Came here after seeing Adam from Man vs Food do a show here. I think my expectations were very high and thats never good.
Ordered the beef sandwich with sweet peppers and a side of fries. The taste was good and I loved that it was dipped which gave it more flavor and made it very juicy however I felt like it was missing something..... maybe cheese?
We were told by a Chicago native that we had to try the roast beef sandwich at Al's. Unfortunately, Al disappoints. One side of the bread becomes soggy after the sauce is poured on and the beef is flavorless without the addition of the spicy peppers.
In short: not worth the walk, thankful that I ordered the small.
Sorry Al, I'm not a big fan of your beef sandwiches. The bread becomes so soggy after the sauce is poured on. The beef itself is thinly sliced, not overcooked, and pretty tender, but lacking in flavor. There is heat from red pepper flakes and little slices of pepper but that's it. No flavor, just soggy bread and some spiciness. I wanted to like Al's but it just doesn't live up to the hype. If I give them another try next time I'm in Chicago, I will try a different sandwich - something with more flavor and not as soggy bread.
The fries on the other hand are very good - crispy, not too salty, tasty.
First let me say I was not the biggest fan of the signature beef. It was, as others have indicated, rather bland. What made the show was the peppers. These are an absolute must if you are getting one. They add some serious life to the party.
Now the good...the blue cheese fries are awesome. For $4, you probably get a half pound of blue cheese. It gets put on fresh fries and the cheese melts becoming a fry blanket, coating them in blue cheese goodness. I cannot recommend these enough.
"#5, dipped, hot, cut in half, side of cheese."
Those words are uttered by me at the drive-thru speaker at least once a week. I think that I'm one of the top customers st this location, confirmed by the early shift girl at the counter. Â The Italian beef us a Chicago staple, and in my opinion, Al's beats out Portillo's, Mr. Â Beef, and Johnnie's. The fries still have the skin on them, which is really cool, and after walking out of any of the 10 nightclubs on the same corner, you can't beat the drunken chatter at 3am.
I've been to several Al's Beef locations (don't judge), but this one is by far the best in terms of people watching. Â And depending on the time you go, it's like a different show - with a different movie rating! Â As for the food, sorry haters, I am an Al's Beef fan - hence the visits to multiple locations, so I am not here to hate on the food - I love it. Â But if I want to people watch and have a laugh or two (is this wrong?) especially in the summer, this is the place to be!
Review Source:Came here for the Italian Beef because Portillo's was no longer open. Â It's OK, but Portillo's is WAY better. Â Sorry =/ We got Al's beef and buffalo fries. Â The meat was a bit tough and overall it was salty and soggy. Â However, the buffalo fries were pretty good, so good that a drunk man asked for some; and some he got!
Review Source:Pretty good hot dogs. Not the best bun, but still satisfying.
Terrible tamale. We were sorely disappointed, but that might have been our fault for expecting a good tamale from here, haha. It was this microwaved soggy thing that came in a plastic wrapper. Even the frozen ones I get at Trader Joes are better. (Maybe I'll go heat one up after writing this review, yumm.)
Oh, service is TERRIBLE. I don't know what was up with the guy taking our order but we literally had to repeat our order 5 times for him to understand. And for a menu that isn't complicated, it was really annoying! Then when we saw our receipt, he had gotten it wrong. But it was such an ordeal to put in the order in the first place so we decided to let it go. We also had to wipe down our own table, which perhaps isn't the fault of the management, but still.
My friend and I (both grad students) felt slightly out of place here. It was filled with people who looked like they work blue-collar jobs. Plus we were the only Asians here for the short time we stayed to eat our food. We did not dawdle in getting out of here.
It's hard to find cheep food in this area, so when you do, you hope it can truly satisfy the broke, hungry college student that resides in all of us. Â I'm happy to report that Al's fits the bill. Â With plenty of food options, quick service, and lots of tables, Al is there when you need him.
Review Source:I've only had an Italian Beef about 3x's, including at this location. Â This one got some good Yelp reviews so I had to try it out.
