Buona Beef Launches Vegan Italian Beefless Sandwich in Chicago

CORRECTION: Buona Beef officers say they bought 2,000 kilos of seitan within the first week of gross sales. The headline has been revised and story been up to date.

For a lot of of Chicago’s vegetarians and vegans, one of many first issues they miss are Italian beefs, the city’s unofficial sandwich made with thinly sliced meat that’s seasoned and braised, and stuffed inside a French loaf. Scorching or candy peppers spherical out the bundle. Buona Beef, the 40-year-old restaurant chain, has added a meatless model of the icon to its menu and during the last week many Chicago-area areas are reporting the merchandise has bought out.

“5 years in the past, I by no means might have imagined it,” says Joe Buonavolanto Jr., one of many Buona founders’ 5 sons — all of whom work for the household enterprise. “Now it’s changing into such a classy factor, individuals incorporating plant-based meals into their diets… We’re very proud that it’s on our menu and hope we will maintain it in inventory.”

The meat-less sandwich has despatched Chicago social media, significantly these within the vegan and vegetarian neighborhood, aflutter. Posting sizzling takes and selfies with the sandwich have become badges of honor.

Buona’s isn’t the primary to strive a meat-less model of the sandwich. Its “beef” is made with thinly sliced strips of browned and seasoned seitan. If prospects need their sandwiches dipped, there’s a meat-free choice with vegetable-based gravy. The merchandise isn’t but a everlasting menu addition. Nevertheless, Chicagoans went by 2,000 kilos of seitan on the primary week of gross sales that began on Monday, April 26 in order that’s a constructive indicator of future permanence.

The brand new merchandise was created in partnership with vegan meals firm Upton’s Naturals, the West City model that distributes objects nationally. Upton’s didn’t simply assist create the product — it taught Buona management concerning the significance of stopping cross-contamination with animal merchandise their kitchens, Buonavolanto says. If the Italian Beefless is as profitable as he hopes, the corporate is open to integrating meat alternate options into different dishes like protein bowls, salads, and pastas.

“As superior as meat alternate options have gotten over time, there’s simply one thing about Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches that appeared unimaginable to recreate,” Upton’s advertising supervisor Natalie Slater writes to Eater in a press release. “That chewy beef, well-seasoned broth, and naturally the gravy — all of them felt out of attain with plant-based elements. We’re extremely proud to have partnered with Buona to lastly do justice to one in all Chicago’s most quintessential meals.”

The meat discourse took a activate Thursday. Tribune columnist John Kass chimed in. He refuses to strive the sandwich. The son of a butcher continues to clings to Chicago’s “hog butcher for the world” legacy. This comes as Wrigley Field has began to serve oat milk-based soft serve ice cream and enterprise like Vaca’s Creamery, Chicago’s first all-vegan ice cream shop; Hyde Park’s vegan spot Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat; and Jap European Jewish deli Sam & Gertie’s arrive.

Sadly for Kass (and Chicago; it will present predictable column fodder) there could also be much more vegan replicas of iconic Chicago dishes on the way in which: “Would you eat a meatless corned beef?” deli stalwart Manny’s queried on Thursday via Twitter. “Asking for a pal.”

Buona’s vegan model has drawn largely positive reviews on social media, although Trib reporter Louisa Chu discovered it a bit too salty, however that concern prolonged to Buona’s regular providing.

And in different information…

— Road eating is slated to return on Saturday to Schubert Avenue in Lincoln Park, and on Friday, Could 14 to Broadway and Sheffield in Lakeview, based on their respective chambers of commerce. Expanded patio packages have been a lifeline final yr for struggling eating places, and turned out to be so well-liked that each the town and its tourism arm Select Chicago created two grant programs to assist house owners cowl prices like furnishings, plastic security obstacles, and decor.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

— The household behind El Sabor la Michoacanita, a Mexican ice cream store in Jefferson Park, is bouncing again after surviving pandemic challenges and being robbed at gunpoint. Shaken by the theft and distressed over sluggish gross sales, house owners and spouses Ana Romero and Jorge Gonzales thought of closing the store, however help and encouragement from the neighborhood and neighboring enterprise house owners persuaded them to maintain maintain promoting their candy delights. Learn extra at Block Club Chicago.