While “The Bear” may be concluding soon, the iconic Italian Beef sandwich from the show has secured its place in Illinois history. On Wednesday, it was officially designated as the state sandwich of Illinois.
Chicago native Corey Hendrix, who portrays Gary “Sweeps” Woods in the series, attended the official resolution ceremony in Springfield.
The resolution highlighted how “The Bear” has brought global recognition to one of the Midwest’s culinary gems and a significant emblem of Illinois’ thriving food culture. It emphasizes that the series has provided an authentic depiction of Chicago’s food scene, highlighting its immigrant working-class origins and the resilience, creativity, and excellence that characterize the people of Illinois, while also introducing the Italian Beef sandwich to a broader audience worldwide.
Left to right: Illinois State Rep. Rick Ryan, “The Bear” actor Corey Hendrix, and Rep. Dave Vella
Michael Thomas/PictureGroup for FX
The resolution also traced the Italian Beef sandwich’s roots back to the early 20th century, emphasizing its significance as an “ambassador of Illinois culture far beyond the state’s borders.”
The sandwich is central to the storyline of “The Bear,” which chronicles the transformation of a family-owned Italian Beef sandwich shop into a fine-dining establishment.
According to the official description, the fifth and final season of the show begins the morning after characters Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Natalie “Sugar” (Abby Elliott) find out that Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) has exited the food industry, leaving them to manage the restaurant. Faced with financial challenges, potential sale, and a looming storm, the team must unite to deliver one last service with hopes of earning a Michelin star. Ultimately, they discover that the essence of a ‘perfect’ restaurant lies not in the food, but in its people. The series also features Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Matty Matheson, and Corey Hendrix, with Ricky Staffieri, Oliver Platt, Will Poulter, and Jamie Lee Curtis appearing in recurring roles.
“The Bear” actor Corey Hendrix at food truck during press conference about the Illinois state sandwich bill
Michael Thomas/PictureGroup for
“The Bear” was created by Christopher Storer, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Matheson, Josh Senior, Cooper Wehde, Tyson Bidner, Hiro Murai, and Rene Gube. Courtney Storer acts as the culinary producer. The fifth season is set to premiere on June 25.
