A Visit to Mr. Beef in Chicago Really Does Give You a Feel For ‘The Bear’ As Season Three Debuts

Over the weekend, I happened to be in Chicago. As I’m prone to do when out of town, I ate a ton of food. I also got to see the Mets play the Cubs at Wrigley Field, which was awesome. However, I’m a foodie, so when I can eat, I’m always happy. Go figure, not only was the culinary highlight of my quick little trip Mr. Beef, it happened to be just days before the premiere of the third season of The Bear. As I was sitting there, enjoying my lunch and having the weird feeling wash over me that the essence of the show was around me, an article brewed. That the show is back tonight? Well, that’s just good timing on my part.

Being in Chicago means that you have to have a few things. One of which is a Chicago style hot dog. The other is an Italian Beef sandwich. Here, I had both. They were phenomenal. The meat they’re using, much like we see depicted in the pilot, 100% sets it apart. I also liked how much the store doesn’t call extra attention to The Bear. There’s one or two things up on the wall, and the building’s interior really is similar, but that’s it (I didn’t go in the back, obviously, though I suspect the kitchen is a bit different). At the same time, listening to the staff, or even just sitting on their family style indoor picnic bench eating, you feel a part of it all, so it’s impossible not to think of the FX hit.

I already raved about the show to co-star Molly Gordon here, but the Jeremy Allen White led dramedy is something special, truly taking its place among peak television’s best and brightest. That it’s won so many awards in such a short span, going from lots of nominations in season one to almost domination, win wise, in season two, just speaks to how satisfying an experience it is.

The Bear is a show that I’m obviously late to the game on, but one that I’ve become very taken by. I love watching anything involving chefs or restaurants, almost regardless of cinematic quality, but how good this series is really did stun me. It’s old hat by now to say that, but it really is one of the best things on TV. I didn’t even plan on going to Mr. Beef initially, but it happened to be right where I was while en route to another activity, so a diversion to the shop was an absolute no-brainer.

Not only is the food good, as mentioned above, the way the staff gently roasts you just evokes the characters on the show, too. It’s not air conditioned, so you can feel how tension could build. There’s a brusk nature to some of the interactions, but a clear affection as well. Whether that’s the Mr. Beef folk noticing what The Bear does so captivatingly or the show capturing what has always gone on within the confines of the shop, you’re instantly aware of how authentic it all feels.

Of course, the series has expanded beyond just the shop, but the essence is obviously there. If I wasn’t already eager to see what the characters would be up to next, I was after that meal. It oddly put me at ease, feeling a part of the environment. That’s not a normal occurrence, so I kind of just soaked in it, enjoying its novelty.

All in all, it’s good fortune that the show is back tonight, since I was already planning to write about this experience. It’s not a super common one, having the location from a film or television program actually give you the feeling that the characters seem to have, but Mr. Beef did that, in regards to The Bear. Enjoy the premiere this evening or whenever you get around to it, and if you happen to be in Chicago, don’t miss out on one of the best sandwiches you’ll have in your life…

The Bear returns for Season Three tonight!