The Italian beef sandwich came out of Chicago, but it is common at pizzerias across the Midwest. Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria in Bloomington listed it among its featured dishes. Here is what it is and how to order it like a regular.
What is an Italian beef?
Thin-shaved, seasoned roast beef, simmered in its own seasoned juices (the jus or “gravy”), piled into a sturdy Italian roll and topped with peppers. It is commonly traced to Italian-American communities in early 20th-century Chicago, where slow-roasting and thin-slicing stretched a modest cut of beef to feed a crowd at weddings and gatherings.
How to order: the vocabulary
| Say this | You get |
|---|---|
| Dry | Meat lifted out of the jus, drained, bread stays mostly dry |
| Wet / juicy | Extra jus spooned over the meat |
| Dipped | The whole sandwich dunked in jus: messy and excellent |
| Hot | Topped with hot giardiniera |
| Sweet | Topped with roasted sweet green peppers |
| Combo | An Italian sausage added to the beef |
| Cheesy | Melted provolone or mozzarella added |
Make it at home
- Rub a 3-lb beef roast (top or bottom round) with salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, basil, fennel and red pepper flakes.
- Roast at 350°F to about 130°F internal, then chill it completely so it slices thin.
- Make the jus from the pan drippings, beef stock, garlic and the same seasonings, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Shave the beef as thin as possible and warm it gently in the jus. Don’t boil it, or it toughens.
- Pile it into a crusty Italian roll, top with giardiniera or sweet peppers, and dip if you like.
Italian beef vs. French dip
Both involve roast beef and jus, but a French dip is served with jus on the side, uses milder seasoning, and usually comes without peppers. Italian beef is heavily herbed and topped with peppers.
What to serve with it
Fries, a side salad, or a slice of thin-crust pizza. Compare it with the cold side of the menu in our salami and Swiss guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Italian beef the same as roast beef?
It starts as roast beef but is heavily seasoned, sliced very thin and served soaked in seasoned jus with peppers.
What does “dipped” mean for Italian beef?
The entire sandwich, bread included, is quickly dunked in the jus before serving.
What cut of beef is used for Italian beef?
Lean roasts such as top round, bottom round or sirloin tip, sliced very thin.
This guide is published by the team preserving the Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria website. Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria at 521 W 98th St, Bloomington, MN has permanently closed; this page offers general food information and is not an offer to order.
