When Al is present, he really does "Rule the Roost," and ensure that the sandwich shop operates efficiently. Today, downtown at Noon time, is quiet, it seems like many downtown businesses still have employees working remotely. However, Al's is packed, and the line is out the door. The line moves quickly, the staff are very efficient. I think the locals know that Al's food is the best, and value the greatest, downtown. Al's ingredients are super high quality, his recipes are outstanding. Prices at Al's are a great value for a downtown/State Street sandwich shop. Most importantly, Al's sandwiches (hot and cold) are outstanding. The staff are efficient and friendly. No need to go to Sam LaGrassa's. LaGrassa's is good, their prices are about twice the price of Al's. read more

Amazing!! Best sandwiches in town. Highly recommend their chicken salad sandwich with the works!

I usually post pictures with my reviews, but I always seem to dive into my Al's sandwiches too quickly and then I'm like - oops! Oh well, let me tell you that they are really good! I work in the area, so I've been to Al's a few times. They can get really busy, but they're quick. As others have mentioned, there is are 2 lines - one for hot sandwiches and one for cold. I've gotten their chicken parm, italian and state street cafe special (prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, basil, olive oil and vinegar). So far, everything has been delicious. The italian is probably my favorite so far - I get it with "everything". Next time, I might have them add chicken cutlet to the state street cafe special to give it a bit more oomp. As it is - a small ($8) is already too much, but that would really be 2 full meals with some chicken. Yummo! Everyone is quick and friendly. No complaints about this small, Boston sandwich shop! read more

I'm on a roll ... a sandwich roll that is. I made my way downtown to try Al's State Street Cafe on a snowy Friday afternoon. The place was packed but the line moved quickly. The workers crank out subs like a firing squad. I placed my order for a small meatball Parmesan sub and before I could even finish paying, my sub was in my hands. When they say "small" sub what they really mean is large. I'd hate to see what their other size subs actually look like because I barely finished half of a small meatball Parmesan. The sub itself was delicious - the meatballs were juicy and fresh with great flavors and spices. The provolone cheese melted on top held the whole sandwich together. And they had just the right amount of marinara sauce - not too much so the bread wasn't soggy and drowning in sauce. Like I said, these sandwiches are assembled FAST. The workers are Boston-friendly, meaning smile, order, and then move outta the way. There are about 10 stools to sit at along a counter against the way. Nothing fancy to see here - just good subs served fast. read more

Al's State Street Cafe - A "small" meatball - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

We are in Boston on vacation and we're looking for a quick lunch but something local. This place was amazing. The fresh baked bread was a game changer. Got the roast beef sandwich and every bite practically melted in my mouth. We usually try to hit a wide variety of places when on a trip but I am hoping to eat here again before we leave. read more

Great sandwiches! This is an order at the counter place. Only a few stools to sit on inside. I liked the bread the most. Really fresh, crispy outside soft inside. And a small is 10 inches which is big making it a bargain. read more

I don't know what more you could want from a sandwich place. Great sandwich, friendly service. This is what you want.

Food and service was amazing. Very large portions. the chicken salad was recommended and it was great. we also got a steak & cheese sandwich which was amazing as well. We highly recommend Al's read more

My daughter's home from leave, and she had one request that we make the trip From (RI) to Al's to get the ITALIAN sub. The bread is warm with just the right crunch, cold cuts are razor thin (perfect) and the veggie toppings are always super fresh. The sandwich is a consistant TEN we couldn't wait to dig in. read more

Al's State Street Cafe - Italian's Italian. - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The BEST sub shop in Boston...hands down...NO close second. The rolls are delicious and the cold cuts are high quality. The Italian sub is my go-to and one of the best I've ever had. read more

Can't go wrong with Als, its a financial district/ waterfront institution. The chicken salad is my wife's and I's favorite, but I'm sure other subs are just as good. If you're a fan of spice make sure to ask for "hots", whether on the sandwich or on the side, you won't regret it. Warning; portions are large and the bread is to die for! read more

They use grilled chicken for the chicken parm subs... Everyone knows chicken parm subs use chicken cutlets! The chicken was barely grilled (almost pink) and chopped up into little pieces. The bread was extremely doughy and chewy. Barely any sauce.. The sub itself was huge though so bonus points for that I suppose. read more

Cute little family owned sandwich shop! I was helped by Al himself, and the café has a nice family feel to it, with all the staff joking around and the customers greeting the owner by first name. I love places like this. Both sandwiches I ordered were enjoyable and hearty, only the steak bellino could've been a bit more flavorful. The large option is huge and is a great deal (I put my hand next to it to show how large it is). I could easily buy one of these and eat it for lunch and dinner. Their baked bread is also delicious. Great spot for a quick lunch stop, I 100% recommend. read more

