Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
The Chicago Food Stop celebrated National Italian Beef Day on May 26. Operating out of a kiosk at 875 N. Michigan Ave., the pop-up promotes Chicago food producers, showcasing a new company each day and hosting special events.
As National Italian Beef Day dawned, a line spread across Hancock Plaza and onto Michigan Avenue as staff from the Food Stop and Tri-Star Vending geared up to dish out hundreds of sandwiches made to order with options such as hot and mild peppers, giardiniera, and dipped or dry.
Participants who bought products from the Food Stop were treated to a free “I Love Chicago” T-shirt or tote.
The star of the celebration was Chris Pacelli, founder of Al’s Beef, who gave away more than 1,000 Italian beef sandwiches while regaling the crowd with stories of his grandfather Anthony Ferrari, who is credited with inventing the sandwich in the 1920s.
The event featured a series of speakers, including Dario Durham from 77 Flavors of Chicago, who traced the Pacelli family’s culinary history, and Monica Eng and David Hammond, authors of “Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 20 Great Hometown Bites,” who discussed iconic foods with Windy City roots.
The day closed with a “What’s the Beef?” comedy showcase emceed by Dario Durham and featuring comedians Brad Kofman and Joy Gamby.
