavor and spices. I did not have an issue with the giardiniera but the bread did split in half immediately. For me that’s one of the most important things is for the bread to hold a dipped beef without any problems. I will likely give this place another chance event thought there are so many options in that area.

Wonderful Italian beef and hotdogs
Very hot food
House made hot and sweet peppers
Great value

Keep’s getting better!!! Don’t miss this Beef!

Jay’s beef is the best in the area. Aside from the beef, the sausage is excellent too. What Jay’s does better than any similar restaurant is serving more beef in their sandwich. Jay’s hot peppers are the final touch to the best Italian beef in Chicago. Jay’s is better than Al’s, Portillos, Mr. Beef (with no disrespect to them). This is my second «go to» Jay’s beef only because it is farther away than my other reviewd Jay’s Beef.

Unfortunately I don’t live in chicago any more so only get to come here a few times a year. Beef is always spectacular and service is always great as well. I usually buy a couple pounds to bring back with me to extend my ability to have a killer sandwich even if it only lasts a few days longer.

Great service! Fastest beef around and the guys are awesome. Took 30 seconds to get my sandwich.

Awesome beef sandwich! I got mine with provolone and the hot peppers with the au jus on the side– I was shocked how much I liked it! Very flavorful, and cheap too!

Jay’s Beef is awesome. The owner is usually there and he does a great job of running that place. Chicken sandwich is awesome.

This place is and has been for a while, VERY NASTY !!!
It’s dirty and the owner obviously doesn’t care. Even his employees don’t care anymore.
After 25 yrs of visiting this place, I will not go back. Enough said.

Great beef! They just lowered the price (finally) so I’ve been popping in a lot more! People are always friendly. Great place for an easy lunch/​dinner pick up

the combo, fries and homemade peppers are yummy! Great service!

Always excellent beef, friendly people! Frank and his Mom, treat you like family. Keep up what your doing! Get the combo, and they have the best homemade gairdenera!!! Sincerely, Mike G.

Flew into Chicago for a couple days and was introduced to Jay’s by my son. He has been a regular for years and just took me and Pete there as our final stop before returning to Kansas City. We were greeted by Frank and his crew and we instantly became a part of the family. I can see why Jay’s is my son’s regular stop. Italian beef with mild peppers for us and the great hot peppers for my son’s grilled chicken sandwich. Regular size fries were plenty for two people and were just out of the fryer.
Chicken sandwich was so good we ordered one to take home to KC. Big mistake, should have ordered two.
On our next trip to Chicago Jay’s will be our first stop. Can’t wait.

Awesome place! Met Jay’s son and he gave us the works as we are out of towners looking for that oh so famous Italian Beef. Everything was amazing and he have us a history on the restaurant. Loved seeing family businesses still in existence and the food was spectacular. Check out Jay’s if you want a great bite

Solid Italian beef place. Good local beef place worth going to. I would say the gardinera was not impressive but everything else was awesome.

I’m from Southern California where one of the few known sandwiches is Philippe’s French dip. Jay’s Italian Beef blows that out of the water. No lines, quick service, good real man food. ‘Nuff said!

Not the most amazing Chicago style food I have ever had, but not awful. A bit overpriced too. $ 22 for a beef, a polish, and 2 hot dogs. My boyfriend had the beef, he said it was good. juicy. but not the best he’s eaten. The polish was pretty standard, I did like that the sport peppers were larger, but the fries they gave us were small portions and somewhat soggy. We didnt dine in, so I am unable to comment on the interior of the place. but A-​OK is a pretty accurate description.

A small dumpy beef place that is popular with the locals. Real small with more seating outside and just basic foods that most can easily cook at home with better quality depending where you grocery shop. The place was a bit filthy inside despite many workers in the shop.

These are the moments that memories are made of… eating Beef. (Corny Alert?!)
But in all honesty, I was in town visiting, we were starving, and Jay’s Beef was in the area, so let’s do it! I think it was my first time eating in so I was able to see how much people love this local joint (which if you’ve read any of my other reviews, I live for local dives!).
There were a few gentlemen that were working the back, one of which was really making an effort to interact with everyone that came in. He gave out free lemon ice to the kids, he was really enjoying himself, which is nice to see someone enjoying what they do.
So I stand firm that Jay’s Beef is selling much more than beef, they are selling smiles. (Ok. Last Corniness)

So, I guess this is where you go to get a really good Italian beef sandwich? Yeah, imagine me saying that with an upward inflection, because I’m not sold.
Jay’s has a cult-​like following when it comes to these, especially amongst us living on the northwest side. Normally I’m giddy when I walk into a place and they have huge rolls of paper towels on each table. It usually means I’m about to eat something good and messy. But it was more messy than good. I think toilet paper would have been more appropriate.
I’m not a huge fan of Italian beefs as it is. Damn, I just heard a noise. Oh, that was just the sound of my Chi-​town card being stripped away from me. Whatever. I also hate Jim Belushi. Don’t get me wrong, I get the sporadic craving. For beefs, not Jim Belushi. But the way people talk this place up, I was hoping it would change my perception, at least a little. But instead, I still stand indifferent with the whole Italian beef delicacy. Even independent from that, Jay’s let me down entirely. I swear I’ve had better beef at birthday parties that had catering from some rag ass restaurant that nobody has heard of.
So where did it go wrong for me? Well the giardiniera was an absolute abomination. It was too damn salty, and even worse, the «hot» giardiniera was awfully mild. I would go as far as to say that killed the entire sandwich. Giardinera is important to me. I need that heat. Normally it makes an average sandwich better. But for the first time, it made an average sandwich very insipid and weak. The Italian sausage was overcooked as well (I ordered the combo). Also, the french fries are not very fresh. And the employees aren’t big into cleanliness or courteousness.
My advice is if you’re craving Italian beef, go to Johnnie’s. Heck, I’d even over pay for two Portillo’s expensive, tiny ass sandwiches. At least it tastes better, and you wont have to worry about acquiring salmonella. Jay’s depresses me. Keep it.