If you ever needed proof that Chicago takes its food seriously, look no further than Italian Beef Fest 2025 .

The juicy, messy, lovable Italian beef sandwich takes center stage at the eighth annual festival this month. The celebration of Chicago's favorite sandwich is a DIY, all-you-can-eat party featuring some of the most respected sandwich spots in the region.

This year’s event will take place on November 29 at Double Play Saloon in Blue Island. The bar will transform into a beef lover’s paradise with a spread that's basically a greatest hits of Italian beef purveyors. You'll start with three inch cuts of bread from Turano and Alpha, then build your own dream sandwich with beef and toppings from participating shops. A little Portillo's here, a little Johnnie's there... mix and match

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