Jay Leno, host of The Tonight Show, often hits up Mr. Beef on Orleans Street whenever he⿿s in town. And the folks at Mr. Beef won⿿t let you forget it either, as there are over a dozen pictures of him on the wall. If you⿿re not one to take stock in celebrity endorsements, Leno isn⿿t the only one who comes back to this establishment time and time again. Locals and tourists alike sing the praises of the Italian beef here, declaring it among the best served anywhere.

If you didn⿿t gather from the name, this place is not veggie-friendly. The menu is meat, meat, and more meat. Sorry vegetarians, but this is what Chicago is known for. Sausage, chicken, chili, burgers, hot dogs, and the namesake Italian beef: it⿿s all there, and it⿿s all delicious. Order up a side of fries in a bag with a side of cheese, and you⿿ve got a Windy City meal. For a final touch of authenticity, more than likely the guy taking your order will be a lovable, hefty ⿿eye⿿-talian goombah.

Mr. Beef may be big on beef, but he⿿s not so big on seating. You can enjoy your bounty standing up at the counters that run along the walls, or step into the ⿿Elegant Dining Room,⿿ where you can rub elbows with suits and hard-hats alike at two communal picnic tables.

With no frills and no nonsense, you⿿ll leave Mr. Beef feeling good and with your chin held high.

Photo credit (via Flickr): eekim

Mr. Beef ($): 666 N Orleans St; 312-337-8500
Mon ⿿ Thurs: 8:00 a.m. ⿿ 5:00 p.m.
Fri: 8:00 a.m. ⿿ 5:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. ⿿ 5:00 a.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. ⿿ 3:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. ⿿ 5:00 a.m.
Street parking difficult
Public trans: Bus # 11, 65, 66