First time in Chicago and have been wanting to try an Italian dipped beef sandwich. To my surprise, I consider this one of the best meals I've had thus far on my trip. Went on a rainy Saturday afternoon with the queue out the door but was moving at a good pace. Staff was friendly and food came out very quickly, a key trait of a well ran establishment. I got the regular beef sandwich with sweet and spicy peppers, and a side of fries. I love that the sandwich was soggy but held itself together, and the flavor was amazing in itself as well. Definitely coming back here when I find myself back in Chicago! read more

Al's Beef - Regular Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came to Al's because it's Chicago and I've never tried a beef steak. I the restaurant has counter service and you get your food quickly. The cashier was friendly and helpful. Here's what I had: got it traditional beef steak, wet with peppers and onions with no cheese. Overall it was good, kind of like a French dip sandwich, but with no Ajou sauce only dipped and given to you so it's wet. It was kind of messy and a cool experience. read more

This place turns around orders like there is no tomorrow. The Italian beef looks plain but it was so good. Super thin and tender slices of beef. The burger was pretty good but I don't know if it's something I would try again. Good but it's a burger I can get at a burger spot. Fries were good enough. Kids loved it and it was filling but doesn't really stand out. I would come back for the beef sandwich. read more

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It was Friday night, and I was running solo this evening on my visit to Chicago. I decided I wanted something unique to Chicago that I couldn't have back home. I saw Al's beef was a half mile away, and I'd heard of them before. I was greeted as soon as I walked in. The cashier informed me the traditional way is dipped with both peppers. I decided to go dipped with cheese, as I wasn't feeling peppers. I also ordered a small fry. Food came out within 5 minutes, and I had to dive in. The beef had a lot of flavor. It had a slight kick to it, but they definitely season the juice very very well. It was delicious. The fries were good but could have been crispier. I did enjoy that they were different than a standard fry. Overall I'm very glad I tried this place out. read more

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This spot was highly rated by a friend of a friend for some authentic Italian beef sandwiches so of course we went. There was a very long line out front but you can avoid the craziness and order online. Just make sure you have the right location. They work extremely quick and within 5 minutes we had all of our food. The restaurant was as expected and the food was also very good. Don't expect anything fancy but the service was okay and it was relatively clean and kept up despite how busy they got. It had an old school vibe with a very busy and loud environment to match. Highly recommend checking them out read more

Al's Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Classic! Place to come for real Chicago food. I like mine with provolone and hot giardiniera. Quick and friendly, Chicago institution read more

Al's Beef - Big Beef with hot giardeniera - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Talk about over indulging! Make sure you walk here and walk home, your stomach will thank you. Best place to get a Chicago dogs, Chili Cheese dogs and the famous Al's Beef Sandwich. Fries were a hit too! Definitely a must and add this to your list for Chicago Eats. It's an order at the register and find a table dining experience. Food is prepared pretty quickly and people are in and out! read more

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Holy sandwich..... Had been to a different location years ago, but saw this was a 5 minute walk from my hotel and had to go. Spot was super cute. Staff was also incredibly friendly. There was a girl in front of me asking for guidance on what to order, since she was coming from out of town, and he helped perfect her order, and I followed suit, with both peppers and wet. So good. Juicy, good portion of meat, and great flavor. Will be back. read more

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Brought my partner here to try Chicago's classic italian beef sandwich at Al's and it did not disappoint! We got the hot giardinara on the side since we don't eat too spicy typically, but it wasn't very spicy at all! Quick and friendly service. Definitely recommend the sandwich dipped! read more

Al's Beef - Regular Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There's Chicago dogs and Chicago pizza,... and then there's Italian beef. The three staples of Chicago tourist must-eat cheap-eats. Al's Italian beef always just hits the spot! Fast service, friendly, and always busy. Ordering tip: regular beef, dipped, with peppers and giardiniera, cut in half. Be ready with lots of napkins! read more

One of Chicago's most renowned Italian Beef Sandwiches, originating in 1938. A special trip to try it, and it was truly satisfying. Regular Combo: A combination of beef and sausage. The meat portion was very generous; the beef was thinly sliced ​​but juicy and not dry or hard at all; the sausage had a rich smoky flavor, not too salty, and tastes a lot like Harbin red sausage. Al's Classic Hand-Cut Fries: They were piping hot when I received them, so touching! I couldn't taste the hand-cut texture, but there was a spice powder similar to salt and pepper, and the flavor was quite good. read more

