Al’s Beef

Food was good. Pricey but good. There was an older woman working there that was very rude to both customers and the employees she was working with. Wouldn’t go out of my way to go back.

Outstanding! The best beef dip I have ever had. Ask for it double dipped! Bread was delicious, beef super flavorful, I could eat it every day of my life!!!

This place is exactly the way I remember it it’s always always great service the wettest juice that soaks the bread to the bone. you better make sure you grab extra napkins. You’ll need a cup of ice cold water to cool you down because it is hot if you get the Italian beef with all the fixin’s. I love coming here

This is a tourist’s take on Al’s but suffice to say I was happy with my Big Beef combo and left absolutely stuffed. It’s the grimy Starbucks of Italian Beef imho. I got it dunked which is probably the only reason i was able to finish the whole thing. The peppers were OK, and the fries weren’t bad. The shop is a bit grimy and there are better Italian Beef joints in Chicago but this was tasty and hit the spot.

Bleh,
I learned today that Italian beef is just not my thing. But I’ve had it before at portillos and although it wasn’t my favourite, I was able to finish it.
At Al’s I got the original «dipped» which means it’s soaked with gravy and I couldn’t eat more than one bite. The bread was extremely soggy and the meat just tasted strange. Ended up just tossing the whole thing :(
The guys were nice though!

Since I was on this lovely food tour of Chicago foods, this is one of the classic and iconic Chicago foods.
Few things —
Hot peppers were really hot — probably a bit too much for me. Sweet peppers were better.
I didn’t have to finish a whole sandwich only a small one since we were on this tour — pretty awesome in that way.
Otherwise, good sandwich. Not something I’d eat all the time, but great to try when in Chicago.
Protip: eat what Chicagoan eat.

Stopped by to grab an Italian beef while visiting Chicago. We got there right when they opened so service was fast and friendly. I went with the standard Italian beef w/​the gravy on the side (didn’t want my sandwich bread to get soggy) and fries. The sandwich was good and the fries were tasty as well. The beef was tender. It’s a tad bit pricey, which I expected with this being a touristy area. I’d go back.

I had guests in from Portland who had NEVER heard of an Italian Beef Sandwich so my immediate action was to take them to Al’s. We got there about 20 minutes before they closed and I explained to the staff working that my guests needed to get a good first impression of what Chicago Italian Beef sandwiches are all about and wow did they deliver. Sure the sandwiches were awesome but I give the staff working tonight five stars for their enthusiasm and passion! Thanks Lydia, Davon and Dwight — you are awesome!

No sure why this location only has 3 stars but the Italian beef is soooo good! Especially when it’s dipped in that gravy, kinda spicy with sweet and hot peppers but I like it! I see why this is named one of the top five sandwiches in America!

Unilocal doesn’t usually lead me wrong but today it has. Skip this place and get the italian beef from Gold Coast. I got a char dog from there and it was good. But I decided to ride about 10min farther to try Al’s for the italian beef based on the reviews. It was disappointing. Not even worth the negligible calories from the bike ride. It was expensive and regrettable. I feel a little taken advantage of. I had to add ketchup to give it flavor and the «dipped» option (whole sandwich dunked in gravy) added no flavor and just made the bread soggy.
Best part was the service. Guys were nice.
*I’m at the airport now and just for price comparison, I went to Gold Coast at the airport and got a dog, fries and a 20oz bottled drink for under 10 bucks. And everyone knows airport food is ridiculously overpriced.

I’ve been downtown twice a week and I’ve been passing this place everytime, but today decided to give them a try. I had their steak sandwich and French fries; it was pretty good. I really love their fries, but the sandwich was alright, it could have been better. Definitely go back there again to try their hot dogs and to have some more of their delicious French fries.

Great stop for tourists interested in trying a couple of iconic Chicago foods!
I am no Italian Beef aficionado, but their Italian Beef was tasty and definitely different from any other beef sandwich I’ve eaten. The beef tasted a bit like the beef you get in phở. The hot peppers were quite spicy and getting the sandwich wet added a peppery flavor boost. It seemed like a good representation of the iconic Chicago sandwich. I actually liked their Chicago style hotdog even more than the sandwich. The dog was exquisitely flavorful, soft poppy seed bun, crunchy and zesty onions, bright green relish, and peppers on top. The fries were darn good too. The interior was fairly small, but updated and comfortable. Service was fast.

