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    Johnnie's Beef

    3.9 (749 reviews)
    ModerateHot Dogs, Shaved Ice
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Johnnie's Beef Photos

    JOHNNIE'S BEEF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Johnnie's Beef

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    Large ice
    Abbie F.

    What?!?!? A Johnnie's outside of Elmwood Park?!?! Who knew!! I couldn't believe it when I was driving. I drove past it and then turned around to go back and get a beef and an Italian ice! I would have gotten fries but it was too late and then I had remorse for not getting fries because they are so so good! This one doesn't have the same atmosphere as Elmwood Park and the food is just as good! Fast, delicious, flavorful! I love the beefs from here and a large ice. Always get mine juicy with sweet peppers and the bread is so soggy it starts to fall apart-yes please! One of my go-to stops every time I'm in the City. And not having to drive down Oak Park Ave makes this location stand out!

    Ryan D.

    Johnnie's Beef is an institution in Arlington Heights. It's been there longer than I've been alive. It's the place to go to get good quality take out food. I love their Italian beef and sausages. Their Italian ice is a must have! It has real lemon pieces in it and is a perfect summer treat. There prices have gone up but the quality has not changed.

    Italian Beef, dipped with sweet peppers.
    Michael W.

    Johnnie's Beef in Arlington is one of the best beef spots in Chicagoland. It's under $10 even when you add the peppers. What Johnnie's does that I don't see many beef places do it how finely they chop their beef but also the sweet peppers. It ensures there is no pull and each bite is smooth.

    Double dog with fries Beef bowl Large diet coke
    Kathleen L.

    We have not been here in a while and we're passing by around dinnertime so we decided to dine here. I ordered the double dog (it comes with fries) the fries are just like McDonalds used to make back in the day without all the chemicals. Wow I forgot how much I loved their fries! These are clearly the best fries around (in my opinion) My husband ordered the beef bowl. We posted a video of him opening it up. They wrap it really good with plastic wrap. The guys at the counter took the orders quickly and got out food out to us just as fast. Very impressive It is freezing cold outside and it was nice and warm in here. Even when the door opened you did not get any arctic blast and we sat really close to the door. Definitely adding this to our favorites list! Great food at good prices! Cannot go wrong dining here. Will dine here again soon!

    Beef Sandwich
    Ann C.

    We tried the other Johnnie's Beef so we of course had to try this Johnnie's Beef. Hubby and daughter each got a beef and the son ordered a hot dog. Everything was great... perfectly dipped and hot. Service was incredibly quick, we were there at lunch time during the week. We sat outside and watched the birds who were looking for dropped French fries. The birds are smart, the fries are great. We made some friends as we were walking to our car... all of us talking about how good the beef is.

    Beef juicy, sweet, fries
    Jim K.

    Great beef sandwich, juicy with sweet, tamales, so good, fries excellent. The staff is quick, knows their jobs and good communication.

    Italian lemon ice
    Leslie A.

    I know this place is an institution and really famous for the Italian beef and the grilled hotdog here. However, I came here for the very first time on a weekday to get some relief from the ridiculous heat. I wanted to try the famous Italian ice here. I came at an off time in the afternoon and of course there was a line however, this line does move. I learned on this day there's only lemon or watermelon and there's no mixing, which is perfectly fine. We got two large lemons and they really overflow and overfill that cup, which is fantastic. I will definitely be coming back here again as this is a true institution at staple. There is real lemon in the lemon ice so it's not just sugar. They have a pretty big parking lot as well.

    Hotdog & Fries and Italian Ice
    Miranda L.

    Johnnie's Beef is a local staple! The Arlington Heights location accepts cash and card to make it easy for customers. They are best known for their Italian beef sandwich as well as italian ice. My husband ordered the combo sandwich (italian beef & sausage) with wet bread and hot peppers. The peppers added a good heat to the sandwich! I had the hotdog and fry combo. The fries were skinny, perfectly salted, and crispy. My hotdog had a steamed bun and quality beef. We shared the small italian ice which had a fresh lemon flavor. This is a fast casual spot with some tables and chairs inside and on an outdoor patio. Parking is minimal up front but there is more in the back. Overall, I highly recommend Johnnie's Beef for the quality, flavor, and to support small business.

    Italian beef and a hotdog with fries only mustard on the hotdog with hot giardiare on the side
    Mark A.

    First of all anybody who rates this place less than five stars as an idiot and should not be posting anything on Yelp clearly doesn't know anything about Italian beef and how they should be presented. This place is a staple and icon to the whole Chicagoland area this branch out in Arlington Heights is spot on to the original in the city 100% worth a drive no matter where you're at to go get a large or an XL Italian beef with hot peppers on the side. The service in this place is absolutely stupendous & fast. I was in line with 15 people in front of me and was through the line with my food in hand less than five minutes everything accurate and perfect and delicious as it was when I was a kid eating there for many many years !! Every time I visit Chicago that's my first stop as well as Al & Joe's Italian subs in Franklin Park near the airport (bonus review) (look it up) Johnnie's beef on the inside of this restaurant is no frills , simple , Fast and place for the best Italian beefs in the whole city. Now, if you want the most authentic Italian ice you'll ever have ? Johnny's is even known more for their Italian ice than their beef and their beefs are 6 1/2 stars out of 5.!! so make sure that you get the Italian lemonade ice !! It's the staple of Johnny's beef & 100% you will not be dissatisfied !! So..if you are looking for some great authentic Chicago fast food Italian beef's,sausage,Hotdogs? This Italian beef stand should be eaten every day that you visit Chicago that's just my suggestion!! Try something different on the menu every day that you're there trust me it's worth it. ! Cheers!!

    Counter
    Drake M.