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We finally made it to Al's Beef. The beef was really good. I like mine dipped and it held up pretty well. I also had an order of fries which were very good. If you are in the area, it is definitely worth doing by here. read more

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Really great... The beef of their italian beef had a nice (black) pepperiness to it, and the hot and sweet peppers were balanced. We didn't order it wet but it was plenty juicy. Their chicago dog was good too. Well worth the visit. read more

Really good italian beef! I see why people recommend this spot. Staff was super nice and our food came out quickly. I highly recommend the spicy giardiniera. The chicago dog was delicious as well! I have had better italian beef sandwiches in the city, but this is a solid spot. read more

Al's Beef - Regular Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Perfect order!! My Italian beef was dipped with peppers (which is the only and best way to eat it). It was wet but not sloppy. The fries taste just like I remember from my childhood. I will definitely be back at this location. read more

Al's Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

3-ish stars rounded up. The roast beef was a little on the dry-stringy side but the bread was spongy-soft (absorbed the beef drippings so well!). Kinda skimpy on the fixings on the Chicago dog, but still gets the job done if you're craving a Chicago dog. Fries are the type that are greasy to the touch; not my fave style of fries but I know it's a well-liked one to others. Super friendly lady at the cashier (all smiles, patient, and offered menu help)! Also fast service (got my order within a few minutes). I visited on a Saturday late afternoon and it was very chill here (also shoutout to the early 2000's era music playing :p it was a vibe). Overall I'd say it's not a bad food spot at all if you want a quick bite and want to be a little away from the Magnificent Mile crowds. read more

Good Italian beef. Better than Portillo's. Got it dry and loved the sauce on the side. 7/10. Didn't know it came with nothing on it so next time I'll probably add some spicy giardiniera. Service was great I ordered it for pickup and they were kind. read more

Al's Beef - Vibe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Place was popping and people were looking for something to warm up their bellies for that cold day in Chicago. I got the Italian Sausage with beef, extra dipped and fries. This was my first time trying one of these in Chicago and I must say, I'm glad I picked it. Super juicy, fries were perfectly crispy and crunchy. The dog combo extra dipped was out of this world ( from an Cali perspective haha), id definitely try it again. I also added the sweet peppers, nice touch read more

Al's Beef - Beef Italian dip dip with sweet peppers - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Recently stopped by Al's Beef on a late Friday night and had a great first experience. It wasn't too busy, which made for an easy visit. Since it was our first time, we used the self-serve kiosk to browse photos of the menu and decided on a dipped Italian beef with provolone and giardiniera, plus a side of chili cheese fries. The food came out quick and fresh. The Italian beef was the star! Juicy from the dip, loaded with tender, flavorful beef, and perfectly balanced with that slightly zesty, tangy kick from the giardiniera. Pro tip: eat it standing and leaning forward like the mural on the wall suggests, unless you want those delicious juices all over yourself. The chili cheese fries were generously loaded, though I wish the fries themselves were a bit crispier. Still satisfying, just not quite as crunchy as I expected. Overall, a solid spot for an authentic Italian beef and one I'd gladly come back to. read more

Al's Beef - Dipped Italian Beef with Provolone and Giardiniera - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great delicious and easy to order beef sandwich. Best fries I have had and add cheese it made it made it even more delicious. read more

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If you're frequent on food tv channels, you'll likely have seen a show that's showcased Al's Beef. While waiting around for a spot at the bar at Bavette's which was nearly impossible for a Friday night, I noticed Al's was a few blocks. Figured while in town, might was well try this iconic eatery. Al's known for Italian beef which I've never had. Closest thing I've had is a French Dip. Had a big Italian beef sandwich and instantly became a fan. The thinly sliced beef has a lot of flavor since it's marinated in its jus. It's not too salty and I added provolone and sweet peppers. Came here twice while in town and second time around, I got the gravy on the side. The first time, the bread was soaked and the bread fell apart towards the end. Good quick eats. Worth a try. read more

