Al's #1 Italian Beef - Little Italy

JCON's Ordered:

dipped, hot

JCON's Review:

I am a sucker for history and tradition, and there is no shortage of that here. The beef itself is delicious. My problem with Als is that it is not a good value. They charge way too much for way too little, but I guess that's what national exposure does to a place. I will only eat at an Al's location again if it is my only choice.

JCON may eat here again.

MrBigTime's Ordered:

Dipped

MrBigTime's Review:

I came here for the real thing and was not disappointed. Great beef, great fries. The place was dripping with history. I've been here a couple of times and will definitely come back. I'd like to try something else on the menu, but can't get myself to order anything but the beef.

Joe Casey may eat here again.

ChicagoAl's Ordered:

Walk in for 40 yrs.

ChicagoAl's Review:

Great food. Sandwiches are big enough to make two meals with some rice. Tasty, beef lean, peppers excellent. In 40 yrs is the original stand/shack now building. Quick. Al's is a Chicago experience not to be missed. Dogs and fries also excellent.

StylePhonics's Ordered:

dipped. hot.

StylePhonics's Review:

Al's is considered the quintessential Chicago beef joint. I must disagree with this claim. An Italian beef in Chicago should consist of a large meal for a small price, while Al's offers the opposite. By Chicago standards the sandwich is simply too small for what you pay. Taste wise I'd give it a 4, but I must drop a full two stars for such a famous place not offering the full experience.

Blackhawk_35's Ordered:

Wet,Sweet and Hot

Blackhawk_35's Review:

Al's is probably the best beef in Chicago. Especially at the Taylor St. Location. However, it's hard to compare it to anyone else because the beef has such a distintive flavor. I give Al's it's own category. The beef is perfect, the giardinera is real good, with a lot of heat. My only critique os the giardinera is that the celery is sliced very thin, giving it a soggy texture. Otherwise Al's if firing on all cylanders.

Blackhawk_35 may eat here again.

aelstein's Ordered:

Dipped, hot.

aelstein's Review:

The best Italian beef I have ever had. I left Chicago 15 years ago but still make the pilgrimage to Taylor St. At my last visit in Octiber,it was still the standard. The fries were amazing, too. This is the whole package, wrapped in a brown bag.

GWproducer's Ordered:

I order my combo dry with a cup of gravy on the side

GWproducer's Review:

Al's beef on Taylor St.in my opinion is the best beef there is in Chicago or the world. I have been eating Al's beef since I was 5 years old at the original stand on Harrison and Lafflin and now on Taylor St. I am now 55 years old, and can tell you that this is the only restaurant that has not changed its reciepe or "cheapened" its ingredients. I can't say enough good things about Al's Beef.

GWproducer may eat here again.