Ihave tried dozens of Italian beef sandwiches in my two decades writing about Chicago food.

By far, one of the best I've sampled is found in a butcher shop in suburban Northfield that doesn't even usually sell them.

While journalists typically don't insert themselves into the story, I've got something to do with this sandwich.

The place is Hofherr Meat Co., located just off the Willow Road exit on the Edens Expressway. A few years ago, it was the height of "The Bear" mania, and I was producing a food podcast about Italian beef.

I was never satisfied with the sandwich — I've never had a beef better than a B+ — and so I sought out a butcher shop that could help construct the Italian beef of my dreams.

I've known the team at Hofherr Meat Co. for years. It's where I purchased my Christmas

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