Dropped by Al’s Beef for a late lunch after a whole day of exploring the Millennium Park area. After hours of walking, my friends jumped at the suggestion to try Al’s Beef after one of us – a frequent visitor to Chicago – explained that this «roast beef» version of the French au jus was a delicious tourist trap.
We all ordered the beef «dipped,» as suggested, and some of us also ordered a side of fries. After the friendly staff took our orders, all of our food was literally bagged and unbagged within minutes (we were quite ravenous at the time).
The sandwiches themselves were decent and tasted as expected – firm, chewy bread slightly sopped in roast beef «juice,» wrapped around a hefty portion of tender roast beef. But, surprisingly, what really impressed us were the fries! Two of us ordered chili cheese fries (we found a metal screw in one of them, but let’s not go there), and another opted for the loaded fries… Can I say yum?! Something about bacon and fresh green onions over a bed of hot, crispy fries made this side the main star of the show.
Overall, except for the minor «screw» up (pun intended, and yes – the staff kindly replaced that side of fries), we left happily and full.
The meal was overall enjoyable, but it’s not something I’ll crave enough to visit Chicago for anytime soon… or ever. However, if you’re a tourist or are just looking to get a quick bite to eat, Al’s Beef’s a pretty safe choice – just check your food for nuts and bolts before you chow down.
Takeaways:
* Get the beef «dipped»
* Get loaded fries
* Before you eat, check your food for metal screws

I was told when visiting Chicago that I must get an Italian Beef sandwich and that my trip would not be complete if I didn’t. I was given many recommendations of where to go and Portillo’s was at the top of that list. However, based on timing and location at the time, my friend and I ended up at Al’s Beef on Wabash. We both didn’t really know what to expect, but I was told to get the Italian Beef with peppers and get it DIPPED! So, in my best Chicago accent, I walked up to the counter and said «Ay dere. I’ll take a Beef, Dipped wit Hot and Sweet.» I got the bag and it felt like it was filled with a brick. I pulled out the sandwich and I was a bit taken back. It looked soggy and messy. At first glance, I was a little concerned. Then I took my first bite and oh man… this sandwich was so freaking good! It was disgusting and delicious all at the same time. Juices all over my face and running down my hand/​arms. It was disgustingly delicious! Every bite was better than the next and surprisingly the sandwich held up until the very last bite. I was amazed. I also got a side of fries, but those became an after thought as I was completely invested in the sandwich. I did have some fries and they were pretty good. My friend ordered the Char-​Grilled Italian Sausage and enjoyed every bit of it. The both of us decided that we needed to come back before our time in Chicago was up. I don’t have anything to compare this place to, but we enjoyed it and it was delicious. I can’t wait to go back to the Windy City and put my face in another Italian Beef! (sandwich that is… get your minds out the gutter!)

great with the bread soaked in the au jus

If you ever want a private tour of Chicago when the city is deserted, try taking a walk downtown early in the morning on New Year’s day. We did just that and when lunch time rolled around we were ready to try our first Chicago Hot Dogs. The only problem was that nothing was open for lunch since the city was essentially deserted that day. We called around to a few places and eventually got in touch with someone at Al’s who told us they were open. We got there at 11:25 and the sign on the door said they were open at 10:30 on New Year’s day but the door was locked. We called back and they told us they weren’t opening until 11:30 but would let us in anyway to warm up. It wasn’t until 30 minutes later (a full one and a half hours after the sign on the door specified) that they started taking orders, and even those took a long time to fulfill.
I wasn’t too hungry since I had a big breakfast but I had to try the Chicago Dog and I have to say I wasn’t overly impressed. The bun was similar to buns back home other than the poppy seeds and while the toppings were good, the hot dog itself was pretty low quality. This is probably what I get for going to a chain, but our options were limited given our timing. The fries included with the dog were a nice touch, however, considering I didn’t order fries.
Overall, I’d love to go back to Chicago sometime, but I think I’ll be looking for a street vendor next time I’m craving a hot dog.

Hefty beef sandwich got it loaded with peppers and cheese. He asked if we wanted it wet, and we said yes. The au jus was good. Definitely made the sandwich. I’ve had some really good Italian beef and I’d say this was in the top 10 but not my number one. Definitely a great lunch spot if your looking for a filling meal on the cheap!

Sub par food and every single time they get my order wrong. It’s not even like it’s been packed and busy. Every time I’ve been the only one in the restaurant.

Hay que entender que Chicago tiene su propia definición de hot god… Partiendo de ahí este lugar nos lo recomendó una guía de turistas, tienes opciones de carne a elegir, salsa, queso y picante. El costo promedio de hot Dog con bebida es aproximadamente $ 10.
El restaurante es muy simple si Baas en un grupo grande es probable que les toque sentarse separados ya que las mesas son para dos personas. Si te preguntan si quieres picante realmente es picante así que cuidado al elegir.
En si es más como una baguette con salchicha pero es un clásico de Chicago así que vale la pena probarlo.
Las papas con queso azul y salsa búfalo son deliciosas y no son tan picosas.

