Italian beef is one of those foods that Illinois folks argue about the way other places argue about sports teams. Al’s #1 Italian Beef (Chicago)Legend has it that this Little Italy stand helped invent the Chicago Italian beef during the Great Depression, when families stretched a small cut of meat to feed a whole crowd. Roma’s Italian Beef (Cicero)Some spots survive on word of mouth alone, and Roma’s is one of those neighborhood corners where locals keep the secret mostly to themselves. The Italian beef here carries that homemade quality, with rich gravy and beef that tastes cooked with patience rather than rushed. Beyond the classic dipped beef, Carm’s is famous for its combo, which stacks Italian beef and sausage into one gloriously overloaded sandwich.