Attention Chicagoans!!!!
 

I have it on good authority a must go to place for Chicago Italian Beef, sausage and dogs is Willys' Wieners in Kissimmee they have a www.willyswieners.com/
We probably won't get there till after the holidays but definitely going to give it a try!

I will hand deliver Chicago Italian beef, sausage and hot dogs to your home in The Villages in exchange for staying in your home until March 31. The snow in Chicago should be gone by then. :D

I am in a suburb of Chicago right now....be glad you are in THE VILLAGES today! We have about 6 in of snow this morning and its still coming down. Christmas night I will be back home in FL!!!:2excited:

Thanks for the heads up. Will have to check it out.

If you want REAL Chicago roast beef you can order Portillos online and its delivered anywhere in the country. Planning on doing that for a Super Bowl party. :mmmm::

Aaah come on you really are enjoying the snow, right?....LOL Besides which I would have to wonder how much of those goodies would be left by the time you got here!!!

I have had friends send me Portillos and I love it but my favorite is on 22nd Street called Vesuvios homemade by an Italian family, 2nd favorite is Buono Beef, 3rd would be Portillos but they're a good choice because they ship...:)

I make a pretty darn good Italian Beef but need to invest in a good meat slicer....

Enjoy the snow!

Of course I would have to sample some food just to be sure it is truly up to the Chicago high standards of cooking. Fortunately I don't have to go anywhere today, so I can look at the snow falling. Southern suburbs got hit worse than the northern suburbs with snow.

And I was in downtown Arlington Heights last night seeing a Second City show with some friends. Downtown Arlington Heights had horse drawn sleigh rides available -- looked very cute.

Ooooh am somewhat jealous! I lived in Arlington Hgts for 26 years. Loved it! When we went back last Christmas we drove through and saw it has changed quite a bit probably for the better it has certainly grown! If Marino's is still on Rand Rd in Arington Hgts it was a favorite of mine! Good Italian cooking by a nice Italian family!They even did a pizza thy put Italian beef on,omg to die for! Ok now I am VERY jealous LOL Enjoy!

We have our Portillo's ordered for shipment!
:thumbup:

What exactly do you order from Portillos? I was looking at their web site and drooling.

We order the Italian beef sandwich package which includes:
5 lbs beef (comes shrink-wrapped in 1-2lb. packages)
3 containers of 'au jus' (comes frozen)
Green peppers sautéed in olive oil
1 jar Marconi Giardiniera- hot
Italian bread rolls- par baked (you finish baking at home)

They give you full instructions on the proper way to prepare the beef.
Hint: It must be 'fluffed' an hour or so before gently heating.

Portillo's has a signature salad- they don't offer that for ordering, but I have the recipe and make that at home. Guests usually wipe that out with gusto, too!

:)

Anyone remember Willy's Wienie Wagon? It was south of Midlothian about 159th and Crawford. It was a must stop for great Chicago Hot Dogs back in The Day. There is a Vienna hot dog stand (with poppy seed buns) that has Ibeef in Mt. Dora.

Thanks! I just ordered. You gave me the answer to what to have for Christmas Day lunch before we take off with our Michigan kids to the beach for a few days.

I also searched for and found the chopped salad recipe. I'm assuming that's the salad you wrote about. It has ditalini in it. I don't eat red meat, so this meal works for everyone--especially me, because I don't have to do much cooking.

Do you have the recipe for their chopped salad? That is the very best salad. If you wouldn't mind if this is the recipe you have would you please direct me to where I can find it? Or would you mind sharing the recipe?

Thanks so much in advance!

Here is what I found: Portillo's Chopped Salad | The Girl Who Ate Everything

Uptown Girl can maybe confirm if that's what she was referring to.

I loved Portillos Cheesy Beef on croissant and stopped often by Dundee Rd and then later at Rt.14 in Crystal Lake (worked there awhile). I also loved Hackney's - the onion brick was to die for and also ordered patty melt. (I'ma northern side girl.)

One of you Chicagoans need to recommend to Portillo's that they should open in TV.

There's a place in Mt Dora
 

Yep, That's it- :) but I tweak it a bit and prefer offering a choice of homemade Blue Cheese dressing or vinaigrette at serving time.
I never dress a green salad ahead of time- I like it fresh looking and crisp. Just my preference.

That looks pretty good!! Have you enjoyed it?

Chicago
 

Don't forget Portillo's chocolate cake, the BEST.

I sure do! That gentleman once told me he put three kids through medical school by selling those hot dogs- G-d Bless him!

OMG Hackneys in Glenview onion brick out of this world awesome burgers too!!

Boy are you making me hungry just reading these posts. I'm from Naperville. Would love to have the receipe for Portillo's salad + dressing if you would share it. Merry Christmas!

Attn Chicagoans - FYI, if you are looking for HOLIDAY parties - I'm on the historic side and throwing 2 - THIS FRIDAY, Dec.20 at 5pm - and NYEve at 7pm - typical BYOB and dish to share (maybe some chairs if we get popular) and introduce yourself to this Chicagoan that loved Portillos! (PM for address :)

Karen,

That's so nice of you to open your home to fellow Villagers. Just goes to show that those from Chicago are some of the kindest, friendliest people out there. The 2 occasions I've been down to The Villages all I met were kind and friendly people from all over. It's my kinda place! I know I'm going to love it here!!!

aww, thanks, Whit - you didn't PM me for my address, but you can follow the crowd and noise in Country Club Hills :-)

Sorry to say we won't be in The Villages for your Christmas party. We don't arrive until the evening of Christmas.
NYE we are having our neighbors over.

When I read Country Club Hills, I thought you were referring to your Chicago home. I have a lot to learn. :)

How wonderful of you to do this Karen, we would love to be able to be there tonight but alas have other plans made awhile ago. New Years Eve is a possibility though!

Italian Cooking
 

Just moved here from Chicago Portillos is good but Vesuvious is out of sight
Is there a Chicago club here in TV? We can all bring our favorite dishes and indulge
When I fly in from Chicago i have a frozen and well pack deep dishes coming to Florida with me

The Chicagoland Club is one of the larger and more vibrant clubs in TV. Send an email to Da Mayor at Chicagolandclub@aol.com.

You may be on a waiting list at first but be aware of "Blue Light Specials" that can come at any time.