Al's State Street Cafe - "Small" Chicken Barbecue Sandwich - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

I love Al's and have been getting Al's sandwhiches for the better part of a decade. However, the location in Seaport is very lackluster. The bread is always undercooked and the sandwiches are skimpy. I literally got like 2 slices of cold cuts on my Italian today. Go to the one on State Street or South Street. Seaport just ain't it, and it has been a disappointment the last few times. read more

If you be my bodyguard, I can be your long lost pal I can call you Eddie, and Eddie when you call me I'll be eating at Al's WHAT TO GET: Chicken Sub WHAT ELSE: Watch the State of the Street Cafe Address It's one of the most famous sandwiches in Boston, to the extent that there are now several locations around, but the original and most famous is here, close to Quincy Market, in the downtown area of the most European city in the United States (and rivaling Montreal for that title in North America). It was recommended highly by 2 friends, but perhaps I'm a sandwich snob or maybe I'm not into Boston's brand of sub sandwiches, because like Rondo's (which is cheaper and more popular with locals, less so with tourists), I found these sandwiches to be very wet and juicy (which is a good thing), but not the tastiest or most enjoyable. It's worth a try if you really want some chicken with a ton of red sauce on a huge sandwich, but I probably wouldn't go back. But then, like Mariah Carey famously said to Eleanor Roosevelt: "Al, I want for Christmas, is you, Eleanor." read more

Al's State Street Cafe - This poor sandwich is bleeding. - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Before today, I had only stepped into Al's once - with a friend who told me I should know what I want before I get there. This time I came with a pair of co-workers for the walk (as I had a lunch waiting for me back at the office), and witnessed their first visit to Al's with interest. Co-worker A headed into the cold sub line to the right and made her way through the mini maze to order her mozz/tomato sub. Co-worker B was in the hot sub half of the room and somehow ended up with her meatball sub lickety-split, but then had trouble wading back through the lunch crowd to pay. Co-worker A was back with her prize in the meantime, so she asked B what she ordered, took B's cash and waved it to get the attention of an Al's employee without much trouble. Looks like if you want to charge it, you have to head into the line to the far left and wait your turn. I sampled both subs. They have great bread, lovely fresh mozzarella and basil, red tomatoes, a nice tomato sauce, but slightly oversalted (yet still tasty) meatballs. *** 8/2011 *** I had a free tomato/mozz/basil salad from Al's for lunch because co-worker C's order came sans her requested add-on tuna. A bed of cut lettuce arrived topped with perhaps 7 center slices of small-medium red tomatoes and 5 or more center slices of fresh mozzarella, garnished with a handful of sliced basil leaves. With the two pieces of french bread provided, I had myself a homemade caprese sandwich! The bread could have been crustier, but c'est le vie! *** 2013 sometime *** Sampled their chicken salad sandwich - a co-worker's favorite chicken salad. It is your basic meat and mayo chicken salad; no cranberries or any other glamour or glitz. Simple, yet tasty. read more

See all

I was a frequent customer of Al's State Street Cafe before the pandemic, but had yet to make a return visit until today. I was craving a steak and cheese sub and headed over to Al's around 2:30 p.m. Upon approaching the counter, I was told that the grill was closed and they were only serving cold subs. I declined and decided to go elsewhere thinking that they closed at 3:00 p.m. Much to my dismay, I just checked their hours and they close at 4:00 p.m. How in the world can you shut down your grill at 2:30 when you have another 1.5 hours of business to go? That is terrible customer service. read more

What a great find: super good sandwiches: hot or cold. We split a lunch special: sandwich, chips and 20 oz. drink. Had turkey, swiss, mayo and "hots"; they were delicious. Very small amount of seating but are a few stools against wall. We came after the lunch rush, so we enjoyed the atmosphere of this very small but delicious sandwich shop. read more

Al's State Street Cafe - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Fresh bread and great quality meats my favorites are there Italian and steak and cheese subs

This place came highly recommended by my Boston coworkers. I was scanning the photos on yelp and had to see a 16" sub with my own eyes. It's true - a large sub here is 16". I felt like I was rocking a baby carrying this sub back to my office. I ordered a meatball sub and came early to avoid the line that my coworkers warned me about. They were super fast and the woman behind the register was so sweet. The meatballs were tasty if a little overly salty. The sauce on the sub was simple and outstanding and they put the perfect amount of cheese on the sub - enough to make it cheesy but not overpowering to make you feel sick. The only improvement I would make to the sub would be to toast the bread a bit before loading it up. I was only able to eat half and will eat the rest for lunch today. At $10 for 16" of sub you really can't go wrong. I want to come back to try their chicken and eggplant parm sub. Thanks, Al's! read more

