Al’s #1 Italian Beef is a true Chicago classic and absolutely lives up to its legendary reputation. From the moment you walk in, you can smell the rich aroma of slow-cooked beef and fresh Italian spices that sets the tone for the whole experience.
The star of the show is, of course, the Italian beef sandwich. The meat is incredibly tender, thinly sliced, and packed with flavor. Whether you go sweet peppers, hot giardiniera, or fully dipped, every bite delivers that perfect balance of savory, juicy, and spicy that Chicagoans swear by. The bread holds up surprisingly well despite the juicy goodness, and the portion size is more than satisfying.
Service is quick and efficient, exactly what you want from a classic counter-style spot. The staff keeps things moving even during busy times, and the energy of the place adds to the charm.
If you’re visiting Chicago or even if you’ve lived here your whole life, Al’s is one of those must-have food experiences. It’s messy, it’s flavorful, and it’s unmistakably Chicago. Highly recommend stopping in for an authentic taste of the city.
Recommended dishes: 1 Combo Sandwich Italian Beef Sandwich
Trevor Norton
We went there after the UofM Northwestern game. It was everything it was built up to be. Great sandwich. If im ever in Chicago again i will go there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Baskaper Selena
Al’s #1 Italian Beef is a true Chicago classic. The sandwiches are packed with juicy, flavorful beef and served on perfectly soaked bread — messy in the best way possible! The hot giardiniera adds the right amount of spice and crunch. The menu is simple but done right, with hearty portions and that authentic local taste. The place itself is casual and no-frills, which fits the old-school vibe perfectly. Service is quick and friendly, even when it’s busy. If you want a real taste of Chicago comfort food, this is definitely the spot to try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Lupus Texas Gulf Coast Chapter
Perfect last stop before leaving chicago!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jesviko Hulmika
Staff were professional in appearance.
boxboy rich
Great Italian beef and fries
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
ThePrada21
Greetings folks and boy did I have an experience today. The situation rises to the door once I entered a random man screams says only white people here and I realized today was a bad one.
1. This is America where the true value lies in people working and getting results in a fair manner so we don't act like animals.
2. I'm all American born here and just craving for Italian beef and the attitude in this place was more like a fight club seeing who's better very bad service as a whole to say the least.
3. Me and my friend who is Asian at the time of ordering the whole store was staring at us just felt intimidated the entire time at the place and it's was noisy before we entered and for some reason super quite and people staring.
4. I don't know if this a different culture thing but in my book it felt like strangers were following you at an alley.
5. We bought two sandwiches and I told him give me a footlong and instead we got small portions prices at $30 not good we weren't even full plus the fries and extra were 5 each extra.
6. In the end we just went to Popeyes and seriously we should went there instead of this place prejudice and staff just laughed while we ate speaking different languages and pointing fingers not cool. This place is no All American like a schools Dean and principal who sees everything as human and fair play to all and not overpowering by just culture.
Just go to Wendy's or another place because being comfortable and safe is important with the random stress of strange vibes at this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jasmin McEntire
I was excited to go but then there was a piece of plastic (sharp) in my food. I bit into the sandwich and pulled it out of my mouth. It was in the meat. Manager said it was from a kitchen tool they used to cut the meat and said he took care of it after I showed it to him. It probably would have cut me up. They gave me a replacement sandwich. Sad sad sad and disappointed.
Steve Bhatia
Tender beef and gravy . Great service. A must
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Corey
read some mixed reviews but still had to try Al’s Beef while visiting Chicago. I was pleasantly surprised. The portions were big, the beef was juicy and full of flavor, and the fries were the real star of the meal. Hot, crispy, and perfect. Definitely a must try for anyone visiting the city.
Al’s #1 Italian Beef is a true Chicago classic and absolutely lives up to its legendary reputation. From the moment you walk in, you can smell the rich aroma of slow-cooked beef and fresh Italian spices that sets the tone for the whole experience.
The star of the show is, of course, the Italian beef sandwich. The meat is incredibly tender, thinly sliced, and packed with flavor. Whether you go sweet peppers, hot giardiniera, or fully dipped, every bite delivers that perfect balance of savory, juicy, and spicy that Chicagoans swear by. The bread holds up surprisingly well despite the juicy goodness, and the portion size is more than satisfying.
Service is quick and efficient, exactly what you want from a classic counter-style spot. The staff keeps things moving even during busy times, and the energy of the place adds to the charm.
If you’re visiting Chicago or even if you’ve lived here your whole life, Al’s is one of those must-have food experiences. It’s messy, it’s flavorful, and it’s unmistakably Chicago. Highly recommend stopping in for an authentic taste of the city.
Recommended dishes: 1 Combo Sandwich Italian Beef Sandwich
We went there after the UofM Northwestern game. It was everything it was built up to be. Great sandwich. If im ever in Chicago again i will go there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Al’s #1 Italian Beef is a true Chicago classic. The sandwiches are packed with juicy, flavorful beef and served on perfectly soaked bread — messy in the best way possible! The hot giardiniera adds the right amount of spice and crunch. The menu is simple but done right, with hearty portions and that authentic local taste. The place itself is casual and no-frills, which fits the old-school vibe perfectly. Service is quick and friendly, even when it’s busy. If you want a real taste of Chicago comfort food, this is definitely the spot to try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Perfect last stop before leaving chicago!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staff were professional in appearance.
Great Italian beef and fries
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greetings folks and boy did I have an experience today. The situation rises to the door once I entered a random man screams says only white people here and I realized today was a bad one.
1. This is America where the true value lies in people working and getting results in a fair manner so we don't act like animals.
2. I'm all American born here and just craving for Italian beef and the attitude in this place was more like a fight club seeing who's better very bad service as a whole to say the least.
3. Me and my friend who is Asian at the time of ordering the whole store was staring at us just felt intimidated the entire time at the place and it's was noisy before we entered and for some reason super quite and people staring.
4. I don't know if this a different culture thing but in my book it felt like strangers were following you at an alley.
5. We bought two sandwiches and I told him give me a footlong and instead we got small portions prices at $30 not good we weren't even full plus the fries and extra were 5 each extra.
6. In the end we just went to Popeyes and seriously we should went there instead of this place prejudice and staff just laughed while we ate speaking different languages and pointing fingers not cool. This place is no All American like a schools Dean and principal who sees everything as human and fair play to all and not overpowering by just culture.
Just go to Wendy's or another place because being comfortable and safe is important with the random stress of strange vibes at this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I was excited to go but then there was a piece of plastic (sharp) in my food. I bit into the sandwich and pulled it out of my mouth. It was in the meat. Manager said it was from a kitchen tool they used to cut the meat and said he took care of it after I showed it to him. It probably would have cut me up. They gave me a replacement sandwich. Sad sad sad and disappointed.
Tender beef and gravy . Great service. A must
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
read some mixed reviews but still had to try Al’s Beef while visiting Chicago. I was pleasantly surprised. The portions were big, the beef was juicy and full of flavor, and the fries were the real star of the meal. Hot, crispy, and perfect. Definitely a must try for anyone visiting the city.
Food: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The 🍟 are the best
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicago Dog, Hot Giardiniera, Fresh Cut French Fries
Amazing Italian beef sandwich, you gotta get an Al’s beef and walk to the Cubs game, can’t be beat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The fresh juices are vibrant and packed with flavor.
Their smoothies are vibrant and flavorful.
The service was steady.
Loading...