Like I said, I don't have a lot of experience with Italian Beef, but this one was pretty tasty. Â The giardano (sp?) on it was SO FULL OF FLAVOR!!! Â A little spicy. Â A couple days later had an Italian Beef elsewhere and could DEFINITELY taste the difference.
This is a good place to get some food because you can get like 4 different sizes of an Italian Beef..... so it caters to your appetite (maybe wallet) well.
I wouldn't say its the best italian beef in the city, but it is the closest to my house, so therefore, its the best choice.
The overall taste is fine, but the meat is dry and less flavorful than I would like. Having it dipped in the juice is the only way I would eat this sandwich, since it balances out the bland meat.
Would give it a 3.5 to 4 stars, but the price is kinda high for the size, which would not fill me (and I'm a light eater).
I don't think you can go wrong with Al's beef, but there are better places. My personal favorite is Portillo's (even though its a chain), which is the best Italian beef I've ever had, and don't forget to stuff it with their coleslaw...perfection!
OK. Â So I go into a place called "Al's Beef" and order a buffalo chicken sandwich. Â Obviously my first mistake. Â I realize I shouldnt have expected much but what I got was so bad I have to worn my fellow bird eaters. Â DONT EAT THE CHICKEN SANDWICH. Â What a total waste of time. Â A piece of rubbery grilled chicken without any flavor, a squirt of wing sauce on a bland bun. Â Yuck. Â Worst Ive ever had. Â If you're not going to try Al's - dont put it on the menu.
Review Source:What a beautiful sandwich with a face that only a mother could love. A beautifully delicious sloppy mess. I had mine dipped and spicy, man my mouth is watering just typing this I almost want to hop in my car and drive the 10 hours to get there. The Big Al is nicely cooked thinly sliced beef on a soft bun that soaks up the jus perfectly (if you like it dipped) and I had the Homemade "HOT" Giardiniera, when you take that first bite all that soothing jus gently rolls down your hands, heaven in a sandwich. About an hour later I had to go back to our room for a nap, what sweet dreams are made of. Buenas Noches Amigos!
Review Source:I had my first Italian beef here, and it was as good as promised. The meat was delicious, moist and the hot peppers added some extra kick. I would recommend getting cheese, although they say that's not the original way of doing it. Who cares? It tastes so good.
I would also recommend getting some fries. Perfect cook, with the skins on. DAMN!
They are open late, so it was a perfect stop after we left the bars.
Will definitely be back!
If you want italian beef in Chicago this is the place to go. Â
I used to eat here regularly when I worked downtown.  Now we have a location  in our neighorhood that is just as good so I got lucky!  The Beef is tender and seasoned perfectly.  You can get hot or mild peppers....I prefer the mild, but I've had the hot and they are HOT.  The fries are no joke.  Fresh cut with skins on, seasoned great and fried crisp.  I might say these are my favorite fries in the city when they are right out of the frier.  Definitely check this place out. Â
4 stars because they don't serve Coke!
WTF did I just eat? LOL
The only things that might be messier than this sandwich are porta potties after a chili cook off.
Ordered a beef sandwich and was asked "peppers, onions and dipped?" which I thought I have no idea what this means but responded "hell yes"! Â Beef sandwich dunked in beef jus? Chicago you've won over my heart.
Delicious sandwich...they even offer one with a sausage in it but I say stick to the classic.
I don't think there are washrooms here, so washing your hands...just enjoy what's on your hands, seriously!
I've seen and heard about this place many times and I just had to try it since I was in Chicago. Â
I found the nearest place to my hotel and made the short walk to the location on W Ontario Street.
It's a small location right on the street corner and has a few tables and chairs outside. Â As I was walking up, I could see that the place was full, including all the tables outside the building! Â
I walked in and immediately knew what I wanted (after being hit in the face with the smell of beef and hot peppers!).
I got the regular Italian with hot peppers, dipped.