As an Italian Beef fan, and a Man V Food fan, we had to try Al’s while we were in town. This location was on the small side, but the staff was friendly and the place was clean. I ordered the regular beef and should have gotten the small as I was only able to finish half of the sandwich. The Boy struggled as well, he finished his regular but ordered at Large Loaded Fries (yum!) and we barely put a dent in them.
The food was very good but it wasn’t my jam. The ju was had more of a spicy flavor and had a strong fennel/​star anise note, while I am a beef purist and prefer the beef flavor itself to shine. To each their own though, we still enjoyed our meal and left pleasantly stuffed.

Probably more of a 3.5 stars rating than a 4-​star rating. The «gravy» really does set Al’s Beef apart from its competitors — flavors in the jus are comparable to an above-​average phở joint. Beef was shaved thinly and soft without being overcooked. Getting the sandwich «hot and sweet» with giardineira and peppers offers good flavor and texture contrast. My main complaint is that the smallest size, at around $ 7, is only about 5-​inches. Somewhat pricey even before fries. A special craving food for me.

I got to try both Al’s famous Italian beef sandwich, as well as their Chicago style hot dog, and they were both delicious! This particular location is within walking distance (maybe 10 minutes) from Willis Tower, and the walk to and from isn’t too bad.
Overall, a great taste of Chicago and somewhere you should definitely visit if you’re spending any time in the Windy City!

Italian beef sandwiches… who knew there was such a thing. I’ve been pretty much all over the continent and the only places I see the so called Italian beef sandwiches are in Chicago either at Al’s or Portillo’s.
The first Al’s I’ve ever seen or known of was the one across the street from The Sports Authority at Wells and Ontario. This Al’s on Wabash in the Loop was discovered while walking from Jackson CTA to the Art Institute and I was thinking sure, we’ll head there after the museum for a snack.
I ordered us a Big Beef with hot peppers to split as well as a large blue cheese fries. I had NO idea the fries were going to be that big and that they were going to have that much cheese on them. I love blue cheese but the amount of cheese on these fries was gratuitous. They could have given me half of the cheese they did and I would have thought it was too much… there was so much cheese! It was maybe ¾ fries and ¼ cheese in that container seriously. Blue is rich and strong not mild like cheddar. It was a lot of cheese just saying (again).
The sandwiches are «moist» in that the beef is not watery but you can ask for them dry. It moistens the bread too. I didn’t want gravy, that would have been too slick.
Al’s is good and Italian beef sandwiches has to be a regional thing because honestly I don’t see it anywhere else that much. Still, a good choice for a solid meal that will make you feel like you ate something.

OK. Discussing Italian Beef in Chicago is always a controversial topic. Al’s Beef is the most notable chain of beef shops in Chicagoland, and their restaurant on Wabash is literally in the center of everything. This location is extremely convenient for tourists and everyone working in the loop looking for a quick and good beef fix.
Their main beef is their beef. You can order the small, regular, or big beef prepared just the way you like. Some people like fries; I will just spend my calories on extra beef! On my trip I had a Big Beef Hot and Wet and had a wonderful experience. The beef was tender, but not very flavorful. The extra gravy added good flavor with a nice bite from the hot peppers. The bread survived mostly intact which greatly reduced my overall napkin consumption. My tamale was served in the wrapper from the microwave and should be avoided at all costs.
While waiting for my beef, I was standing with the US Navy Leap Frogs discussing their performance at the Chicago Air & Water Show. If Al’s Beef is good enough for Navy Seals, it should be good for you. There are many other beef shops that serve a better beef, but it is hard to beat the convenience and cleanliness of Al’s on Wabash.

Dropped by on my way to the blue line station for a quick bite.
I ordered the regular Italian beef with sweet peppers and cheese. And of course, dipped.
Sandwich was pretty good overall but nothing particularly outstanding.
Good bread, solid amount of meat, and au jus was seasoned well.

Why have I waited so long to get this sandwich?! I knew when I moved here that this was a staple. However, after three years I’m final trying this! It was everything I could have hoped for a more. Both sandwiches were a good size. My partner and I shared a regular one and our friend had the smaller one. It was soaked in awesome sauce and came out piping hot. There was a little bit of a wait inside but it wasn’t bad at all. We went mid-​day on a Saturday and so that was ideal for us. Anymore of a wait time and we would have been super hangry. The staff was friendly and the space was clean. I’ll definitely be coming back soon!

The beef sandwich was outstanding! Must go all out with gravy and peppers. Service was fast and even has a taste of the tamales! So good!

