Vinnie's Italian Beef & Gyros

Wish I had a pastrami sandwich right now. � back in Minnesota

Vinnie's Italian Beef & Gyros (Oct. 5, 2023 ~3 p.m.) Vinnie’s store is roughly 10 years old. It is still a work-in-progress, but I can imagine the spectacular results down the road when the innovations finally take hold. In my discussion with Vinnie while dining, I found out that he quit his corporate job after much frustration at work, and decided to start a food business instead. His store is a few blocks from his residence, and in an environment he is thoroughly familiar with. The reason why he started an Italian Beef business in a state that is not known for it was because he went to Chicago for a sports event (Bears!) once and ate this sandwich there. He was very impressed. Wanting to be something different, he decided that he wanted to start the business with something different. To be more different from others, he does not offer regular french fries for example, but something called Vinnies fries. According to the man, the potatoes are first baked, then fried, ….., with a hearty dose of parmesan cheese sprinkled on the dish (Get the whole story from him, it is very entertaining and I cannot do justice to the story here!) In the end, the food offerings are very unique, and deserve notice both for the innovation and the taste. The foods I have tasted I guess can be called established experimental, but they were definitely very good. The store is nestled in a suburban environment, and is a converted old school hairdressing place. The front nook area next to the window is where the hairdryers used to be located. At my arrival, after getting lost along the way while walking (wrong turn), there was only a customer waiting for her take-out. The environment is very casual with 70s-80s rock music blasting out of the sound system. I settled down and ordered the combo of Italian beef and sausage. Saw the Vinnie’s fries on the menu board, and ordered that to add another texture alternative.The meal arrived shortly, and it was a huge sandwich. Vinnie uses his own blend of Giardenera as one of the toppings. Being accustomed to the traditional Italian beef/sausage sandwiches, it was not the usual fare I was used to from Chicago. While the combo sandwich was good. It was very different. Overall, I found the beef less tender than the norm, and the sausage lacked flavor. The green pepper slices in there needed to be more tender (My preference). I feel strongly that the meats (both beef and sausage) need more salt during the preparation. The ingredient that intrigued me most was the house Giardinera. It tends toward the sweeter side, and adds a refreshing crunch and freshness (The norm is pickled and tasted so.) to the sandwich. Overall, the sandwich was good, but it is not quite there yet. The Vinnie fries, however, are most unique, and must be ordered when you are there. There is so much character to that side that I have not found in any other place to date. Overall, the combo with the Vinnie’s fries rate a solid 4.5/5 stars. Wanted to get something for dinner, and perhaps another meal later. Given Gyros is in the name of the place, the obvious choice is that, and the 2nd item was the Thursday special - Chicken Philly. The Gyros sandwich was very good the same evening I ate it. The Chicken Philly, however, is excellent. That sandwich I ate 3 days later, after being in and out of the refrigerator several times and after a long plane ride from St Louis to Charlotte, and to Seattle. The basic ingredients of philly remain similar to the rest, but I find that the ingredients were chopped pretty fine. In truth, I really cannot tell since the sandwich was covered with loads of cheese. After heating that 3 day old sandwich in the air fryer oven at low temps extendedly, the sandwich tasted EXCELLENT. The bread somehow still tasted fresh, and was even crispy after being in the air fryer. The sandwich apparently had a sauce drenched over the chicken that made the sandwich outstanding. Just for this sandwich alone, I would have rated Vinnie’s 5 out of 5 stars. Visit Vinnie's, you will not regret that decision . Happy Eating !!!

Quality ingredients and prep. Jumbo portions and budget-friendly. As close to a couple of Chicago classics as you'll find anywhere in the Lou. A great neighborhood spot, worth the trip. Will be back.

I had the Italian beef. I asked for extra hot gardenia and dipped. I was told the gardenia was on there. The gardenia was not very spicy and there was not a lot on there. Also the dipping was really a little au jus. The gyro was pretty good. Could have been a little more meat. I ordered extra sauce and it was a really nicely constructed gyro. It was fresh. The meat was a little bland and the sauce would benefit from more cucumber it was very smooth and could have been more flavorful. The water container could have benefited from some ice In it. Next time I will try the Reuben maybe a redo of the Italian beef.

Food is fantastic, lots of it for not a lot of money. Staff is super friendly but never pushy, my drink never ran out. Atmosphere was really laid back and relaxed, a couple of games were playing on some tv's and the staff were having some friendly banter. Definitely worth going to again!

Great environment. Friendly family owned staff. Best beef on this part of the Mississippi. Def a favorite place to go when we visit.