Also includes featured entree each day:
Monday – Italian Beef
Tuesday – Italian Sausage
Wednesday – Meatballs
Thursday – Penne Pasta
Friday – Fettuccine Alfredo
South of Chicago Pizza & Beef (revisit) 619 Virginia Avenue
South of Chicago is probably best known for their Italian Beef sandwiches, and rightfully so. They probably have the best in the city. They also have pizza and during weekend lunch they have a buffet, featuring one of their entrees in addition to the pizza. On Tuesday it is Italian sausage.
This is a small joint so the buffet doesn’t take up much space. They offer a modest salad bar as well.
For the hot food they have various deep dish pizzas and one large thin crust cheese pizza.
For me taking pictures of a buffet is problematic. The sneeze guard gives off a glare so I can’t stand in front and take a shot so I have to stand at the end. With this set up the space is limited so this is the best I could get.
There are more elaborate buffets in town but this modest affair is more than adequate to sate your appetite. Plus it is only 10 bucks each. Drink included. I really enjoyed their food. The toppings on the pizza were abundant and the sauce was rich with nice body. Cautionary note it is heavy with tomato paste; which I like; but you can almost OD on it. The sausage was very good but I am with Pat on the beef. For that you have to hit the joint on Monday. Regardless of the day of the week this place is quite legit. Here is the schedule of the entrees with the buffet.
Soooo meaty. Now what on earth is Italian beef? I love Italian sausage bc of the fennel. I’ve never even seen Italian beef at the deli counter when I bought meat two days ago. I know you said you could OD on sauce, but I find places are so chintzy lately (especially chains), that I’m straining to taste any herbs or spices. Nice to get the sauce! $10 w/ a drink is great!
April 17, 2018 at 8:02 pm
An Italian Beef sandwich is roast beef in a hoagie roll. The meat is dipped in an Au Jus prior to placement in the roll. You can also get the sandwich in various stages of wetness. Some folks want the whole thing dunked in the Jus; and yes it can be a mess to eat. I like mine just a little wet. Most sandwiches come with a giardiniera ; an Italian relish of sweet and hot peppers. This joint has one of the best.
April 17, 2018 at 8:30 pm
Okay, I’ve had sandwiches like that. I guess they just call them roast beef sandwiches here bc they do come with the au jus.
April 17, 2018 at 9:05 pm
Yep it is like a French dip except the eater does the dipping and there is no relish.
April 17, 2018 at 9:07 pm