Jay's Beef of Harwood Heights

4.6 ( 1168 reviews )
Checking... 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM See Hours
$10–20
4418 N Narragansett Ave, Harwood Heights, IL 60706, United States
+1 708-867-6733
Jay's Beef of Harwood Heights is a beloved fast food gem nestled at 4418 N Narragansett Ave. Many customers hail it as a top contender in the ever-competitive world of Italian beef sandwiches. Chris Soukup, a seasoned reviewer, describes his experience with the Italian beef as nothing short of exceptional, claiming it's the best he’s had in 41 years of searching. The homemade giardiniera adds a delightful touch to the richness of the beef, making it a must-try. Ryan Kent shares a similar sentiment, highlighting the flavor and the delightful texture of his dipped Italian beef, though he notes he has had great beef elsewhere as well. The atmosphere at Jay's feels genuine—friendly yet professional, offering patrons a taste of classic Chicago charm. Customers like Sara Garcia Smythe appreciate the hearty portions and the warm, local feel, and Jay’s personalized recommendations enhance the dining experience. Whether you're a purist or enjoy a twist like cheese with your beef, Jay's has something for everyone. With late-night hours and unique combo deals, it’s a perfect stop for cravings that hit at any hour. Jay's Beef of Harwood Heights is not just a restaurant; it's a community staple worthy of a detour on your culinary journey.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers delivery
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves late-night food
    • Quick bite
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Plenty of parking

Reviews For Jay's Beef of Harwood Heights

Chris Soukup
Jun 27,2025
I’ve been trying every highly rated Italian Beef place that I can find in the Chicago area, because I love Italian Beef’s and I’ve always been on the prowl for the best. Today I finally made it to Jays, and I can definitively say that this is the best I’ve had in my 41 year search. I still have many more to try, but this is the one I’ll come out of my way when I have a craving for a perfect beef. The homemade gardiniera is absolutely perfect. The fries were good too, although nothing to write a review about. The beef though, perfect. Best I’ve had, no doubt. And Okay, you can click on my reviews and see that I’ve only given five star reviews and think that I just give everything five stars, but that’s not the case. I own a restaurant, and if I have a bad experience I share it with the restaurant privately instead of online, with the hopes that they’ll take the feedback and try to improve. If I have a mediocre experience, I do nothing at all. If I have an exceptional experience, I write a review. This was absolutely exceptional. The place and the service feel very authentic, friendly but not kiss-assy, clean but not a chain, real old school beef joint. Go out of your way and try it
Ryan Kent
Jun 14,2025
Came here for the first time and got just an Italian beef, dipped, with hot peppers. I wanted to see how it compares to the other Italian beef joints I've had. My experience was great. The beef was delicious. It's not my #1, but it does land in my top 5. The price seemed a bit high, but nothing crazy. The flavor was delicious, and I really liked the homemade giardiniera that they seemed to use. I would highly recommend this place if you're in the area.
Sara Garcia Smythe
May 28,2025
We were in town for only a short window of time and we got told to try this place by someone in the airport if we had time.... Well it just so happened we did! This is a small local joint and it was so delicious! We got the Italian beef sandwiches and they were sooo perfect! The gravy was on point and the meat was a hearty portion. Jay was working the counter and he was super friendly and fantastic! When he heard we were only in town for short period of time, he actually gave us other food recommendations to try while we were in the area. By the way, you gave a great recommendation for pizza, Jay! Btw I overheard another customer say they drove 6 hours just to get their sandwiches.... Definitely put this place on your visit list if you want to support a local business!
Olesia Danchuk
May 10,2025
When I’m craving Italian beef, I always go to Jay’s beef, it never disappoints. I like to order it with sweet peppers and spicy peppers on the side.
Nicholas Rouley
Apr 15,2025
When I go to Jay's I order my beef "juicy with provolone, then both sweet & hot peppers" and that combination is my absolute favorite beef in the entire greater Chicagoland area. Purists will say "no cheese" but IDGAF; this is where it's at for me personally. They also have a two dog combo deal, which is killer. I always want two dogs but I never want two orders of fries. Jay's understands that. They're open till 11 PM too, so you can sneak out of the house after your wife goes to bed and have a naughty little treat.
Donna Crocker
Apr 2,2025
I joined a Facebook page dedicated to Chicago Italian beef sandwiches and this is one beloved spot and they are 100% spot on. The outside has a nice patio area that has to be a big draw in the summer. The inside is spacious and clean. The staff is friendly and typically old school knowing the lingo to deliver the beef just the way you like it. The sandwiches one of the largest I’ve seen and it PACKED with meat-I mean PACKED. The giardinara is the freshest I’ve seen and the taste is unforgettable with the right amount of heat and flavor. The hot oil also offers the exact balance. The heat doesn’t hit you, it sits nicely blended with the peppers and veggies. The fries were fried to perfection with a delicious crisp on the outside and a fluffy potato on the inside. This is not around the corner for me but this is going to be the place I go to when I want a really good beef.
Ruth Pinz
Mar 16,2025
Wow... first time going here!! My husband raved about it, so we went together. The food was so delicious. It was cooked just right and so flavorful. The fries were hot, for me, that is a must! The service was very professional and friendly. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming.
A C
Mar 10,2025
First time coming, and of course we had the beef! It was amazing, customer service is spot on! Jay & his wife are beautiful people. Love that it is family owned and operated. You see and taste all the love put into this food! Sweet peppers are amazing! I was already coming back for the food, but the feeling of home will keep me coming back for years! Thank you guys for an awesome meal and experience!

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