I met a friend in Elgin to have dinner and seeing as how she's lived in outskirts of Elgin her whole life and never ventured into the city, I turned to my good buddy yelp to figure out a destination. The reviews overwhelmingly pointed me to Al's, and the reviews were exactly right. If you're near downtown Elgin, stop whatever you're doing and get ready for a greatly satisfying dining experience. We started out with a couple glasses of wine. There was a crazy cheap wine deal that was yodeling our names, so we both got a glass and were quite satisfied with the result. Little did we know that this mighty fine table wine would be the start to a great experience. The meal started with delicious soups. The waiter said that the soups were homemade, and he was definitely telling the truth. This was the best clam chowder I've eaten in a state that doesn't have an ocean next to it; the potatoes were hearty, the clams tender, the flavor chowdery to the max. My friend had a minestrone-style soup, which was not overly salty like most soups of that genre and really had a solid mix of fillings. Next came the entrees. It was cajun week, so I went with the cajun salmon with bourbon and andouille sausage sauce. I usually don't order salmon when I go out, but I had a great feeling about this one and it was spot on. The sauce was a fantastic enhancer to the fish, like tartar sauce on a fish stick or sour cream on anything. Overall I found it to be a fantastic dish. My friend had the fettucine, which she couldn't finish (aka I got the leftovers... sweet) and it was some of the best leftover pasta I've ever eaten and instantly gotten food coma from. Although we were totally stuffed, a malt had to happen. Being intolerant in the lactose kind of way, this was a daring experiment for me and a true test of the power of almighty Lactaid. While the Lactaid was an epic fail (I underestimated the power of an Al's malt), the malt was magically delicious. While we were there, 2 loners came in, ordered ice cream products of some sort, and left... if people wander in by themselves for the malts/shakes alone, this is obviously yet another sign that you need to consume one while you're there. The decor and style of the place is great. Its a hipster feel in a family restaurant, something I find quite unique and not expected in the city of Elgin. Grab a date or the fam and check it out, you won't be sorry. read more

I love Al's! Everything about it makes me happy from the shape of the place, the amazing old school bar, stained glass and freaking fantastic food. I love stopping in when I'm in town visiting my cousins record store. This day I wanted ice cream so the only solution was Al's. I ordered a butterscotch sundae, it was perfect. If you are ever in downtown Elgin stop in and enjoy a tasty treat in super fun ambiance. read more

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What a surprise this place is! Had a delicious teriyaki chicken sandwich! Its very messy, but the munster cheese worked surprisngly well with the teriyaki sauce! Husband had a chicken Caesar, which he said was spraight forward with a good flavor on the grilled chicken. Honestly did not expect to find such a cute little place in downtown Elgin, but I am pleasantly surprised! Totally worth the stop! read more

Al's is really cute. The shake was good, but other than that the dinner was really below average. I had the clam chowder, which I ordered because everyone says it is homemade and so good. I couldn't tell it was homemade, and it wasn't very good. Just thick and bland. For my entree I had the trout, described as pan-seared with a 'white wine butter sauce.' In reality, it was breaded with something soggy and drowning in greasy butter. Someone else at another table complained about their food and was told the head chef is out for the month. Well, I don't know if that is why everything was sub-par, but based on my meal the good rating is not deserved at all. read more

Had lunch here with my brother yesterday on the outside patio. It was comfortable and a nice setup in the alley of the establishment. There were a fewd smokers standing closer than I would have liked, but it's better than when people could smoke IN a restaurant. I use to order a turkey and broccoli sandwich I loved for it's original nature but it's no longer on the menu. No fear! The server told me he knew the sandwich I was talking about and could make one similar but with asparagus. Brilliant! It was a great substitute. Your plate comes with a slice of fruit and some kettle chips. I wish the automatic side was fries like at other places- would be nice. read more

Been a fan of Al's for years! One of my all time favorites- love getting my dessert first & very pleased with their rotating selection of specials! read more

Their famous shakes would not cooperate with the flimsy thin straw they provided. A larger, more sturdy standard milkshake straw would have worked. So I used a spoon and found it to be cloying, overly sweet. As Abe Lincoln once said "It's just the sort of thing that folks who like that sort of thing would like." The vaunted salad dressing tasted like honey and mayo with a little blue cheese. The chicken was okay, but standard food service. My son ordered grilled cheese with American Cheese (I know, I know, it's crap, but hey, he's my son, so back off). He had asked and was told it was American Cheese. They gave him Cheddar and he wouldn't eat it. We thought it tasted okay and didn't mention it. He was hungry. I ordered a turkey sandwich. It tasted so old and musty that I finally sent it back (a rare move for me, but hey, it's my health). The owner told me that it was free range turkey, and was not old. He was very nice about it. I don't think he was correct. He gave me a chicken sandwich instead which was pretty good. I wanted to like this place. Couldn't quite. read more