Big Beef:
1) Dipped
2) Sweet and/​or Hot (depending on mood)
3) No Cheese
It doesn’t get any better than a soaking wet Italian Beef with pepps to render you useless at work after lunch. Oh, and the fresh-​cut fries aren’t too bad either. Why only 4-​stars? I’m an Italian Beef aficionado and it takes the perfect I-​beef sandwich to achieve a perfect score. Blame it on the abundance of great beef sandwiches in this great city.

Cheap. Great portion sizes. Nice service. Reminds me of Jimmy John’s ordering and seating style. I ordered the Chicago dog and it includes a handful of fries which was nice. Wasn’t too packed when I got there but quickly began to fill around 12:30. I could take or leave this place. Can’t say I’d ever have to go back. But it was a decent experience while I was there.

I have had the Italian Beef at Portillos but everyone kept telling me that Al’s was more of the original and is made more similarly to the Chicago way of making Italian Beef. So we went and tried out this location and I am glad it is walking distance to the park, since this restaurant was SO hot inside. Yes, they must be making lots of beef all day long, but it was uncomfortably hot inside there.
That said, the service was quick and the food came quickly too and for $ 7 – 8 for a beef sandwich with added cheese and hot peppers that are super tasty and a little jus dip, this place is pretty decent. I do think I like the Portillos version better, but this one, has all of the fun mess that comes with eating a well made Italian Beef sandwich, so don’t wear any nice clothes here since you are bound to drip a little sandwich fun on your outfit! But that mess is worth being full for quite some time after you eat!

*This review is actually for the Al’s located on 234 South Wabash*
Al’s is supposed to have some of the best Italian beef sandwiches in the city. My sister works nearby so we went here for lunch. I got the Regular Beef «wet» with sweet peppers. The sweet peppers were nothing more than two slabs of green pepper layered on top of the beef. Far from the giardiniera typically thought of for these sandwiches. There wasn’t that much flavor either, despite how many pictures of Mike Dikta hang on the walls. In the end, Al’s Italian beef sandwiches were not what I expected for a place so highly rated. If you’re searching for Italian beef, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

NPS = 6
Nice place, but lackluster.
I would not recommend coming here all too often. The food is not SPECTACULAR, but it does get the job done.
I came here while visiting Chicago because I heard about the infamous «Italian beef» everybody must try.
The italian beef, I must say, did not disappoint. Definitely get it «dipped.» The «small» is enough to fill you up because it is a lot of meat and it will run you about $ 5 or $ 6.
Stay away from the tamales. They are horrible.
The polish sausage (Chicago style) was also nothing to brag about.
I say visit this place if you are visiting Chicago to try their legendary Italian beef. After you try it, run far away. And if you are a Chicagoan, you know better than to eat here. You have a lot more competitive choices.

I’ve had better Al’s beef in other locations but I bought a groupon to this place and so I tried it out. I ordered a regular beef, small fries, and a drink. She asked me if I wanted it dipped. I said a little. I think I meant I wanted it wet, but forgot to use that term. She didn’t hear me order the drink and my total was up to the groupon amount anyway so I didn’t correct her. Pricey, for a sandwich and fries.
My sandwich was soaked and it was hard to eat. Burned my tongue as well. It was just ok, mainly because parts of it I had to eat piece by piece and I didn’t get as nice a flavor of meat as I remember in other locations. The fries had been freshly cooked for me, but they weren’t the best. Just ok. Eating here hit the spot, but with other Al’s locations closer to me and better, I won’t be back.

Good place to grab a sandwich.
Italian beef is so good. $ 4.95 for the little al. Even the little one is good portion for lunch. I also ordered nachos fries, couldn’t finish it. Fries here is kinda overpriced. About $ 4-​$ 5.

Now I want to say that the staff was great even though it was about 15 minutes before closing time. The young lady behind the counter was still smiling as she took our order that was a plus.
They ran out of Italian Sausage and Chili which was understandable since it was the end of the night.
All of us got the Italian Beef and sadly our excitement of catching the doors open quickly deflated with the first bite our sandwich.
I quickly learned that all Al’s Beef restaurants are not created equally and this location proves that in my opinion. The meat was bland even with the peppers it had no kick or flavor like Taylor Street and the Al’s that is closer to Union Station.
Each sandwich was a little bit over $ 8.00 and they did not come with fries. We also got 3 sodas which totaled $ 5.47. I think with the cost of the sandwich it should at least come with a small fry. You are definitely digging deep in your pockets when you eat at any Al’s Beef but if I’m paying the price I want the quality to be in place no matter what time I make it there.
I won’t be back to this location…
Enjoy!