Service was FAST and my sandwich was already dripping through the triple layered wrap job. Â I quickly found a seat; which was more like a 6 inch piece of metal hanging off the front counter and tore apart the soaked wrapper. Â
Good thing I grabbed a stack of napkins because this ended up being a three napkin affair. Â
The first thing I tasted was the hot peppers, which were hot but didn't take away the flavor of the meat dipped in it's own drippings. Â The beef was warm and tender and full of flavor. Â The bread was simply there to soak up the drippings and do it's best to hold everything together. Â
What a great place to get a quick bite to eat in a town full of great joints like this. Â By far, this place is the one to hit when you're in Chicago and need a quick bite.
All that hype and built up tension was totally.... Worth it.
I'm not sure if it was cause of the binge eating of pizza and Al's was a little change, or cause it was actually really, really good? Nah, it was pretty good. Make sure you get your sammich dipped in their broth, mother of god. It's messy, but like wrestling in nacho cheese, it's really fun.
Very good tasting, messy, and very greasy as Italian Beefs should be. Ordered it spicy and I was happy with it. But I know "die-hards" will hate me when I say that I like  Portillo's down the block better. The bread is softer, it's spicier, and the beef is tastier and juicer.
Great fries too....
Can't believe how many times I've come to Chicago and have never gothttp://www.yelp.com/ten involved with Al's Beef. Â
GET IT DIPPED (Don't bother otherwise), load it up with peppers and good luck not getting some on your shirt. Wash it all down with a fountain soda and some of those awesome fries (Cheese 'em up too if you want). Â Combo #5 was what I got. Â
Looking forward to my next run in with Al's Beef
Prepare yourself cause its about to get messy. This is definitely the place to go if you want to get he famous italian beef sandwich when in chicago. I recommend you go for the giardono peppers if you can handle it wince they really add some good eat to the sandwich.
Its a take out place but you might as well eat it there then go home and take a shower. Delicious
Al's Beef is the best place to get a Chicago Italian beef sandwich, and it's been that way for me since I was a kid.
A few suggestions (take them or leave them):
1. If you go, make sure you order your Italian beef sandwich with hot peppers, not sweet, as I have always found the sweet peppers to be rather tasteless.
2. Have it dipped in the juice. Yes, it makes for an incredibly sloppy sandwich, and I confess to sometimes using a fork, but it is really so, so good.
3. Don't worry about getting messy (because you will); just be sure to stock up on napkins.
4. Forget about your diet for the time being, because you know you already cheated on your diet the moment you stepped inside. You don't go to a fast-food restaurant and order a salad. Who does that?! Just enjoy!
3.5 stars.
Had to try an Italian beef sandwich while in Chi -- Al's serves a satisfying one. Â Tons of thinly sliced juicy beef that is drenched in a tub of oily beef broth goodness. Â I ordered one with both hot and sweet peppers. Â Get plenty of napkins because you'll need them, this sandwich gets messy. Â Unfortunately they don't have any public bathroom here so you can wash your hands afterwards.
I honestly didn't expect too much from this place. I wondered....how good could a roast beef sandwich possibly be? Â
But the sandwich was probably one of the best surprises of my trip. Â When you get their 9" Al's beef, you get a ton of meat piled upon a hoagie with provolone cheese. Â They dip it into a vat of beef broth for awesome flavor. Â They give you a choice of hot or sweet peppers. Â If you can..get both. Â The spicy peppers give a nice depth that separates it from a French dip sandwich.
You could also ask to add an Italian sausage to your sandwich, but I don't feel like this adds anything to the flavor. Â Don't expect a gourmet sandwich. Â This is just great dirty food. Â Make no mistake: this is the best post-bar eats.
This is a pretty interesting spot. The local is great since it's close to majority of spots in Downtown Chi town. The interior has more left ot be desired but the food is what really counts here. The beef is really really tender. The hot peppers are definately interesting. It comprises more on celery than peppers imo. The bread is good to. After eating the italian beef sandwhich I wished it had a little more salt and a tad less oil.
It goes down really smooth for that fact though and is easy to eat. It's definitely a little on the messy side but it is overall a great sandwhich and something I could only find in Chicago compared to Los angeles.
It's something I would definately come back for again and again. An overall great italian sandwhich spot.
