Name: Mr. Beef
Address: 666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL, 60654
Telephone: (312) 337-8500

Mr. Beef

Iconic/NotableRiver North · Italian Beef Community-sourced, unverified

📍 666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654

Mr. Beef has run out of the same tiny River North stand since Joe Zucchero opened it in 1979, when the neighborhood was still industrial and working-class.

Tourist Friendly

📈 Scores in the top 100% of Iconic/Notable businesses on ChicagoSpecials.com

It's the real-life inspiration for FX's The Bear -- creator Christopher Storer grew up eating there, and the show's pilot was filmed in the actual shop, with the fictional "Original Beef of Chicagoland" modeled directly on this menu, atmosphere, and location. Order the Italian beef dipped, with hot giardiniera; it closes around 4pm daily and stays closed Sundays. There's now outdoor seating alongside the original counter setup, plus takeout and delivery -- a real expansion from the walk-up-only version that inspired the show.

Whether it's still strictly cash-only has apparently shifted over time, so don't assume either way without checking. Yelp has it at 4.1 across nearly 800 reviews, and it ranks in Tripadvisor's top 5% of Chicago restaurants.

What to Know Before You Go

💡 Worth Knowing

Show creator Christopher Storer is childhood friends with owner Chris Zucchero; exterior/interior shots filmed here

Hours

Mon-Sat10AM-4PM

Sun Closed

📅 Reservations not available 🥡 Takeout unconfirmed 📞 (312) 337-8500

Amenities & accessibility

🚶Walk-in only

🥡Takeout available

❔Wheelchair access: unverified

☀️Outdoor seating available

Location

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Mr. Beef

Mr. Beef has run out of the same tiny River North stand since Joe Zucchero opened it in 1979, when the neighborhood was still industrial and working-class.

Specials at Mr. Beef

Mr. Beef

Mr. Beef