Al's #1 Italian Beef
Sandwich shop · River North ·
Iconic Italian beef sandwiches & hot dogs; beef dipped in jus
Iconic Italian beef sandwiches & hot dogs; beef dipped in jus
"I learned that this longtime shop, which opened in 1938 and stakes a claim as the originator of the Italian beef sandwich, piles thinly sliced roast beef on French bread with sweet or hot peppers and offers the option to dunk the whole thing in au jus for a soggy-delicious experience." - Nicholas DeRenzo
"A benchmark for Chicago Italian beef, praised for delivering the sandwich's essential elements: thinly sliced, juicy roast beef, a highly flavorful jus for dipping, sturdy yet yielding bread, and well‑balanced giardiniera and peppers — executed in a way many consider 'legit.'" - Pamela Vachon
"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, nick allen
"A storied staple for a classic Italian beef sandwich — thinly sliced, richly seasoned meat piled into a roll — often cited as the go-to for an authentic Windy City sandwich experience." - Regan Stephens
"The purported origins of the Italian beef sandwich can be traced back to this Taylor Street stand in Little Italy. That’s where Al Ferrari and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli Sr., set up shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would become one of the city’s iconic foods. Today, the original location is still in business and the beef remains unchanged — marinated in secret spices and dipped in gravy. So stop in, assume the proper upright eating stance, and savor a bit of Chicago history. Online ordering is available here." - Eater Staff