Al's Beef
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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!
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.
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 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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Reviews are largely positive. Many praise the juicy Italian beef sandwiches, fast and friendly service, and fresh, seasoned fries. The space is clean and welcoming.
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6 months ago
7 months ago
2 years ago
The restaurant looked very new and clean, with good - fast service. The price for Italian sandwiches seemed reasonable, but higher than competitors that are also good. The sandwich was very tasty and filling, and required me to use a lot of napkins! (A good sign..) read more
1 year ago
Al's is my favorite place to get an Italian beef. But as a transplant to Chicago I rely on locals to tell me how to truly order a beef. I had a friend visiting and asked our cashier Krystal F. how to properly order a beef. The result was the best beef. I've ever had. I had to shout out Krystal for her superior service with a smile she made my friends visit a highlight of her trip to Chicago. read more
Went for Dinner Food - 5/5. Italian beef sandwich had stacks of thinly sliced beef, which created a layered density that had a delicate yet firm bite. The thinness also helped it soak up the broth, which gave it a savory flavor. It actually reminded me of hot pot, with how the meat was thinly sliced and flavored by broth. The bread soaked up the broth as well, but maintained its structure leading to a nice chew. Peppers gave a vibrant freshness to what would otherwise be stacks of the same flavor. Service - 4/5. Quick and friendly service. Value - 5/5. The regular beef sandwich was loaded with beef and of good size for a price tag of $9. It was delicious and showcased the Italian beef specialty of Chicago. Peppers were only an extra $0.75, which is very reasonable. Excellent spot to experience classic Italian beef. Parking - Street (Metered) read more
3 years ago
Come hungry!! I'm not even joking, you want to work up an appetite to truly enjoy this spot. Bomb.com. The dipped beef was delicious. The broth added a new layer of flavor to the bread and sandwich. Polish dog flavor was unreal. The greasy dog, tangy relish, and seeded bun. Service was quick, despite a line. Fast service is an A+ in my book. Ambiance is rustic and casual. BONUS: all the guys in my group eat a lot and loved this place. A couple shared with their girls friends and ended up ordering another sandwich. Size up if you're sharing hehe read more
Newly obsessed with an Italian beef after being in town for a couple days, this spot was a no brainer. Just like any other place, walk up to the counter and order your food, and get it less than 3 minutes later. All of these places are very fast. Nice amount of seating, very clean restrooms. We just shared a "big beef" dipped, with sweet and hot peppers like we ate every one, and fries. We also got a cookie which was very very delicious. Obviously when the sandwich is dipped it becomes more messy and bread more soggy, but very good nonetheless. Loaded with Italian beef, loaded with peppers and pepper flakes it seemed...this sandwich was incredible! I can say it would've been better with a little less peppers and flakes, but the flavour was still amazing. You can't beat the shredded meat on these sandwiches, and the flavour of the gravy it's soaked in and the peppers is just icing on the cake. The fries were really good also. Again under $30, it's hard to beat these meals personally. My girl and I share a sandwich and fries and we're both happy and not overstuffed. This wasn't the best one I've eaten around the city, but all of them are very closely ranked in my opinion. They can get a little messy, but not too bad which I appreciate. read more
We came here on a Saturday. It was not as busy as we have seen on others pages. But as we ordered it started to get busier. The staff are so nice and friendly. The staff was moping the floors before the big crowd came. They have a menu on the wall bu the cashier and they also have a iPad with the menu. Al's beef offers sausages. So you can opt to have the beef and post sausage together. Or just a hot dog. They also have fries and you can also add topping if you choose. We tried the regular size beef sub with a side of dipping sauce.the roll is so soft and fresh. The dining sauce was a bit salty. But it's like a consome. Similar to dipping a birria taco. The beef slices were so thin, moist and delicious. The regular size is like a 6 in subway roll. If you want to add cheese it's an extra cost. Adding peppers is also extra cost. The sauce was the cheapest at .25 cents. Once we finished we looked to the right side and there was another Al's Italian beef. I would like to come back one day to try the fries or hotdog. read more
