Created on the Sout Side of Chicago (no "h" used in South), in the Italian enclaves around the now defunct Stockyards, the classic Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich (pronounced sangwitch) is a unique, drippy, messy variation on the French Dip Sandwich.

 It is available in hundreds of joints around the city, and rarely found beyond its environs.

The exact origin is unknown, but the sandwich was probably created by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s as they rose from poverty and ground meat into the middle class, when they were able to afford beef for roasting.

Nobody knows for sure the inventor, but the recipe was popularized by Pasquale Scala, a South Side butcher and sausage maker. During the Depression, in the late 1920s, when food was scarce, Scala's thinly sliced roast beef on a bun with gravy and fried peppers took off. Today, beef sangwitches are a staple at Italian weddings, funerals, parties, political fundraisers, and lunches "wit my boyz". And Scala's Original  supplies hundreds of restaurants and Italian Beef Stands with the raw ingredients.

Italian Beef is made by slowly roasting lean beef on a rack above a pan filled with seasoned beef-based stock. Some folks call it gravy, 

but in most Chicago Italian households gravy is a term reserved for tomato sauces. Others call it au jus or "juice" for short, although it is often made with bouillon, and that is not technically au juice, which normally refers to natural cooking juices. Let's just call it juice, OK?

Then it is sliced paper thin, soaked in the juice for a few minutes, and layered generously, dripping wet, onto sections of Italian bread loaves, sliced lengthwise. 

This crust is typically tan, only slightly crumbly, fluffy and white in the center, and high in gluten. it is important that the bread has, what Bounty Towels calls "wet strength". This comes from long fermentations, he explains. The more accelerator, the worse the bread, as far as Italian beef goes. French breads just don't cut it, he says.

The meat is topped with sautéd green bell pepper slices and giardiniera, which is usually a spicy hot blend of chopped serrano peppers, carrots, cauliflower florets, celery, olives, herbs, salt & pepper, packed in oil and/or vinegar. Finally juice is spooned over the toppings, making the bread wet and chewy. Many stands will dip the whole sandwich in juice if you ask. You can ask for juice for dipping on the side, but then everyone will know you ain't from around here.

JOHN CARPINO President

John Carpino was named the seventh President in Angels Baseball history on Nov. 14, 2009. At the age of 52, he oversees all areas of Business, Sales, Marketing and Communications. Carpino's number one priority has been the fan's value and experience in all areas of the game including concessions, merchandise, promotional items and ticketing. As the principal executive in charge of business operations, he has helped the Angels welcome more than three million fans through Angel Stadium turnstiles every season since 2004. Carpino was also an integral part of a very successful 2010 MLB All-Star Game, hosted at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. He continues to seek out ways to create value for Angel fans, focusing not only on the game inside the lines, but on the entire ballpark experience. Carpino has guided the Angel brand with a focus on affordable pricing and providing a quality family environment. The 2011 season marks Carpino's eighth with the club, having previously held the position of Senior Vice President. Carpino has led the Angels to unprecedented financial growth in the sponsorship, marketing and ticketing divisions. He has created a stronger, more viable partnership with Los Angeles based radio and television partners. His additional programs have brought an emphasis on the Angels heritage with a reintroduction of the Angels Hall of Fame with yearly inductees, the hosting of Angels Fan Fests and the celebration of the Angels' 50th Anniversary. Popular giveways have been provided including the Guinness record-breaking blankets and items showcasing the continuing popularity of the Rally Monkey. His efforts continue to create a brand that is connected socially, and in sync with current cultural trends. Carpino's promotion follows six seasons as the Angels' Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, during which he oversaw all aspects of marketing, promotions and ticket sales for the Angels' organization. He began his professional career in 1982 in the billboard industry, including stints in Tucson, Ariz., Chicago, Ill., Phoenix, Ariz., and Los Angeles, Calif. In 1985, he joined Arte Moreno at Outdoor Systems, a billboard company (which later became Viacom Outdoor in 2000 and CBS Outdoor in 2005) and spent 18 years in the Phoenix, Ariz. (1985-95) and Los Angeles (1995-2003) markets. Carpino oversaw $200 million in sales for the Western Region. Born in Chicago, Ill., Carpino is a 1982 graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Business Administration. He serves on the Executive Board for the Orange County United Way and is involved in numerous charitable efforts through the Angels Baseball Foundation. John and his wife Elizabeth have three children and reside in Laguna Beach.

Another Class Act from Chicago

John Carpino begins his seventh season with the Angels, with 2010 marking his first year as club President, following his promotion in November of 2009. As President, Carpino will focus on the areas of Business, Sales, Marketing and Communications. His promotion follows six seasons as the Angels' Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing during which he oversaw all aspects of marketing, promotions and ticket sales for the Angels organization. Under Carpino's direction, the Angels' organization has enjoyed unprecedented financial growth in the sponsorship, marketing and ticketing divisions. Under his leadership, Angels' attendance has exceeded 3.2 million for six consecutive seasons (2004-2009).
Carpino began his professional career in 1982 in the billboard industry, including stints in Tucson, Ariz., Chicago, Ill., Phoenix, Ariz., and Los Angeles, Calif. In 1985, he joined Arte Moreno at Outdoor Systems, a billboard company (which later became Viacom Outdoor in 2000 and CBS Outdoor in 2005) and spent 18 years in the Phoenix, Ariz. (1985-95) and Los Angeles (1995-2003) markets. Carpino oversaw $200 million in sales for the Western Region.
Carpino, 51, was born in Chicago, Ill., and is a 1982 graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Business Administration. He serves on the Executive Board for the Orange County United Way. John and his wife Elizabeth have three children and reside in Laguna Beach.