Someone wrote: : In article , Donald M. wrote: : > : >Just what is "Italian beef"? : > : >Thanks- D.M. : Italian beef is another of those Chicago culinary inventions. Italian beef : sandwiches are usually sold in Chicago Hot Dog joints, but many don't carry : it. : The beef is usually made from a whole roasted, cooked with various spices : including garlic. The roast is then sliced paper thin and the meat is kept : in the gravy suace hence the continued flavoring. Italian beef is served : on a french bread or french style sourdough bread bun, usually with lots of : juice (gravy) that soaks into the bread. This sounds like the classic N'awlins roast beef po'boy : In addition, the most popular topping is overly steamed green peppers, My favorite garnish on Italian (read Sicilian) sausage. : however the finer Italian beef emporiums also offer an Italian Hot sauce : call giardinara sauce (marinated carrots, celery, hot peppers and other : items in an olive oil base). One other popular variation is to place an The Central Grocery on Decatur St. in NO has a great version of this that goes on their muffalettas. It's heavy on the olives, but is based on giard- inara. : italian suasage (whole) on the sandwich with the beef aka a "beef combo". : Most American cities with populations over 250,000 have at least one : Chicago style hot dog joint. Many don't serve Italian beef sadly, or use a : prepared product rather than making their own, which does not measure up to : the real thing. : D.M. you now know just what is *AN* Italian beef. Thanks for the info. I'm pleased that beef cooked in that style is still avaialble around the country. You can find a similar roast served here in CA at rural Italian family style resaurants. I just had dinner last week at Rossetti's in Wallace, CA where the beef is served along with chicken baked with rosemary and garlic as main courses in what they call the boardinghouse dinner- minetrone, salad, ravioli and the dual entrees A tasty alternative to rare rib roasts. By the way, who eats rare beef beside the French and Americans? I really enjoy posts about regional specialties- keep it up. Good Eats- D.M.
California