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

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

In 2018 I went to a different location of Al's and one of the lowlights from my review was something like " It's a shame I had to come all the way to Chicago to get the worst Italian beef sandwich I've ever had." This review is at the opposite end of the spectrum. I got a regular beef, dipped and it was everything an Italian beef should be. Thin and tender meat, flavorful gravy, great bread that soaked it up, but stayed intact. I regret not getting a big or a jumbo version, but it was mid afternoon and I wasn't sure what dinner plans would be tonight so didn't wanna be stuffed. I'm trying to figure out now if there's any way I can get back before my flight leaves later in the week! read more

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

I was visiting a friend and wanted to stop at one of the iconic Italian beef shops and there was an Al's location around the block from the hotel. We decided to pick up a sandwich to go for a late night snack. The counter service was quick but definitely a little chaotic given the late night. I was shocked by how packed the sandwich was, it was super dense with meat!! We got it wet with giardinera but i think we should've gotten cheese too and maybe even the whole sandwich dipped. It felt a little bland to me. I'd try it again, just with a different order next time! read more

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

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

According to my husband - who is an expert when it comes to beef sandwiches, this is one of the best. This location is right in the heart of the city and was abuzz with activities. Fries are top notch and the atmosphere made this Chi Town native feel right at home. read more

We wanted an Italian beef sandwich and one of the best is Al's. We walked in and you need to go to the other side to order, but the line moved quickly and we got our food in under 10 minutes, from ordering to picking it up. Nice quick sit down place with great food! read more

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First time having a Chicago beef and this was a good first experience!! We got it dry with the gravy on the side to keep it a little cleaner since we were splitting the sandwich. We used the whole container of gravy and probably could've had more. Added the perfect amount of juice to help get all that meat down lol. The fries were fried fresh and reminded me of Five Guys but better. Super cute place and loved sitting at the window and people watching. read more

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

food: it was fine, filling but not a ton of flavor imo. definitely need to order again and add cheese service: na got delivery ambiance: na read more

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

Excellent. Better than a beef I had elsewhere. I ordered this one wet. I wish I had ordered hot peppers rather than sweet. Clean, bright location. Staff was friendly. read more

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No other purveyor of a 'beef' is more ubiquitous than Al's. Yet no other purveyor of a "beef" will disappoint you more than Al's. It's not so much that the stewed meat inside your sandwich is overcooked and resembling sawdust; nor is it the fact that the giardiniere costs extra and is more bland than public radio; nor is it even the pictures of long forgotten food celebs on the wall gaslighting you as to the gloriousness of an Al's beef; but it is all these things, the gestalt of awfulness that makes you wish you had just said no. Of course the judicious among us will not judge the Chicago Italian beef by the subpar version served at Al's. But what about those diners out there, with little in their pockets and less in their brains, who have heard tell of the Italian beef and figure - "hey, this place Al's has a butt-load of locations, that must mean they know what they're doing. Let's give it a try." So the plebes will be let down. They will slander the name of the Italian beef. And they wouldn't have; if Al's was better read more

I went to this place to try their traditional beef sandwich, and it did not disappoint. I ordered the regular size with sweet and spicy chiles, wet but not dipped. The sandwich was very tasty, and the portion was generous. The chiles gave the meat a great balance of flavor and just the right kick. There was no line, and the food came out quickly. Overall, a solid and satisfying beef sandwich. read more

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First time eating an Italian Beef sandwich in Chicago as we went on a foodie tour. Best sandwich ever...:) This is a must try when you are in Chicago. read more

Being a first timer in Chicago, trying the Italian beef here is a no brainer. I ordered the regular beef one with everything on it. I got the meat dipped but not the whole sandwich. The result was a pretty wet food, so I was glad I didn't get the whole thing dipped. One thing I didn't like was that they didn't inform that the toppings they as was going to cost more. Not a problem for me but would've been great for people that are mindful at spending. The beef was really juicy with the pepper complimenting it pretty well. It did have a kick to it, but it was fine to me. We got a side order of fries and I thought it was big and crispy! Overall, it was a great introduction food to Chicago and definitely woke me up after that long flight. read more

Delicious beef. Different from Buona Beef. Their French fries were spectacular. It was pretty busy when I was there too. That beef... perfection in my mind. Had a different flavor and was so good i could not "believe I ate the whole thing" as the old commercial went. I ate the fries on the way home. Those things were so good, there were none left by the time I actually got home! Can't wait to return! Yummy! read more

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We were visiting Chicago and I wanted to have Al's. Ive had it once when they had a shop in Dallas but its been a long time. We took the train from the lop and walked about 3-4 minutes to this location in River North. I ordered a big beef with hot pepers and it was good. Pretty spicy actually. I enjoyed my sandwich but to be honest I prefer portillos beefs. read more

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

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We just HAD to try the famous Al's beef, as it was recommended to us from our friends! We got them 'dipped', or you can have them 'dry'. The dipped version was flavorful and a lot of fun to eat, but very messy! The cheese fries were hot a gooey. This is a great stop for lunch or dinner if you're in Chi-Town! read more

