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Italian beef

Carm’s Beef & Italian Ice

About

Carm’s Beef & Italian Ice is a family-run stand at 1057 W. Polk St., at Carpenter Street in Little Italy, just west of the UIC campus. The business dates itself to 1929. The counter sells homemade Italian beef with house giardiniera, combos, meatball sandwiches, hot dogs, tacos and burritos, plus Italian ice made on site in the warm months. The gravy is lighter and more peppery than the Taylor Street competition, which is why regulars order dry.

What to know

  • The Carm’s family traces the business to 1929.
  • Carm’s is a member of the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame.
  • In September 2026 the site listed the beef at $11.99, the combo at $13.99 and a pound of beef with juice at $24.95.
  • UIC-Halsted on the Blue Line is the closest L stop.

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