A humorous, meme-fueled moment has thrust Chicago’s beloved Italian beef sandwich into the spotlight—this time, through a medieval painting of Pope Leo I and a 21st-century meme remix. What started as internet fun turned into a real-world marketing opportunity, blending art history, Chicago food culture, and modern social media humor.
Key Points:
- A viral meme shows Pope Leo I holding an Italian beef sandwich, referencing the famous 5th-century meeting with Attila the Hun.
- The meme began circulating on Chicago food meme pages, particularly on Instagram.
- Pop-up sandwich shop “Boof” in L.A. joined the fun, selling Italian beefs with Pope-themed art.
- The trend highlights Chicago’s deep pride in its regional foods, especially the Italian beef sandwich.
- Memes are increasingly used to drive real-world food trends and sales.
How a Meme Made Italian Beef a Star Again
The Origins of the Meme
The image is a satirical remix of a Renaissance painting depicting Pope Leo I confronting Attila the Hun. In the meme, Pope Leo holds a sloppy Italian beef sandwich, as if offering it as peace.
A Sandwich Worth Fighting For
The meme tapped into Chicago’s cultural pride. Italian beef, a drippy, meat-packed sandwich, is iconic to the city’s identity—and now, thanks to the meme, it’s reaching audiences far beyond Illinois.
From Instagram to the Menu
L.A.-based pop-up shop Boof saw the meme’s popularity and ran with it, creating beef-themed art, T-shirts, and special menu items celebrating the moment.
“It’s funny, but it also shows how passionate people are about their food,” said a Boof staffer.
Conclusion
What started as a joke online became a testament to Chicago’s culinary pride and meme culture’s power. The Italian beef isn’t just a sandwich — it’s a symbol of tradition, humor, and cultural identity that even a pope (at least in meme form) would bless.
