Went all the way to Chicago for one sandwich.

[Jesda]

IT WAS EPIC



Boarded Amtrak at 4am and got back at 10pm. Totally worth the $40 train fare.



Pics and captions:
http://jesda.com/2011/05/18/traveled-fi ... -sandwich/

[Pento240sx]

Looks Delicious.

[danshaz82]

ive made that Amtrak trip tons of times. i once woke up in the middle of the Union train yard and had to walk around to find some one. good times.
also, seeing as how i work across the street from a Portillos, i know what im getting for lunch tomorrow!

[Ace2cool]

Giant Silver Jellybean FTMFW!

[Bubba1]

Giant Silver Jellybean FTMFW!

Fun trip. that cloud gate sculpture reminded me of a crash helmet that might just fit on the head of that Audi driver at Carlisle....

[sx moneypit]

Cool trip,food looks great!Jesda,i have a sister that lives in Chesterfield. I'll have to get up there and maybe we can hook up and grab a beer.

[drksolest]

N' u didn't bring me a sammich!! rrrrrrrrrrr

trip looks fun, n' now i'm hungry!

[Dattebayo]

This fine upstanding citizen seated behind me in the video below openly talked about cooking and selling crystal meth on his cell phone in front of other passengers.

That's funny, because just yesterday I went to 7-11 to get some Pellegrino, and the dude in line in front of me was openly discussing smoking and the olfactory experience of PCP. He immediately entered an SUV full of less-than-college-aged females. I gave him a dirty look and tried to look menacing in a disapproving upright citizen kind of way...

[AppleBonker]

Of the four Italian beef joints I’ve tried, I’d rank them as follows:

Portillo’s
Luke’s
Downtown Dogs
Al’s

All are amazing, but Portillo’s and Luke’s use denser rolls and more interesting seasoning.

Oddly, I'd put Portillo's at the top of my list too. I almost feel bad saying that as they are a chain, but I've yet to find a beef place that tops them. And I've tried a few dozen.

I want to meet up with THE Jesda at some point in Chicago and eat food. Sounds fun.

[Encryptshun]

Of the four Italian beef joints I’ve tried, I’d rank them as follows:

Portillo’s
Luke’s
Downtown Dogs
Al’s

All are amazing, but Portillo’s and Luke’s use denser rolls and more interesting seasoning.

Oddly, I'd put Portillo's at the top of my list too. I almost feel bad saying that as they are a chain, but I've yet to find a beef place that tops them. And I've tried a few dozen.

I want to meet up with THE Jesda at some point in Chicago and eat food. Sounds fun.

Different likes for differenty tykes, I guess. I'd put Al's Beef head and shoulders above Portillo's (and I likePortillo's). Al's au jus is more flavorful (if a bit more salty), and if you order fries with your beef, they put the fries as a topping on the sammich and wrap the whole thing up together in the parchment so they get all soggy and juice-laden.

When I order a beef at Portillo's, I order it dry. At Al's, it's gotta be wet.

If you want a hot dog, you gotta go to Hot Doug's or SuperDawg, though.

[Jesda]

Hot Doug's always has a 2 hour line going out the door. Screw that place. Its a tourist trap! I'll try SuperDawg.

Same for Geno's in Philly. I gave up on finding legal parking in that congested neighborhood and found a perfectly good cheese steak stand away from all the noise.

[Encryptshun]

By the time you want to take another day-trip up here, I'll hopefully be working downtown. We'll do lunch.

[Repo Man]

Portillo's pwns all. I have thought of a road trip to Chicago just to go there and I HATE driving into Chicago.

[Encryptshun]

Portillo's pwns all. I have thought of a road trip to Chicago just to go there and I HATE driving into Chicago.

You don't need to drive all the way into the city.

http://www.portillos.com/portillos/locations/

[AppleBonker]

Indeed. I don't even have to leave Indiana.

[Repo Man]

I'm in.

[Encryptshun]

There are only two things that could get me to go to Indiana. One is GenCon Indy, the other would be a NiCO mini-meet at the Portillo's in Merrillville.

Jesda, I'm sorry for the threadjack.

[Ajax]

Glad you enjoyed your trip Jesda! I enjoy some Portillos about every other trip to Chicago. Good stuff.

[Amays U G37S]

Jesda, I must get ahold of your styliest. I am totally jealous.

[Kompresshun]

There is no good Cheesesteak in Kentucky I guess I need to make another trip to Indiana sometime...

[InfinitiEric]

OMG there's a Jesda.com blog now?? Subscribing as I type this...

[Razi]

There is a Portillos about 20 miles from me.
Now I'm tempted to go!

[carloslebaron]

What an adventure! Next time I wish for pizza I will travel to Italy as well...

[flohtingPoint]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qoa1R1Svnk[/youtube]

LOL! There is no "Italian Stance," it looks like pissing in a trough at a AA Baseball game. Americans that try to act Italian are like white guys that try to act black. You're American, be American...

[tEknoS13]

Born and raised in Pilsen community Chicago since 88'... I must say THE BEST italian beef/combo sandwich is at Johnnie's Beef 7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707. Although its not in Chicago really. I can say the combo sanwich is orgasmic. touche' on your procedure when it comes to eating the combo. I too eat the sausage separate, then dig in the beef but with gardinera peppers for me.

Make the trip. Oh and make sure you get the italian ice

[Jesda]

There is a Portillos about 20 miles from me.
Now I'm tempted to go!

California has one?


*rage!!*

[bigbadberry3]

I can walk to a Portillo's or AL's in under 15 minutes from my house . Portillo's beef is best dry and then dipped in the cheese from cheese fries. Al's is best wet with their giardinara (spellcheck).

EDIT: When you go to a Portillo's do yourself a favor and get the Chocolate Cake Shake. You won't regret it.

[gwoods]

I went to Austin for brisket

[PEZi]

Le sigh... this pic makes me reminiscent



I will return, Chicago, you hear me?!?!?! Me and Shaz will shen upon you!

[Fezzik]

You should have called me! I'd eat a samich with ya!