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Came here to try some of Chicago's iconic foods! Big Beef - my first beef sandwich and WOW! I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but I couldn't put this down. I wasn't expecting it to be so rich and full of flavor. Bonus points for the bread soaking up the soupy sauce! Be warned this will be a messier eating experience. Chicago Dog - my first Chicago dog! To be honest, to me it tasted like a hamburger except sub the bread for a hotdog bun, sub the patty for a hotdog, and don't add ketchup. So glad I tried this, though! Super friendly staff and plenty of seating! Diner vibes in there. read more

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

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Smiley staff location n bath was clean Beef was juicy bread was great good fries A MUST read more

I'm a tourist and I haven't tried Mr. Beef, so take my review with a grain of salt. I came here because I had to have an italian beef in Chi-town and Mr. Beef closes at 4:30 on weekdays. For those of you from out of town, Italian beef is a Chicago staple. It's like their version of a french-dip. They take roasted beef in a bollilo and they'll either pour gravy over your sandwich or dunk it. I was told that the traditional way is to dunk it, so that's what I did. It's not a pretty sandwich, but the sandwich is pretty tasty. It's messy, so you'll need a bunch of napkins, but the au jus gives an undeniable juiciness. I got it with sweet peppers and spicy giardinera and I'd recommend that you do the same. I feel that this is something that you absolutely have to have if you come to Chicago. I'm told that Mr. Beef is awesome, but Al's Italian beef is also really good! read more

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we had to wait about 20 minutes in line on this Saturday afternoon and ordered our beef sandwiches to go. they absolutely delicious! i got provolone and it was just so good. the bread was soft and fresh and the side of gravy was so delicious and tangy and delectable. also the service was really great- the employee who handed me my sandwich was warm and friendly. excited to get my italian beef sandwich craving fix here moving forward also i was pleasantly surprised as the price was very reasonable as well. it was $10 for a decent sized sandwich, very filling and fresh and delicious. read more

I was kind of underwhelmed by this place. My wife and I stopped by before leaving Chicago and we had such a great Chicago dog at Portillo's down the street that we wanted to try another place! I felt adventurous and opted for the italian beef with sweet pepper but definitely regretted it. She got the Chicago-style hot dog, which tasted alright but I think we both preferred Portillo's to Al's. My beef sandwich was pretty dry. I now see why they recommend the dip because at times it felt like I was eating paper :/. I really wanted to enjoy this place but felt let down based on the reviews and recommendations online. The fries were also stale when we got them so overall just not the best food here but it wasn't the worst either! read more

If you're a fan of beef, this is the place to go! Let's get into it.. Ambiance - Al's Beef is located on a corner and has ample seating inside. This location can accommodate both small or larger groups. The decor was okay, but looked clean and had a good beefy vibe. Service - Al's Beef is deli style, so you order your food at the counter and then return when your order was called. Being a Beef novice, I found the staff's recommendations helpful and they led me to a great experience. Food - I got the regular Beef and while I was wondering if I went too small, I can safely say it was quite filling! I got my Beef dipped with peppers and hot giadineria (sp) and the flavor was outstanding. I grabbed four napkins thinking that'd be enough, but that lasted me maybe half of my sandwich. It's a messy, but glorious, sandwich. Overall, my first foray into Chicago cuisine was a home run and I'm excited to try other local favorites. I would definitely return for another! read more

Al's Beef - Dipped beef with hot giadineria and peppers. Fantastic! - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The BEST meal we had in Chicago! Al's beef is a classic Italian beef spot and it's always packed! But if you order online and then walk in to pick up, it's sooo much faster than waiting in line to order. For my meal I had an Italian beef dipped and with a sweet pepper. It was the perfect amount of flavor and tenderness and I absolutely devoured it. I also had a bite of their hot dog and fries. I think the hot dogs at other places in Chicago are a bit better but I loved how seasoned the fries were! Overall will definitely be recommending this spot to all of my friends. read more

I came here for lunch and was really pleased with my combo sandwich which had both Italian sausage and shaved beef. It was really filling! I shared fries with my family. The soda selection was limited with Pepsi products so I tried the Pepsi zero which was actually decent, as I normally am surrounded by Coke products. Price was affordable and fed the family of four for $60. We used the kiosk to order as there was no line for the kiosk. I like how they have a hand sanitizer by the drink dispensers as the wet sandwiches can get messy. My daughter says that her Italian sausage with cheese sandwich was not warm even though the taste was excellent, so she thought that was strange. Husband liked his regular Italian beef (wet). Son did not like the wet so it would have been better to get him a container with a dipping sauce for his regular Italian beef sandwich which I saw some ladies had for their sandwich. It was $60 for four people which I found reasonable for such a filling meal with an incredible about of protein. read more

This place is a must in Chicago. I shared a big beef and chili cheese fries with my fiancé and that's all we needed. You order then seat yourself, it can be a little hard to get a table but people seem to come and go fairly quickly. It gets busy and I understand why. Another place I want to return next time I'm in Chicago! read more

