Where's the (Best) Beef?

In this week's showdown Patch wanted to know who could bring it with their Italian beef, so we set up a duel between Markella's in Oak Forest and Pop's in Tinley Park. Here's what I found:

Markella's — 15500 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Forest

A previous showdown winner for their cheeseburger, I went into this one with high expectations. A quality beef sandwich should have good bread (not too soggy) and tender beef. I also enjoy mine with hot peppers so that's how I ordered it here. At first look, I was happy to see that it wasn't overly greasy or soggy. At first bite, I found a solid combination of good bread and well-seasoned beef, and I really liked the hot peppers. Overall, Markella's put forth a great sandwich.

Thumbs Up: Great taste, good peppers.
Thumbs Down: The bread wasn't soggy; in fact it was even a little dry. 

Pop's Italian Beef — 7301 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park.

With locations around the suburbs, Pop's is well-known for their beef sandwich. And I'll have to admit I've been a fan for years. But in the Chowdown Showdown, it's about what you put up against the other restaurants. I ordered my beef with hot peppers again. This time around it came out really sloppy and it was tough to handle. The flavor was there as usual, but the one knock I always have on Pop's is their peppers; I prefer a good giardeniera. All-in-all, they still know how to bring it. 

Thumbs Up: Great flavor can trump almost anything.
Thumbs Down: A little too sloppy this time around. 

Both restaurants honored the city of Chicago's reputation for great beef sandwiches and I definitely enjoyed this challenge. Picking a winner was tough, but based on the sandwiches I ate this week the Chowdown crown once again goes to Markella's in Oak Forest.