I was in a pinch for something quick at lunch with my choices: McDonald's, Wendy's, Subway, and Zel's. I never had Zel's so I gave it a try. It's definitely a hole in the wall but when I walked in, I was greeted welcomely. I told the lady at the counter this was my first time ever here and she was so excited to help me. She recommended the roast beef with peppers, pickles, and cheese with fries. The roast beef was messy but that usually makes it better. I'm from Alabama so the roast beef wasn't exactly my type. It was a little dry but at the bottom of the sandwich, I got a hold of the au jus which made it better. The pickles and pepper added some spice. This sandwich also warmed me up as it came out hot and fresh. The fries were your crinkle cut variety and they also were hot and fresh. It was an expensive sandwich though...more than I wanted at a $16 dollar price tag with fries and a drink. It was good for a one time meal. read more

Zel's Roast Beef - Roast beef and fries - Sandwiches Near Me - East Chicago, Indiana

Outstanding chili cheese dogs and beef! Y'all just don't know! I've been around the world eating chili, cheese, roast beef and pickles &peppers and no one does it better than Zel's!!! Nobody! Fight me! read more

The chili cheese dogs, polish dogs and shakes are to DIE for!! I grew up, eating here, walking here at lunchtime (Washington High School). I'm sooooo glad they're still in business. A little pricey, but well worth the taste. I wish they'd expand to Columbus, Ohio. read more

Tastes like you'd expect a Chicago Italian beef cooked in Indiana to taste. Not as expected. read more

Zel's Roast Beef - Sandwiches Near Me - East Chicago, Indiana

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Used to travel weekly to the East Chicago, IN area. On Business. Was introduced to Zel's in East Chicago; being from Chi-town, know delicious fast food. Have to say, Zel's has there own flavor when it comes to there Beef & BBQ. There regular faire (Chili Cheese Dogs, Chili Dogs, Polish, Hamburgers, Cheese Fries are delicious), used to eat here 3-4 times a month. Must introduce my children to this spot, so they too can be Chicago/Indiana area foodie experts. The people & food are always great in the Chicagoland area and it carries over to the border to Indiana. When in East Chicago, and have a taste for good, local fast food, stop on out to Zel's. Mangia & Cheers. read more

Years ago a Zel's was opened at a gas station stop along the Illinois Indiana border. I had never heard of Zel's but decided to give them a try anyhow. I was actually very surprised at how good it was. So for years I kept telling myself one day I need to find a Zel's again. The one I originally visited didn't even last a year. Recently with a little help from yelp, I decided to visit the East Chicago location. The whole area looks like an industrial corridor with homes next to it. I finally found it, and went in, and was greeted nicely by the nice women behind the counter. The beef sandwich was good, but not as good as I originally remember. The beef was a little dry. Would I go out of my way to find this sandwich again? Probably not because I'm from Chicago the birthplace of the iconic Italian beef. There are plenty of very good places in Chicago to buy a delicious beef sandwich. In this vicinity, I really do enjoy the beef sandwich at Capri's Pizza in Whiting on Calumet Avenue. Also, I prefer the flash cooked sliced jalapenos at Capri with the sandwich. read more

Great roast beef. Many toppings. Tangy bbq! Might be their own invention. Good service in there. I like that the hot dogs are Nathan's! Not many places can boast that. Price is decent. Worth investigating. Sorry on the short review. Personally ,Im under the weather and dont feel like typing much but this place is for REAL! read more

I tried the chili cheese beef - a mix of roast beef, chili, and melted cheese, placed atop a pile of fries. Peppers and pickles optional. Great meal for $6.59! read more

Zel's Roast Beef - Chili cheese beef (over bed of fries) - 1 - Sandwiches Near Me - East Chicago, Indiana

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I haven't had Zel's in maybe three or four years and enough is enough. I moved to Florida and I damn near will travel home just for this. Any and everyone from East Chicago can probably relate that once the craving hit and if you've moved away from home it turns pretty devastating I mean my goodness the crave just came out of nowhere. This is thee best fast food establishment on earth. We have great tacos but nothing compares in my opinion to Zel's roast beef. A chili cheese fry ain't just a chili cheese fry. Them shakes are must haves! A chili cheese burger a chili cheese Roastbeef with peppers and onions extra cheese or a reg roast beef with onions and peppers and Pickles smdh Fries are at the bottom of the sandwich I mean just good eating! Oh how I've missed thee I will be home soon for you !! read more

