The beef sandwiches were plentiful and delicious. Zels always gets overlooked. Their quality hasnt changed in decades and decades. The best beef in Chicagoland. You have to come to the one and only original right here, no matter where you live. Ask for the sandwich with juice and they will do it right. Beef that is seasoned, tender, and falling apart. I just love their gravy and the classic pickles and peppers and the fries that get soaked in all that good gravy in the bag before you eat them. This has to be a stop every time I am in the Region. read more

Had a taste for an old-school Zel burger. It tasted exactly like it did 40 years ago when I was 14. Place was clean. The service was killer and the food was excellent. read more

Great service! Clean restroom. Awesome chili cheese beef on fries! Huge portion for just $10!

My family has been going to Zel's for roast beef sandwiches and polish sausages for years. The food is delicious, and the price is affordable. The staff is friendly and efficient. The dining area itself is small and pretty basic, but that is part of the appeal. People go to Zel's for a quick lunch with good food, not so much for the ambiance or if they want to impress a date. Overall, this place is a hidden treasure most people don't find out about unless you are a local resident or know one. read more

I make it a point to go to places, where certain attractions, foods and recreational activities are not available in my hometown. Zel's is definitely a place I would go again! The cashier, Hope, "Miss Zel's", not only provided EXCELLENT service, but her greetings is welcoming and genuine. She was very patient with us in deciding our order, and explained details about the food because one of us have food allergies. She also had a great coworker, companion, Miss Vivianne who prepared our food excellently! We were not disappointed at all. I hope to see this same team again, when I return for my visit. My family was exceptionally happy because of childhood memories. So we were pleased with team, the food and cleanliness of the restaurant. Just a great place to sit and reminisce. Keep Zel's Roast Beef going!!! read more

I have been here so many times. I came here yesterday and ordered 4 chili cheese dogs and one roast beef. So disappointing. The buns were hard like they had been left out in open for days. Beef was dry you could choke. East Chicago Zel's was the best so very sad that they are gone now. Building and all. Not worth going back. Arnies in Munster is good and they still give free fries!!!!! Arnies is the place to go. Try it! read more

Very good roast beef sandwiches. Zel's is an Indiana thing and they have a few outlets around the northwest Indiana area. We stopped in at this one because it was close to a cemetery we visited. In sum, very good Italian beef sandwich, nice and juicy, even better when you get it dipped. The seasonings are very mild ... barely noticeable, unlike some other good places like Al's roast beef in the Chicago area. But when all is said and done, both versions are great. we like the spicier sandwich at Al's and we like this less seasoned version at Zel's. They slice they beef so thin it is a great meal. They also have the French fry thing down pat ... nice crispy-on-the-outside and meaty-on-the-inside fries. Inside the store it is pretty spare ... maybe a dozen seats in total. Most of the business is to go, but they do have a couple seats if you want to eat in - like we did. The staff working there were a delight ... friendly and they know how to put a sandwich together. Recommended. read more

A 5" beef sandwich with no meat at all and no fries is 12 dollars?? Not good sandwich either read more

Zel's Roast Beef - Roast Beef Sandwich terrible flavor and not big - Fast Food Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

Every time I get back to town one of the places I have to eat. They have changed the chili since I first started eating there back in the 70's. read more

Used to be my choice for lunch until the lady with the mustache thought my older $10 bill was fake teach your employees what money looks like read more

Most excellent roast beef and chili cheese dogs!! Nobody and I mean nobody can replicate Zel's! I've lived a lifetime and tried many restaurants and brands of chili, homemade, canned, restaurants and Zel's is always the best! Stop playing and go here!!! read more

Stopped by for lunch today, very good decision. I wanted to see the GF, so texted her for a request. Chili cheese dog and chocolate shake. I got a polish with everything (no onions ). The food was great, but what makes me write a review was the staff. Friendly, efficient and enthusiastic. Uncommon traits, that are harder to find lately. Thank you ladies read more

According to my Chicago native husband, Zels is the OG Italian beef. It was different than Portillos, but it was still good. It's larger, with a bun crammed full of thinly sliced, almost shredded beef. It comes with peppers and also pickles, which I thought were really delicious. I wished for more juice but the bottom part of the sandwich, where the beef, bun and juices all mush together was really tasty. It will definitely scratch the itch if you are craving a beef sandwich. I will say that I prefer Portillos personally, but totally get that this is a question that is largely influenced by what you are used to, what you grew up eating, etc. I could totally see how people would be loyal to Zels above all other beef sandwiches. Fries were great, cooked to perfection. And we ordered a Chicago Dog, which I really enjoyed even though it wasn't particularly traditional. There were chopped cucumbers instead of the green relish and more of those yellow banana peppers. And it's a Nathan's hot dog instead of a Vienna Beef. I still enjoyed it, but think my hubby was less impressed. read more

Zel's Roast Beef - Beef - Fast Food Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