This was our fist time here and I have to oh my god!! This sandwich was on fire . It was so freaking delicious. I highly recommend the Chicago style it's a dipped sandwich with peppers. Man I wish they had this in Dallas , TX. I will definitely be back here and the staff was great. Thanks for the recommendation. read more
1 year ago
I traveled from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL with one thing on my mind: I had to try Al's #1 Beef. Featured on an episode of Andrew Zimmern's Delicious Destinations - Chicago (Season 2 Episode 10), I had to try the sandwich that comes with it's own distinct "stance" needed for eating. The guys at Al's did not disappoint. I was dubious about a broth soaked sandwich, but oh Lord - it works. I traveled 2,100 miles to try this sandwich, and I will happily do it again. Stance and all. (I hunched too much, I'll do better next time Al.) read more
3 years ago
First time at Al's Beef... I'll tell you what, it didn't disappoint! Regular Beef ( dipped, hot giardiniera, and provolone) was the perfect combination for every single bite. Just a warning, dipped means the bread is soaking with gravy, but that's what makes every bite so special. The hot giardiniera added just the right amount of heat to take this to the next level. The service is on point and fast! A good amount of seating and kept clean. read more
1 year ago
Amazing authentic Chicago food. Went on Sunday evening no wait asked to order what they order and they delivered read more
2 years ago
Was only visiting for the weekend and needed an Italian beef sandwich and this really hit the spot. I ordered it wet with both hot and sweet peppers. It was pretty messy but really good. The restaurant is big and clean with plenty of tables. I would definitely come back read more
Hubby and I were visiting chicago and one of his friends recommended this place. It was great and food was delicious! would definitely go back here again but with gloves bc it can get really really messy! or maybe it'd be even better if they can provide plastic gloves and or untensils for their customers. read more
1 year ago
Not sure why people say to come here. The beef sandwiches aren't that great. Maybe we just had a bad one. The chicago dog was ok. The cheese burger wasn't good. The only thing good was the loaded fries. Definitely wasn't worth eating. read more
I was excited to try their Italian beef sandwich which looked amazing, but was slightly disappointed. I got the Big Beef sandwich and the bread and beef were quite dry despite ordering it wet. It may also be that I should've ordered it dipped to get a better experience, but the default option seemed to be wet so I went with it. I guess I could advise others to order it dipped for a tastier experience. The sandwich is loaded with thin slices of beef and only beef and I definitely needed more juice in it. I also tried their Chicago Polish dog and that was delicious! It comes on a bed of fries which are decent when paired with the hotdog. Overall a solid spot, but was underwhelmed by the flavor of the sandwich and I would recommend to order it dipped if you don't want a slightly dry sandwich. Service was quick and it can get busy during the lunch hour, but it's worth a try. read more
Being the woman of the people, I had to try what that particular city is known for. I ordered the Chicago dog which is a Vienna Beef hot dog topped with mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers, tomato, pickle spear, celery salt on poppy seed bun & served with fries. It was different but good. The Vienna hot dog was on the skimp side. Nothing too spectacular but it was good. read more
I am not a fan. Happy I tried it. I wanted the all the way sandwich. I should have gotten the sweet peppers instead of the hot peppers. For those of you who love hot, this is for you. Service was prompt, friendly, and fast. Max said the fries were very good. Make sure that if you take an Uber, you mention this location. There is another on the other corner and that one doesn't exist. read more
1 year ago
Easy ordering, quick service and juicy, mouthwatering beef sandwiches! Now they just need to add beer to the menu! read more
3 years ago
When in Chicago, I must have Al's Wet, Hot Peppers, and, Provolone Cheese Italian Beef at least once. Fast and efficient counter service. Spacious with plenty of high tops and tables at this RN location! CHEERS! read more
1 year ago
Never had an Italian beef... only had these ones because they seemed to be absolutely prefect. We were on a road trip from CO and these were recommended by everyone. We obliged and we were blown away. The best sandwich ive ever had. Cheesy dogs were good too!! Great place!! Staff was awesome and very helpful! 10 stars!! read more
