Johnnie's Beef - Elmwood Park, IL

Not worth the hype . . . 

Those were certainly be fighting words to some of the jagoffs on the "Chicago Italian BEEFS" Facebook page.  Got some disagreement . . . "Get checked for Covid, Your smell and taste buds are way off!" and "What does a pollack know about beef anyway!?!" to plenty of support . . . "Johnnie's sucked since day one! Go to Bari, Frannies or Jay's".  

Johnnie’s seems to be considered one of the best beefs on this page, so while I was in town I gave them a try . . . 

Meh.  Mushy meat veering into pot roast territory texture and flavor-wise.  No thank you.  Bun had little structural integrity and basically dissolved by the time I got to the hood of the truck.  The giardiniera was excellent and brought a kick, though!  I’d buy a jar, but the beef I need not have again, much less wait in line for 

At $6.99 for the base IB it was the cheapest one I’ve seen in years.  Then you open it, and at best it’s 2/3rds the size of a normal IB

And what in the holy hell is with their sausage? I smelled it before I opened the bag, and when I opened the wrapper, it wafted out and permeated the immediate area. Like if a multi-pack a day smoker walked up next to you and took off their winter jacket. Ewff. Look at these pics. Burnt to high hell and roached out mealy inside. Tasted like it was found forgotten in a public park grill from last week’s picnic. Shameful. I wasn't wading back into the circus to return it, so tossed it 

The Hot Dog with Everything was fine at least, though nothing special.  Mustard, onion, non-neon relish, and a pickle wedge was their Everything.  Came with the typical blah throwaway crappy fries places in Chicago include

And their Italian Ice was nice, but was missing the bits of rind that I grew up with at Mario's

It's a bit of a circus around Johnnie's with something like nine restaurants across the street, security gates on the alley behind their parking lot, and a police presence at 8pm on a Sunday night .  I'd read on the that FB page to expect a line, and there certainly was one well up the property.  This isn't some hip new InstaFluter place either, it's been around half a century.  They don't seem to have much social media marketing either, it's just apparently beloved

Beloved or not, was a solid thumbs down

I'll add lastly that once you made it inside, the place was surprisingly austere and monotone.  Clean and boring, barely any signage, no joking around or personality.  Nothing to slow down or extend the process; get in and get out

Well, I got in, I got out, and I can't say I'd ever go back.  Bummer. Al's IB sucked.  Johnnie's IB sucked.  What's the next IB Station of the Cross to disappoint?

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Johnnie's Beef - 7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707

708-452-6000