Best of: Italian Beef is getting a spotlight thanks to ‘The Bear,’ but what makes the ultimate sandwich?

The beef is Italian beef, a classic Chicago food item — but at best third banana after deep dish and the Chicago-style hot dog. “The Bear” is a reference to the FX and Hulu TV series — about an incredibly fancy chef who inherits his brother’s dive sandwich shop in Chicago. The series has catapulted the Italian beef sandwich into the national conversation. 

Season 3 of "The Bear" premieres on FX and Hulu on June 27, 2024.

A version of this conversation originally aired on December 28, 2023.

Guests:

Ashok Selvam

Senior Editor, Eater Chicago

Kevin Pang

Editorial Director for Digital and Host of the ‘Proof’ podcast • America’s Test Kitchen