In the world of Chicago beef sandwiches, there exists a holy temple of meat, bread, and giardiniera that has been converting the uninitiated into devout followers since 1961.
Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a cultural institution where the humble Italian beef sandwich has been elevated to an art form.
The unassuming building with its yellow brick exterior and retro signage doesn’t scream “legendary” at first glance.
But the perpetual line of hungry patrons stretching around the corner tells a different story…