Italian beef sandwiches, per my beloved Chicago

Victor_Hong · September 10, 2009, 1:06pm

Last weekend, I studded a cheap Wal-Mart beef rump with cloves and garlic, and dry-rubbed with pepperoncini, instant coffee, cinnamon, onion powder, salt, pepper, parsley, brown sugar, and fennel seed. Nestled in a small Dutch oven, this slumbered in a 200F oven overnight. After I cooled and de-fatted the roast, I sliced it very thinly, returning into the slightly simmering juices, for hydration. Finally, I tumbled the meat into an Italian bread roll, drizzled those juices sufficiently to moisten well but not waterlog everything, and garnished with medium-hot Chicago giardiniera plus a streak of ketchup.

Oh, lord! No more enslavement to Mr. Beef of Chicago.

Bob_Wood · September 10, 2009, 4:26pm

Yeah, but who ate it?

Victor_Hong · September 10, 2009, 6:29pm

It was my meal of the day.

ToddFrench · September 10, 2009, 6:44pm

But for the ketchup/catsup, it sounds like a fantastic sandwich!!

Bob_Wood · September 10, 2009, 6:51pm

There . . . fixed. Just here to help.

Victor_Hong · September 10, 2009, 7:20pm

The fruity acidity of the ketchup nicely balances the spice heat of the giardiniera and the earthiness of the beef.

S_L_Clayton · September 10, 2009, 7:23pm

man I loves me my beef.

Johnnies Beef = THE BEST.

I allow myself one or two per year.

ToddFrench · September 10, 2009, 7:34pm

How’s the liquid minerality?

Victor_Hong · September 10, 2009, 8:31pm

Exactly how mine appeared.

Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m · September 10, 2009, 9:41pm

you know it’s good when the inner 3 layers of wrapping are clear!

ToddFrench · September 10, 2009, 9:44pm

It’s your window to weight gain!

Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m · September 10, 2009, 9:55pm

LOL!! … so true. This is why I only allow myself Carl’s Jr. once every few weeks. Luckily, no Portillo’s around these here parts to tempt me.

Kriss_Reed · September 10, 2009, 10:25pm

Brian and Todd, not sure if you’re aware, but there’s a Portillo’s branch in Buena Park, near Knott’s Berry Farm. Not having had the real thing from “the mothership”, I can’t vouch for its authenticity. It was decent when I tried it a while back.

Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m · September 10, 2009, 10:42pm

Kriss, you are evil … but I love ya anyways.

Mark_Pecken · September 11, 2009, 4:15pm

The ketchup makes it an Italian Beef Fail. Hot peppers and a good juice is all you need. Re: Johnnies, the sandwiches are pretty small these days but I just get two. Paired with an Italian lemonade and I’m in fast food heaven.

Victor_Hong · September 11, 2009, 4:30pm

I meant just a streak, not a splattering of ketchup. The latter would overwhelm, I agree.

By the way, another ethnic food is my specialty, not Italian.

ToddFrench · September 11, 2009, 4:34pm

Even a streak is too much - it should have precisely zero ketchup.

Victor_Hong · September 11, 2009, 4:59pm

OK, Sandwich-Slinger.

Mark_Pecken · September 11, 2009, 5:52pm

If you go to Al’s #1 on Taylor street and ask for ketchup it wouldn’t be pretty…

Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m · September 11, 2009, 6:15pm

Todd is actually right about this one. He must have overcome his Pepsi palate for a moment.