After a recent jaunt to Chicago and a first introduction to Portillo's Italian Beef sandwich, I've been determined to find an italian beef sandwich in Madison to fulfill my new and frequent cravings.
Apparently this place has da beef, so I marched my way to this stand and ordered the italian beef sandwich with hot peppers and dipped, Chicago style. After he made it for me, he showed it to me to make sure there were enough peppers. Eeeek! Instant drool. I practically ran back home to eat it in the comfort of my home because there would be beef a-flying.
I tore it out of it's box and threw it on a plate that was admittedly too small for it and I began to gorge myself. It was absolutely fantastic. The beef was top quality. I never got a weird chewy bit. The bun (from Gonnella's) was so delicious. The Au jus soaked the inside but the the outside stayed together. You had to really bite in to get a bite because the roll had such amazing chew. And the Au jus! Lord help me! It soaked into the bun and dripped all over.
Now, everyone is going to ask: is it better than Portillo's?! Different experience, my friends. The meat was certainly better. I got a few ultra chewy pieces (and not in a pleasant way) at Portillo's, but this FIB's beef melted in my mouth. I actually preferred FIB's bun, too. But shhh!!! I will certainly eat both without complaining.