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This location is nice. The other one I went to near the university was sort of dumpy. Not sure if this is new, but it's small inside and there was a line when we went. We ordered and waited for someone to leave and got their table. Maybe like a 5 minute wait on a Saturday afternoon. I got the regular beef, added the hot giardiniera and dipped it. It was good but super messy. Lots of beef. I like me a good beefy sandwich. Not a sandwich you can take to go, need to eat it hot and sit down since it gets messy. read more

Al's Beef - Regular Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great Italian beef sandwich, service was great and food came out quickly. Sandwich was kind of bland in my opinion but I think next time I'll get it dipped in gravy. Will definitely be back! read more

Al's Beef - Regular Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A lot of times you go to these iconic spots and they don't live up to the hype. This is not one of those spots. Krystal took our order with a smile, as she would with any tourist or regular. Our regular beef with hot and sweet peppers, soaked, sandwiches were ready in a few minutes and we scarfed them down immediately. The beef was hot and flavorful and the bread was wonderfully soft and damp. The first taste almost hits a bit salty, but your tastebuds reset with a few more bites and you get the layers of flavor from the juice and heat from the peppers. And I don't know how, but all that sloppy, juicy goodness never bleeds through the wrapper, onto the table. Brilliant! read more

Al's Beef - Regular beef, soaked, with sweet and hot peppers - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

About the most disgusting place I've had in a while. The service was not good but in terms of health this place needs an investigation! I'm making sure toreport this place. read more

Walked in the rain to get here and it was worth it! I got a beef sandwich and cheese fries and both were delicious! I'm used to portillos in California, and this blew it away! I considered trying the original portillos while I I was here visiting but didn't get the opportunity. Please open in California! read more

Al's Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came to Al's Beef based on the recommendation of my friends from Chicago. After all, I can't come to Chicago and not get an Italian beef and a Chicago-style hot dog! Since I was visiting from out-of-town, no question that I was gonna get both a beef and a hot dog. Ordered a regular Beef & Sausage Combo and a Chicago Style Dog. The beef and sausage was...truly fantastic! Got it dipped and it was as meaty as I had hoped for. Very very tasty! The Chicago Style Dog was exactly what I expected. The pickle, tomatoes and mustard complement the beef really well. Staff here are great. They move really fast, which mattered as the line got super long after we got here. Food came out within 10 minutes. Super quick! Al's Beef really knows what it's doing! Ended up getting a Polish sausage to-go a few days later, and that didn't disappoint either! Super super good. read more

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Review for the out of towners: Solid spot. Came here and order the big version of the pork and beef sandwich. I thought I overheard the smaller one was 5" and the larger one was 7". I ordered the larger one and since it was pork and beef it came as a link of well grilled pork sausage topped with the specialty beef. The beef is so prevalent that I thought it was just going to be grounded pork mixed in but hidden underneath the beef was the sausage. I also got the hot gardiniera which made the sandwhich a bit wet on top. IMO adds a bunch of flavor. Great location, served very quick, and nice interior. The only thing that knocks it down to four starts is the size of the sandwich and price compared to the more notable place up the street. read more

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Very, very impressed!! I'm not much into roast beef sandwiches, and yet absolutely loved this Chicago staple upon trying!! Al's Beef is one of those 'must visit' food spots for Chicago visitors - at least that's what I found in my pre-visit research (or just Chicago's Italian beef sandwiches in general). I admittedly wasn't super excited, as like I said, I don't care a ton about roast beef or roast beef sandwiches. But alas, I've never had a Chicago version before, and it's one of their staples, so I decided it was worth a try.... ...and glad I am that I did!!! We got our regular beef sandwich in the 'wet' style where I guess the whole thing is dipped, and we also added some sweet peppers and provolone cheese to it. The price was quite reasonable, just under $10 for the regular. Upon trying, I was met with a wave of 'WOW'! The mix that's used for the beef and the dip they put the sandwich in really do taste great!! I was also pleasantly surprised that it didn't seem too soggy for eating, which is something I was a bit fearful of for the 'wet style'. Honestly, everything on the sandwich went together just right and created a real subtle but also noticeable mixture of flavors! The fries were also perfectly crispy/crunchy on the outside and deliciously hot, mushy, and soft inside. I was very impressed with these sandwiches, and definitely think it's worth a visit while in Chicago - even if you're not a huge meat eater/roast beef person! read more

