After seeing Keith and Jimbo's references to Ricobene's, I had to check it out (on the Web) ... Jim, bring one back for me on your way home, will you?
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Quote from Roadfood.com:
"The breaded steak sandwich is a specialty of South-Side Chicago that is little known beyond the Bridgeport neighborhood. Although similar in girth to the city’s widely-beloved Italian beef sandwich, the Italian steak sandwich is a whole other animal. It is a steak that is pounded to the thinness of a potato chip, then lightly breaded and fried, and rolled inside a length of Italian bread. Topped with sweet peppers, hot peppers, or the spicy vegetable-pickle mélange known as giardiniera, this is one hefty sandwich!
Alongside, you want French fries. While it is possible to get your fries gilded with melted cheese, Ricobene’s are so good straight from the fry kettle, we recommend only a good sprinkle of salt. Chicago in general and Ricobene’s in particular have so many wonderful street foods to occupy one’s attention that excellent French fries like these are sometimes overlooked. Once you’ve eaten your way through a bag of Ricobene's celestial potatoes, you’ll never forget them!"

Damn, I'll take two!

Having been born and raised in the Chicago area I grew up loving Italian Beef sandwiches. When I moved to California I could not believe (and still don't) that you can't get a good Italian beef sandwich. I have never heard of the steak sandwich from the south side but then again I grew up north side all the way. It sound really good though. When my parents come out to visit I always have them bring a dozen of so pints of gravy for beef sandwiches, fry up some green peppers and pile on the giardinara (which I can also not find in California, had to get mine on the internet from a place in Cicero, Il.)and make my own. They're good but its just not the same and stopping at a corner place and chowing down.

Happy 'belated' birthday Jim...didn't check the boards for a few days...

Why don't you come down to Hemingways this Friday night? I'll buy you a 'belated' birthday smoke...

Here's a link with a picture.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Review_Writeup.asp?Review_ID=98 

You should also try a Milanesa Torta wich is basically the same thing.Pounded,breaded and fried steak with refried beans avocado/guacamole,tomato and sour cream on bolillo rolls.