Always bought Al's beef. Went there yesterday and bought two beef sandwiches. One was plain and the other hot gardinera and both dipped. When I got home the plain beef was about 4 inches.snallest sandwich ever. The other didn't have gardinera but the out a bunch of red pepper flakes. Not sure I'm going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
AZ
I always have a great experience here! Between the staff, service and food quality. My go to is spicy wet. This place is highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Sweet Peppers, Big Beef, Hot Giardiniera, Italian Beef Sandwich Spicy Wet
Barbara A Balmes
Purchased 2 Italian Beef - I'll NEVER order from them again! Food tastes OLD. The dipping gravy had a half inch of greese on top. Delivery didn't follow instructions - bad experience all around
Food: 1
Service: 1
Thomas Bellody
Great sandwich and great service! Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sonja
Actually pretty good. Very messy, as expected. But the flavor was perfect for a quick bite. (Regular size is kind of a big snack size)
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aroma Grow Store
I love Al’s beef! Been eating at Al’s beef for over 40 years. Always very consistent and delicious.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dipped Combo with Hot Gardenia
Elizabeth Venecia
We stopped here after watching the Bears Game I ordered a chili cheese dog and what a deception i ordered a side of cheese and that has to be the most bland cheese i ever taste please to the owner I hope you can do something about it with respect is my honest opinion it dosen't taste cheese at all 😔
Googler Mapser
Italian beef is what you would expect. Very good, but comparable to others in the area. Open later which is nice. Take out only and there was some guy hanging out in there that kept yelling at people if they hung out for a few minutes after getting their food. Not that anyone would want to be in there longer than they have to after seeing how unwelcoming and awkward the interior is. Worth stopping in if you have been wanting to try it, but there are other options in the area that will still give you the Italian beef experience. Acceptable prices and the fries were great.
Interesting bitter taste for the Italian Beef sandwich with pepper. The meat is tender, I was glad to try but it is doesn't have an astonishing taste either !
Richard S
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.
Check out these beef curtains. Delicious!!
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Great lunch place!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always bought Al's beef. Went there yesterday and bought two beef sandwiches. One was plain and the other hot gardinera and both dipped. When I got home the plain beef was about 4 inches.snallest sandwich ever. The other didn't have gardinera but the out a bunch of red pepper flakes. Not sure I'm going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
I always have a great experience here! Between the staff, service and food quality. My go to is spicy wet.
This place is highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Sweet Peppers, Big Beef, Hot Giardiniera, Italian Beef Sandwich Spicy Wet
Purchased 2 Italian Beef - I'll NEVER order from them again! Food tastes OLD. The dipping gravy had a half inch of greese on top. Delivery didn't follow instructions - bad experience all around
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great sandwich and great service! Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Actually pretty good. Very messy, as expected. But the flavor was perfect for a quick bite. (Regular size is kind of a big snack size)
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love Al’s beef! Been eating at Al’s beef for over 40 years. Always very consistent and delicious.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dipped Combo with Hot Gardenia
We stopped here after watching the Bears Game I ordered a chili cheese dog and what a deception i ordered a side of cheese and that has to be the most bland cheese i ever taste please to the owner I hope you can do something about it with respect is my honest opinion it dosen't taste cheese at all 😔
Italian beef is what you would expect. Very good, but comparable to others in the area. Open later which is nice. Take out only and there was some guy hanging out in there that kept yelling at people if they hung out for a few minutes after getting their food. Not that anyone would want to be in there longer than they have to after seeing how unwelcoming and awkward the interior is. Worth stopping in if you have been wanting to try it, but there are other options in the area that will still give you the Italian beef experience. Acceptable prices and the fries were great.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Great 👍🏽
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Simply perfect, love the hot & spicy!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Interesting bitter taste for the Italian Beef sandwich with pepper. The meat is tender, I was glad to try but it is doesn't have an astonishing taste either !
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
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