Al's Beef - Small Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After some late night drinking. I came here on a whim to grab something and line my stomach before bed. Great choice. Got here 10 minutes before closing on Thursday night. 4 people were here as they were winding down. There were about 10 people working still. Which meant my food came out super quick and delicious. From order to in my hands was about 8 minutes. I took my order to go. When I arrived I told them that it was my first time and he said "don't worry. I gotchu" and picked the roast beef sandwich dipped and made it spicy. It came out just how I liked it. I would absolutely come back again and I'd suggest to everyone to get it dipped. Meaning get it dipped in their sauce which just made it juicier. Plenty of seating for about 50 people I would say. They have a bunch of different food options but most of them hoovered around 10 dollars. read more

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First time in Chicago so I had to try the national sandwich of Chicago! Al's beef has been serving up Italian Beef sandwiches since 1938. They have won several awards for their sandwiches and are said to have the best Italian Beef in Chicago. With all this being said, this was certainly a must eat on my trip! Their menu consists of their famous Italian beef, along with Chicago dogs, burgers, sausage sandwiches, chicken, and fries. There is definitely something for everyone here. The inside is casual and reminiscent of a fast food eatery. Really liked the yellow accents throughout the restaurant. I will also note that it was extremely clean inside, which is always appreciated. Ordering is simple and they will call your ticket number when your food is ready. All the food is served made to order and very fresh and doesn't take too long to come out! I ordered the Regular Beef, wet, with both hot and spicy peppers per the workers suggestion. Ordering the sandwich wet simply means the bread is dunked in the gravy/aus jus. If you want the real deal, this is how you order it. The peppers are optional as well, but complete the sandwich. The sandwich consists of their famous Italian beef roasted and sliced, served on freshly baked French bread. I can see why this sandwich is so highly regarded. The Italian beef that is made in house each day is tender, flavorful, and just perfect! It isn't chewy or tough either. The sweet and spicy peppers paired nicely with the savory beef. And the fresh French bread covered in the gravy--phenomenal! The gravy adds a lot of flavor to the sandwich. You do have to eat it quickly, otherwise the bread will fall apart, oh but it is so worth it. I got fries with a side of cheese sauce to go with the sandwich. By far some of the best fries I've had. Not super crispy, but not soggy either, the texture was just right. They were salted perfectly and dipping them in their velvety cheese sauce was a treat! A regular sub is roughly 6 inches and quite filling. The sandwiches are stuffed with ample amounts of beef. The price is also excellent considering how much you get. Overall, I would say Al's Beef lived up to all its praise. My sandwich was very memorable and was like nothing I'd had before. Everything is so fresh, between their beef, bread, and fries, it is all made in house. This isn't just some fast food spot, it is an institution. I was impressed with everything I ordered, especially the fries. They take a lot of pride in what they serve. This is evident in their customer service. If you are visiting Chicago, don't think, just go--you won't regret it! read more

Al's Beef - Regular Beef with Fries and cheese sauce on the side - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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(Kari's Rating 6.5/10) Finally made my way out here and it was alright. My go to is normally Portillo's Italian beef, but I wanted to change it up. It's a little stop in place and they have a pretty small seating area, but I went on a day where it wasn't super crowded. Beef was pretty typical, I think I enjoyed the gravy seasoning more on this one over Portillo's, but I did like Portillo's spicy and sweet peppers a little bit better. I don't like my bread, saggy, so I was able to get the dipping gravy on the side. Service is pretty quick as it's just a small sit down place. It wasn't too loud, so you could have a conversation with the person next to you, but I imagine it would be much louder if you went on a Friday or Saturday night. I probably wouldn't stop in again but it's a nice place to go to. If you have people from out of town they don't wanna go to Portillo's. read more

We were tourists but HOLY CRAP best Italian beef I've had out of the five or so I've eaten in my life. I was delighted. The wait was short. And the dipped version is FAR superior, trust me. read more

