West Michigan Is Craving Italian Beef Sandwiches Thanks To Hulu’s “The Bear”

Streaming services like Netflix can help drive interest and demand for a product.

A great example is The Queens Gambit. The show takes place in a 1950s orphanage, a young girl reveals an astonishing talent for chess and begins an unlikely journey to stardom while grappling with addiction.

After that show came out eBay said since the release of The Queen’s Gambit, sales of chess sets and accessories shot up by nearly 215%.

Hulu's The Bear Has Created An Increased Interest For Italian Beef Sandwiches

The series is based on a chef and his family's Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich spot.

What's An Italian Beef Sandwich?

An Italian beef sandwich is composed of thin slices of seasoned roast beef, simmered and served au jus on a long French Roll. The sandwich's history dates back at least to the 1930s.

The bread itself is often dipped into the juice the meat is cooked in, and the sandwich is typically topped off with giardiniera or sauteed, green Italian sweet peppers.

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Where Did The Italian Beef Sandwich Originate From?

While the exact origins of the Italian beef sandwich are unknown, it made its first appearance during the early 1900s in Chicago. Italian immigrants slow-roasted tough cuts of meat in a spicy broth until it was tender, piling thin slices onto Italian bread. The tasty sandwich became popular for weddings and big family gatherings, as the thinly sliced meat meant there was more to go around for everyone to enjoy. Most agree that Al’s #1 Italian Beef on Taylor St. officially wears that crown.