Long before ‘The Bear’ turned Italian beef into a cultural phenomenon, two brothers mastered the craft, and now Buona is returning to its roots, where you can simply walk up, place your order for an Italian beef, and savor it.
Located next to The Original Rainbow Cone, THE BEEF STAND marks Buona’s first presence in Wicker Park and offers a classic way to enjoy one of Chicago’s most iconic foods.
Before Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto opened the first Buona restaurant in Berwyn in 1981, Joe’s brother, Carl “Uncle Junior” Buonavolanto, opened the beloved Chicago establishment Mr. Beef and taught Joe the traditional, time-honored method of preparing Italian beef.
More than four decades later, THE BEEF STAND brings those two branches of the family’s beef history back together.
Joe Buonavolanto Jr., second-generation owner at Buona, said:
“There is something incredibly special about a neighborhood beef stand in Chicago. So many historic family-run places like Mr. Beef helped create the culture around Italian beef and turn a humble sandwich into something synonymous with our city.
Our family’s connection to that history runs deep. THE BEEF STAND is our way of celebrating where we came from, paying tribute to the stands that helped make Italian beef what it is today and introducing that experience to a new generation.”
At the heart of THE BEEF STAND is Buona’s signature Italian beef, prepared using traditional methods. Choice cuts of beef are seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices and dry-roasted to capture the natural juices that form the base of Buona’s all-natural gravy.
The walk-up menu focuses on regular and large Italian beef sandwiches, with an option to add mozzarella cheese and a choice of giardiniera. A few modern twists enhance the offerings, including Italian Beef protein bowls and vegan beef sandwiches.
