Founder of Inspiration for 'The Bear' Dies at 69

[Mark Jeffries]

Joseph Zucchero founded in 1979 a fast food joint on Chicago's Near North Side called Mr. Beef, which specialized in that peculiarly Chicago invention of the Italian beef sandwich. The joint was instantly successful and got national attention when Jay Leno went on Letterman during a week in Chicago with a sack of Mr. Beef sandwiches by his side (he later featured them in a Showtime standup special shot in Chicago). Last year, Mr. Beef became immortalized as the inspiration for the FX on Hulu dramedy "The Bear," which did take some liberties in its tale of the son of the owner, a Michelin-starred chef, returning to the beef joint (Mr. Zucchero's son has been a co-owner for many years). Mr. Zucchero died while receiving cancer treatment on Mar. 1:

https://www.thewrap.com/bear-joseph-zucchero-mr-beef-dead-obit/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking_news_7226212