Italian Beef in the Heartland

This site rules. I've learned so much. I used to live in NW Indiana, where there were some decent beefs, but I moved when I was only 13 and never really appreciated the sandwich of all sandwiches.

I now live in Kansas City where Italian beefs are basically non-existent. When I do find one, it is usually an abomination.

I've decided it's time to make my own. I was wondering if there was a crock pot recipe for Italian beefs. I'm a set it and forget it kind of guy.

I'd like to turn on some of my Kansas and Missouri friends to beefs. Barbeque is king in KC and I think an Italian beef stand would be a fresh idea and profitable thing out here in CowTown, USA.

All of your comments are much appreciated.

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

I found the crock pot recipe. Duh.

Can't wait to make it this weekend. Having my friends over to watch the Chiefs lose again.

Any traditional Chicago side dishes to serve with Italian beefs? How 'bout Chicago beers that I might be able to get in Kansas City? Hell, we may even root for the Bears.

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

Hey Dirk!

You might be able to get Goose Island beers down in KC. That is a Chicago brew. If you can try and get some Three Floyds, they are from NW Indiana.... my favorite brewery.

The main side dish/condiment to have on hand is giardinara... and we have some recipes for that as well.

Other then that I would say make a bunch of fries with it.

Let us know how it comes out.

Cheers
-George

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

For your crock pot, try louie's italian beef seasoning. It is very easy to use and creats great tasting sandwhiches. We buy from www.louieseasoning.com.

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

Dirk, just found this site myself...transplanted here from Hoffman Estates and now in Shawnee, KS...consume massive Portillos every time I swing through Chitown.  trying the oven recipie tomorrow....btw, HyVee sells Giardinara...no Sport Peppers for the dogs, but, hey, I'll take what I can get.  Only Beef I have found is at the Pizza Man on 103rd and Pflumm...small strip mall.  He is from Rolling Meadows and trys to do Chicago Pizza, Chicago Dogs and Beefs.  His Beefs are light on the meat, but half way decent for a lost soul...let me know how the crock pot works....

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

This site is awesome!

I live in north MS and I have a problem. I have perfected a recipe for Italian Beef, but I can't find suitable bread (for dipped), as none of the local breads will hold up. I have searched online, but none of the bakeries will ship, due to quality reasons.

Can anyone give me an idea?

Thanks

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

JW,

Mind sharing your recipe. I live in Jersey and can't find italian beef anywhere. I have tried a couple of recipes and just can't get it right.

Thanks

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

I just did a crock pot trial run and it came out great. I will post it to the recipe section ( http://www.italianbeef.com/beef-recipes.php )at some point but until then it went a little something like this:

1 - 2 lb chuck roast (probably the wrong cut of meat)
2 italian sausage links (I only had mild)
5 gloves garlic
1/2 an onion sliced thick
1/4 jar of hot giardinara
1/4 jar of mild giardinara
1 bay leaf
1 package italian salad dressing mix ( I used good season brand "zesty italian" - http://www.amazon.com/Good-Seasons-Dres … B000E1FZBY )
tablespoon of garlic powder, onion powder, oregeno
1 - beef bullion cube
Salt and Pepper
4 cups of water


Prep:
I brought 4 cups of water to a boil
I rubbed down the meat with a bunch of oregeno, salt and pepper
Peeled the garlic and kind of smashed it with my hand, threw that, the bullion onion, giardinara, bay leaf, & spices in the crock pot.
Put in the boiling water, stirred it up.
Put in the meat, threw in the sauasge, cover it & cooked it on high for 4hrs.

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

Try  Turano or Gonnellas  they ship all over the country.





> jwlong1862 wrote:

> This site is awesome!

I live in north MS and I have a problem. I have perfected a recipe for Italian Beef, but I can't find suitable bread (for dipped), as none of the local breads will hold up. I have searched online, but none of the bakeries will ship, due to quality reasons.

Can anyone give me an idea?

Thanks

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

Hey KC people - Pizza Man down around 103rd & Pflumm Rd in Lenexa does a decent job with their Italian Beefs and Chicago style hot dogs.  But here's the big news, Restaurant Depot just came to town and they sell 5 lb. packages of the Bari beef with the au jus AND Gonnella rolls frozen.  They also have Vienna beef dogs and the poppy seed buns.  Very, very cool!

Last edited by kcpellethead (2009-02-12 09:30:16)

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

Thanks Berwyn. How do you slice it paper thin without a meat slicer. I have put the beef in the freezer for one hour and sliced with an electric knife and with a slicing knife. Neither got it thin enough. How about using a mandoline on the thinnest setting?

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

Mine was so tender it just shredded, so I do not really know. The flavor was so good I did not mind a bit of shredded beef.

I did a really small roast, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it. Also I think the way they do it at the restaurants is actually roast the beef, and then probably make it tender by soaking in the juice. Also the hunk of meat is much larger.

Making another one today. My v-day gift to myself (c:

Re: Italian Beef in the Heartland

Thanks for the sweet tips, guys. Yeah, the Pizza Man does some great stuff when you want it local. A pal sent me a mailorder case of Portillo's once, which was stellar.

Hungry in KC.

Thanks for the crock tip. Will crank it out.