Once we decided to dive deep into Italian Beef territory, it only made sense to dig into the history of the iconic Chicago sandwich too. Sadly, our history research was less successful than our eating research. We simply couldn’t find a definitive answer to who exactly invented the sandwich icon.
Our favorite Italian Beef origin story involves Al Ferreri, Al’s #1 Italian Beef’s original owner, repurposing leftover meat from a wedding in 1938. However, while we can verify that Ferreri’s original shop was located on Taylor Street, that story appears to be more legend than fact.
The Italian Beef Sandwich is just one reason why Chicago is a great food city. Discover more great American food cities.
Either way, it’s clear that Chicago’s Italian Beef was invented in the 1930s around the same time that Philly’s Cheesesteak and New Orleans’ Po Boy made their debuts. Not only do all three sandwiches have similar origin stories involving urban entrepreneurs and hungry workers, but they’re all more popular now than almost a century ago.
Unlike the Po Boy and Cheesesteak, the Italian Beef Sandwich lived under the radar beyond its Chicagoland borders for decades. Although displaced natives like the late John Belushi and former late night host Jay Leno sang its praises, it took the TV show The Bear to raise the sandwich to national attention.
Discover five great Po Boys you must eat in New Orleans.
