worst Italian beef EVER

While I feel a bit of guilt calling out a Louisville independent restaurant,the overwhelmingly bad sandwich I received the other day moved me to report. Its been a little over a year,maybe close to two,that I have made the occasional trip over to Chicago Gyro. It was never my favorite gyro joint but I always thought he did a pretty good job on the gyros and the service is very friendly. My last couple of gyros were not as good as I remembered, these had oily pitas,dried out meat and inconsistent tzatziki sauce. No big deal though,they're still better than the MC Ds across the street.
While working nearby last Friday our crew took a lunch break break and Anne got the job of driving over to Mc Ds to pick up lunch for the guys. I said as long your right there go over to Chicago gyro and get a couple of Italian beefs for us so we dont have to eat Mcawfulls. Anne had to beat on the door at first for somebody to come and open up,this is around 11:30. Door opens and she puts in the order. He asks if she wants lettuce and tomatoes on them,this should have been a tip off that trouble lies ahead. No,just sweet peppers please she says. Im assuming that most of us know a real beef comes on a chewy bread roll thats filled with very thin slices of beef thats cooked very rare and left to soak in a heavily seasoned juice bath. The meat is then piled high on the bread and then the whole sandwich is dipped(or pour over) the juice and topped with sweet or hot peppers. Come back Inn makes one of the better ones intown(although its not common to see it served open face).
What we got was perhaps the worst sandwich I have ever ordered. The smell of the sandwich was vile. It hit my nose as soon as we opened up the bag. It smelled of rancid butter. I knew I couldnt eat it at that point but I had to see what was going on. The meat was a liquidy grey slurry that was flowing out the end of the sandwich. There was what appeared to be cheese wiz on it as well. I have never heard of a beef being prepared with cheese,much less cheez wiz. The sweet peppers were just a few quarter inch diced pieces scattered around. My first thought was did this guy try to make Philly Cheese steaks instead? I dont think so due to the fact that he asked if we wanted lettuce and tomato on them,definately a Philly no-no,but by the same token,you would never put it on a beef either. Anyway, the pics speak for themselves.
Sorry Chicago Gyro, you lost my business for ever.

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YUCK !!! That looks terrible. So pray tell, where WOULD a feller go for a good (Louisville) Italian Beef. There's got to be one somewhere.

As I stated in my post,Come Back Inn makes a good one. I also think Lonnis Taste of Chicago makes a very authentic version.

That picture just made me gag. Not pleasant on a Monday morning.

McAnything would be better than that. . .

I've seen more appetizing specimen's in my office. Puke! They should have paid you to take out the toxic waste!

Lonnie's is by far my favorite Italian Beef in this town.

First, I quickly moved past the pictures.
Second, should have taken pictures of our burnt lasagna and quich Lorraine from 7/3 Friday night downtown trolley hop restaurant. I can see the crust getting alittle over done, but not half of the top of the quiche. Wouldn't server it. I guess the food is premade, placed in deli case, then reheated in oven. Microwave probably would have been better.
Told server/owner/cook; he offered to make adjustment - we waited to tell him after we paid, because we weren't going back and the food was $8.99, pretty cheap. Told him as an FYI that burnt food isn't appetizing.
Right? Burnt food is wrong to serve?

sorry that happend. My boyfriend is the owner and his brother was running the shop on Friday. Tom had court all day. Tom told his brother that if he didn't know how to make something, tell the guest either you don't know how to make it. But we are very sorry about the out come of this

I just talked to Tom and he was really upset about all of this. He said he will give a full refund and remake everything for free. He has jury duty till 4 i think and it should end today. He also mentioned if there is anyway to make up for it please let him know.

Nadine,

In my book, this was great responsiveness to the post. Jury duty is particularly hard for small business owners.

I assume you are referring to the post about about the Italian Beef ( from Chicago Gyros) not the lasagne debacle. I assume that the burnt lasagne came from some place else, right Ellen????

Deb

I still really love this place. Give them a chance to make it up to you! I'm sure they feel bad for this happening. Every place can have an off day, but not every place is willing to make it right!

Nadine,

In my book, this was great responsiveness to the post. Jury duty is particularly hard for small business owners.

I assume you are referring to the post about about the Italian Beef ( from Chicago Gyros) not the lasagne debacle. I assume that the burnt lasagne came from some place else, right Ellen????

Deb

Yeah I was talking about Chicago Gyros. Even though I went threw a Lasagne dabacle, but I can't remember the name. When you called apon jury duty is sometimes hard to get out of, but Tom actually likes doing it. We have lived here for 4 years now and he has been called for jury duty 3 times

Lonnie's is the joint for Italian Beef.

YIKES! Last beef I has was at Mr. Beef's up in Chicago on Orleans St. Now that's the place to beat.

If I remember correctly, Danny Mac's serves their philly cheese steak with au jus. The cheese was white, and not nearly as overpowering as Cheese Whiz, and overall the sandwich was good. It warrants checking out if you're around Poplar Level Road.

If I remember correctly, Danny Mac's serves their philly cheese steak with au jus.

Yes Paul,memory serves you correct. I dont think Danny does a Chicago Italian beef though. I plan on heading over to Come Back Inn tonight for a good beef.I need one after this last experience.