I was reading a blog post on the Tribune’s food blog about the best sandwich in America, and quite a few people mentioned in the comments section that Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park (7500 W. North Ave.) has the best Italian beef.

I love Johnnie’s ice — the texture is smooth, the lemon flavor is superb — it beats Mario’s hands down. I’d gladly wait in their familiar 30-deep lines in sweltering weather for one of those. But the beef? I prefer Portillo’s.

Half the fun is placing your order in Johnnie’s vernacular like “wet sweet beef” or “hot beef dipped”, but I just don’t think they’re all that. The gravy’s flavorful, but the beef is kind of ragged and crumbly and the sweet peppers are way too salty. Johnnie’s beef is definitely better than Al’s or Buona’s, but I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.

wasabigelatine wants to know: Are you a Johnnie’s beef fanatic? Why do you think it’s the best? Enlighten me!