FX’s The Bear received a unique honor from the State of Illinois, as it recognized the show’s signature Italian Beef as the Official State Sandwich. Series star and Chicago native Corey Hendrix (Gary “Sweeps” Woods) joined state officials in Springfield, Ill. in support of the official resolution and a press event that included a food truck serving complimentary Italian Beef sandwiches outside the capitol building.
The historic moment comes ahead of the premiere of the fifth and final season of the series set for Thursday, June 25 at 9 p.m. ET on FX and Hulu. Tracing its origins to the working-class Italian immigrant communities of Chicago in the early 20th century, the Italian Beef sandwich has been a staple to generations of residents, visitors and loyal devotees, according to the resolution.