Ah, Zel's. This is the kind of place that you'd pass right up. It's outdated looking on the outside, and doesn't look like much more than a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop. And well, maybe that IS what it is, but it is a delicious sandwich shop nonetheless. I've been here dozens of times, but most recently this was an idea I suggested to my dad, since we haven't been in the area in a long time. It's just as good as I remembered. We got the standard, classic order at Zel's- beef sandwich combos. This comes with fries for a price of $7.99. Like all beef sandwiches, the meat has a tendency to dry out. Be sure you ask for your sandwich to be dipped (or double dipped) so it comes out pumped full of au jus and soaked in the delicious way that requires you to either eat it with a fork, or dive into a mess face first. The sandwich is typically topped with peppers and pickles, but I always get no peppers, double pickles. You can also get it topped with chili and cheese. Speaking of chili cheese, we also got an order of chili cheese fries which cost $4.99. It sounds a bit steep, but it's a pretty big portion. I've ordered it as my main meal before, in place of my usual sandwich, and it's so filling that I don't finish it in one go. We also got two small banana shakes, which were $2.99 each. I don't know what it is about Zel's, but there's something about the place that just requires me to get a milkshake. Maybe it's nostalgia, or maybe it's how good and addictive they are, but whatever the reason, even in negative 1 weather, I had to get my shake! They also have chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, pineapple, and butterscotch. These other flavors are okay, but banana just hits the spot, and is my favorite of the flavors. Though they mostly do carry out, there is room inside to dine in. There's three or so counters with stools so that you can either dine in, or sit and wait for your order to come up. In the summer months, there's also an outside area with some picnic tables, but it's pretty sketchy looking. Oh, and Zel's takes American Express, which was a happy accident. If you're ever in the area and you're in the mood for a good, greasy, filling fast meal, be sure to check this place out, but don't forget your dip and shake. read more

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Went for Chili Cheese Fries, Got them, And Chili Cheese was on Bottom. Service was good though!

The food is not what it use to be. The polishes are the size of a hotdog. I ordered chilli cheese fries and only got cheese. The cashier did good with recommendations and the store was clean but other than that.. I won't be back read more

FIRST OF ALL!!!! I really wish that Zel's would open up in Chicago, but on the other hand that would be bad because I'd gain a ton of weight. I've been going to Zel's since I was a little itty bitty girl and I'll continue to drive all the way up from Chicago when I'm a little itty bitty old lady. I Love love love their pineapple shakes and nobody can ever steal their pickles and pepperoncini toppings. It's classic and delicious trademark of theirs. REMEMBER, and I repeat, REMEMBER, to ask for your roast beef double dipped. Open up one of the pepperoncini peppers and let the juice drip into the beef and it's pure heaven. Combo comes with fries and a drink. It's best paired up with root beer. So flippin good! Now I have to drive down! read more

Zel's Roast Beef - This has to be the best beef in the whole world!! - Fast Food Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

Same great roast beef products as the Zels on Columbus in East Chicago. The outside is older looking, but inside is clean, and it doesn't have quite the dining space as the East Chicago location. Lunch traffic was sporadically busy. I've heard the burgers are pretty good at Zels also, but will have to try on another visit. read more

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I've ALWAYS loved Zels. From the original spot in EC and now Hammond and Schererville. Always good stuff!! Never a bad meal.

Pros: Fast, hot delivery, cheap Cons: Combination Italian beef sandwich was extremely dry. I ended up just eating the sausage. It was sooo dry. My fries were over cooked and dry . I wouldn't return again. read more

Well I love roast beef but this just filled a hunger pain.The roast beef had no flavor.And my buddy got onion rings to split.I tried one.And I wished I'd known it was cooked in what tasted like a beer batter.They was nasty to me.Definitely wouldn'take a date here. read more

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They are terrible. beef dry, if you get bbq sauce tastes like ketchup sugar and water. fries with chilies n cheese cold and cheese not melted. chili tasted like can. pickles literally cut in half and thinner. Dont know if new management or greed but after 30 years I'll never go back again read more

I finally went to Zel's Roast Beef and it was good. I'm from Chicago and to prevent me from going on 79th and Emerald or to Damenzo's on taylor & 112th and Halsted I will be back at Zel's. I was skeptical but I'm happy I tried it. read more

I grew up on Zel's. As a kid I started with a burger, as a teen I made a meal out of chili cheese fries. And now that in grown it's a beef sandwich, no peppers extra pickles. I know ... pickles? ! On a beef sandwich? ! Gross! No no my friends, pickles is the only way to go, it's soooo good! I've even converted my husband to this standard order. The beef sandwich is a pretty good size for the money. But it can be a little dry, of course if you're from Chicagoland you understand you need to order any beef sandwich dipped to really get it right. Each sandwich comes with fries. For an upcharge you can graduate to chili cheese fries, I highly recommend it. It's a huge order, enough for a meal. And as long as you're blowing your diet, go for the shake. The chocolate shakes are rich and thick. My personal favorite is the banana. I'm not sure why, I order chocolate everywhere else, but at Zel's it's got to be a banana shake. It's the perfect gluttonous companion to all of the greasy goodness! read more

