Authentic Stand Fare

The Johnnie's Beef Menu Guide

An independent, rigorously researched guide to the signature dishes, preparation traditions, ingredients, and dietary disclosures at Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park and Arlington Heights.

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Strict Dietary Disclosures & Halal Transparency Notice

Mandatory Consumer Transparency: Johnnie's Beef is NOT Halal certified by any recognized Islamic certification agency. Meat is sourced through standard commercial Midwestern cattle suppliers without ritual slaughter (Zabihah) protocols.

High Cross-Contact Risk with Pork: While the Italian beef sandwich contains 100% roasted beef and the au jus is a seasoned beef broth, the kitchen openly grills traditional pork Italian sausages on the same open charcoal pit behind the counter. Tongs, prep counters, butcher paper stations, and carver gloves routinely handle both beef and pork sausage.

Our Editorial Commitment: In accordance with our strict dietary standards, this website never promotes, features, displays, or recommends pork sausages, bacon, ham, pork-derived lard, or alcoholic beverages. If you observe strict religious or allergen dietary restrictions, please contact the restaurant directly before purchasing.

Eligible & Pure-Beef Offerings

Featured Menu Selections

Every item below has been investigated for ingredient transparency, culinary authenticity, and absence of prohibited components.

Authentic Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich dipped in seasoned au jus on French roll

The Italian Beef Sandwich

~$6.50 – $7.50

The undisputed king of Chicago street food. Whole USDA beef round or chuck is rubbed with garlic, oregano, black pepper, and dried Italian aromatics, then roasted slow and low. After resting, the chilled beef is sliced paper-thin across the grain on commercial slicers. When ordered, ribbons of beef are briefly warmed in a vat of simmering seasoned beef au jus and piled high into a fresh Gonnella French roll.

Broth/Gravy Composition: Pure beef stock, meat drippings, crushed garlic cloves, dried oregano, black pepper, red chili flakes, bay leaves, and sea salt. Contains NO pork broth, lard, or gelatin.

100% Pure Beef Gonnella Bread Customizable Dip Level
Authentic Italian Lemon Ice with fine-crystalline frozen slush and fresh lemon

Italian Lemonade (Lemon Ice)

~$2.00 – $4.00

Known to generations of Chicagoans as "Italian lemonade," this is not a drink but a house-made frozen Italian water ice. Prepared daily from fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, pure cane sugar, and filtered water. The texture is micro-crystalline, pulpy, and intensely tart—engineered to cut through the rich, garlicky depth of a dipped beef sandwich.

Dietary Profile: 100% Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Vegan, and Vegetarian. Made with fruit, sugar, and water only. Zero animal additives.

100% Dairy-Free Vegan House-Made Daily
Authentic Chicago sweet simmered bell peppers and hot pickled giardiniera relish

Sweet Peppers & Hot Giardiniera

~$0.75 – $1.00

No Chicago Italian beef is complete without peppers. Sweet Peppers: Fresh green bell peppers sliced and sautéed slowly in pure vegetable oil until soft and silky. Hot Giardiniera: A fiery, crunchy condiment of diced sport/serrano peppers, celery, cauliflower, carrots, and oregano packed in soybean/olive oil and vinegar.

100% Plant-Based Spicy / Mild
Traditional Friday Chicago Pepper and Egg sandwich on a crusty French roll

Pepper & Egg Sandwich (Fridays Only)

~$5.50 – $6.50

A cherished Chicago Catholic tradition rooted in Meatless Fridays and Lent, served year-round every Friday at Johnnie's. Fluffy farm-fresh eggs scrambled directly with sweet stewed green bell peppers, stuffed into a sturdy French roll. Simple, hearty, and satisfying.

Vegetarian Fridays Only Contains Egg & Gluten
Sides & Refreshments

Accompaniments & Drinks

Fresh-cut golden Chicago street-stand French fries fried in vegetable oil

Fresh-Cut French Fries

~$2.50 – $3.50

Idaho russet potatoes cut fresh on premises and deep-fried in hot vegetable oil until blistered and golden. Lightly salted and served piping hot in paper bags.

Potatoes & Vegetable Oil
Old-fashioned thick chocolate milkshake in vintage diner glassware

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Shake

~$3.25 – $4.25

Thick, creamy chocolate milkshake blended with real dairy ice cream and rich cocoa syrup in true 1960s roadside diner fashion.

Non-Alcoholic Contains Dairy
Cold fountain soda with clear ice cubes and refreshing fizz

Fountain Sodas

~$1.75 – $2.75

Classic fountain sodas poured over pebble ice: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Barq's Root Beer. Small, medium, and large cups.

Non-Alcoholic
Phase 2 Dietary Compliance

Excluded & Unverified Items Audit

In accordance with our strict dietary and halal integrity standards, the following traditional beef-stand items are explicitly excluded from our promotional listings.

Menu Item Guide Status Reason for Exclusion or Caution
Italian Sausage Sandwich EXCLUDED Contains pork sausage. Grilled on open charcoal pit. Excluded under strict non-pork guidelines.
Beef & Sausage Combo EXCLUDED Contains a full pork Italian sausage link beneath sliced beef. Never displayed or recommended.
Polish Sausage EXCLUDED Traditional Chicago Polish sausage formulation includes pork. Excluded under strict non-pork guidelines.
Hot Dogs UNVERIFIED While all-beef dogs are common in Chicago, casing origin and specific commercial formulation are unverified.
Tamales UNVERIFIED Paper-wrapped Chicago tamales often utilize pork trimmings or animal lard in commercial masa. Excluded.
Ordering Preparedness

Ready to Order at the Counter?

Learn how to request your sandwich dry, wet, or dipped, and master the famous "Chicago Lean" to enjoy your meal like a local.

How to Order Italian Beef First-Time Visitor Guide