You'd have a hard time comparing one Al's No. 1 Italian Beef with another, since the food is basically the same. They've been making Italian beef the same way for 70 years: thin-sliced, steeped in spices and au jus (or "gravy," if you're a stickler) and teeming with sweet peppers and/or giardinera relish.

The sandwich, born out of depression-era necessity, has gone on to become synonymous with Chicago cuisine and is consistently ranked as one of the 10 best sandwiches in the country. Al's also makes some of the best fries in the city and a filling grilled Italian sausage sandwich.

The Evanston location raises the bar a bit with a warm and inviting dining room that's become popular with lunchtime regulars and Northwestern students. Slick wood booths provide comfort and space to unwind as you tear into your beef sandwich, which is served quickly. Meanwhile, a soundtrack that harks back to the glory days of the Rat Pack — swing, blues, jazz and lounge music — provides an almost tourist-like feel to the room. The walls are similarly decorated with photos and posters saluting Chicago's past in all its sepia-toned glory.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Chuck Sudo