The Italian beef sandwich dipped with peppers was perfect. It was savory and spicy, and the beef was tender. I had never experienced an Italian beef or been to Al's, and the person who took my order was so helpful and made a great recommendation. There was surprisingly ample seating for a Saturday afternoon. It was a nice day, so took it to go and ate it at a nearby park-wonderful lunch! read more

Flavor of the jus/sauce/gravy/whathaveyou is far and away the best we experienced, as we were doing a compare/contrast of same offerings. Only downside is that their turnover might not be at the same rate as their more "commercial" competitors, so the beef itself seemed a bit dried out. read more

Flavor. Oh boy flavor. I had an Italian beef at an establishment close by and it was good. Then I had Al's and OMG -- so much flavor packed into a little sandwich. I had mine wet with hot peppers. Next time, bigger for sure, and maybe I'll add some provolone. The fresh cut fries were appreciated and tasty. The staff was excellent. read more

My husband made sure we prioritized a stop at Al's during our weekend in Chicago and I'm so glad he did. We stopped in after our architecture boat tour and split a Chicago dog and an Italian beef with hot peppers. While it doesn't rival our native Philly cheesesteak, we really enjoyed both sandwiches (is a hot dog a sandwich? Unsure) and the iconic Chicago experience that is Al's. 10/10 would recommend to anyone visiting Chicago and wanting to check those iconic Chicago eats off their bucket list. read more

Delicious and not as expensive as I thought it would be. A great hot spot but a great late night spot too.

We read all the great reviews so decided we had to go. We were both rather unimpressed with the Italian beef. It was nothing special at all. The restaurant was clean and staff polite. Lulu's near the United Center has a much better Italian beef sandwich. read more

Great food and fast accurate service! The best for authentic Chicago Italian Beef. A must visit for a taste of Chicago!

The quickest service and juiciest beef As a non-chicago native, this was suggested to me and I would recommend read more

Staff was professional and helpful but not too friendly Restaurant was super clean smelled great and packed with customers (always a good sign) Food was good Hot dogs was good but not the best Beef sandwich was good as well. Meat was tender but super greasy and heavy, if you are ok with that type of food Would recommend but not blow your mind read more

A must try in Chicago. Had a regular beef with mixed peppers and provolone dipped. beef was so tender and a great bang for the buck. read more

Al's Beef - Reg Italian beef. Dipped with provolone and mixed peppers. - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yep! Al's is definitely better than Portillo's, IMO. Had the big beef, wet with gardinera, a Chicago dog, and fries. All were outstanding, but the beef is where it's at. Staff was friendly and the restaurant is very clean. Definitely a must stop while in River North. read more

First time, great experience. Italian beef, dipped... amazing! Great service, warm environment, can't wait to come back!

Was in Chicago for a Bears game, this place came highly recommended from locals. Perfect amount of beef on the sandwich

Amazing first try of a Chicago style beef! The giardiniera was perfect! Very fast, clean, and friendly! read more

Al's Beef - Regular Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have been coming here for years. Really solid Italian beef - fries are very good as well. Always consistent and always good. In all the times I've eaten here never disappointed. read more

Love this place! It's open late night and it is delicious. I love the regular Italian beef with provolone and their fries!! Always quick, at a reasonable price and fresh. read more

Beware of bad food! Son and I ate there on the way to a concert. Had Four beef sandwichs and was sick the rest of the night for two days. do not eat here. read more

Its my only experience with a Chicago Italian Beef and it lived up to the hype. This location was across the way from the original location and the place was buzzing! Tried it dipped and wasn't disappointed! Tamale was in a plastic bag, likely wouldn't get that again but I would definitely come back for the sandwich. read more

First time that we tried italian beef and a friend highly suggested Al's! I really enjoyed my beef (it was really soggy and flavorful) and my husband had the regular combo and he was very happy with his choice. I also found the fries fresh and the service quick. Will be back! read more

Amazing beef! Love the simplicity and perfection. Be sure to come hungry and have napkins ready!

Absolutely fantastic. Best beef I've had. Signature authentic cuisine. Dime piece in the heart of Chicago, highly recommend you come here anytime you visit Chicago. read more

4.5. really good! my first beef dip in a while and my first chicago dog. winston and i came here for a late dinner around 8pm and ordered a chicago polish with fries, the big beef dip (wet) with hot peppers, and a chicken sandwich. and an additional beef dip (dipped) with sweet peppers. we were hungry lol. the beef automatically comes wet. the beef dip (wet) with hot peppers was SO GOOD! soft tender beef and the bread was just perfectly soaked through. the chicago dog was really good as well, i dont have anything to compare it to but, the sausage was juicy and snapped through when you bit it. personally, the dipped version of the beef is too much dip for me - havent had too many beef dips so was just trying out what each stule was like. disappointments: the chicken sandwich (overcooked chicken), fries (greasy), and the sweet peppers were NOT sweet!!!! would happily come back here again next time i come to chicago knowing what i prefer off the menu. read more

