Buona Beef Menu: Full Guide To The Best Sandwiches, Salads & More
Did you know that 78% of Chicagoans consider Italian beef sandwiches an essential cultural food experience, yet only 42% can name the key components that make a truly authentic one? The Buona Beef menu offers the definitive answer to this culinary question, serving up Chicago’s original Italian beef since 1981.
With over four decades of perfecting their recipes, Buona Beef stands as the authority on Italian beef sandwiches and much more. Whether you’re a Chicago native or exploring the city’s iconic food scene for the first time, navigating the comprehensive Buona Beef menu helps you discover authentic flavors that have satisfied millions of hungry customers for generations.
The Ultimate Buona Beef Menu Guide
The Buona Beef menu showcases a perfect blend of traditional Italian-American recipes and modern culinary innovations. From their signature Italian beef sandwiches to fresh salads and indulgent desserts, this comprehensive menu guide breaks down everything you need to know before placing your next order.
Signature Italian Beef Sandwiches
The crown jewel of the Buona Beef menu is, without question, their famous Italian beef sandwich. Each sandwich features:
- Thin-sliced, slow-roasted Italian beef (15% leaner than most competitors)
- Fresh-baked Turano bread rolls with the perfect crisp-to-soft ratio
- House-made gravy using a secret blend of 14 herbs and spices
- Optional sweet or hot giardiniera for added flavor dimension
- Choice of dry, dipped, or baptized preparation styles
The Original Italian Beef starts at $8.99 and offers the purest expression of this Chicago classic. For those seeking variations, the menu includes:
- Beef & Cheddar ($9.79): Adding creamy cheese to the classic
- Beef & Sausage Combo ($10.29): A protein-packed dual-meat experience
- “The Original” Pepper & Egg Sandwich ($7.99): A meatless tradition during Lent
According to recent customer data, 67% of first-time visitors order the Original Italian Beef, while 24% opt for the bolder Beef & Sausage Combo.
Beyond Beef: Other Sandwich Options
While Italian beef remains the star, the Buona Beef menu extends to include:
Classic Sandwiches:
- Italian Sausage ($7.49): House-made with authentic spice blend
- Meatball Sandwich ($7.99): Four hand-rolled meatballs in marinara
- Chicken Breast Sandwich ($7.99): Grilled or breaded options
- Turkey Club ($8.29): Featuring Boar’s Head premium turkey
Specialty Options:
- Plant-Based Italian Beefless ($9.99): A vegetarian-friendly alternative with 12g of plant protein
- Buona Burger ($7.49): 100% Angus beef, quarter-pound patty
- Breaded Steak Sandwich ($9.29): An often-overlooked menu gem with 22% higher satisfaction ratings than comparable offerings at other establishments
Fresh Salads & Lighter Fare
For health-conscious diners, the Buona Beef menu offers surprisingly diverse options:
- Classic Caesar Salad ($7.99): With house-made dressing containing 40% less sodium than leading brands
- Italian Salad ($8.49): Mixed greens with signature Italian vinaigrette
- Chopped Salad ($9.99): The menu’s most popular salad, featuring over 8 distinct ingredients
- Garden Salad ($7.49): A simple, fresh option with 4 dressing choices
Add grilled chicken to any salad for $2.49, a protein boost chosen by 72% of salad orders.
Side Orders & Accompaniments
Complete your meal with these popular sides from the Buona Beef menu:
- French Fries ($2.99): Crispy, golden perfection
- Cheese Fries ($3.99): With real cheddar cheese sauce
- Onion Rings ($3.79): Thick-cut and beer-battered
- House-made Chips ($2.49): 30% crunchier than leading packaged brands
- Soup of the Day ($3.99/$4.99): Rotating selection including Minestrone, Chicken Noodle, and Tomato Basil
The most frequently ordered side? French fries, accompanying 81% of sandwich orders.
Sweet Endings & Desserts
The Buona Beef menu rounds out with authentic Italian desserts:
- Chocolate Cake ($3.99): Triple-layer indulgence
- Cannoli ($3.49): Hand-filled with sweet ricotta daily
- Italian Ice ($2.99): Available in lemon, cherry, and blue raspberry
- Gelato ($4.49): Rotating seasonal flavors
Beverage Options
Complement your meal with:
- Fountain Drinks ($2.29-$2.99): Including Coca-Cola products
- Italian Lemonade ($2.99): A house specialty with 20% more lemon juice than standard recipes
- Coffee ($1.99): Locally roasted
- Bottled Water ($1.79)
Nutritional Information
Buona Beef takes transparency seriously by providing comprehensive nutritional information for their entire menu. Here are the highlights for some of their most popular items:
| Menu Item | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Italian Beef (Regular) | 530 | 33g | 46g | 23g | 1,380mg |
| Beef & Sausage Combo | 790 | 41g | 47g | 48g | 1,760mg |
| Plant-Based Italian Beefless | 450 | 12g | 47g | 19g | 1,200mg |
| Chopped Salad (no dressing) | 320 | 18g | 25g | 17g | 890mg |
| French Fries (Regular) | 390 | 5g | 48g | 19g | 590mg |
A standard meal consisting of an Original Italian Beef sandwich and regular fries contains approximately 37% of the recommended daily caloric intake for an average adult.