See all

So I ordered Sicilian steak and cheese it says up on the menu that is well seasoned steak the steak and cheese does not have no sort of seasoning on it at all It is pretty plain only thing I can taste is the mayo can I ask a put on it it's plain as af AF! But it is a pretty big sub I had a lot of meat on it that's about it it's not that Great at all I definitely had better steak and cheese then this read more

Al's State Street Cafe - Sicilian steak and cheese large 16 inches $10 - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Wow what an amazing sandwich shop.....quick service, amazing sandwiches hot and cold. Know what you want so you don't get yelled out. Pay attention to the signs cold to the right hot to the left....pay in the middle! Trust me order a small they have amazing bag lunches and some forget the Wedding Soup! It was a warm 20 today the soup was perfect and the hot steak sandwich! Go by 11:30 if not it's crazy packed for the lunch rush! read more

Al's State Street Cafe - Steak Bellino - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Hard to beat the large sub for $10.50. Massive sandwich that you should probably eat over two meals, but no ones judging if you don't. Quick service so even with the lunch rush (or what used to be a lunch rush pre-COVID), the wait for me has never more than 5 minutes. Overall, a solid go-to lunch spot. Chicken pesto: 4.5/5 Meatball parm: 4.5/5 Steak Bellino (Philly cheesesteak): 5/5 read more

Incredible. Massive subs for only $13 filled with fillings. Much better food and much cheaper than anything in the nearby Quincy Market. Service was very fast and easy. 10/10 would come again. read more

Al's is definitely the go to place for steak subs.. most places you get more bread than meat, but not here. All of their subs are pretty good and it's inexpensive. Btw, nothing beats their fresh baked bread! read more

Al's State Street Cafe - Steak Bellino - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Visited Boston for there days and ate here twice. So delicious. Amazing homemade bread. They are generous with their toppings, especially their basil. I seriously sooooo amazing. The chicken salad and state street specials are to die for. So fresh and light but filling. I cannot wait to go back to Boston to get one of there sandwiches again. read more

Our trolley tour guide recommended this spot and we were not disappointed. The Italian's Italian was sooo good and ready quickly! A small is not your average small...it was more like a foot long. Check the size chart before ordering. But the meat (and fresh bread) was so good I couldn't stop eating. Not a lot of seating space so most people order to go. read more

Recently I visited this location- paid for the sub to the counter person, she did not give the receipt- one needs the receipt to get the sub- double verification which is fair. In my case - the counter person told I did not pay, I told I paid, fair to say - deli was super busy that does not mean- customer should be said - not paid for food which I clearly paid, but then I was having time crunch- I told the owner- this is what happen and I have to no time to spend another 10 mins to sort out the issue. Btw, I can provide the proof if they want. Such a good deli has got such a low grade counter people.... I wish I can give worst grade to that counter person read more

Great sub & value right in downtown. Everything from the bread to the meat is done absolutely right. A Boston staple serving the lunch rush for years. Looking for a sub on the go? Head to Al's read more

Massive craze at Al's during lunch time. There are two lines: left is for hot subs and right is cold subs, and the sort of middle is to pay. I ordered a small steak & cheese with provolone (flat $7) and I suggest you get it with peppers and onions. The steak wasn't anything to write home about, no flavor, and there wasn't any stringy cheese. The bread was soft but the kind that's gummy. I didn't think the small was as large as some people say because thesub itself was thinner than my arm. They need a better paying system because you can technically walk out the door without paying for your food. Food of the goodwill! There are plenty of counter seats by the window since everyone grabs and goes. You'll notice that 90% of the customers are buttoned up business men. read more

Al's State Street Cafe - Steak and cheese $7 - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Busy small joint with an awesome staff and a great selection of subs. Though they forgot our order the first time, we realized the extra 10 minutes was worth the wait. The State Street Cafe Chicken tasted bomb with its melted cheese, tender chicken pieces, mushrooms and tomatoes on wonderfully toasted white bread. The small size was huge! You're really getting your money's worth at Al's. read more

Al's State Street Cafe - State Street Cafe's Chicken - Salad Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Best Sub I ever Had. Very generous with the sizeBag Lunch. Highly recommended. A must place to go

Ooo la la! I love this place! It had such an authentic Italian feel, the second I walked in I knew I was in good hands! The sub was also so good and was so cheap! I also picked up a bread bag from too good to go as well and I definitely recommend if you're in the market for a hugeee bag of bread for crazy cheap! Soooo good! read more