Michael’s Italian Beef & Sausage Co.

The sandwiches are amazing! The staff is really nice and they were very fast! Do I lived here, this would be a staple for my husband and I.

Good food, the combo sandwich was great and the bread wasn’t too soggy. Recommend getting the hot peppers.

I’m from Chicago and welcome this place.
I can understand how people can complain about the sandwiches being sloppy and falling apart. This is how they are in Chicago when you get them dipped, be prepared to use several napkins.
The beef is right on, also the bread is good. I would like the gravy to have a little more seasoning, it’s just ok and the hot peppers aren’t bad. I’ve had better.
I usually like my sandwich dripping with juice so I’m not sure about it having juice on the bread ahead of time.
For Portland having something to satisfy my craving for an Italian beef this will do and I will be back.

I can see how some would find this place charming; I find it irritating. The food is reasonable, but nothing special – the sort of sandwich I could make at home – and the atmosphere tries too hard not to try too hard. The walls are littered with clever quotes with the authors’ names misspelled, signs yelling at you about what you’re not allowed to do, etc. Fine, I get it: «rustic chic.» The owner walks around yelling like an imbalanced Peter Griffin about whatever seems to be annoying him that day. The food ranks a giant Meh. Sandwiches are a little sloppy and on the flavorless side, though the sausage is ok. I wanted to like this place but it’s stressful just walking through the door.

This place is legit. Quick, affordable, and delicious. Half a combo sandwich hits the spot. Don’t sleep on this. Not sure what you bozos out in Unilocal land have to complain about this joint. The service is part of the character. Grow up

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Decent, if not fantastic, Chicago style sandwiches. Highlights include the Italian beef and the meatball. Fries are quite good, taste like thin cut twice fried! Downside includes the unpredictable counter service, which has sometimes been pleasant, and sometimes has been indifferent. Décor is spartan red and white, booths and shared counter. At best, Michael’s doesn’t fit the mold for the «new hipster Portland eatery.» The food here is somewhere between easy Italian fare and fast food. A decent neighborhood spot for a quick hot sandwich, but I prefer to order my food to go and eat elsewhere…

Just back from Philly and craving real food… and it is right here!
Best hot beef sandwiches in town. The real deal.
Combo – sliced beef, Italian sausage, peppers and all dripping in their house made au jus. Delicious.

Well, first off lemme start by letting everyone know that I haven’t been to Michael’s in a couple years due to moving so far away. So when My mother and I were in the area we figured why not. Right off the bat the younger woman at the front counter was just totally rude and had some attitude like we were inconveniencing her by bringing in business and spending a quick 20 bucks to support one of the places we used to frequent quite often. We both ordered the original Italian beef with «spicy» Giardiniera. Each sandwich came out to about $ 8.95 as we got whole’s and not halves. I opted for Sprite and Mom had iced water. I can tell you one thing, a few years ago I am almost certain that when we ate here probably 3 or 4 years ago, the sandwiches were no where near as horrible as the ones we got tonight. I have heard of them dipping them in aujus prior to serving, but when we opened our sandwiches, and picked them up to take a bite, AUJUS WASN’T THE PROBLEM! It was the massive amount of GREASE AND OIL making the bread so soggy that all ingredients just keep falling out, practically making it inedible unless you just wanted to pour it on a plate and eat meat and peppers. So we decided to just get some to go boxes, which the young woman working also gave a nasty glare at my mother just for asking for some aluminum foil. What made it even worse is Michael was sitting right there and could sense something was wrong so we told him that the sandwiches were not how we remembered them, and he just kind of gave us a shrug and said «well the recipe hasn’t changed in years» and just totally went back to what he was doing (looked like book keeping) as if he didn’t care about a customer who wasn’t happy with the service provided. This really pissed me off but I am not one to get riled up and cause a scene. I just know that I will never be returning to this god forsaken place again, maybe if he had offered to give us a comp on the meal for the lack of customer service and us not even being able to eat half the sandwich before wanting to just pack it up n go to feed it to the dogs at home, I would have gave him credit, but he was totally unprofessional and I hope he changes his was soon (which I highly doubt) but it was such a disappointment. Sorry Michael and staff, if you ever wanna get a hold of me check my profile for email and let’s talk because I’ve spent a fair amount of money in there over the years minus the past few due to being out of town, but yeah what a disturbing trip. I hope you guys can pull it together over there and I read a few more reviews before posting mine, I don’t believe I’m the only person who feels this way. Best of luck to you and your business and maybe the next time u run into an issue like mine you handle it differently because all you are doing is losing what was once a LOYAL CUSTOMER. Sad day on my Portland food adventure I looked forward to all day taking.

Yummy! I had the Italian sausage sandwich and it was delish. Reminded me of the sandwiches my dad would make when i was growing up. Super tasty sausage in a soft roll.

This place is full of rules for things that you CAN’T DO! No hand trucks, no muddy shoes in the carpeted area, no reaching, no phone calls between 11:30−1, no free refills, etc. etc. etc.
The staff behind the counter repeatedly called out orders to new people coming into the restaurant, directing them one way or another, explaining the full menu to everyone as they entered. Maybe a new system for where to order, or a more explanatory menu would help. Not all patrons need to hear the spiel every time.
The food sadly did not make up for the bad customer service. I ordered a cold sandwich and added meat — the turkey tasted a bit off, and it tasted like they use miracle whip (which I abhor). My boyfriend’s italian sausage sando was sloppy and lacking in flavor. He had to dump salt on it to make it palatable. The french fries were oddly mealy? It was strange.
I went back to the counter to get a soda refill and watched one of the gals behind the counter make a beef sandwich — the bread was already soggy with au jus sauce, and she used the same tongs from the vat of beef to slop some onions and peppers from different pots on to the sandwich. Vegetarians beware! Your sandwich might not really be vegetarian.
Definitely will not be back here!

