Season one follows Jeremy Allen White (Lip from the American version of Shameless) as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a chef who experienced a quick rise to fame in the fine-dining world before going back home to Chicago to take over the family business, the Original Beef of Chicagoland, following the death of his older brother.
In the second season, which dropped last summer, (spoiler alert) the Original Beef sign came down as the episodes followed the crew's journey to transform the restaurant into a fine-dining spot. It earned thirteen Emmy nominations, and at the awards ceremony on January 15, it was one of the night's biggest winners, taking the top spot in ten categories including Outstanding Comedy Series.
Carmy and his team weren't cooking up any beefs in the sophomore season, but the classic Windy City sandwich is undeniably appealing. While Chicago chain Portillo's is rumored to be coming to the Mile High, there's no ETA on that just yet. In the meantime, here are some local spots where you can get a fix.
And if you're craving more Chicago-style eats, the city's thin, tavern-style pizza is readily available in the metro area.
Billy's Gourmet Hot Dogs
2445 Larimer Street
billysgourmethotdogs.com
Bill Feid, the owner of Billy's Gourmet, grew up in Chicago, so it's no surprise that the menu here is heavy on Windy City favorites. Along with hot dogs and gourmet sausages, it serves a selection of sandwiches, including an Italian beef, topped with sweet and hot peppers and served on a French roll from Illinois-based Gonnella. You can also opt for a Chicago Italian combo, which adds Italian sausage to the party.
Carm & Gia Metropolitan
9598 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora
carmandgiametropolitan.com
This restaurant that makes one of the ten best burgers in Denver is an homage to owner Razz Cortés-Maceda's love for her chosen home of Denver and her hometown of Chicago. The expansive menu includes everything from tortas and burritos to hot dogs and "The Loop" Italian Beef served with sweet peppers and hot giardiniera, dry, wet or dipped.
Carmine Lonardo's
7585 West Florida Avenue, Lakewood
One of our picks for the ten best sandwich shops in Denver, this cozy, family-owned Italian market and deli has been around since 1976. It not only makes a mean loaded Italian with cold cuts and its own housemade Italian sausage, it's also got an Italian beef on the menu dubbed the Godfather — and giving it a go is an offer we can't refuse.
Chicago Mike's Beef & Dogs
11405 East Briarwood Avenue, Centennial
chicagomikesofdenver.com
This south Denver spot has been open since 1998. Though it's been through a few owners, it's consistently served up one of the most legit Italian beefs around. Yes, you should get the giardiniera.
Chicago Style Beef & Hot Dogs
6680 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood
louisfeher-peiker.rapify.com/chicagocolorado
"This is Chicago in Colorado," says the website for this family-owned Lakewood spot that serves Vienna beef dogs dragged through the garden, Italian sausage, iconic Midwestern soda Green River and, of course, a classic Italian beef "sammich."
Da Sauce
2907 Huron Street
720-328-8742
dasaucepizza.com
This friendly, family-owned joint debuted in April 2023 and specializes in Chicago tavern-style pizzas. It even has a bottle of Malört behind the bar. But it also dishes up a hearty Italian beef on bread from a local bakery — the regular is big enough to share and there is an even larger option as well. It can be ordered dipped or with the house-made gravy on the side and is available with hot or mild giardiniera and the option to add mozzarella cheese and/or peppers.
Jimano's Pizzeria
2950 South Broadway
jimanos.com
This small pizza chain originally opened in Waukegan, Illinois. The family-owned South Broadway location is the only one in Colorado, and it serves an Italian beef sandwich as well as an Italian beef specialty pizza made with your choice of giardiniera or sweet peppers.
Little Carmine's
84 South Pennsylvania Street
little.carminescolorado.com
After shuttering because of the pandemic in 2020, Little Carmine's made a comeback in October 2023. The daytime-only sister restaurant of Carmine's on Penn has a menu of Italian sandwich favorites, including its take on a Chicago-style Italian beef loaded with thinly sliced au jus-marinated beef, provolone and giardiniera.
The Local Butcher at Denver Central Market
2669 Larimer Street
thelocalbutcherdenver.com The food hall location of this butcher shop dishes up a pulled beef take on the Italian beef loaded with giardiniera on a butter brioche hoagie. It also has an outpost in Oneida Park that serves up a short list of deli sandwiches (though no Italian beef).
The Italian beef from Lou's.
From the Hip Photo
3357 Downing Street
lousitalianspecialties.com
In 2018, Rosenberg's owner Josh Pollack added this East Coast-style deli to his growing collection of New York-inspired concepts. Lou's has a solid selection of both hot and cold sandwiches, available in full or half sizes, including its Italian beef with provolone in addition to sweet peppers and giardiniera.
Mustard's Last Stand
2081 South University Boulevard
1719 Broadway, Boulder
mustardslaststandcolorado.com
The University of Denver and Boulder locations of this hot dog destination were founded in 1978 by Chicago native Dan Polovin. Today, both outposts remain popular spots for dogs and beyond — they even serve a tofu Reuben. The Italian beef is described on the menu as being "just like momma used to make," and comes with the option to add the recommended toppings: cooked green peppers, giardiniera, hot peppers and grilled onions.
The Italian beef, Frech dip-style, at Pony Up.
Pony Up/Instagram
1808 Blake Street
ponyupdenver.com
Pony Up has become an industry favorite; it's one of the only downtown spots that serves food late at night. Come for the drinks, stay for the selection of French dips, which includes a Chicago-style Italian beef. Ask for extra jus.
Spinelli's Market
4621 East 23rd Avenue
spinellismarket.com
This neighborhood grocer doubles as a sandwich counter that nabbed our 2023 pick for Best Sandwich Shop in the Best of Denver. The cold, deli-style options are perfect for picnics, but there's also a lineup of hot sandwiches. Ask for Gino's Hot Italian Roast Beef, #19, which comes with Thumann’s roast beef, provolone and roasted red peppers on a baguette and served au jus. This one's certainly not traditional, but it'll still hit the spot.
Wrigley's Chicago Bar & Grill
18200 West Colfax Avenue, Golden
wrigleyschicagobar.net
Skip Perry grew up in the Windy City and proposed to his wife, Paula, at Wrigley Field. They opened this neighborhood bar and restaurant in Golden in 2008, serving Chicago specialties like tavern-style pies and dogs that have been dragged through the garden. Its Italian beef is made with marinated roast beef served wet on French bread with a choice of mild, medium or spicy giardiniera. Italian sausage, cheese and peppers are available at an additional cost.
Know of an Italian beef we missed? Email [email protected].