Zel's Roast Beef - the inside of a restaurant - Fast Food Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

Stopped here for the first time today and had the large beef sandwich with a chili cheese fry, not too bad. The beef was pretty fresh but it did get cold kind of fast. They put pickles on the beef which is unusual, but tasted pretty good. The chili cheese fry was served very hot, which is the way I like them.The place was a little pricy. I had a coupon and still paid $13.00 for the beef, CC fry, and a drink. Would I go back? With a coupon, yes. Without a coupon, no. And I'm not saying I wouldn't go back because the food was bad, just a little pricy for me. read more

Zel's Roast Beef - Zels beef sandwhich - Fast Food Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

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My husband wanted to go here and I was so dreading it. I went in looking for a reason NOT to eat here and left with a whole different attitude. Food was great! Service was fantastic! I feel bad for turning my nose up at the location. I'm glad I went! read more

I grew up eating Zel's Roast Beef sandwiches. It would be a Friday night treat splitting a sandwich and fries with my little brother. So this is one of my favorite places to stop at when I come home. After all these year of enjoying Zel's they have not changed. Actually I enjoy them more now that I know what a good roast beef sandwich is supposed to taste like. I always get the roast beef and fries. The sandwich bread is the right balance and the juices softens it up just right. The fries are good and they are usually all gone by the time I get to my destination. read more

I always visit this Zels its the best they give you just what you ask thank you sir,madame keep doing it with great customer service

I love their roast beef sandwiches, chili cheese fried, and shakes! Customer service is usually good. I usually call ahead and it's ready in 10 min. read more

Anyone who wants a really tasty, REAL roast-beef sandwich with all the fix'ns needs to go to ZEL's!! I've had their roast beef loaded with everything as well as their other food and have not been disappointed. Their chili-cheese fries are simply the best around! I love the simplicity of this place. It breaks my heart to see their other locations with no cars in the parking lot while places just down the street have packed parking lots... people need to go here and find out what real food is all about! Not having "chain recognition" stinks for sure because they beat the heck out of the chains serving roast beef, hot dogs, polish and italian. A few of their other locations are a bit more conducive to dining in, but this location is best for carry-out. read more

I found this place by accident. It is very run down and I would not suggest eating in. I had the Jr. beef with fries and a med Pepsi. If I knew they cut 2/3 off of a Jumbo I would have gotten that because it was a dollar more. But for 7 dollars this was a big rip! I think they paid the rent and utilities with my meal in this neighborhood. The beef was pretty good as were the fries. The Pepsi needed a new syrup bag as it was very weak. The price will keep me from visiting Zels at any location. read more

I'm a big fan of local fast food restaurants, and over all i'd say Zel's is good... BUT! the little things that they could do better would make a huge difference. The main thing that I dont like about Zel's (and the reason I'm writing this review) is that their fountain drinks have this strange cleaning chemical taste... i have never drank more than 2-3 sips form ANY drink i have bought in there without throwing it out... god i wish they offered cans of pop Also the staff is rude and want you to go by their way of doing things even if you've never even been there before... also, i was scolded for coming in 10min before closing time The food IS tasty but a little overpriced i can get an Italian beef anywhere for $6.00 their beef sandwich is similar to any other beef sandwich and its $7.99... and they put whole peppers on it with the stems attached all in all its a solid restaurant, but it feels like the owner never shows up and the workers are running the roost... running it badly read more

They have raised their prices recently, I went in for 2 chili dogs and fries and a bowl of chili and it was 12 dollars, Wtf? No more for me.

Disappointing. The roast beef was not flavorful and the bun has something like sand on top. Instead of some gravy I think they took some boiling water and dumped on it. It was WAY too hot to eat so while it cooled it also got soggy gooey. Krinkle cut fries were good. read more

Chicago style hot dog was terrible! The cheese fries are worst. The condiments are generic along with the drinks. Skip this place at all costs! read more

This place used to be better, but it's still alright. The roast beef sandwiches are still good but the prices are getting a bit high. There's not much room for indoor eating, but during the nice weather, outdoor seating is available. read more

Been here a couple of times and the food is ok. If you order during lunchtime, calling your order by phone and pick up will speed up the process. Friendly atmosphere, zelsburger is pretty good as are the chili cheese fries. There it is, que sera, sera. read more

Lovingly friendly staff, always cheerful. Great place for a burger; the mushroom burger is great! But the mainstay is the roast beef, a region tradition for ages. If you ask for it "Juicy" they will smother it in Au Jus. You will have to eat it with a fork instead of like a sandwich, but its so good. Locals carry out but you can eat in. Call ahead and it will be ready when you arrive. read more

Food was dry and soggy at the same time? Roast beef had no flavor and the bun was soggy as heck. 9$ for half of a soggy, dry sandwich. No thank you. read more

I used to go to zels when I was young when new owners took over they the flavor of the roast beef went down and it cost way too much money 8 bucks for roast beef now and $6 for chili cheese fries that's way too expensive that's why I just go to pops now better flavor the roast beef is much better and they're not lite with their portions and the prices are a lot better read more