Chicago sandwich shop owner Mr Beef, who inspired hit series ‘The Bear’, says he HAS NOT watched the show because he is ’embarrassed’
- Chris Zucchero’s beloved restaurant, Mr. Beef, serves as the base for the FX show
- His friend Christopher Storer created the series, now in its second season.
- Storer shot about 90 percent of The Bear’s pilot in the Chicago store
The show may be a hit, but the man behind its inspiration says he’s embarrassed by it.
The owner of the Chicago sandwich shop that inspired The Bear has said he hasn’t watched a single episode of the popular FX Hulu series.
Chris Zucchero’s beloved restaurant, Mr. Beef, served as the basis for the show, which was written by his childhood friend, Christopher Storer.
But, speaking to Variety, Zucchero admitted that he is not among the show’s passionate fans.
‘No, it’s more embarrassing for me. I feel weird,’ she said when asked if he was a viewer of The Bear, which is now in its second season.
Chris Zucchero’s beloved restaurant, Mr. Beef, serves as the base for FX’s The Bear. He is pictured (left) with chef Joshua Weissman.
The FX on Hulu series centers on chef Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allen White, who leaves her career at a fine-dining restaurant to return to her family’s sandwich shop.
The bear was created by Zucchero’s childhood friend Christopher Storer.
‘Food people are not the same as actors or musicians. You know what I mean? That’s the same reason I don’t really promote anything with The Bear. I don’t want to be the guy who says, “Look at me. I’m the fucking ‘Bear’ guy.”
Zucchero explained that having had previous celebrity clients like comedian Jay Leno, the store never needed advertising.
‘This may sound a bit arrogant, but we’ve never paid any advertising or PR for Mr. Beef, but we’ve been very lucky. Just like Jay Leno and his friendship with my dad is really what made Mr. Beef famous,” he explained.
“So over the years that I’ve been on the Food Network, Travel Channel, I’ve talked to reporters, but I never read or watch anything that’s going on Mr. Beef.”
While he doesn’t watch the show, Mr. Beef has hosted parties for The Bear, providing Mr. Beef’s famous hot Italian beef sandwiches with sweet peppers and spicy giardiniera.
In addition to being the inspiration for the X series, creator Storer filmed around 90 percent of the show’s pilot in the Chicago store.
The restaurant has finally been redone to the stains on it.
Zucchero even appears in the pilot as a guy who sells meat to Chef Carmy, played by Jeremy Allen White.
Chris Zucchero, who took over the restaurant in 1979, died unexpectedly earlier this year.
His father, Chris Zucchero, who took over the restaurant in 1979, died unexpectedly earlier this year.
Fortunately, the older Zucchero was able to witness the success of the program.
He was proud of Chris. He was honored, he was humble,’ Zucchero said of his father.
Although the store was already well known, Zuchero admitted that El Oso took his fame to another level.
“I make this dramatic joke that Mr. Beef used to have real value and now it’s like Central Perk from ‘Friends,’ he said.
And I’m upset about it, but I love it. I love it when people cause an accident in front of my restaurant just to try to get a picture.’
The FX on Hulu series centers on young chef Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto, who leaves her career at a fine-dining restaurant to return to her family-owned sandwich shop after the death of a loved one.
