gnat comparison shops

jalees and nicole were in town this weekend and jalees, who had never been to chicago before, had three items on his agenda.

1. italian beef

2. hot dogs

3. deep dish pizza

i turned to google to determine where the absolute best of these three items, starting with the italian beef, could be found. i came up with al's #1 beef, a chain with a location within walking distance of my apartment. it seemed like a simple enough plan.

al's definitely didn't disappoint. however, lunch didn't end there. on the way to al's we had walked by a portillo's and recognized the name as also being known for hot dogs and italian beef. naturally we decided that we needed to try both. we promptly finished our sandwiches at al's, cleaned up, and headed across the street...

...where we maybe got a little carried away.

the people eating next to us watched amusedly as we took several photographs of our food and were kind enough to snap this shot of us. they expressed some incredulity at the sheer amount of food on our table, and when jalees told them about the first half of our lunch adventure this gentleman jokingly offered him the rest of his half finished pizza. jalees, because he's jalees, accepted.

it was a struggle...

but we finished all of it.

the verdict? al's beef wins! the food was greasier and dirtier which, though it sounds counterintuitive, was far more satisfying. portillo's food was just too refined and unsatisfying and - dare i say - touristy.

so don't let the sign fool you!