Chicago Invasion: An Italian Beef Icon is Headed This Way

Chicago expats now calling Dallas home will no doubt be pleased with this recent development: A legendary Chicago-based Italian beef chain is headed this way, CultureMap's Teresa Gubbins reports. Al's #1 Italian Beef, which Eater National describes as "one of the city's most iconic dishes," will begin serving their jus-soaked, giardiniera-topped sandwiches on Belt Line Road in Addison come November; Al's reportedly has plans to open several more area locations in surrounding 'burbs.

In other Chicago-style news, deep-dish specialists Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom — which is (gasp) actually based in Colorado, not the Windy City — will take over the lower level Mockingbird Station space that formerly housed the short-lived Mockingbird Taproom, says Gubbins.

If Colorado-born deep-dish pizza lacks a certain authenticity, never fear: True Chicago icon Gino's East is also coming this way, with a location slated to open in Arlington next month. And on the subject of Italian beef, The Grape's Brian Luscher — who's developed a loyal following for the Chicago-style hot dogs he serves up on the weekends at White Rock Local Market — will serve up a Wagyu version of the classic sandwich at his upcoming Deep Ellum restaurant Luscher's.