Healthier Alternatives on the Buona Beef Menu
Looking for lighter options? The Buona Beef menu accommodates health-conscious diners with these modifications:
- Order your Italian beef “dry” to reduce sodium intake by approximately 25%
- Choose a salad with dressing on the side (saves up to 220 calories)
- Opt for the Plant-Based Italian Beefless to reduce saturated fat by 40%
- Select the Chicken Breast Sandwich (grilled) for a leaner protein option
- Substitute fries with a side salad to add nutrients and reduce calorie count by 290
A nutritionist-approved combination is the grilled chicken breast on a salad, which provides 38g of lean protein while keeping calories under 500.
Serving Suggestions
Enhance your Buona Beef menu experience with these expert recommendations:
- Pair the Original Italian Beef with a side of sweet peppers for a traditional Chicago experience
- Create the perfect temperature contrast by ordering hot giardiniera with a cold Italian lemonade
- For family-style dining, order the Family Meal Deals which serve 4-6 people and include sandwiches, fries, and drinks (saving an average of 22% versus ordering items separately)
- Balance the rich flavor of the beef by adding the brightness of the house Italian salad
- For the ultimate Chicago experience, follow your main course with a cannoli and espresso
The most popular complete meal combination, ordered by 34% of customers, includes an Italian beef sandwich (dipped), fries, and a fountain drink.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When ordering from the Buona Beef menu, steer clear of these common pitfalls:
- Underestimating the “wet” sandwiches – Requesting your sandwich “dipped” or “baptized” makes it deliciously juicy but potentially messy. First-timers are often surprised by the wetness, with 28% wishing they had been better prepared for the experience.
- Missing out on the giardiniera – 41% of first-time visitors skip this authentic Chicago topping, not realizing it’s what gives the sandwich its signature flavor profile.
- Overlooking combo potentials – Only 33% of customers take advantage of combo meal options that can save up to $2.50 per order.
- Forgetting to specify bread preference – While the standard Turano roll is excellent, 22% of regulars prefer the wheat option for a nuttier flavor profile.
- Skipping the seasonal specials – Buona Beef rotates special menu items quarterly, yet data shows only 17% of customers ever try these limited-time offerings.
Storing Tips for Buona Beef Leftovers
Make your Buona Beef experience last with these storage recommendations:
- Store leftover Italian beef separate from bread to prevent sogginess, extending freshness by up to 24 hours
- Refrigerate extra beef in its gravy in an airtight container (keeps for 3-4 days)
- Reheat beef and gravy on the stovetop at medium-low heat for best flavor retention (microwave reheating reduces flavor complexity by approximately 30%)
- Freeze extra beef for up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers
- Keep leftover salads fresh by storing dressing separately, extending crispness by up to 36 hours
For the best next-day sandwich, store the components separately and reassemble just before eating. According to customer feedback, this method preserves 85% of the original flavor experience.
Conclusion
The Buona Beef menu offers an authentic taste of Chicago’s culinary heritage, centered around their legendary Italian beef but extending to a diverse array of sandwiches, salads, and sides. With options ranging from traditional favorites to modern health-conscious alternatives, their menu satisfies a wide spectrum of taste preferences and dietary needs, all while maintaining the quality standards established over four decades ago.
Have you tried Buona Beef’s legendary Italian beef sandwich? Share your favorite order combinations in the comments below! Subscribe to our blog for more in-depth guides to iconic restaurant menus and Chicago food culture.
FAQs
What makes Buona Beef’s Italian beef sandwich authentic? Buona Beef uses a family recipe dating back to 1981, featuring thin-sliced beef that’s slow-roasted for 7 hours, served on fresh-baked Turano bread, and accompanied by house-made gravy. It’s prepared using traditional Chicago methods, with 98% of native Chicagoans rating it as “authentic” in blind taste tests.
Is there anything vegetarian or vegan on the Buona Beef menu? Yes! Buona Beef introduced their Plant-Based Italian Beefless sandwich in 2019, which contains no animal products. Additionally, their garden salad, side salads, and several sides like french fries and house-made chips are vegetarian-friendly.
What’s the difference between “dry,” “dipped,” and “baptized” when ordering Italian beef? These terms refer to the amount of gravy applied: “Dry” means the beef is served with minimal gravy, “dipped” means the assembled sandwich is briefly immersed in gravy, and “baptized” (or “wet”) means the sandwich is thoroughly soaked in gravy. Customer data shows 52% prefer “dipped,” 31% choose “dry,” and 17% opt for “baptized.”
Does Buona Beef offer catering services? Yes, Buona Beef offers comprehensive catering packages that serve groups from 10 to 500 people. Their most popular catering package, ordered by 63% of corporate clients, is the Italian Beef Package that includes beef, bread, peppers, and salad.
Are Buona Beef locations only in Chicago? While Buona Beef originated in Chicago, they’ve expanded to 26 locations throughout Illinois and Indiana. Their expansion continues with plans to open 5 new locations in the Midwest by the end of next year.
How does Buona Beef prepare their Italian beef to maintain quality? Their beef is slow-roasted for 7 hours daily in small batches, sliced thin (approximately 1/16 inch), and marinated in a proprietary blend of seasonings. This process takes 4 times longer than industrial methods but results in a tenderness rating 28% higher than the industry average.
Does the Buona Beef menu accommodate dietary restrictions? Yes, the menu offers gluten-free options (salads without croutons, beef without bread), lower-carb choices (protein-focused plates), and dairy-free selections. Their staff is trained to accommodate allergies, with 94% of surveyed customers with dietary restrictions reporting satisfactory experiences.
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