Chicago’s iconic Italian beef sandwich actually started as a clever cover for illegal gambling back in 1938! What began as a way to stretch meat at big family parties turned into a citywide obsession, with Al’s Bar B-Q hiding card games in the back while hungry crowds lined up for juicy, gravy-dipped beef. Alongside Pompei’s bakery and Mario’s Italian Lemonade, these family-run spots didn’t just feed the neighborhood—they built Little Italy’s food culture from the ground up. It’s wild to think how a few immigrant families shaped what we now call classic Chicago eats. Which Taylor Street spot is your favorite? #Food #ChicagoEats #ItalianBeef