Best beef period. Except for a 14 year hiatus, I've been coming here since the mid 80's. Although the ownership has changed, the recipe hasn't. Still great beefs. I got mine juicy with sweet & hot peppers, and a large Italian ice.

This place is a Chicago staple! You'll need cash and there's always a line but it moves pretty fast. Get a beef juicy or dipped and you'll be in heaven. Italian ice is super nice for the summer. Love this place!!!

OMG!! How could I have missed out on this place for my entire life. Ya wanna know, get in here for the most amazing beef and sausage sandwich I have ever had. When near OHare, forget about G&J hotdogs and take 5 minutes more time to get to Johnnie's. Worth. It!

Omg such a great Italian beef! The meat is tender and well seasoned. You have to get it dipped with hot peppers (but the peppers are medium spicy in case you can't handle spice). The fries are great and very fresh! The service was super quick! We were in and out in 3 minutes! The Italian ice is also nice and soft! You gotta try this Italian beef!

I truly think that the beef combo sandwich,dipped with hot giardiniera. Is the quintessential Chicago sandwich. Some of the other more famous places that I've been to such as Al's Original, Roma's,Jay's Beef et. al, are all decent, but something always falls short with those sandwiches. It could be the quality of the sausage, skimping on the amount of beef, or whether they have true giardiniera with hot peppers, not just pepper flakes and celery or sliced, barely pickled jalapeños, makes a big difference in the taste to me. Johnnie's , in my opinion, has great value, great flavor, as well as ample quantity for the price of their items. Their sausage is one of the best sausages I've ever tasted in the Chicago area. I've been back a few times now, and keep getting the sausage sandwich dipped with hot peppers, and it is amazing and I don't think the other beef joints in the area can come close to values of this samdwich. I had their small Italian ice for the first time, and I really do enjoy an authentic Italian ice. This fit the bill perfectly! Keep in mind, it wasn't the best Italian ice I've ever had, but I would still have to give it 4 1/2 out of five stars. I thought it was a little sweet, my personal taste is that I like it to have a little more lemon bite. That being said, I will get it again. Some people complain that this joint is always busy, and that confuses me... If it's busy, it is either very good or terribly inefficient. Although the line always extends out the door, it moves quite efficiently, and it is obvious they have had had decades of practice keeping the line moving. Ordering there is a bit like a slightly friendlier version of Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi"episode. They expect you to to know what you want when it's your turn to order. You won't receive the "no beef for you" treatment, but, they don't give you no soup for you if you're not ready, but you do get the side eye/stare down "come on, buddy what do you want attitude". Parking is hit or miss, so you may have to walk a block to find parking at peak hours, and the three tables definitely aren't going to get in any architectural Digest for beauty, but who cares about the ambience because you are there for the food. I truly believe Johnny's is a can't miss situation, everything's on the menus is excellent and worth every penny.

No frills, no fancy decor, just an old school establishment slanging THE BEST ITALIAN BEEFS in the chicago area. The perfect combination of savory and spicy with their homemade hot peppers. The line is always out the door but service is lighting fast so it goes by fast. Portillo's and Al's can't hold a candle to Johnnie's in my opinion. P.S Cash only

This place always brings back great memories from my childhood. I'm not sure what I can add from prior reviews but you need to check this place out if you haven't already. The Italian beef always has great flavor (I go with the sweet peppers). The Italian sausage if great as well. And don't forget the Italian ice!! Sometimes lines can get long but don't let that keep you away. The employees are always super efficient! I'm already looking forward to my next visit!!

This was good! My wife, who is more critical than I am was impressed. (She raises cattle in Texas). The beef was moist, not dry. Quality ingredients. The vegetables that were added were good. The French fries were shoe string fries similar to what is served at Burger King. This is a stand. No bathrooms. No indoor dining. Tables are outside. This place is cash only. This place is in the suburbs in Elmwood Park. The single line moves fast. The parking lot filled quickly in the first fifteen minutes after they opened at 11 AM. This places has become my favorite for Italian beef.

If you go, get the Italian ice. It's made fresh, with real ingredients. And it's really good. Also, very generous. Of course, the Italian beef is solid. The giardiniera they use is a little bit spicier than other places. It's mostly peppers. The beef itself doesn't have a particularly unique flavor. I would rank it as similar to Portillo's. It was good. The service is super fast. It's a great option if you want to grab and go very quickly.

Cash only. I think I forgot to mention that in other reviews. When people say "neighborhood gem" this is the standard I assume will be met. Johnnie's is the original "spot." I'm living in Nevada now and pretty much whenever I see a place that advertises Chicago Italian Beef, I give them a play. Some are tasty almost none can pass (there's one place in Henderson...that's for another review--it's all about the hot peppers.) The ice, the beef, the rolls, the fries-- oh yes oh yes...the fries. I was scrolling through my drafts and realized I hadn't posted this one... so what you are feeling is my wistful nostalgia. My heart !! I'll drop in one last time when I go to pick up and move my parents later this year. Then my memories will become the thing of myth and legend. Enjoy!