My family and I have been coming to the Zelda on Columbia for 20 plus years. The food is delicious and some of the sweetest ladies work there. Keep up the history and GREAT FOOD! ps. THE BEST SHAKES IN HAMMOND read more

I thought this place was a staple of the area. Always heard the hype and finally was able to grab me a sammich. Roast beef with peppers and pickles. Not sure why but I was expecting something similar to Arby's. Instead I got a dry chewy Italian beef sandwich minus all the good seasoning. I'd compare this to maybe some catered beef because it's always horrible and this was on par with that. If that wasn't it I think a small McDonald's fry has more to it than what I got in my order. Good fries for sure, I searched the bag looking for the rest to no avail, I felt cheated out of the best part of my meal. 1/10 will not revisit read more

Came here to experience one of my husband's childhood favorites. We don't even eat hot dogs but made an exception while on vacation. The ladies were very kind and kept the atmosphere friendly. The chili cheese hot dog with chili cheese fries were SO GOOD! Just an FYI, the chili cheese dog comes with plain fries. We were unaware of this and ended up having a bunch of extra fries. read more

Zel's Roast Beef - Chili cheese hot dog and chili cheese fries. - Sandwiches Near Me - East Chicago, Indiana

I haven't been here in a while and probably will not return. If the older people have an unpleasant attitude, then they shouldn't be the first person to greet you. I was served a spoiled pineapple milkshake. Returning it wasn't a problem since te employee was able to smell it. The scent was similar to milk that has been in the fridge 2 weeks after expiration. Anyways, I was told it was the pineapples, and offered another flavor. I asked for strawberry. I regret not tasting it. I left and as I drove away I tried it and it was spoiled too. Not wanting to go through the experience again. I drove to the nearest alley and threw it in the garbage. Expected more for milkshake that costs over $4, served in a regular cup but referred to as a large. read more

I wanted Beef Sandwich. I remember back in the day My father and I would always go to Zel's and it's been years since I ate at Zel's but I woke up and thought let's do Zel's. I ordered a beef sandwich and honestly my expectations were this is going to be a stellar sandwich this is going to be one for the books. So I unwrapped the sandwich and I was ready for a decadence that's hadn't experienced in years. I rubbed my hands together with expectation. I took I bite....I thought hmm.....let me take another bite.....hmm.....I took another bite.......I wanted to curse.....I mean Jesus I just spent $8.00 on this.....it's dipped in au juse.....and what is this? This is ridiculous that's what this is. This is the most plain dry and bland roast beef sandwich I've ever eaten.....how is the sandwich even partially dry when it's been dipped? Eating it....literally it had no flavor at all....it's like eating flavorless meat......and what's the point in that? Portrillos easily smashes this roast beef to pieces.....portrillos is easily 10 times better.....Barton's is probably the best beef sandwich I have had and even Arby's is easily much better then Zel's. So my personal recommendation is it's not worth it. I will say however that the chocolate shake is excellent. The onion rings are meh....because I can taste some after taste of something else that isn't onion rings which tells me the oil in their fryer should be changed. So there you have it. If your going to Zel's just go for a chocolate shake. read more

It was nice to try a Chicago roast beef sandwich outside of O'Hare airport... I was not disappointed with the sandwich.

I have family in East Chicago and every time we go and visit my parents would take us to Zel's. I grew up with this stuff. Although I live in Chicago and we don't have very much family in E.C. I still need a fix every now and then. Every time I visit I ask them why they don't open a Zel's up in Chicago. They would knock all of the other beef places out of the water. I get my roast beefs extra juicy and with lots of pickles and peppers. They're magic in my tummy, those beefs, they are! Oh, and don't forget to get a pineapple malt. MMMMMMM!!! The customer service is hit or miss at the E.C. location, but they do have some really sweet ladies working behind the counter. I hope this place never closes. read more

YUMMY! I love the chicken sandwiches from this place. I've also ordered milk shakes and my partner in crime always gets a roast beef sandwich. read more

My favorite Roast Beef Hogie, great shakes and chili cheeses fries that will eventually kill you.

I like Zeus a lot. I wish there menu would increase with more variety of foods. Still if you like roast beef sandwiches or hamburgers, this is the place to go. read more

MUST do better on customer service. I placed a call in because I was short on time, the lady says "where are you?" I told her my location, which was near and she still decided to wait until I came in to put in the order. Then once I received my order, it was wrong! She then goes back and forth with me about what I said. Not a way to treat customers and not a good example to set for the younger workers. MUST do better read more