I love this place! I absolutely must eat this after a crazy night out. Make that Italian beef spicy please! I have to pay extra for that? No problem. Drool.... Â Ever since discovering this place, I have not touched a single Italian beef sandwich from Portillos.
I generally don't like my food GREASY, but this is irresistible. The very first time I came here, my boyfriend and I decided to share one. Lets say there wasn't much sharing going on. I think I ate the whole thing. OOPS. =p
Must try!
I was here but did not personally eat..the bf did. He had a hotdog and really really liked it. It was flavorful!
This place is super convenient when you are going the clubs near by...whether hungry beforehand or after you can come in fill up on yummy beef to soak up the booziness ;-). Don't get me wrong people of all ages were here, and everyone obviously enjoying the food!
The place has a cool location, on a corner, and it is very very small, but has a cool atmosphere inside (kind of like a college town late night eatery)
My only complaints: no bathroom, and I felt like I left smelling like fried beef (bad ventilation)...not a sexy smell to come to a club with hehehe.
I was always a Mister Beef Guy...that is where my parents always took me. Â In fact, I never got beef sandwiches anywhere else.
I remember introducing my wife to Mister Beef and she wasn't impressed. Then I remember a night of drinking and us splitting an Al's large Beef with hot giardinera on it. Â As we ate it I think we both fell in love...with Al and his amazing sandwich.
Living here my whole life I have many experiences but this is one thing I will always share with my wife. Â In fact, we have split a few more. Â I am never taking her here sober because I don't want to lose the magic. Â
This place is open late and delivers when you need to fill that void in your stomach.
I'm sorry Mister Beef...I had no idea AL was so good. Â I've officially broken up with you. Â We had some good times and you were good for me in my younger years but I'm all grown up now. Â Al don't ever change!
Oh yeah they also have a drive thru here too...I think it might have been the first drive thru that was every created. Â Just kidding! Â If you live in Chicago or are just visiting then make sure you swing by for an incredible sandwich...your heart will thank you...again I am just kidding...please consult with a doctor before eating such yummy food!!!
I have no doubt that Al's is the best Italian Beef in Chicago. Why do I say this? Because I've actually attempted to make a "gourmet" version of the sandwich, with USDA Prime roast beef, artisan rolls, gardiniera and jus straight from the oven. And as you might expect, Al's was better.
I don't think you can approximate the flavor of a rich au jus, simmering in pounds of tender, thinly sliced beef. Their hot giardiniera is packed with heat and leaves your lips tingling. For all the drippings, it's a lean sandwich with no gristle or sinew. Somehow the wet, chewy roll is able to hold it all in.
I know there's other items on the menu, but why order anything else? I hope their new Las Vegas chain keeps up the standards, because I'm in driving distance of another fleshy catharsis.
A Chicago classic.
Al's has awesome old school Itallian Beef and one of the best fries in the city. Â Their beef gravy is seasoned perfectly and has great flavor. Â The beef is lean and shaved into small pieces. Â Together the beef and fries satisfies any meat and potato craving. Â For about $10 you get an awesome, consistently good quality meal. Â
And the guys that work here are very nice.
Thank you to the man working behind the counter at this location for making my first Chicago "Italian Beef Experience" a fantastic one. Â I met up with a friend that had just moved into the city while I was there on business (we're both from the L.A. area) and neither of us knew the amazingness we had been missing out on.
We asked the guy taking our order what he suggested since we had no idea how to order... dipped?...sweet peppers or hot pepper?  His suggestion was Dipped with Sweet  Peppers.  It was crazy delicious.  I will be visiting an Al's Beef location every time I am in Chicago!  Yummy!!!
Also - this location is great. Â You can tell it has been around for a while and has a modest dining area. Â Great for people watching too :)
Personally, I thought this sandwich was amazing. Â My boyfriend and I split a big one, with hot peppers, dipped (of course) - plus an order of fries. Â The fries were just OK, but the sandwich... my god. Â I f***ed that sandwich.
We sat outside with my little dog and marveled at our amazing existence, in this great little city. Â It's places like these that make me realize just how awesome my life is.
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