The hit FX series "The Bear" is prepping for its second season, with the first new episode coming June 22. The dark comedy stars Jeremy Allen White as Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, a fine dining chef who returns home to Chicago to take over his family's beef sandwich shop after the death of his brother.
"The Bear" took some of its inspiration from a real Chicago Italian beef sandwich restaurant called Mr. Beef, which opened in the Windy City's River North neighborhood in 1979. Chris Storer, who created and produces "The Bear," grew up in the neighborhood and was friends with the son of Mr. Beef owner Joseph Zucchero. Zucchero told NPR that the pair would spend time in the restaurant as young boys.
