Dining out: Italian beef deals, new restaurants, heart-shaped dishes for mom
You can celebrate National Italian Beef day all month long at a pair of local chains, while in St. Charles a Chicago chef is bringing her barbecue talents to a burger collaboration with The Graceful Ordinary for a limited time.
Where’s the beef?
Dry, dipped or juicy. Sweet peppers or hot. There’s myriad ways to enjoy an Italian beef, so long as you don’t put ketchup on it. Or does that only apply to hot dogs?
Saturday, May 24, is the 10th National Italian Beef Day. I can’t imagine that moves the needle much outside the Chicago area, but around here a couple of iconic beeferies (think I just made that up) are offering deals all month long to celebrate.
Portillo’s is offering buy one, get one free regular Italian beef sandwiches during May for Portillo’s Perks members. They’re also holding a social scavenger hunt where fans can find hidden Portillo’s swag bags with merch and a free sandwich card. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for updates and clues on where to snag a swag bag.
You can thank Buona for having National Italian Beef Day; it was their petition to have it recognized on the Saturday during Memorial Day weekend that was granted in 2015. On May 24 they’ll celebrate with a $7.99 deal on their signature sandwich with fries all day.
Buona Rewards members can also get a $7.99 combo featuring a regular-size Italian beef or sausage sandwich every Wednesday during May, as well as receive flash text offers on other deals all month. Ten subscribers to the flash SMS offers will win free beef for a year.
Burgertime
The Big City Burger collab is back for its third iteration at The Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles. And this time TGO Executive Chef Chris Curran is teaming up with Dominique Leach, executive chef of Lexington Betty Smokehouse on Chicago’s South Side, which was named the “Best BBQ in Chicago” by Good Morning America.
Leach’s Grilled Brisket Burger (a smoked brisket patty combined with brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika and garlic adorned with Leach’s house-made smoked onion rémoulade, bacon and provolone cheese and served on The Graceful Ordinary’s potato bun) will be available for $18 during happy hour from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and after 9 p.m. on the late-night bar menu Thursday through Saturday, from Friday, May 9, through Sunday, May 18. It also will be offered during lunch on Saturday and brunch on Sunday.
Leach was crowned champion of Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl” in 2023 and has appeared on “Chopped” in 2021. She’s also been a judge and contestant on Food Network Canada’s “Fire Masters.”
New eatery …
A new Wing Snob opened over the weekend in Algonquin at 2407 W. Algonquin Road. The Detroit-based chicken wing chain offers more than 18 sauces for traditional and boneless wings, plus fries, chicken tenders, sandwiches, mac and cheese and more.
Wing Snob also has local locations in Elgin, Libertyville, Mount Prospect and West Chicago and has restaurants opening soon in Aurora, Naperville and Wauconda.
… And more coming
The Cheesecake Factory has announced a June 17 opening date for its new Block 59 restaurant in Naperville.
Known for its mammoth 250-plus item menu, and more than 30 types of cheesecake, the restaurant at 428 S. Route 59 joins area locations in Lincolnshire, Oak Brook and Schaumburg.
And while it’s a little further down the road, Lazy Dog announced they’ll open their sixth Illinois location at 1731 S. Randall Road in Algonquin in 2026.
Designed to feel like a Rocky Mountain Wyoming escape, Lazy Dog’s menu focuses on comfort food with a twist that highlights seasonal ingredients, handcrafted cocktails and a variety of craft beers. They also feature a menu for four-legged friends when dining on the patio.
Show mom your heart
Need a last-minute way to express your heartfelt appreciation for mom? How about some heart-shaped eats.
Giordano’s is offering heart-shaped pizzas for dine in, carryout and delivery Friday through Sunday, May 9-11. The heart-shaped pizza price is the same as Giordano’s medium deep-dish (pricing varies by toppings). All classic deep-dish pizza options are available as heart-shaped pizzas in-store.
Lou Malnati’s is offering up their 9-inch heart-shaped deep-dish pies Friday through Sunday. They can also be shipped to moms around the country through Tastes of Chicago.
Or you could go the thin-crust route with Moretti’s 12-inch thin crust heart-shaped pizza. The restaurants also will be serving Mother’s Day specials Sunday.
Don’t forget dessert. Portillo’s heart-shaped cakes are available in chocolate or lemon for mom. Preorders are open through Thursday, May 8, at Portillos.com, with pickup and delivery available Thursday through Sunday, May 8-11.
Say (mac ‘n) cheese
Over a dozen restaurants and businesses will be offering specialties during the Downtown Wheaton Mac ‘n Cheese Festival from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 10.
It’s $25 for unlimited mac ’n’ cheese from restaurants including Burma O’Clock, Hale Street Cantina, Ivy Restaurant, Sweetchilango and more. Cast your vote and see which eatery will win the title of The Big Cheese. Purchase tickets at TicketTailor.
• Send dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.