Al's Beef
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Pretty good Italian beef. Meat was good quality and good ratio. The giardinera was a bit weird and tasted different. Definitely feels more commercialized inside but it is very clean and has nice indoor seating. This was my last pick since I liked Johnnie's beef and mr beef more. Service was quicker at the other spots.
Service was super quick and the meal came out hot and in under ten minutes. The food was delicious and hit the spot for a quick lunch. Ambiance was nice, nothing crazy but nothing special.
Al's did not disappoint! I got the Italian beef dipped with sweet peppers and fries. The beef was tender, flavorful, and perfectly juicy; the sandwich was good. The fries were also really good. It's counter order service or a kiosk. My food came out really fast, even with a line, which I appreciated. It's a grab-and-go or sit-and-eat revolving atmosphere. Definitely another must-try in Chicago, and I'll come back next time I visit!
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.
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.
First time trying Italian beef and it was just alright. In my head, I was expecting it to taste as tender as porchetta. Yes, I know that is pork. But the beef was more like the steak in cheesesteaks. One other thing to note about this location is that there appears to be a 3% surcharge when paying by card, which I was not aware of before ordering.
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!
This Italian beef sandwich was amazing!! It was juicy and delicious. Be prepared to get your hands messy! The peppers, provolone cheese, and giardiniera complemented this sandwich very well. Since this is was my first time, the cashier took the time to explain the menu and gave his own recommendations. This location is right smack in river north area so there is plenty to do afterwards. Definitely would recommend!
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.
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
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!
Classic! Place to come for real Chicago food. I like mine with provolone and hot giardiniera. Quick and friendly, Chicago institution
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.
Husband and I were visiting and had a Chicago food bucket list (obviously). Al's was on it for the Italian Beef sandwich and lucked out with the added bonus of being able to cross off the Chicago Dog as well. Husband was absolutely in love with the beef sandwich and proclaimed he could eat it everyday. A must visit. Just be sure grab a mittful of napkins. read more
7 days ago
Pretty good Italian beef. Meat was good quality and good ratio. The giardinera was a bit weird and tasted different. Definitely feels more commercialized inside but it is very clean and has nice indoor seating. This was my last pick since I liked Johnnie's beef and mr beef more. Service was quicker at the other spots. read more
1 month ago
Al's did not disappoint! I got the Italian beef dipped with sweet peppers and fries. The beef was tender, flavorful, and perfectly juicy; the sandwich was good. The fries were also really good. It's counter order service or a kiosk. My food came out really fast, even with a line, which I appreciated. It's a grab-and-go or sit-and-eat revolving atmosphere. Definitely another must-try in Chicago, and I'll come back next time I visit! read more
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
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
First time trying Italian beef and it was just alright. In my head, I was expecting it to taste as tender as porchetta. Yes, I know that is pork. But the beef was more like the steak in cheesesteaks. One other thing to note about this location is that there appears to be a 3% surcharge when paying by card, which I was not aware of before ordering. read more
3 months ago
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
20 days ago
This Italian beef sandwich was amazing!! It was juicy and delicious. Be prepared to get your hands messy! The peppers, provolone cheese, and giardiniera complemented this sandwich very well. Since this is was my first time, the cashier took the time to explain the menu and gave his own recommendations. This location is right smack in river north area so there is plenty to do afterwards. Definitely would recommend! read more
3 months ago
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
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
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
20 days ago
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
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
15 days ago
I love Al's beef so much. Every time I come to the Chi I must go! I wish we had one in NYC lol. read more
26 days ago
1 month ago
3 months ago
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
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
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
8 months ago
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
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
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
5 months ago
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
6 months ago
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
1 year ago
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
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
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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Al's Beef - sandwiches - Updated November 2026
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