Mr. Beef of Naples: A Chicago Classic Now in Southwest Florida

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — If you are craving an authentic taste of Chicago without leaving Southwest Florida, Mr. Beef of Naples is a new spot in the area bringing that experience south. 

Located at 1195 Airport Pulling Road S in Naples, this casual outdoor eatery has built a strong local following for its hearty sandwiches, nostalgic flavors, and high-quality approach to comfort food.

Mr. Beef of Naples is all about Chicago-style classics. The menu centers on its signature Italian beef sandwich, slow-cooked and served on French bread with rich au jus. 

The bread is flown in from Chicago, helping keep the flavor authentic. Customers can customize their sandwich with mozzarella cheese and hot or sweet peppers, creating a messy, flavorful experience that leans into traditional Chicago-style eating.

Beyond the famous beef, the restaurant also serves Maxwell Street-style Polish sausages, Vienna beef hot dogs, smash burgers, and loaded fries.

One of the most popular menu items is the Chicago hot dog. Many customers order it “dragged through the garden,” meaning it is topped with mustard, relish, onions, sport peppers, tomatoes, pickles, and celery salt on a poppy seed bun. For customers like Doug, the experience is also nostalgic. “I come here and meet so many people from Chicago. I take a bite, and I feel like I’m transported back home,” he said.

Owner Tony DeStefano grew up in Chicago working at Mr. Beef, where he learned how to make authentic Chicago-style food. “What people like here is the quality. We get the best meat here and serve nothing but the best to our customers. The original owner, Tony Ozzauto, taught me to treat every customer with care and respect, and I still do that to this day,” he said.

Part of its charm is the atmosphere. It is not a formal restaurant but a relaxed, open-air food spot where the focus is entirely on the food. Service is fast, staff is friendly, and the overall vibe feels like a neighborhood Chicago street corner brought to Naples.

For anyone in Southwest Florida missing classic Chicago comfort food, or simply curious to try one of the most talked-about beef sandwiches in the area, 

Mr. Beef of Naples delivers a straightforward, satisfying experience that has quickly made it a local favorite.

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