A little over 20 years ago, Jeff Mauro was starring in the long-running improv show “Tony & Tina’s Wedding”. These days, the Chicago native is a Food Network personality, and he has cooked up his own take on a Chicago classic: the Italian beef sandwich.
While Hulu’s “The Bear” brought national attention to the Italian beef sandwich, Mauro told WBBM’s Rob Hart on the Noon Business Hour that he’s been on a mission to make the best version of the beloved meal for years. He said that he’s finally achieved his goal of creating what he called “the best Italian beef for purchase,” complete with Turano bread and original recipe giardiniera.
This beef won’t be just for Chicagoans, either. Mauro said the of the project – a collaboration with the Stefani Restaurant Group – is to ship the beef across the country and provide it to restaurants along the East Coast.
Joining forces with Stefani has a history going way back. Mauro said that his father grew up with Phil Stefani and that their families have been raised together and that finally working together has been “super special.”
“It’s the greatest beef that you will ever taste,” he told Hart. “And I guarantee that. It’s USDA choice or prime whole muscle chuck roll. It’s not filled with anything, it’s like rubbed and roasted old school sliced paper thin,” served with gravy in addition to the hot peppers.
Right now, it’s available at the Stefani’s Bottega location at the Time Out Market and at its Gladstone Park location.
Hart noted that Chicago beef sandwiches are something that many other cities just can’t seem to replicate. He asked Mauro why.
There are few different factors that the chef mentioned, including good quality beef and restaurants with high turnover that guarantees a fresh sandwich. Mauro also added: “the secret key is you got to wrap that sandwich, throw it in a greasy paper bag.”
Another Mauro secret for Italian beef street cred? Don’t say the “a” at the end of giardiniera when you order. You can find out more about enjoying your own Mauro beef sandwich here.