Al's Beef - Big Beef and Chili Cheese Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mediocre at best. Polish meat was extremely dry. Fries were soggy. Italian beef was nothing special. Ordering process on a kiosk sucks. Go somewhere else. read more

Al's Beef - The Original Depression Polish - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

When we came to Al's Beef for lunch, the line was out the door, and that's when you know the food is going to be delicious! There's a kiosk in the back right corner of the restaurant that not many people seemed to know about. Even after ordering, it was still a decent wait, which was understandable considering how crowded it was. There was some seating inside, but it was super crowded when we went. We just did takeout and ended up eating it somewhere else. We got the Italian beef sandwich, loaded fries with bacon cheese and green onion, and a hot dog Chicago style. All the food was delicious, but my favorite was probably the fries. read more

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

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Italian beef is probably one of my favorite things to get in Chicago, and Al's is the gold standard. Definitely get both the sweet peppers and the giardiniera! read more

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

I'd like to preface that I'm not the biggest carnivore, so if you are I think you'd like this place a lot more. I ordered the diet beef and added the peppers and celery. A peeve of mine is that none of the beef sandwich options come with any sort of vegetable so when you add them on the price just gets quite high; otherwise you just have a not well rounded sandwich in my opinion. The beef with the vegetables was pretty tasty and filling for the time being, but I'm not sure I understand the hype. Some of my friends also mentioned their beef sandwiches being really soggy which may just be the vibe of the sandwich, but it seemed to make it less enjoyable to eat. Service was quick though which was helpful as we were on a bit of a time crunch read more

A Dipped Big Beef with Provolone and Sweet Peppers was as delicious as always. But I only received one Green Pepper in the entire sandwich, which was thoroughly drenched with Meat Gravy. Homemade Cheddar Cheese Fries and Regular Fries were very good but arrived barely warm. Diane observed that her Cheese Dog had a noticeable snap to the Dog. The Cheddar Cheese Dogs were smothered in cheese. Our order was called within five minutes of ordering, but the Fries were clearly not made to order. Nevertheless, they added to the enjoyment of our lunch. read more

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Service was fast and friendly. Place was clean and very bright. Got the big beef and it had really nice flavor. Can I say I'm a fan of Chicago beef? It's good but compared to a Philly cheesesteak it doesn't hold up at all. Now I get that they are both different things, but it seemed to be Chicagos claim to fame as far as a steak sandwich was. I have had a dipped beef at Brennan & Carr in Brooklyn and this is no where near as good. But this was still the best Chicago beef that I had. read more

Al's is mostly known for their Italian beef sandwiches but there are other things you could try out. I only had their Italian beef but it was so good, I had to get it twice in my trip. I'd recommend ordering an Italian beef, dipped and adding hot and sweet peppers. Their sandwiches are very filling, so go when you're hungry. read more

Al's Beef - Italian beef, dipped, hot and sweet - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First time on having chicago italian beef. Al's Beef had made my experience amazing with their clean environment, excellent beef, and outstanding customer service. Highly recommend Al's for anyone, this is a place I would visit more read more

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

The service is excellent. The person taking our order friendly. We placed our order quickly. We got our food in less than five minutes. The food was hot and fresh. My Italian beef with provolone cheese and fries were very tasty. The meal was filling. The place is clean and though busy, wasn't too loud. I'd continue to come Al's anytime I come to Chicago! read more

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

Quick service. Well earned reputation for Italian beef and Chicago style dogs. We simple and straightforward location.

My husband and I stopped in here for lunch on our first day in Chicago bc we wanted to try a hot beef sandwich. While we had high hopes, neither of us loved the sandwich bc it had cinnamon in the dip and we are neither one a fan of cinnamon in savory dishes. I will say that the fresh cut fries were delicious though. read more

Al's Beef - Hot beef sandwich and fresh cut fries. This is the large 9" sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was right across from our hotel . We were hungry but not in the mood for "sandwiches". After much debate we walked away over and these were not sandwiches! I never had Italian Beef and have no compare but the food was so good! Service was efficient, friendly and fast and the dine in area was clean, bright and cheerful. I would 100% go again read more

I got my beef sweet hot and dipped with cheese. The bread is great and is probably the standout. The sweet peppers are really good and I enjoyed them. The hot peppers are also great, not as much of a kick as I would like but still fine. Dipped was a good idea since I wasn't eating in the restaurant. Not sure how you'd eat this wet since it gets SO sloppy. Goes everywhere. The biggest disappointment was the lack of flavor in the meat. It was cooked fine, it's just a ton of shredded beef. I really didn't feel like it had much flavor. When you dip it it tastes better but to be honest it kinda felt like plain beef going into plain beef broth. Just not that interesting. To be honest I just don't get the hype. Good sandwich, but not a great one. read more

This is a nice place. Good crew working here. The Chicago dog, which was OK. It was pretty good, not perfect. The fries were a nice surprise and quite tasty. I was told the beef was the best in town by a friend who has lived here for 31 years. I found it to be good but not great. I've had a few that were better, but it was very pleasant and my dining companion and I enjoyed our time here. read more

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