Mr. Beef

Mr. Beef is an Italian beef counter at 666 N. Orleans St., at Erie Street in River North, that opened in 1979 and is still run by the Zucchero family. The small room has a few communal tables and a short menu of Italian beef, Italian sausage and combo sandwiches with chunky giardiniera. The shop became nationally known as the model for the beef stand on the FX series The Bear, and the sandwich has kept its reputation among Chicago beef regulars since the show aired.

What to know

• Carl Buonavolanto, whose family later founded the Buona chain, started the business in 1979.
• A June 2024 Popverse guide listed the counter as cash only with a 4 p.m. close and no Sunday service.
• A second location opened inside Midway Airport near gate B14 in March 2026, per Block Club Chicago.
• The Chicago Brown and Purple Line stop at Franklin is two blocks north.
• The parking lot next door usually fills by noon.