Man missed his grandma’s cooking so much that he just created a ‘food holiday’ for the state of Illinois
'It’s a food that goes back to my childhood, so it’s just kind of a natural fit for me,' Rep. Rick Ryan said about making May 23 'Italian Beef Day'
Go to any local restaurant in Chicago in the afternoon, and you'll see the classic "Chicago lean" in action. It's the precise 45-degree stance locals use to stop a gravy-soaked Italian beef sandwich from spilling all over their clothes. The iconic sandwich, which traces back to working-class Italian immigrants in the early 20th century, is now getting official recognition across Illinois. According to Block Club Chicago, May 23 has officially been declared “Italian Beef Day” after state Rep. Rick Ryan pushed for the honor, inspired by childhood memories of his grandmother’s cooking.
A campaign rooted in childhood
While the iconic sandwich has long been a part of the state's culture, it meant something even more special to Ryan, who helped pass the House Bill 4669 on April 15. Being an Italian-American himself, Ryan's grandmother used to spend hours in the kitchen as the beef simmered to make these sandwiches for him. Of course, he was a big fan of these, so he was more than happy to lead the charge for this bill. "It’s a food that goes back to my childhood, so it’s just kind of a natural fit for me," he told Block Club Chicago.
Ryan and his supporters played a huge role in establishing this day as the "Italian Beef Day," stating it was not just for them. It was to honor the legacy of the thousands and thousands of food vendors, restaurants, and other hardworking Illinois citizens who have stuck to their roots.
An ever-growing demand
The popularity of Italian beef sandwiches has only grown in recent years, and many believe FX/Hulu’s "The Bear" played a huge role in bringing the Chicago staple into the national spotlight. The hit series, centered around Chicago’s food culture, introduced viewers across the country to the sandwich and the traditions surrounding it. According to the Spokesman, Gino's East of Chicago in Los Angeles now sells almost 300 sandwiches a day, which is a significant jump from about 150 per day. On the other side of the country, in Brooklyn, restaurants saw about a 50% increase in orders of Italian beef sandwiches.
A Chicago classic gets its moment in the spotlight
After officially helping establish “Italian Beef Day,” state Rep. Rick Ryan celebrated the occasion with a special event featuring different styles of Italian beef sandwiches. To make the event even more memorable, actor Corey Hendrix, who played a chef on The Bear, also made an appearance. "We’re thrilled to have members from The Bear and the film industry joining us as we celebrate," Ryan said. It's truly great to see the Italian Beef sandwich, which came to Chicago by way of Italian immigrants, get the honor it deserves.
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