It’s as Chicago as “Da Bears” and the “Machine” that ran the city for decades – just a whole lot tastier. For uninitiated foodies, an Italian beef is a sandwich comprised of thinly sliced beef served in its own gravy on Italian bread and served “hot” (with pickled vegetables a.k.a. giardiniera), “sweet” (with grilled bell peppers), and then either “dipped” or “baptized” in gravy – or served “dry” (with just a few spoonfuls of gravy).

The First Annual Italian Beef Festival™ will be emceed by Elliott Bambrough (host of Emmy-Award winning Chicago’s Best on WGN-TV), and will serve food from Chicago’s original Italian beef brands Al’s Beef, Buona and Mr. Beef. The event will be take place at the Revolution Brewing Tap Room (3340 N Kedzie Ave) on Saturday May 26th. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, a charity dedicated to fighting cancer.