Just ate here for lunch and it was excellent. Had the Italian Beef & Sausage - menu description below

Italian Beef & Sausage

Italian sausage and beef mix topped with your choice of sweet or hot Giardiniera peppers on a fresh toasted hoagie.

The sandwich was huge and he does not skimp on the meat. Highly recommend this place. You will know he is from Chicago as soon as he speaks lol

It is located just west of Rockwell and Hefner in the old Steve's Rib location.

www.calseatery.com

nice to see some Chicago foods come to OKC. Surprised actually that there isn't more.

Do they dip the Italian Beef sandwiches?

Glad to see someone else moved in this building..... It was kind of ironic that the Q-raunt we declared to have the best ribs in OKC closed for business..... Sure hope my annual OKC Rib Tour doesn't get a Madden Curse attached to it. ;+)

An Italian combo (beef and sausage) with hot peppers might be my favorite sandwich ever! If anyone's ever been to Al's in Chicago, they'll know what I'm talking about. Hope he does it right. I've tried Italian beef sandwiches outside of Chicago that have been extremely disappointing.

Just looked at his menu and I gotta say that charging $6 for a Chicago dog is outrageous, unless it's a jumbo. Even then, it's still high. Im definitely going to check them out bc I miss Chicago and an Italian combo can't be found here. I'll give my take on it once I do.

Just looked at his menu and I gotta say that charging $6 for a Chicago dog is outrageous, unless it's a jumbo. Even then, it's still high. Im definitely going to check them out bc I miss Chicago and an Italian combo can't be found here. I'll give my take on it once I do.

Man, some of you need to get out of OKC to experience the real world of prices. Geez not every things needs to be $1.99. Sometimes a great Hot Dog or Burger or whatever should be enjoyed not matter the extra cost. Some people need to stick with McD or Bk or whatever and continue to get their two for one meals.

Man, some of you need to get out of OKC to experience the real world of prices. Geez not every things needs to be $1.99. Sometimes a great Hot Dog or Burger or whatever should be enjoyed not matter the extra cost. Some people need to stick with McD or Bk or whatever and continue to get their two for one meals.

Take it easy dude, I used to live in Chicago and any place that charges $6 for a dog will go out of business real quick. And I'm willing to bet that my wife and I are at least as well-travelled as you if not more. My wife lived in Japan, and we lived all over the Midwest and Texas before coming back home to OKC. So get off your high-horse before you start talking down to people you don't know.

I seriously can't stand people who think they're so hip that it comes off a little pretentious. They think they're so worldly and look down on Okies like we have no culture. Lol, it's actually kind funny how much more cultured my wife and I are, than you probably assumed just because we're Okies. We've eaten many $50 steaks from Capital Grille or Vic & Anthony's, but we also love to get $2.50 banh mi from your mom and pop Vietnamese shop. We spend plenty of money on food, but know when the value of certain items are way off... such as a $6 Chicago dog

Just looked at his menu and I gotta say that charging $6 for a Chicago dog is outrageous, unless it's a jumbo. Even then, it's still high. Im definitely going to check them out bc I miss Chicago and an Italian combo can't be found here. I'll give my take on it once I do.

If its anything like his sandwiches it will be big

Take it easy dude, I used to live in Chicago and any place that charges $6 for a dog will go out of business real quick. And I'm willing to bet that my wife and I are at least as well-travelled as you if not more. My wife lived in Japan, and we lived all over the Midwest and Texas before coming back home to OKC. So get off your high-horse before you start talking down to people you don't know.

I seriously can't stand people who think they're so hip that it comes off a little pretentious. They think they're so worldly and look down on Okies like we have no culture. Lol, it's actually kind funny how much more cultured my wife and I are, than you probably assumed just because we're Okies. We've eaten many $50 steaks from Capital Grille or Vic & Anthony's, but we also love to get $2.50 banh mi from your mom and pop Vietnamese shop. We spend plenty of money on food, but know when the value of certain items are way off... such as a $6 Chicago dog

Great:)

Take it easy dude, I used to live in Chicago and any place that charges $6 for a dog will go out of business real quick. And I'm willing to bet that my wife and I are at least as well-travelled as you if not more. My wife lived in Japan, and we lived all over the Midwest and Texas before coming back home to OKC. So get off your high-horse before you start talking down to people you don't know.

