Italian beef

An Italian beef sandwich, originating in Chicago, is composed of thin slices of seasoned roast beef, simmered and served au jus on a long French roll. The sandwich's history dates back at least to the 1930s. The bread itself is, at the diner's preference, often dipped (or double-dipped) into the juice the meat is cooked in, and the sandwich is typically topped off with Chicago-style giardiniera (called "hot") or sauteed, with green Italian sweet peppers (called "sweet").

Italian beef sandwiches are commonly found at many area hot dog stands, pizzerias and Italian-American restaurants in the Chicago area. Chicago expatriates have opened restaurants serving Italian beef in other places. In the United States, demand for the sandwich spiked with the popularity of the television show The Bear, set in a fictional Chicago restaurant.