I've been to a respectable amount of italian beef joints including certain establishments that are high on everyone's lists and while some of them aren't bad, none of them leave the kind of impression that Johnnie's provides. Every element to their sandwich comes together in perfect balance--the wonderful thin slices of beef marinated and cooked to tenderness in a superb au jus, the explosive flavor of giardenera peppers circulating throughout each mouthful, all placed inside bread that is dipped in that perfect au jus. Top it off with an order of fries and an order of italian ice, and you have a slice of heaven in your hands.\r
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I grew up in Chicago, but now live in the West Coast. Whenever I come back to visit, this is the first place I go to remind me there's no place like home.
Pros: heaven in a sandwich, long lines but quick service
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