Italian beef is one of the foods Chicago is known for. There are hundreds of places that sell their own version of Italian beef, including the big dog, Portillo's. And while Portillo's beef is good, as are many of the others, nothing tops Novi's. Start with the beef, itself - tender, thin sliced, no fat or gristle, just fine meat. Then the seasoning and au jus - perfect balance of spiciness and flavor adds a dimension not found in any other beef I've tried. Add in the gardinare - really spicy with plent of heat to really fire everything up. All on great bread...put it all together, add some nice sweet peppers, if you like, and let the juice run down your arms. If you live in the area or are coming for a visit, head over to Ogden Avenue in Berwyn (Berwyn???) and taste the best. So good we take it to family on trips!