Very quaint, unique place with good smells! Southwest chicken soup was fantastic! Reuben sandwich had a very tasty dijonaise sauce. Albacore tuna sand (fantastic) and cream of cauliflower soup (had just enough pepper). Shakes were very very thick-save room it is worth it. Definitely a place to stop at to eat. read more

Very cute, cozy, and warm cafe. The service was great and so was the food. I can see why they get 4 1/2 stars. The tuna melt was awesome and the cookies were soft. I was bummed that just after we placed our order, a gentleman had purchased the last of their seasonal truffles! I guess we're going to have to wait until this Christmas to get a box. I hear the holiday truffle selection is simply incredible and that they will be offering their chocolate truffles for ladies on Valentines Day. read more

I love Al's. Their shakes and malts are insanely delicious. I had some carrot cake there once that was probably the best I have ever had. I always get their veggie melt. It is really good and I usually have leftovers for the next day :) They have a good variety of stuff on their menu - something for everyone. The people that work there are really personable. It's especially nice to go there in the summer and eat outside. read more

Eating at Al's Cafe is sort of like eating at someone's house, especially if you get seated upstairs. The ambiance was very cozy and the staff were all attentive and very nice and happy. We were seated immediately and our waters were always filled. I ordered the beef stew and it was the best beef stew I have ever had in my life. It was a life changing experience for me, perhaps because of where I've lived prior to this dinner. I grew up in the Bay Area and lived New York, which both have amazing cuisines from all over the world, and attended college in San Diego with its share of iconic burritos and tacos. But until now, I don't think I've had "American" food that screamed deliciousness at me. After my first bite of beef stew, it truly sunk in how this could be so many people's comfort food (prior to this, I have only had it at chain restaurants and the like). After a hearty dinner, we also tried their peach maltini (I think that's what it was called?) which was also incredibly delicious. read more

This is an older looking place and looks like it probably has a regular crowd. I had the Russian sandwich, my wife had a chicken and mushroom with Swiss, and my son (18 months) had noodles. Food was great and service was on point. They accommodated us by getting food our very quickly and streamlined the entire process. I highly recommend this place and will be back. read more

This is about as good as a culinary experience that can be obtained in Elgin Illinois. That being said Al's is pretty darn tasty. The salads are unique and fresh, the sandwiches are creative and satisfying and the shakes are to die for. If you are in the Elgin area and don't want mexican food, this is your best bet for something that is real and probably not terrible for you. Enjoy read more

Went for the first time last night. Loved the ambience. We ordered a burger and the Cajun meatballs with a side salad. Salads don't excite me much, but this salad was AWESOME! The buttermilk ranch dressing was delish! They brought the Cajun shrimp instead of the Cajun meatballs...honest mistake... They fixed it right away. That was appreciated. It was worth the short wait! Those meatballs were awesome! The southwest burger we ordered was awesome! The homemade kettle chips were awesome! I I guess by now you are thinking that we thought this place was AWESOME! You are correct! Can't wait to go back and try some more items. I am sure it will be awesome as well! read more

Literally the best milkshakes in the universe. The food is pretty great too and the menu has some interesting seasonal rotation but the main attraction is the milkshakes. read more

I ordered a club sandwich to go. Possibly the BEST CLUB SANDWICH I've ever had! Generous amounts of fresh deli meat with two layers of lettuce, tomato, Munster cheese and plenty of bacon. They also give you a choice of several breads. It comes with a slice of pineapple and chips. It's a ten dollar sandwich, but well worth it. I'm looking forward to trying other menu items. The interior of the restaurant was clean, comfortable and welcoming. Friendly staff. Kudos! You have a new regular customer. read more

This is a super little cute place. Went with my folks for lunch, and I had the Ruben - it was delicious. I love that the space used to be a bank, and the boots are church pews. This just has a lot of character, the food was great as was the service. It's a hike from my parents house, but it was worth it. read more

While the place is pretty cute and the servers are very courteous, the food is far from mind blowing. I agree with Cindy G., this place's rating is really high for below average food. I had the southwest chicken salad... the grilled chicken reminded me of something you would get from a fast food place. I think that sums it up. read more