I seriously can't stand people who think they're so hip that it comes off a little pretentious. They think they're so worldly and look down on Okies like we have no culture. Lol, it's actually kind funny how much more cultured my wife and I are, than you probably assumed just because we're Okies. We've eaten many $50 steaks from Capital Grille or Vic & Anthony's, but we also love to get $2.50 banh mi from your mom and pop Vietnamese shop. We spend plenty of money on food, but know when the value of certain items are way off... such as a $6 Chicago dog

This!!! I'm also excited to see a new Chicago place in town, as the others have died out over the years (used to be a real good one on 23rd years ago), and Humble Pie in Edmond makes a great Deep Dish Pizza. Does anyone else find it odd on the menu layout of his website, burgers and other things first? I only see 3 things that really say Chicago to me (Italian Beef, Chicago Dog, and I can let the Meatball Sub slide as Chicago). You'd figure he'd feature Chicago items FIRST, and have more of them. I don't want a Corn Dog, Burger, or Chicken Sandwich from you, there are better places for those, have the majority of your menu Chicago fare please!

Man, if his Italian Beef is anywhere close to Buona Beef or even Portillo's (I like their burgers and choc cake more than their Italian Beef), it'll be really good, this goes on our list of places to try... Wonder if his bread is the right kind. :-P

Polish dog is there too.

too bad he's not in the inner city somewhere, like Uptown or near OCU.

Man, if his Italian Beef is anywhere close to Buona Beef or even Portillo's (I like their burgers and choc cake more than their Italian Beef), it'll be really good, this goes on our list of places to try... Wonder if his bread is the right kind. :-P

Portillos is great! But once you try Al's, you'll never turn back. But it was nice having a portillos in every town.

too bad he's not in the inner city somewhere, like Uptown or near OCU.

Yeah, very odd location for a Chicago style place

I ate at UB Dogs in downtown Chicago this summer and their Chicago dog (which was excellent) was no more than $3.50.

Finally made my way over to Cal's to give their Italian combo (beef & sausage) a shot. It wasn't bad. I will say that the au jus was lacking some flavor, at least compared to the places I've been to in Chicago. The beef was nice and thinly cut like it should've been though, and the sausage was tasty. My biggest complaint about the sandwich was the hot peppers or hot giardiniera. I guess there's not an exact definition of what giardiniera is supposed to consist of, but I think they used pepperoncinis instead of sport peppers in their mix. I def prefer sport peppers, which has more of kick, imo. Also, there didn't seem to be any celery in the giardiniera, which is usually a staple. I also got a Chicago dog, and it looks like they lowered their price (wisely) on it. It was only $4 compared to $6 a couple of months ago. The hot dog was very good size and tasty. My complaint with this one, again, is the lack of sport peppers. Now, this is a definite no-no. The great thing about a Chicago dog is all the different ingredients that combine for a burst of flavors in your mouth. And sport peppers is an absolute must. Even Sonic and Mutt's knows that. Not quite sure what he was thinking here, maybe they were out. But I'm pretty sure he is actually from Chicago, as he sounded like a Chicagoan. And he should know that sport peppers is one of the more important ingredients in the Chicago dog.

It wasn't a terrible experience by any means, but there just needs to be a few small changes, imo. I'll definitely go back to give them another try, as I love Chicago and Chicago food. And there is nowhere else in town to get Italian beef. If you've never had an Italian beef sandwich, I would absolutely go check them out, as you have no other experience to compare it to. I think you'll be very happy with it. But if you ever get to Chi-town, go hit up one of their many Italian beef joints up there, and you'll absolutely love it.

Soonermike81,
What is a "Sport Pepper"? I really can't get a definitive answer with Google and they aren't listed in the Scoville ratings that I looked at. I honestly think they taste like pepperoncinis. Yes, I have had them in Washington D. C. and NYC. I purchased a bottle of pepperoncini peppers and they are really good. Gabriella's serves them with their salad. They don't have a lot of heat, but a good flavor. Could a sport pepper be a preparation of a pepperoncini?
C. T.

http://peppers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sport-peppers-8-oz.jpg

http://www.hotdogchicagostyle.com/makeyourown.php


Sport Peppers
An essential topping for any Chicago Dog is the Sport pepper. These peppers are green, about 1-1/2 inches long and usually have a medium-hot taste. When Sport peppers adorn your Dog, they should be whole and never sliced. Don't make the mistake of using peppers that are too hot. Remember, a Chicago Dog is blending of all the toppings. No single ingredient should overpower the others.

http://www.hotdogchicagostyle.com/images/sportpeppers1.jpg

http://www.viennabeef.com/filebin/images/products/medium/SportPeppers-225.jpg

http://www.reimerseeds.com/sport-hot-peppers.aspx


Capsicum annuum. Plant produces high yields of 2 ¼" long by ½" wide hot peppers. Peppers are hot and turn from green to red when mature. Plant has green stems, green leaves, and white flowers. This is the popular pepper that is pickled and used on hot dogs and sandwiches. It is especially used on the famous Chicago style hot dogs. The peppers resemble the Tabasco pepper but are larger. Excellent pickling variety.

Don't forget the celery salt!

Ljbab728,
Good links, but I have a hard time believing they are officially called "Sport" peppers. I'm looking for a name like habanero, jalapeno, anaheim, et al, and I can't seem to find it. I will continue to pursue it and IF (big if) I find it, I will post my findings.
Thanks,
C. T.

They are a member of Capsicum Annuum...... If I had to take a guess they are green cayenne peppers.

The term sport pepper possibly came from them being served at sporting events.

Actually, I found what I believe to be a good description of a "Sports" pepper. On one chart, they are listed as medium heat as compared to the peperoncini which is listed as mild heat.
C. T.
"Pickled sport peppers are a thing in the US south where they are used in cooking and some casual restaurants put bottles of these pickled peppers on the tables and in Chicago where they are an essential condiment for the Chicago style hot dog and Italian beef sandwich.

A small green hot pepper pickled in vinegar, similar to a pepperoncini but always smaller. Never longer than 1.5 inches, in the pickling process they often lose some of their colour and become pale green.

Sport is part of the name of a family of cultivars of the Capsicum Annum pepper, which is the same species that produces a lot of the edible peppers we eat.

Sport is a botanical term for a sort of plant mutation and sports are sometimes used as the basis for a new cultivar of a species so it's likely that the original sense of the name was "mutant pepper". Before 1970 they were an important crop pepper in the south because the tabasco pepper was susceptible to a disease that could cause total crop failures so sport peppers were grown as a backup crop to be used as an alternative hot sauce pepper in years the tabasco crop failed."

http://www.quora.com/History-of-Food/How-did-sport-peppers-get-their-name

Chicago dogs must have sport peppers and that neon green relish! Pepperoncini are ok, but come on man! You know better if you are from Chicago!

Yeah, when I first moved to Chicago many years back and ate a sport pepper, my first question was, "what on earth is a sport pepper?" What one of my friends told me was that it was just a Serrano pepper, pickled. Not sure if this is accurate or not, but I think that is more likely the case than it being similar to the pepperoncini. A sport pepper has a good little crunch to it when you bite into it, where the pepperoncini doesn't really have one. Like I said, everybody has a different way of making gardiniera. I'm just used to it being done with sport peppers and celery. It was still a decent Italian beef and sausage combo. But as far as the Chicago dog goes, there is no reason to not have sport peppers on there.

Yeah, when I first moved to Chicago many years back and ate a sport pepper, my first question was, "what on earth is a sport pepper?" What one of my friends told me was that it was just a Serrano pepper, pickled. Not sure if this is accurate or not, but I think that is more likely the case than it being similar to the pepperoncini. A sport pepper has a good little crunch to it when you bite into it, where the pepperoncini doesn't really have one. Like I said, everybody has a different way of making gardiniera. I'm just used to it being done with sport peppers and celery. It was still a decent Italian beef and sausage combo. But as far as the Chicago dog goes, there is no reason to not have sport peppers on there.

SoonerMike,
The sport pepper has nowhere near the heat of a Serrano and it also is not as thin. I love heat, I use a lot of habaneros in the things I make but a Serrano would be way to hot for the folks that love the Chicago dogs.
C. T.

i think the pickling tones down the serrano a bit.

Chicago dogs must have sport peppers and that neon green relish! Pepperoncini are ok, but come on man! You know better if you are from Chicago!
And celery salt. Super-important. And the frankfurters should really only be Vienna Beef.

SoonerMike,
The sport pepper has nowhere near the heat of a Serrano and it also is not as thin. I love heat, I use a lot of habaneros in the things I make but a Serrano would be way to hot for the folks that love the Chicago dogs.
C. T.

Yeah, I don't know my peppers well enough to tell. Appearance and size-wise, the sport would be pretty close to the Serrano, but I guess the Serrano is a little hotter. Sport peppers do pack a nice little kick though.

Fassler Hall has a Frankfurter that you can order Chicago-syle - including sport peppers.

I scanned this page and didn't find any mention of where I could purchase sports peppers. Anyone know a place in the OKC metro area?
Thanks,
C. T.

too bad he's not in the inner city somewhere, like Uptown or near OCU.

Why? Does it help the sausage taste better? Are the peppers hotter, if the restaurant is located in the inner city?

Portillos is great! But once you try Al's, you'll never turn back. But it was nice having a portillos in every town.

Al's is better for sure!

^ Chicago food tends to be urban and there is an urban audience captive in the inner city of OKC, and growing as we speak.

You can buy them at the huge health food store off of I-240 and Penn.

Today I took my friend from London to Cal's and she and I really enjoyed it. Not fast food, but not fancy dining either. Fresh cut French fries, and my Philly cheese steak (I substituted jalapenos for the bell peppers) was excellent and she had the grilled chicken sandwich and was very pleased. The owner checked on us a couple of times to make sure things were done properly. I hope he is successful.
C. T.

Polish dog is there too.

Who best be keeping an eye on the German sausage. CTC, I envy your ability to keep your chili jones going.

I miss having a Steve's Rib only a couple miles from where I work, but this sounds great. Will have to give it a try!

Who best be keeping an eye on the German sausage. CTC, I envy your ability to keep your chili jones going.

Mel,
The jalapeños were very mild. Good taste, but little heat. The jalapeños I purchased recently all seem very mild as well, so I am buying a lot of habaneros and using them for heat/taste along with the jalapeños for taste.
C. T.

Today I took my friend from London to Cal's and she and I really enjoyed it. Not fast food, but not fancy dining either. Fresh cut French fries, and my Philly cheese steak (I substituted jalapenos for the bell peppers) was excellent and she had the grilled chicken sandwich and was very pleased. The owner checked on us a couple of times to make sure things were done properly. I hope he is successful.
C. T.

Man, you know how to eat good.

Had late lunch there today. Good philly cheesesteak just as C.T. said above. Gyro was good as well. Fries were better than the rings. Wish we had tried the pickle fries. Bet their burgers are good too. Hopefully they get enough traffic from the surrounding places like Dynamo Gym, etc to make a go of it.

Oh man, I've got to check this out... My boyfriend is a Chicago native and got me hooked on Italian Beef... so much so that since he moved down here, we've ordered a couple of the big kits from Bari Beef to make it at home. We're gonna have to check this guy out and see if his beef is up to snuff.

The giardiniera in the pictures on Cal's website looks kinda weird, though... peperoncini peppers, cauliflower, carrots... Looks like Italian style, not Chicago style. Maybe that was just what he could get when they took the pictures... I'll have to see when we check his place out.

Had late lunch there today. Good philly cheesesteak just as C.T. said above. Gyro was good as well. Fries were better than the rings. Wish we had tried the pickle fries. Bet their burgers are good too. Hopefully they get enough traffic from the surrounding places like Dynamo Gym, etc to make a go of it.

I hope he makes it but the location isn't great. Has the MidFirst operations across the street but that's about it lunch wise. Unfortunately I think most of those folks would just walk to cheapo Subway instead

The boyfriend and I just tried Cal's tonight... The place is neat and clean, and well decorated. The italian beef and sausage combo is the real deal, if slightly expensive - Cal's charges $9, where in Chicago we're talking more like $7-8. Not too terrible though. The hot giardiniera is not quite the right stuff, like I mentioned before, but I bet it's the best he could do without having stuff shipped direct from Chicago. Regardless, it was still darn tasty. Best you'll probably find in Oklahoma. The BF gave it a thumbs up!

I agree about the location though... Not terribly great, but it could be worse. We were there at 7:30PM and though there was a steady trickle of business, the place was by no means busy. Really hope he's able to get his name out there and stick around a while!

The Ital Beef & Sausage is pretty good. With fries and drink it's just a tad over $11.00. They don't scrimp on anything and seems like all the ingredients are fresh. Good sized sandwich and lots of fries.

Man, you know how to eat good.

Mel,
I don't know how good I eat, I do know that I don't like bell peppers and I love jalapeños, and pretty much any kind of chili peppers, and substitute when possible.
C. T.

We went to Cal's for the first time yesterday. I had the gyros burger, which was good but way too huge for a sane man to finish in one sitting (I finished it in one sitting). Pretty good place. The Italian beef & sausage was damn tasty, and I look forward to trying a few more things on the menu soon. I hope the joint's successful.

Finally made it to Cal's.

