Bob-O’s Opens Second Location, Bringing Award-Winning Italian Beef To Norwood Park

Bob-O’s Opens Second Location, Bringing Award-Winning Italian Beef To Norwood Park

A Legacy of Deliciousness

After serving up char dogs and Italian beef in Dunning for 50 years, Bob-O’s has opened a second location in Norwood Park. Phyllis Bartell, a single mom of four, took over Bob-O’s Hot Dogs at 8258 W. Irving Park Road from the original owner in the early 1970s. She died a little over two years ago, but her legacy lives on with her children and grandchildren who now run the business.

Last month, Phyllis’ son Rich Bartell opened Bob-O’s Italian Beef at 6161 N. Milwaukee Ave.

"It’s been one helluva journey," said Vicki Bartell, Phyllis’ daughter and Rich’s younger sister. "It’s bittersweet because our mom’s not here."

Award-Winning Italian Beef

Bob-O’s new location in Norwood Park has a pared-down menu centered around the restaurant’s award-winning Italian beef sandwiches. This summer, Bob-O’s won WGN’s Best Beef Tournament, beating 63 other restaurants. The tournament was launched in conjunction with season three of FX’s Emmy-winning "The Bear." The fictional Chicago Italian beef stand featured on the show was inspired by Mr. Beef in River North and has helped boost the Italian beef business, Rich Bartell said.

Bob-O’s also made Chicago Magazine’s Best Beef list back in 1978. In 2010, the business was inducted into the Hot Dog Hall of Fame.

Bob-O’s as seen on Nov. 8, 2024.

A Family Business

Bob-O’s has been feeding Chicagoans for more than 70 years. The original Bob-O’s owner sold hot dogs out of pushcarts and trailers, Rich Bartell said. The owner eventually opened a brick-and-mortar location in Dunning, but by the time Phyllis Bartell bought the business, the building had started to decay, Rich Bartell said.

Phyllis Bartell’s family immigrated from Italy and she grew up near Taylor Street, Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood, Vicki Bartell said.

"Everybody in the family cooked from scratch," Vicki Bartell said.

In 1968, Phyllis opened Mr. Magoo’s, a small hot dog joint that lasted a few years, Rich Bartell said. A few years later, Phyllis Bartell took over Bob-O’s.

All four of her kids — Mike, Rich, Jim, and Vicki — helped out in the shop, Mike Bartell said.

"We were brought up on hot dogs," he said.

Phyllis Bartell became known as the "Philly Dog Queen of Irving Park," said Bob Schwartz, senior vice president for Vienna Beef and a Hot Dog Hall of Fame master of ceremonies.

Challenges and Success

Times were lean during the first few years of the shop, Rich Bartell said. There used to be a different Italian beef restaurant across the street. Customers would buy their beefs there and go to Bob-O’s for fries, he said.

"Then Mom decided to start making hamburgers, and I think they were closed within a year," he said.

In 2017, when Portillo’s opened a location in Harwood Heights, the Bartell family thought the chain would hurt their business, Mike Bartell said. However, regulars stayed loyal and the business was barely impacted, he said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, sales actually went up because online orders and deliveries increased, Sam Bartell said.

Sam Bartell, Phyllis Bartell’s grandson, has been helping out at Bob-O’s since he was a kid. Vicki Bartell said she would love to see her nephew take over the family business.

"After everybody passed away, I didn’t want them to just sell it," Sam Bartell said, glancing at the restaurant’s new sign. "[Phyllis Bartell] would love this."

What’s Next

Over the years, many other family-owned hot dog joints have gone under, Vicki Bartell said. Bob-O’s has been able to stay afloat because of its devoted customer base and dedicated family members, she said.

"It’s been 50 years of hard work," she said.

Conclusion

Bob-O’s has been a staple in the Chicago hot dog scene for decades, and its new location in Norwood Park is sure to bring even more excitement to the community. With its award-winning Italian beef sandwiches and commitment to family and tradition, Bob-O’s is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Chicago-style hot dog.

FAQs

• What is Bob-O’s?
  • Bob-O’s is a family-owned hot dog joint that has been serving Chicagoans for over 70 years.
• What is the history of Bob-O’s?
  • Bob-O’s was founded by Phyllis Bartell in the early 1970s, and has been passed down through generations of the Bartell family.
• What is the menu like at Bob-O’s?
  • Bob-O’s menu features a variety of hot dogs, including Italian beef sandwiches, as well as other classic Chicago-style hot dog toppings.
• Is Bob-O’s open for delivery and takeout?
  • Yes, Bob-O’s is open for delivery and takeout, making it easy for customers to enjoy their favorite hot dogs from the comfort of their own homes.
• Can I customize my hot dog at Bob-O’s?
  • Yes, Bob-O’s allows customers to customize their hot dogs with a variety of toppings and condiments.