This place is one of the sweetest and most enjoyable cafes I've been to in a long time. We stopped in for an early dinner on the way back to Chicago and found the place pretty empty, but, that was no indication of the food not being tasty. The service was excellent, very friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was extremely cozy. I had the Grilled Chicken Salad (although the Schnitzel was extremely tempting...sadly...waistline won that battle) and the chicken you could tell was home roasted, vegetables were fresh and you could tell were not grown in a test tube. Friend had the Thai Shrimp (also delicious) and I convinced another to order the Gypsy Schnitzel with a red pepper sauce I thought was very delightful. They start off the meal with homemade white bread, which I have to add is excellent dipped in their homemade buttermilk and Honey Bleu Cheese dressing. This is quite the little gem downtown and I hope that they continue to have much success. Still regretting not getting a malt though... read more

Al's is great. I have had the Malt here - it was incredible. Also I have had the Schnitzel, which was very good. A wildly large portion of Schnitzel - so I had extra for the next day. This is what a small business should be - Al's encompasses all of the best qualities of a successful dining establishment. read more

I love this place. When friends and I have 1.5 hours for lunch we go here. The service is always slow. Luckily, the food and atmosphere make up for it. If you are visiting during the cooler months, ask to sit upstairs. You will feel like you are in grandma's dining room. In a good way. They patio outside is nice when the weather is not too hot. Al's is probably best known for their ice cream, shakes, and malts. My husband and I always split a 1/2 shake. It is enough for 2 whole servings. I like to order from the 'make your own deli sandwich' portion of the menu. Lots of meat, cheese, bread, and veggie choices. I always throw in cucumbers, even though they're not really on the list. No one has ever minded. The two times I have ordered the veggie burger it has arrived without the listed dressing. Be forewarned. read more

This place is super cute and cozy and my bruschetta burger was very tasty. Decided to check it out based on Yelp reviews because I love new places. Unfortunately my ornery father isn't the best person to take on dining adventures, although he conceded that his burger was delicious. Said ornery father is also in a wheelchair and although there is a ramp to get into the restaurant, the restaurant itself is really not equipped at all for wheelchair access--both in the dining area and in the restrooms (I'm told). The owner?/hostess?/HBIC? did her best to create adequate space so that we could be seated, and was really nice about it, but it felt like a huge inconvenience/ordeal. Sort of a bummer that in order to give my Dad a break from nursing home hell, I have to go to some gross chain restaurant with sub-par food. I should have researched further than a "yes" to "wheelchair accessible" on here so that I didn't have to make my father uncomfortable and myself a bit grumpy on his bday, but this is still somewhat new for us. Made me feel bad for all those who have to deal with this all the time. But despite the circumstances, good food and quaint restaurant. read more

I absolutely love this place! I was born, raised and still live in Elgin so i feel like I'm qualified to say that this is one of the few (lasting) gems in the Elgin area. The place is adorable, the service is great and I love the food. Plus, during warmer weather you can sit on the outdoor patio, which I always enjoy. I've never had a 'serious' meal there... I mostly go when I want a casual (but yummy) bite to eat. My favorite is the salmon Caesar salad (it's huge and I always have leftovers!). I'm also obsessed with their ranch dressing -- I don't know if it's made in-house but it tastes like it is and it is the best ranch I've EVER had. Also, their malts are to die for. It's what they are known for and if you don't get one, you're missing out on the true Al's experience. read more

Staff was relatively attentive and friendly. Good portions that were sizable but really lacking in actual flavor. My pan seared fish (Idaho Trout) felt like it was doused in kosher salt and the potatoes were a similar story. Cocktails were pretty well made but small and overpriced. Willing to try again but certainly will order something new! read more

Al's is a regular date night spot for my husband and I. We especially enjoy their sandwiches (The Florentine and Rueben are our favorites), because they are so fresh! All the food we've ever tried has been top notch. Most of all, we love the ice cream sundaes. We often come just to indulge in a $5 ice cream sundae to split. It is epic, and it is delicious, and it is sinful. The cozy decor makes for a perfect date night during these cold winter months! read more

Love this place. Especially in the summer when we can sit outside and enjoy their sangria. Everything I have tried has been delicious!