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Credit where credits due, Portillos put me onto Chicago Italian beef sandwiches. So when I heard that Als is OG, I had to check them out! Fantastic. I ordered the big beef and to my surprise (and mild self loathing), I felt like I could inhaled another one. The beef is moist and succulent and the peppers on top are a must. I will say Portillos holds its own against Al's in terms of flavor, but don't sleep on Al's at all. Check them out! read more

Al's Beef - Big Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

wowza. I needed that. the polish dog was alright but that burger... it was like that scene in ratatouille when ego is taken back to his childhood. so delicious. every one of my tastebuds were titillated and delighted. I savored every bight. she was a sloppy experience with a handful of napkins needed but that's how you know she was a goooood burger read more

Al's Beef - Chicago Polish & Cheeseburger - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

"You've gotta try Al's," my marketing guy would tell me every time we were in Chicago for the past three years. So finally, on a crummy, rainy, Spring day, I walked a half mile to Al's in downtown and it was absolutely worth it! Ordering is probably easier when you speak the language of beef sandwiches. I'm not fluent, so it took me a second to work out what I wanted. I went with the wet Italian beef and fries and I was NOT disappointed. Food comes out reasonably quickly. You're going to wait a few minutes during the lunch rush, but it's not bad at all. Oh, and PLEASE listen for your number. The space isn't very large. Seats aren't too plentiful, but you can definitely grab a spot if you keep your eyes open. The food is coming in a bag, so you can also get it to go. Service is brisk, but not as brusk as I thought it might be. Overall, I would definitely go back! read more

Al's Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I know everyone in chicago has their favorite italian beef place and many may say that its not actually the more well know places like Al's, Mr.Beef or Portillos. Honestly as a non-local my palate is probably not sophisticated enough to really decern between the different chains. Since Mr Beef wasnt open when during the times i was able to get there and we already have Portillos in CA, I wanted to try Al's so that i could say that I did. Overall i thought it was a good sandwich and i liked the fact that i could order the sandwich dry with a side of Jus which made it easier for me to transport it back to my hotel to enjoy. I will say that i did like the spices in the jus which really made the sandwich, you definitely got that beefy flavor. Overall it was exactly what i was expecting and i would probably recommend it to anyone who is a tourist visiting chicago. Also dont forget to order the sandwich with sweet and hot peppers. That was something i forgot to do, which i always do when i go to Portillos. read more

Oh wow, I was not expecting to be so impressed with this place because how good can beef sandwich be? Let me tell you... First, I don't eat bread or fries often, so I'm quite picky when I do. The fries were hot, fresh, perfectly salted, and a great combination of crunchy and soft. I don't like when all of my fries are crunchy or they are all soft. Yeah, it might be a bit weird, but that's just my style. The beef dipped sandwich w/sweet peppers and cheddar cheese was fire! Super juicy, perfectly flavored (not too salty) even with the cheese, and the meat melted in my mouth. I'm going to visit this place once more before leaving Chicago - ok maybe twice! I waited less than 10 min around 145pm. So delicious, and less than $15! TIP: Women, even if they tell you that the bathroom is open and to go in it they will still give the key to someone else. Someone popped in on me while I was using the restroom but thank goodness I was only washing my hands. That's the only reason I took off a star. read more

Stopped here for lunch with a local friend, and the famed Italian beef lived up to its reputation! I had the combo which came with fries and a drink. For around $18, it was a good value for the amount of food. There's limited barstool seating, but it seemed most people carried out. Also, for those who haven't tried it before, this place is cash only. Will definitely stop again on my next visit to Chicago. read more

Love the sandwiches here. I had never had an Italian beef sandwich before Al's, and I'm afraid it may have ruined me for others. Deeeelish. We came in for an early dinner and the spot was very lightly busy. No line, and we got our food super fast. We got the medium size sandwich traditional, with the sweet and spicy peppers. I got mine dipped all the way through and my wife tried it with just the meat dipped. The flavor was terrific and it had the perfect kick to it. I was a huge fan of the portion of the meat and the flavor - love it when I get both! For next time, I think I'd maybe skip the dipping of the bread. It can get a little messy. My wife's sandwich was a little less messy, and I'm already a little clumsy on my own, so I think I'd want to reduce the wetness a bit next time. The place was clean and well taken care of. The employees helped with a couple recommendations and steered us right. What more can you ask for? read more