The Art of Perfection

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Tony Ozado, the original beef master, spent five months working day and night with Anthony, passing down not just recipes, but the soul of authentic Chicago beef. "It's not just a recipe," Anthony explains, "you have to put your heart and soul into it, it's a touch. You have to make sure it's perfected, every day it tastes the same."

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The secret was unwavering consistency. The same person made the beef, the same person prepared the dogs, the same person handled the fries. Day after day, year after year. When customers walked through those doors, they knew exactly what they'd receive: perfection on a plate, served with genuine warmth.

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More Than Food—A Family Legacy

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For 38 years, the DeStefano brothers created a second home for thousands of Chicagoans. Police officers and firefighters made it their regular stop. As one officer told Anthony, "This was the cleanest, most consistent food, and the friendliest place to come to."

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Their employees weren't just staff—they were family. Some worked alongside the brothers for over 30 years. "The guys call me today, call me from different countries," Danny shares. "They weren't just employees, we were close friends with them."

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The restaurant became a gathering place where sports were debated (especially during those unforgettable World Series years—Sox in 2005, Cubs in 2016), life stories were shared, and friendships were formed. Regular customers would walk in and hear those magic words: "The usual?"

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Family friend Peter Prato captures what made Mr. Beef special: "They wanted to know how your day was going. The day didn't matter, you were going to get the same sandwich." And sometimes, if you were lucky, you might just hear Peter's trumpet filling the air, creating memories and special moments with friends.

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A New Chapter in Paradise

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After retiring in 2018, Anthony thought his restaurant days were behind him. But Florida called to him as a place to rekindle his passion. "I missed the people, and I missed the business," he explains. "There are people from Chicago who've relocated to Florida, and it's exciting for me to get to see them again."

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Now, Anthony is bringing that authentic Chicago experience to Naples using the exact same recipes, suppliers (including Greco sausage, "the best sausage"), and most importantly, the same heart and soul that made the original Mr. Beef legendary.

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Mr. Beef of Naples isn't just a new restaurant—it's the continuation of a 38-year love story between the DeStefano family and everyone who believes that food made with passion, served with genuine care, creates memories and loyal customers and friends.

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After nearly four decades, Anthony DeStefano is creating a new tradition and making Naples feel a little more like home for everyone who stops by, whether they're from Chicago and craving a taste of home, or locals congregating to one of the best new spots in town.

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Welcome to Mr. Beef of Naples, where truly authentic Chicago staples have found a home in sunny Southwest Florida.

 

​"And I hope to one day ask you if you'll have 'The usual?' too." - Anthony DeStefano