Al's Cafe & Creamery is my favorite restaurant in Elgin downtown, I have been a there many many times the service will never disappoint you and the food is great the best part is not expensive. In the menu you would find a little bit. Is a friendly relax place! read more

Stopped here during lunch time and had a chocolate malt. Best I have ever had. It was thick and tons of flavor. Will be back :)

Holy Peanut Butter Malt Shake. AND THE WHITE BEAN BRUCHETTA! Unexpected and delightful! My only gripe is the prices of the entrees however I don't really have a need for eating anything but appetizers and ice cream here so it doesn't bother me. The decor is spot on everything I want an ice cream parlor to look like. read more

I worked here for a brief stint during the summer months so I might be a bit biased, but probably not because it is that delicious! I took a friend here last night that is not from Elgin because I figured it's a step away from all the chains and such. The unique historic building is a conversation starter as there are bookshelves on the second floor full of old books and there is also a wall of old postal boxes. The main floor is an intimate setting with maybe only 7 tables (don't worry, there is plenty of seating upstairs). Character aside, Al's has a wide assortment of menu items to choose from such as homemade soups, salads and sandwiches and a separate dinner menu that features enticing entrees that usually stick to a particular theme. (I remember the Cajun menu being a popular one!) After the healthy portion of lunch or dinner save room for a malt! My favorite combination is the chocolate banana peanut butter malt. YUM!! read more

Had the crab cake appetizer last week and it was an excellent lunch or light dinner option. Had the Turkey and Swiss melt sandwich on light sour dough and was very tasty! The bread wasn't overly toasted/greasy and the mushroom-dijonaise ratio didn't take away from the top quality turkey. Also the shakes are still *the* bomb! read more

I have been here a handful of times and every time I have loved the food and service. I work in Elgin, but live in Chicago, so I have only been here for lunch. I usually get the deluxe grilled cheese and it's so delicious!! I have also tried a couple other sandwiches, all very good. Their salads look tasty too. They have their own creamery and ice cream. It's so good! Yum, yum, yum. Also, the interior is interesting. It reminds me of an old bank, maybe, or a lawyer's office. Great local place! read more

We have never eaten food here but stopped n for what we understood to be great ice cream and shakes. One word - Amazing. We'll be back for dinner soon. read more

I have had over 20 meals in the past five years at Al's Cafe. Everyone is better than the previous. Chef Tony's creations are flavorful and phenomenal. A wonderful meal and experience each and every time. Al's Cafe is an Elgin treasure. read more

I went here for lunch with my sisters and mom. My mom loves this place, and kept telling me how quaint it is. It's an old building -- rehabbed post office or pharmacy. I thought it was on the dirty side, and service was just so-so. Waitress had an attitude when my sister asked questions about the menu (half soup and sandwich thing). CD kept skipping, which drove me insane. But the food was ok, shakes were good. One sister and I split a half -- which was plenty for dessert. She also got the peanut butter cookie, which was very tasty and soft. Coffee was good, and they came to refill often. It's an ok place. Doubt I'd return without my mom (for whatever reason she finds it incredibly charming), but I wouldn't complain. read more

- THIS IS IN ELGIN, ILLINOIS NOT CHICAGO - This place is one of the sweetest and most enjoyable cafes I've been to in a long time. We stopped in for an early dinner on the way back to Chicago and found the place pretty empty, but, that was no indication of the food not being tasty. The service was excellent, very friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was extremely cozy. I had the Grilled Chicken Salad (although the Schnitzel was extremely tempting...sadly...waistline won that battle) and the chicken you could tell was home roasted, vegetables were fresh and you could tell were not grown in a test tube. Friend had the Thai Shrimp (also delicious) and I convinced another to order the Gypsy Schnitzel with a red pepper sauce I thought was very delightful. They start off the meal with homemade white bread, which I have to add is excellent dipped in their homemade buttermilk and Honey Bleu Cheese dressing. This is quite the little gem downtown and I hope that they continue to have much success. Still regretting not getting a malt though... read more

My husband, kids and I rode our bikes around downtown Elgin and settled here for dinner. We all enjoyed the food and especially the shakes and malts. It was great eating outside and the staff is all very friendly. We will definitely be coming back here again. read more

Al's Cafe & Creamery - Delicious east side roast beef sandwich - Diners Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Solely based on the food, drink, and malt shake... I give it a 4. Service was okay, though there wasn't much to do. I'm happy over all. Checkout http://YouTube.com/AmberRoseTV for the video version of my experience. read more

A long time Elgin staple. Great outdoor dining area. Food is great and owners are wonderful people. Known for their deserts but also a German slant on their menu. Worth the trip. read more

Had lunch with a friend today. WOW!! the Russian sandwich was awesome. Then my wife asked me to bring home a cheese burger for her. So I ordered the basic hamburger w/cheese. It was fantastic even as it was getting cold (I took a detour on the way home). Just Go...oh, and don't for get the Maltinis! read more