Al's #1 Italian Beef
Sandwich shop · Little Italy ·
Chicago institution for overstuffed Italian beef sandwiches
![Al's #1 Italian Beef by Al’s Beef [Official Photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62593458/als_beef.172.png "Al's #1 Italian Beef by Al’s Beef [Official Photo]")
![Al's #1 Italian Beef by Al’s Beef [Official Photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62543297/als_beef.15.png "Al's #1 Italian Beef by Al’s Beef [Official Photo]")
Chicago institution for overstuffed Italian beef sandwiches
"I went to Al’s Beef at 1070 W. Taylor Street, spent $13.13 on a hot, dipped Italian beef with cheese sauce, and gave it an 8.5/10 — in my opinion the meat, the bread, the jus it’s dipped in, and the peppers all had more flavor than Portillo’s and made it the clear winner in the head-to-head." - Naomi Waxman
"A long-established Italian beef chain that dates to 1938 and is noted for a distinctive giardiniera approach that omits vinegar from its special blend, reflecting one of the regional variations on how the pickle complements the beef-and-bread classic." - Ashok Selvam
"Legend has it that Al’s invented the Italian beef in 1938, and while that legend might have been started by Al’s, we don't care. This perfect specimen has fluffy bread fortified with beef cooked using a secret recipe—one that’s probably hidden in a tungsten safe, surrounded by a moat of bright orange gravy brimming with fat. Don’t bother with the other locations, just go to the original spot in Little Italy. That’s where they marinate and roast all the beef, and we believe in getting our Al’s straight from the source." - veda kilaru
"Like politics, Malort, and choosing which Lollapalooza headliner to see, Italian beef allegiances can easily ruin friendships. We’re here to fuel the debate—the Al’s in University Village makes the best in the city. The fluffy bread perfectly soaks up everything—the meat juices from the tender slices of beef marinated with a decades-old secret spice recipe and their robust jus. Make sure to order some of that liquid gold on the side for mandatory dunking." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor
"Al's Beef has been a Chicago legend since 1938, and though it has branches of varying quality all over the city, the Taylor Street location is the original and always reliable and consistent (unlike most other locations, they still make the beef on-premises). Order a beef dipped with hot peppers, and then assume the proper eating stance — hunched over — so you don’t drip gravy all over yourself." - Samantha Nelson