    Went here for an Italian Beef. The place was packed. I was greeted and placed my order. My order was handed to me so fast, I thought they gave me someone else's food. There were no tables available so I asked a guy could I share his table. It was too cold to sit outside. The beef was tender and seasoned well. The hot peppers could be hotter but still had a nice kick. The fries were crispy and salted well. And the price for both was a good deal.

    Fun!
    Carol E.

    When in Chicago I always need an Italian beef sandwich! Method: wet with hot peppers. This one was good. Very few hot peppers, not very wet. I left behind some of the dry parts of bread. Good heat on the peppers, but really wanted to see morel on the sandwich before I ate it!

    Busy cashier area

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Always packed by people because the food is fantastic. I recommend carry out, as parking fills up .

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    1 year ago

    The absolute best! Quick, efficient, and the best Italian beef ever! End of story! And the Italian ice is awesome too!

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    7 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Yes simply the best, always on track! Great value, quick service. Been goung here for over 40 years!

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    Page 3 of 19

    Ask the Community - Johnnie's Beef

    Beef by the pound?

    Beef is $15 per pound. We give one quart of gravy per pound of beef. Additional quarts of gravy… 

    Is this location cash only?

    Used to be but, cards r okay now. They also have an atm on site as well

    Can you ship?

    Sorry, we do not ship.

    Is there an actual website or Instagram page? Also, is there a child's meal option?

    We sell hot dogs but have no designated kids menu. We do not have a website or instagram page. We are on Facebook.

    Any gluten free options?

    They have bowls, which have no bread - italian beef bowl, combo (beef & sausage) bowl and tuna bowl.

    Is the same owner as Johnnies on North Ave?

    Yes

    Did they change their bread? Seems more like a sub sandwich and not their usual crusty bread. It used to be gonella did it change?

    The bread seems a little rubbery so I'm not sure if they change the bread I know the weather sometimes has a lot to do with it if there's humidity in the air the bread becomes a little more rubbery than if it was dryer air

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    This is the best depression dog you can find! Sure, Jimmy's, Nana's, and the venerable Gene and…read moreJude's are both outstanding as well, and they are basically interchangeable for a great dog, so go to the one that you like/are closest to. Here are the things that take RRH to the top of my list: 1. Convenient drive through service. You don't need to exit your vehicle to eat there. 2. They will char your dog on the flat top grill they use for the it grilled onions for the Maxwell St. polish. 3. 4 mini supreme tamales instead of one large tamale. Same amount by weight, a lot easier to eat while on the road! 4. And the thing that really sells it for me-the hand cut fries are cooked in BEEF TALLOW! The next two are either positives or negatives, depending on your POV. I've never used these options, but: 5. They accept credit cards, albeit for a 3% surcharge 6. Ketchup is available BY REQUEST ONLY! I have a feeling you will get shamed if you have the palate of an eight year old and ask for it on you dog, and there are squirt bottles available if you eat on sit and wish to dip your fries, although they are so good plain, "red mustard" as one social media presenter calls ketchup, is not needed.

    I absolutely love going to Rand Red Hots. This place is a classic 50's style Chicago restaurant. I…read morealways order a chardog with the fries on the side. A chocolate cone as a treat, and sometimes a shake. They are always super nice and fast! The food is fresh and made to order. There's lots of seating inside and outside. And, it's always sparkling clean! CharDog-This hotdog is absolutely perfect! I savor every last bite of it. It's a Vienna Beef hotdog. So, it's the real deal. It's not the traditional Chicago dog. So, don't expect that. This hotdog is juicy, smokey, and charred with a bold beef flavor. Loaded with mustard, sports peppers, relish, and onions. On a nice plush bun. I personally get it without onions. And, it's heavenly! Chocolate Cone-If you're in the mood for a creamy, dreamy, and delicious cone. Then, make sure to get this! The chocolate is nutty and bold. I love this tasty treat. It brings me so much joy! I every now and then will treat myself to this family sized cone. And, I happily finish every last lick of this. So, next time you see Rand Red Hots. Make sure to stop here! You won't regret it!

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    4.2(2.7k reviews)
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    Looking at fries piled directly on top of a hot dog, my back immediately warned me, "That is a…read moredangerous game to play!" But I had to see what the hype around Gene & Jude's was all about. ​I caught them at a great time with a short line. Their menu is delightfully simple and typical classic Chicago style with minimalist topping choices (mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers) so ordering was a breeze. A single dog with fries and a medium drink came out to about $9. ​While waiting, I loved watching their team work like a well-oiled machine behind the counter. Fresh hand-cut potatoes were dropping into the fryer, and the assembly crew was constantly building dogs and piling massive heaps of steaming fries on top. High output, fantastic energy! I even asked one of the prep guys if I could snap a picture, and he was super cool about it. ​The meal itself was awesome. The fries were piping hot, perfectly salted, and very generous in portion. Once I dug down to the dog, that first bite took me by complete surprise, the snap of the natural casing and the flavor were incredible. Before I knew it, I was clearing the paper wrapper and completely understanding why people order double dogs or multiple single dogs. Be warned it will have your back talking to you too. Lol! Highly recommended legend!

    09/12/2026 This was recommended to us to try as it is a…read moreChicagoan thing to eat. When I look at the menu, I saw tamales on the menu too. My friend started talking to the guys behind us asking them if they been here before. What do you guys get? A double dog with fries. Could you get the hot dog without fries? They asked, Why? So you do what the locals do and order a double dog with everything on it. I asked for extra mustard because that's how I eat my fries. Don't ask for ketchup because they laughed at my friend for asking. It's definitely one of those spots you go to late night or like us, after a show. It's a fun hangout spot where a few girls pull up in their hot cars. Order food and eat it on the car hood with drinks getting spiked. The bottle still out, I should have asked for a pour in my beverage too.

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