Strangely, while visiting from Chicago, I stumble into a place better at being Chicagoan than its homeland counterparts. Michael’s makes their own giardiniera – PNW’ers should Google what that is – and although they don’t use sport peppers as custom dictates, they stuff their own sausages! And, their walls littered with décor and fanfare calling for a Cubbies championship that will never, ever happen – which is as Chicago as you can get.
PS Beers are dirt cheap.

I am a vegetarian so I wasn’t sure if Michael’s was for me — but I can’t turn away from a good diner! I got one of the veggies sandwiches and it was just what I wanted– a bunch of veggies! The service was super friendly and quick. I also loved the price! Most meat-​oriented places throw a piece of lettuce on a bun and charge me $ 9. I will definitely come back next time I am in the area!

Although they boast authentic Chicago style beef, it was Chicago style with a Portland twist at best.
I appreciate that the beef is made in house and they offer the sandwich «dipped» like they do in Chicago. I took a star away for their jus. I always order my sandwich dipped and here, there was so much fat in the jus, that the sandwich was slimy and gritty like eating a hoagie brushed with lard and soaked in beef jus. The beef was tender and tasty though.
Another downside was the lack of sweet peppers and the stems that are left on the pepperoncini are displeasing.
Bottled water was not an option, they only offered tap water.
The décor was on point with an independent beef restaurant in Chicago, but all of the holes in the drywall both in the dining room and bathroom were a standout.
Remember to bring cash, because the food is more expensive if you pay with a card.

This is old school good, not a trendy foodie place. Love the peppers onion sautéed and beef on white soft bread that soaks it all in.

I’ve been here a few times, but just went again today so I figured I’d review while it’s still top of mind.
I’m from Chicago, so my standards are high and I’m biased, but whatever.
I ordered the Italian beef, with hot peppers (giardiniera as we call it), provolone on top, and au jus on the side. I would have definitely preferred more peppers, and the cheese to be melted. Additionally, although I ordered au jus on the side, it seemed like the sandwich had been dipped… Which was weird, and kind of masked the taste of the beef.
It’s the closest I’ve found to an authentic Italian beef in Portland, without a doubt. So that’s why I’m going with 3 stars. That said, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Side note: A lot of folks on here are complaining about the owner. We chatted about Chicago sports for about 5 minutes once, while he yelled at the TV. …so? I’ve never had or seen an issue with him.

Sandwiches were decent, not spectacular.
Girl at counter who took our order– rude. Sarcastic comments that were unnecessary. Clearly the ginger is not very happy with the job. That alone will keep us from returning.

I have driven by this establishment for over 20 years.
Was awfully curious. I just never stopped.
Our dear friends From Chicago always talked about how great the whole menu was and how nice the owner was. I finally went last year and had a ½ sandwich and fries. It was terrific. The sausage was amazing. Not porky at all. Very tasty. A perfect sausage in my book. I have seen the owner two times. Both times he was conversing with other patrons. We have been back several times Over the last year. It seems like the women who work there have been more sufficiently trained. The males do not seem to follow the same procedure as the women. They tend to slop the beef juice all over and make the bread soggy while the woman seemed to take more care and get the bun/​juice ratio just perfect!
Bathrooms were clean, floor was clean,

My wife is from Chicago… After first bite of the Italian beef sandwich, she says «Oh My…» Not coming up for air she takes a bite of the Italian sausage sandwich. While chewing she is giving me a hand with 5 fingers extended for 5 stars. I guess Michael makes the sausage and, except for Bridge City Pizza that’s the only Chicago style Italian sausage in town. Very tasty!
We have driven past this place for 3 years. Its low star rating and some of the reviews about Michaels misconduct have put us off. But hey… she is from Chicago… got it try it some day … right!
When you walk into this place its like BAM! You just were transported to Chicago Italian sandwich place. Mellow jazz playing with countertop, table and booth seats. The seats are not that comfortable but it fits the ambiance. Everything is clean but spartan. But it truely felt like we were had walked into the South Side Chicago neigborhood Beef sandwich place. (except for the cubs pennant)
There were no torrid Michael scenes as per previous posts. Everyone was very friendly… in a Chicago kind of way.
We had the Italian beef and the Italian sausage with sauteed onions and hot pickled pepper mix. We agreed the sausage sandwich was 5+, the italian beef was very good and like what we would have in Chicago. Fries were very good as well.
So… we are coming back. Kind of sad we let some of those bad review put us off for 3 years.

Really good messy sandwiches, the bread rolls are good to go. Also they charge 5% extra to use debit /​credit card, I believe they are making money from that, greedy greedy people. Your moral compus is in need of repair!!! Then to add insult to injury, our order was lost, when we eventually got it, it was incorrect. I wonder if the old guy behind the counter could lose the attitude, he could focus on customer service??? I want to add, that this does not negativity reflect on the test of the staff. They were good to go. See ya next time, with cash in hand.

I’m really surprised at how low the ratings are for this Portland classic establishment. Yes, the folks can be rude, and the booths are uncomfortable, but you’re buying «atmosphere» along with your lunch. You get a pretty good sense from eating here of what eastern-​US life is about.
Plus, the sandwiches are soooo good!
Love this place.