Never knew what a italian beef was until I married a Chicago girl! Now I absolutely love them. From what I know portillos is a Chicago icon, known for their italian beefs... Every time I go there I get the same thing big beef extra gaurdina with mozzarella cheese, large fry with dipping cheese! Something Chicagoans like is there italian beefs dipped in the juice, to me that's gross so I get the juice in the side. It's bomb chow and there is no place in the valley that makes them so good except for my wife at home... She can blow those out of the water. I know they sell tamales, let's be honest if your going to trust and try a tamale from a Chicago based restaurant be ready to be disappointed. They are squeezed out of a tube and look like something that should be thrown directly in the toilet.