VinnyD's — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Vinny D's may well have the best Italian Beef in Chicago. I've been to dozens upon dozens, but these folks have created something truly special. Let's break it down:

Beef Of course it's thinly sliced like you would expect, but the tenderness is melt-in-your-mouth. A quality meat is used that's clearly cooked at the right temp for the proper amount of time. Easily pulls apart with your fingers; never mushy. Certainly never chewy. Not a sliver of fat or gristle shows up.

Juice The juice features the exact right amount and type of herbs and spices. Sitting at the bottom of your sandwich container will be exactly what you want to see in terms of the Juice: Not too watery; with tiny oil slicks floating on the top here and there. It's a perfect balance. Getting that right is no easy task.

The Giardiniera (hot variety) I'm doubtful that the giardiniera is Vienna Beef brand, and that's a good thing. I love the Vienna style but it gets old. I need to ask these guys, but this could very well be home-made. There's little cubes of cauliflower in theirs which, while it's a small detail, provides an amazing little texture crunch and taste to the experience. Inspired

Bread As far as I'm concerned, this is what sets apart the 'okay' level from the 'spectacular' category. They have absolutely nailed the bread. It's never stale and chewy like so many places. Oh no. It's packed full of flavor. Most importantly, and I cannot stress this enough, it HOLDS TOGETHER from beginning to end. I've even taken their Italian Beef sandwiches home to eat. 10min of walking later, I break out the sandwich. That bread is not only still in one piece, it maintains its structural integrity until the last bite. Listen, if you know about Italian Beef and the bread....you know that's a serious accomplishment. Many places lately the bread is positively falling apart after 2 bites. Not here.

Consistency Lastly, and most importantly, let's talk about consistency. Anyone can get a great sandwich going at least some of the time. Only a handful can knock it out of the part most or all of the time, and these folks do it. I've eaten quite a few at Vinny Ds at this point, and it's been the exact same quality every single time. It takes real discipline to not get sleepy and lazy and sloppy when making something as simple as an Italian Beef sandwich, so a huge round of applause for the staff.

Staff Always friendly. Always cool.

Final Bravo,...

VinnyD's is a haven for those seeking a delightful and refreshing treat, and their Italian Ice is no exception. I recently had the pleasure of indulging in their Italian Ice Mango flavor, and it was an absolute delight. From the first spoonful, I was captivated by the intense and natural sweetness of the mango. The Italian Ice had a smooth and velvety texture that melted in my mouth, creating a burst of fruity goodness that was both refreshing and satisfying. The balance of flavors was impeccable, with the sweetness of the mango shining through without being overpowering. What impressed me most about VinnyD's Italian Ice was its authenticity. It felt like a true taste of Italy, transporting me to sunny days by the Gulf of Venice. The quality of the ingredients was evident, as the mango flavor tasted fresh and genuine. The experience at VinnyD's was equally enjoyable. The staff members were friendly and provided exceptional service, making the visit all the more memorable. The cozy and inviting atmosphere added to the overall charm of the place, making it a perfect spot to indulge in a delicious dessert. If you're in the mood for a treat that combines refreshing flavors and a touch of Italian authenticity, look no further than VinnyD's Italian Ice. Their Mango flavor is a must-try, delivering a burst of deliciousness that will leave you craving more. VinnyD's has truly mastered the art of creating an unforgettable Italian...

I went to VinnyD's they charged my card and refused to give me my food. They are notoriously card only. I gave my cash to a coworker so I would have enough to buy my lunch. It was my last 20 bucks until I get paid tomorrow. They said their card reader was down but he could try to key it in manually. Fine, give it a try. He says it didn't go through, so I walked to the ATM. I get denied the transaction. I check my chase app and it says I have a pending charge from Vinny D's. The money is no longer in my account. I show the worker, he calls the GM. The GM flat out refuses to let the worker make my food. He then trys to explain what pending means as if I'm an idiot. Every single charge that was made says pending on the app for several days but the money is immediately taken from my account. As I'm trying to point out to him, that pending or not, the money has already been removed from my account. Him promising me that it will be returned in several days doesn't change the fact that they already have my last $20 now. And I can't buy lunch from somewhere else because they have taken out...