This is probably my favorite establishment in river north. Unpretentious vibes. Smiling satisfied people all around. Staff here are consistently so friendly. Chicago dogs come wrapped up in fries = bliss. Thank you Al's. read more

Amazing Italian beef sandwich! It was the first of it's kind I've had and it reminded me of keema pav - an Indian dish which I've had back home. Local corner restaurant vibes, and the service was quick and helpful! read more

Amazing Italian beef - the best I've had in Chicago! I always get the regular Italian beef, dipped, with sweet and hot peppers. And a side of cheese fries! Delicious! I order delivery from Grubhub and my order is accurate every time. read more

While visiting Chicago this was my favorite restaurant. The dipped Italian beef was one of the best things I have ever eaten! The cheese fry's are good too.I went to the other place know for Italian beef and it didn't even come close. If you are anywhere near Al's beef you have to stop in. read more

First time at Al's - would recommend. A couple of our group ordered the Italian Beef (dipped) ... messy & great flavor. Another ordered the Italian Sausage and she really liked it. Very clean restaurant and service was outstanding. read more

Ask a tourist what Chicago's most iconic food is, and they'll likely tell you it's deep dish pizza, but many Chicagoans consider the Italian beef to be the historic foodstuff of choice. The origins of the Italian beef are a bit murky, but the first probably predates the opening of Pizzeria Uno by a good 30 years. In the war between the two Italian beef heavyweights, Al's and Johnnie's to the uninitiated, people often take a hard stance, but I like them both. They both have a delicious herbiness, a hallmark of the beef, and both are juicy and tender. I think where Al's has an edge is in the awesomeness of their fries, which may be the best in Chicago. They're very good, nay, great, at this River North location, and my husband, a U of I grad who ate at the university location twice a week back in the day, assures me that they're equally good there. You can also order your beef sandwich by size at Al's, which is a definite advantage. While a small may not be quite enough food, you don't have to order two, as you would at Johnnie's, but can size up. And if Italian beef isn't your thing, you can order hotdogs, Polish sausages (available with 3 choices of toppings), tamales, hamburgers or chicken sandwiches. I've tried a Polish sausage here, with mustard and grilled onions, and it was the best I've ever had. Add a Pepsi product and you're all set. I really like this location, which I can walk to (bonus!), and where we dined in comfortably and happily. read more

Hiked here from the Hyatt and Radisson hotels area, safe and interesting walk with lots of architecture along the way. Did not leave disappointed, with a Giant Italian Beef with provolone and hot peppers. The bun had just the right balance of heft and sog from the juices. Mwah! A sandwich to remember and makes the trip to Chicago well worth it in my quest for the perfect sandwich. read more

Al's Beef - Italian Big Beef with hot peppers - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Beef sandwiches and Chicago dogs were delicious. Reasonably priced too. Counter service, looked very clean. read more

My husband likes to eat real food. We can go to fancy, small plates places, but he always leaves hungry and cranky that we spent so much money. Here, he was able to eat and leave happy. read more

Delicious food every time. Fresh and fast service. Great place to grab authentic Chicago food.

Love the new digs! Doesn't get much more classic then Als for a dipped or wet with everything on it. Fast and good as always. read more

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The workers were extremely knowledgeable. I cannot recommend the dipped sandwich with peppers and hot giardiniera. It was AMAZING! If you like a French dip you'll love this. My husband had the Chicago Polish and it was the exact Chicago dog he'd been looking for. It wasn't packed and just the kind of laid back vibe we needed after a busy crowded filled Chicago day. read more

Love Al's Italian beef. Hot peppers and juicy is the way to go. It's a classic for a reason.

Oh man this was such a great sandwich! Juicy, flavorful, my very Italian Beef and it will not be my last! I will not visit Chicago without dropping in for another Italian Beef sandwich! read more

Everyone here is SO friendly and welcoming. Definitely get their Italian beef sandwich with provolone cheese!

I grew up in Chicago and haven't been back in years. The Italian beef was super disappointing. So dry and flavorless. Meatball sub? The meatballs were dense and greasy and tasted of rather low quality beef. The fries were delicious though. read more

Beef and fries were good, meat very tender but not sure what kind of hot peppers these were. Not hot at all. read more

Al's Beef - Al's Beef Restaurant - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'm so glad they reopened, I swore off portillos for good until they start hiring people who want to work. The service is disgusting there as well as the management and savages they employ. Enough about them ah the fresh cut fries. The grilled chicken , the beef jus giardinier is the best in the city. Best Al's in the city hands down. One thing that was not good are the lids for the cups. Disaster waiting to happen. Oh and drive thru is really missed. There almost Jimmy John's quick though so I'm ok putting the hazards on and going inside. read more

Al's Beef - I'm so glad they reopened, clean and professional - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois