Michael Jennings
It’s probably been about six years since I visited the original AL’S BEEF on taylor st. And nothing has changed at all!!! It is the best beef in the city.They cut it so thin.It’s basically shredded, which is the only way to eat italian beef.It melts in your mouth!!!! The spices are amazing!!! And the french fries are to die for!!! I’ve been coming to this location for 50+ years and it has never disappointed!!!! The only thing that would have made the visit completely perfect was if Mario’s italian lemonade stand was open across the street!! But they’re still closed until may. But it didn’t take away at all from my trip. So satisfying coming back here. The memories come flooding back from when I was seven and my mom and dad would bring me here!! Back when the entrances work a garage doors!! This place is a chicago institution.That’s second to none!!!
… moreBianca Patrício
OMG THE BEST BEEF SANDWICH I EVER HAD!!!!
They deserve the title as the best, because they are.
I didn’t know about this place, was walking through little Italy that I spotted it and as I was hungry I was like “let try it” OMG why didn’t I hear about this place on instagram?
I ordered the traditional dip with cheese, and now I have to travel from Florida to Chicago frequently so I can have that taste again.
The staff are nice, polite and kind. The place it’s just how It’s supposed to be, not a fancy establishment but it feels like home and there’s warm in it.
I just love it, with that sandwich they don’t need anything else on the menu.
I highly recommend this gem hidden in Chicago.
… moreElliot MacDonald
This place has the best food in Chicago.
Who knew beef could be so flavorful (get the Italian Beef dipped with sweet and hot peppers).
I also appreciate how they didn’t have a bathroom to wash hands and gave us wet paper towels instead.
… moreAndy Holmaas
Al’s is on every best Italian beef in Chicago list and it deserves to be. I had been to the downtown one in the past and the sandwich was great but the atmosphere was fine. The original Al’s #1? Place is amazing. One of the better sandwiches of my life. Staff seemed like they’ve been there for years but were friendly and patient. The line moved extremely quick and it was a blast to lean over the counter as the sandwich dripped. Absolutely worth the hype and the awards.
… moreSamantha Jones
My husband is a foodie and wanted authentic Chicago Italian Beef. I liked the food, it was good, but he loved it. There is limited seating but adds to the experience. If you are looking for a real food experience this might be it. Fun to see the history on their walls.
… moresnoboardz1972
I was on a cross country roadtrip and part of the experience was to seek out establishments that had a storied history or was credited as the creator of a new food item. I knew Al’s #1 Beef met both criteria. I arrived just after opening and there was no line, in fact I was the only customer, which was awesome. I had my order pre-planned so the ordering process went fairly smoothly. I went with an original beef sandwich (regular sized) combo. It included an order of fries and a soda. I am not an Italian Beef connoisseur so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had ordered my sandwich wet vs. dipped. I’m glad I did because I imagine the dipped version would have been hard to handle, considering how juicy my wet sandwich was. The flavor of the sandwich, while not what I anticipated in my imagination, was amazing. The juice was complex and full of bold, savory seasonings. It permeated the meat as well with the same luxurious flavors. The spicy gardineria peppers were a nice accompaniment to the sandwich. The fries were prepared perfectly. The soda was a nice finish to wash everything down. I sat outside next to the sidewalk on a beautiful and quiet weekend morning. Only a few college students milled about, up and down the sidewalk. I would imagine I was there at a most perfect time. Al’s gave me a taste of true Chicago. I drove away, back towards the interstate with a glowing smile of satisfaction and I wasn’t hungry again for the rest of the day.
… moreHagz
Al’s Beef is one of many Chicago staple’s the originator of the Italian beef sandwich, a must try when visiting the CHI! If you ever get the chance to have a Chicago Italian Beef sandwich Al’s is one of the places to go.
The beef has some of the best flavor with just the right amount of spice to it. They pack on the beef and it was cooked to perfection. I add both types of peppers sweet and hot. You also want to make sure to tell them to dip it so that it is juicy. It’s hard for me it’s a toss up between Johnnie’s beef in Elmwood Park and the original Al’s Beef both amazing!! 100% recommend!
… moreMichael Johnson
What’s there to really say? Al’s is a landmark, a national treasure.
I drove more than 8 hours to get here for their sandwich. And I’d do it again. If Anthony Bourdain and Phil Rosenthal both recommend it as the best Italian beef sandwich in the world, who am I to argue?
Don’t take the word of some idiot like me, look this place up. Make the trip. You’ll thank me later.
… moreJonathan
Old time diner feel. Greasy, but tasty! Don’t come in your nicest clothes, if you are anything like me, you are going to get drippings on yah. Definitely, would come again!
… moreRoo M
Went to chi town go a wedding so I had to stop by my old stomping grounds and get a beef with Giardiniera. I don’t know what happened but they used to be the best spot for Italian beef unfortunately they didn’t hit the mark that day.
… more