Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, a world-class chef, returns to Chicago to run his deceased brother Michael's Italian beef sandwich shop, The Original Beef of Chicagoland, inheriting a chaotic kitchen, massive debt, and a dysfunctional but loyal crew.

2022, present day Chicago

Carmy struggles to transform the toxic, dysfunctional restaurant culture while dealing with his brother's suicide and the financial mess left behind. He clashes with cousin Richie and tries to modernize operations while respecting the existing crew. The season explores grief, family trauma, and the brutal reality of working-class restaurant life. Carmy discovers hidden money and begins implementing professional kitchen standards, slowly earning the crew's respect through his culinary expertise and genuine care for the business.

Carmy finds a significant amount of cash hidden by Michael, providing hope for the restaurant's future. The season ends with the crew more unified and the business stabilized, but deeper emotional healing remains unaddressed.

The season establishes themes of grief, working-class struggle, and found family. Carmy's trauma manifests through his obsessive work ethic and difficulty connecting emotionally. The restaurant serves as both literal and metaphorical battleground where characters confront their pain. The show brilliantly captures toxic masculinity in blue-collar environments while showing how shared labor can create bonds. Carmy's professional skills clash with the shop's chaotic culture, representing broader tensions between aspiration and circumstance in working-class communities.