1 year ago
I mean I suppose I had low expectations from a late night grub hub delivery to my hotel. I had planned on just a bite or two just to get the Chicago Italian beef in my system. I orderrd heavy on the side with a side of hot giardiniera to balance the delivery. I devoured the whole thing while texting all of my friends about it. I can't place the flavor. Garlicky with roasted sausage and vegetables vibe? Anyway. Just do it! read more
3 years ago
The food is pretty much the same as when I was a kid, but the experience is different. It feels more like an Al's Beef themed restaurant if that makes any sense. Service is quick, but don't expect any order adjustment suggestions to maximize your value. Tasty, but there are better options. read more
It was easy to order, and they had the option to order on a machine. Though honestly, so it was a bit awkward knowing a cashier could be watching me choose a machine instead. The place was clean and the food was good! Honestly, it was so good my husband and I had seconds of certain things! Really happy overall, just kind of seemed empty of an ambiance. read more
Our first meal in the Windy City was at Al's beef. We ordered our sandwiches wet, which was moist but not soggy. The beef was thinly sliced and didn't get stuck in my teeth like I was worried it might. I added provolone cheese and sweet peppers which were just a little bit of added texture to the soft beef. Hubby loved the Chicago dog which was absolutely covered in the requisite toppings. The fries were cooked with some being droopy (just like I like them) and some being super crispy. Overall, Al's is a perfect introduction to classic Chicago eats. read more
3 years ago
My friends and I went on a weiner frenzy while were in the city and my favorite one was from this place! We all ordered something different. Our orders consisted of one polish dog with everything on top, one dipped beef hot dog, and two Italian beef sandwiches with hot peppers. We arrived around 10pm and it wasn't too busy. We quickly ordered and found a table right away. The employee taking orders was very friendly and fast. Food was made in a timely manner and we dug in. The polish dog and Italian beef sandwiches left us speechless. They were so gooooood! The beef was thinly sliced and there was more then enough on the bread. It had so much flavor and the dip it came with was the cherry on top. The polish dog was beyond delicious! Everything it came topped with went well together and it gave us a mouth watering plate. It did get busier as the time went by and a huge group of about 20 people walked in as we were walking out. Please bring a location to Arizona! read more
9 months ago
Burger was very under cooked as far a standard goes . Owner or Manager said thats how they cook them. Fries were food. read more
I've wanted to try the quintessential Italian beef shop in the Chicago area for years and I finally got my wish. I went old school and ordered the Regular beef, dipped, with hot giardeniera. It comes with a slice of warm green pepper which I think is a super-cool touch. My dining partner felt like a Chili cheese dog and these come with fries for $6.99 which is reasonable these days in downtown Chicago. I'm not a big fan of fresh cut fries mostly but these weren't that bad. Fast polite service. Food was good. High top table seating wasn't the most comfortable seating, but I understand that they probably want to get people in and out. I'll be back. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
Amazing! Super nice people working in extremely hot kitchen. Worth the short wait. Came in town for the Red Sox Cubs historic series and welcomed like locals. read more
Note, there's a sign on the corner of Ontario and Wells but this is a closed/older location. This is what caught my eye when I was down the street and then I realized the restaurant is actually down the block on Wells, closer to Ohio. There's not much seating inside, but I grabbed my food to go. The wait wasn't too long for it hmto had been lunch time on a week day. I ordered the big beef (dipped is the only way to go) with peppers and a chili cheese dog. I wasn't expecting the fries when I unwrapped my dig, that was a pleasant surprise. The dog was okay. The toppings were great but the actual hot dog tasted a bit rubbery. The beef though..was fantastic. I love the flavors of Al's beef, it tickles my tongue a little more than Portillo's does with the spices. I loved tge size of the big beef, I was able to munch on it throughout the day. read more
1 year ago
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Al's Beef - sandwiches - Updated October 2026
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