I moved out of Chicago at a young age. Never heard of this place until a few months back going down a YouTube wormhole. I was a little surprised at some lifelong Chicago friends/family that had never heard of this historic restaurant. Had the classic breaded steak sandwich the day after the D. Rose ceremony. Probably should have got it on garlic bread as a chicken parm on garlic bread always hits home.

How is the chicken vesuvio sandwhich? I almost wanted that more. It sounds awesome and also a bit lighter that the the breaded steak. When I say lighter, I mean without the marinara and hot peppers. It's still one hell of a sandwich. How is their beef?

If they were at 2600N instead of 2600S they’d have chain locations in Arizona and Florida.

Right. The Bridgeport Canaryville secret. I think someone told me the Orland one went under.

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Elections have consequences.

There was one there when I was a teenager, but I never bothered going. Pat Disabato, of The Southtown Economist, did a TV commercial for them.

They had one in the loop a few decades ago. It closed but I don't think it was for lack of business. I think the family keeps it all in house and the margins just weren't as good downtown. That's an awfully hearty lunch.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Garlic bread and no sauce (or on the side)…one of the best sandwiches ever.

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Yeah, it was at 205 W. Wacker.

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General Jim wears Fort Bragg down... to get it!

Right x 2. There was one in my parish, two blocks from my house, on 83rd Street. it was weird having one so close. Lasted ten years, maybe less.

Their pizza slices are awful.

I think the only famous people I ever met I met at the Bridgeport one. Rahm Emanuel and two other people I can't even remember.

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It's fine. All those restaurants under the expressway on 26th, that counts as 'A hole in the wall', doesn't it?

It's depressing over there. I always thought they should build Anasazi-like housing underneath the expressway. Living in a cliff and shit.

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shit sucks. breaded dog food .

Yeah, I gave it a B- and I was hungover. Didn't meet my expectations but still good.

hey, if we put breading on something, deep fry it then smother it in cheese and red sauce, we can call it "steak "

The best is when their Food truck comes to various suburbs and people will stand in line for 3 hours for a breaded stake sandwich.

it's hoarse meet.

There was also one at 60 E Lake, and I'd say this was more recent but it's been 20 years since I worked around there.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ricobenes-chicago-3

a really grim storefront

I try to get one any time I visit Chicago.The pasta buckets and homemade meatballs are top notch

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

A bucket of pasta?

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Sandwich, pasta is for the family dinner.

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"