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August 18, 2026 1 Comment

about the beef stand

THE BEEF STAND is an old-school way to experience one of the most traditional food rituals in Chicago: walk up, order an Italian beef, and enjoy.

While the pop-up is new, its inspiration goes back generations. Before Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto opened the first Buona restaurant in Berwyn in 1981, Joe’s brother, Carl “Uncle Junior” Buonavolanto and his brother-in-law Tony Ozzauto, opened Chicago’s beloved Mr. Beef. Carl taught Joe the original, old-school method of preparing Italian beef.

The brothers ultimately followed two different paths. Carl and Tony remained devoted to the singular neighborhood beef stand, while Joe set out to bring the family’s Italian beef to communities throughout Chicagoland.

More than four decades later, THE BEEF STAND brings those two paths together again: the Buona legacy served through the simple walk-up format that helped define Chicago’s Italian Beef culture.

At the center of THE BEEF STAND is Buona’s signature Italian beef, prepared using the traditional method that has set Buona apart for more than four decades. Premium choice beef is seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices and dry roasted to capture the natural drippings that form the foundation of Buona’s all-natural gravy. As one of the only multi-location Italian beef brands still using this old-school preparation, Buona keeps the recipe refreshingly simple: beef, spices and water with no additives, preservatives or artificial flavors.

Long before Italian beef became a national fascination and found an even bigger cultural spotlight through the hit series The Bear, it was a local tradition built by Italian-American families with their own recipes, techniques and loyal followings. As one of the families connected to those formative years, Buona continues to see itself as an ambassador for Italian beef and the uniquely Chicago story behind it.

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1750 W Division St, Chicago, IL
(312) 268-1752

© 2026 The Beef Stand. All Rights Reserved

The Beef Stand is a pop-up concept that cannot earn or redeem points and rewards on the Buona Rewards app.

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