Matthew Hughes I have no idea how I missed experiencing Wise Guys before this week. Their food is excellent and authentic. Maybe some Monsters of the Midway fans will differ, but i am telling you - their sandwiches are legit!
Wiseguys is a micro-chain started in 2009 by Jerry Dugger and Bill Nychay. Their first store in Harker Heights, an hour north of Round Rock, was designed to bring the tastes of Chicago to Central Texas through a 1920s mobster decor and theme. The Round Rock location opened in 2018.
The menu has five broad categories including Cheesesteaks, Burgers, Sandwiches & More, Dogs and Healthier Options. The do have a kids menu too.
My consigliere and I tried two choices - The Bonnie & Clyde Cheesesteak and the Italian Beef Sandwich.
The Bonnie & Clyde has an Italian sausage on the bottom of the roll with a full Chicago Cheese Steak on top. They use a very generous amount of grilled sirloin piled high with peppers, onions mushrooms and melted white American cheese. It is a delicious beast of a handheld.
We have been on a roll lately, pun intended, tasting great cheesesteaks across the region including R&Bs, Mum Foods, Hoodies, Gratas and Litttle Deli. RIP 1776 and Way South Philly. Delaware Sub is up tp try next.
Wiseguys version definitely should be in the conversation for Best of Austin (Overall Cheesesteak, but not a true Philly).
The Italian Beef is technically a sandwich. However, I chose the wet version of it, where their homemade au jus sauce is poured over top. It is served in a little foil shell. This is key, because under a huge handful of seasoned roast beef, and sweet peppers there is a bun. The foil on the bottom allowed the au jus to soak into the bread and create soft mouth-watering bites best accessed with a knife and fork. Did I mention I added fresh gardinia and melted cheese on top?
I was told by the manager if you can only get one sandwich, get the Italian Beef. Now you can see why.
I would be remiss if I did not tell you about their hot dogs. I was personally in Chicago two weeks ago for my daughters wedding and stopped by Portillos & Barnellis for an authentic Chicago-style dog. It is considered one of the top places to get these treats. I know, its very touristy, but my point is, it set the standard for what a Chicago-style hot dog should be.
Wiseguys buys their meats from the Windy City. All the toppings are done the same way as my frank was dressed at P&Bs down to the really green relish, tomatoes, and sport peppers.
With no disrespect to Midway Dogs (south of Austin) Mad Dogs (near UT) or T-Loc Sonora (off of Burnett), Wiseguys makes a real case for best hot dogs in the city.
Note: My hot dog photo did not turn out, so I borrowed theirs off of Google.
Lots of yummy offerings at Wiseguys. Give them a try and let me know if Im wrong. #MattGoodEats
