Every great city deserves an easily identifiable sandwich of its own. Whether it’s the Philadelphia cheesesteak or the New Orleans po’boy, a gut-busting sandwich is a matter of civic pride. When most people think of Chicago’s sandwich of choice, the first answer is usually the Italian beef sandwich. (Unless you are one of those people who thinks a hot dog is a sandwich.) After all, you can find one in most neighborhoods, and locals love to argue relentlessly about where to find the best. The popularity of the sandwich has only grown recently thanks to “The Bear,” an FX show that follows a fine dining chef who has to return to his family’s Italian beef stand. But looking through the Tribune’s archives, it’s a bit shocking to find that the Italian beef hasn’t been the obvious sandwich choice for that long. Unlike barbecue, which shows up in the archives all the way back in the 1850s, the Italian beef doesn’t even make an appearance until the 1950s. Tap on our bio link to read more. ----- Photo 1: A worker makes an Italian beef sandwich at Portillo’s in Chicago in 2014. Photo 2: The Original Mr. Beef, where exteriors for the show “The Bear” were filmed, is seen on North Orleans Street in River North on Dec. 19, 2022. Photo 3: John P. Harding’s famous corned beef sandwiches are sold at a booth at the Food Show, circa 1925. ? Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune ? E. Jason Wambsgans and Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune / @ejwamb and @briancassella ? Chicago Herald and Examiner

Every great city deserves an easily identifiable sandwich of its own. Whether it’s the Philadelphia cheesesteak or the New Orleans po’boy, a gut-busting sandwich is a matter of civic pride.

When most people think of Chicago’s sandwich of choice, the first answer is usually the Italian beef sandwich. (Unless you are one of those people who thinks a hot dog is a sandwich.) After all, you can find one in most neighborhoods, and locals love to argue relentlessly about where to find the best. The popularity of the sandwich has only grown recently thanks to “The Bear,” an FX show that follows a fine dining chef who has to return to his family’s Italian beef stand.

But looking through the Tribune’s archives, it’s a bit shocking to find that the Italian beef hasn’t been the obvious sandwich choice for that long. Unlike barbecue, which shows up in the archives all the way back in the 1850s, the Italian beef doesn’t even make an appearance until the 1950s.

Tap on our bio link to read more.

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Photo 1: A worker makes an Italian beef sandwich at Portillo’s in Chicago in 2014.

Photo 2: The Original Mr. Beef, where exteriors for the show “The Bear” were filmed, is seen on North Orleans Street in River North on Dec. 19, 2022.

Photo 3: John P. Harding’s famous corned beef sandwiches are sold at a booth at the Food Show, circa 1925.

? Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune
? E. Jason Wambsgans and Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune / @ejwamb and @briancassella
? Chicago Herald and Examiner