Italian Beef sausage was great but overall the sandwich is dry, I should have had it dipped but it wasn't an option on their menu. Fries are tasty but that relish on the Chicago dog just won't cut it, sport peppers are harder to find than the neon relish, come on Cal.

Ask for it dipped - they'll do it :) That's how I get mine every time.

The BF and I visited again two weekends ago... They've resolved our chief complaint with their Italian Beef sandwiches - namely, the hot giardiniera peppers is now the real stuff and trucked down from Chicago. Cal's doing it right and it's probably the best you'll find in Oklahoma. Now if we could just convince them to expand and bring some of that beefy goodness to someplace closer to the south side!

The BF and I visited again two weekends ago... They've resolved our chief complaint with their Italian Beef sandwiches - namely, the hot giardiniera peppers is now the real stuff and trucked down from Chicago. Cal's doing it right and it's probably the best you'll find in Oklahoma. Now if we could just convince them to expand and bring some of that beefy goodness to someplace closer to the south side!

Very good to hear, hopefully the bread is the right kind too, we miss Buona Beef from up there (and a few other Italian Beef joints, but they were our favorites), we might go try them now.

The bread is... well, it's certainly no Turano or Gonnella... but it's not too far off the mark. It's hard to find bread with the right consistency and crust down here, unfortunately. But honestly, whatever they use right now makes for a decent Beef. It's definitely worth a try, at least.

The BF and I visited again two weekends ago... They've resolved our chief complaint with their Italian Beef sandwiches - namely, the hot giardiniera peppers is now the real stuff and trucked down from Chicago. Cal's doing it right and it's probably the best you'll find in Oklahoma. Now if we could just convince them to expand and bring some of that beefy goodness to someplace closer to the south side!

Well, I've been needing a reason to get back over there and you just gave it to me. Pumped as its been several months since I've had a combo with hot giardiniera.

The BF and I visited again two weekends ago... They've resolved our chief complaint with their Italian Beef sandwiches - namely, the hot giardiniera peppers is now the real stuff and trucked down from Chicago. Cal's doing it right and it's probably the best you'll find in Oklahoma. Now if we could just convince them to expand and bring some of that beefy goodness to someplace closer to the south side!

Got me curious now.

I didn't read anyone post whether or not the buns are steamed for the Chicago dogs or whether they're just dry or (worse) toasted like too many other places.

I didn't read anyone post whether or not the buns are steamed for the Chicago dogs or whether they're just dry or (worse) toasted like too many other places.

I have to admit, I've only had a couple of their Chicago dogs - I don't get to go very often because of how far they are from me, and when I do go I'm looking for a beef - but I do think they steamed the bun on the ones I've had. That's been a while back though. I do know they were NOT toasted. Could always call 'em and ask! :)

The bread is... well, it's certainly no Turano or Gonnella... but it's not too far off the mark. It's hard to find bread with the right consistency and crust down here, unfortunately. But honestly, whatever they use right now makes for a decent Beef. It's definitely worth a try, at least.

Cool. good to know it's not the same crap Hillbilly was passing off as French bread a while back, thx, will try to make it there soon!

Finally made my way out there. I got the italian beef & sausage. I was asked if I wanted mine dipped. Didn't know if that was the meat or not, and said sure. Turns out it was the bread. WIth drink came out to a little above $11. The cost of the chicago dog is now $4. Not bad. Friend got a philly cheese steak which begs the question, why is this on the menu?

Finally made my way out there. I got the italian beef & sausage. I was asked if I wanted mine dipped. Didn't know if that was the meat or not, and said sure. Turns out it was the bread. WIth drink came out to a little above $11. The cost of the chicago dog is now $4. Not bad. Friend got a philly cheese steak which begs the question, why is this on the menu?

The chicken philly is actually really good (great spices, wife ordered it, I had the beef sandwich - dry, 'cos I had lived in Chicago and knew dipped was the bread dipped, and wet was with the au jus poured over it, and the dry was actually too soggy, sadly, but still tasted good). Not sure why the philly's on the menu (maybe his partner's from Philly or they lived there once, or ....), but the chicken one's worth trying. His pepper mixture is pretty much like it is in Chicago, and his bread is pretty good, wish Hillbilly would use it for their po-boys, might actually go back to them if they did.

Sweet Deals is running a half-off promotion here; $50 worth of gift certificates for $25. http://www.sweetdealscumulus.com/deal/oklahomacity/cals-chicago-style-eatery-1