Al's #1 Italian Beef

Got the pound of beef to go with hot pepper pint and bread. Makes 5 average sandwiches. Extra bread for the au jus. Just the best. Tinley park is the best location in my opinion .

Another trip out to IL so another place to check off for Italian beef. I went with a friend so I was able to split a few items. We had a Beef & Sausage Combo (dipped) an order of fries with cheese, and a Maxwell Street Polish. Service is pretty quick. We had our food fast and dove in. Starting with the Maxwell, it’s a great sausage with some snap. The sport peppers give the acidic bite balanced by sweet onions. I tried stuffing some fries on as well. The Beef & Sausage Combo was good, but that’s a tough one to eat when dipped. You’re not putting it down. 🤣 I probably could have gone with a fork and knife. The beef itself is lightly seasoned, so the addition of the sausage boosts the flavor.

We visited Al's Beef and it was super. The prices are on the high side which Pops is just a little lower in cost. The only thing I didn't like about the service was that there was only a cashier and she had a TIP jar infront of the register. I felt like was a bit intimidating to have that out. There are no server's or waiters. You clean up after yourself, The staff didn't bring your food to the table, they just passed it over the counter like a regular McDonald's. So...... why tip? the beef cost me an arm and a leg but that was my choice. Other wise if you got the money go there, the beef is worth it.

First time trying Al's. Food came out fast and there were definitely huge portions! The big beef itself is already more than enough for me. Although, compared to the fries, the beef felt less seasoned, and there was little heat coming from the hot giardiniera.

I’ve never been to Al’s before, but I decided to try it out. I am not a beef fan, so I got the charbroiled chicken breast sandwich. It is the greatest sandwich I’ve ever eaten from a restaurant. Also, fantastic, fresh fries! Honestly, give it a try, because it’s amazing!

Delicious sandwich! Highly recommend a stop if you are in or near Chicago. We got the Jumbo Italian Beef with cheddar and sweet pepper. The meat tasted amazing. Sandwich was not overly filling.

Im not from illinois so i was so excited to get an Italian beef with sausage but the sausage was barley cooked/grilled. I had to bring it home and cook it longer. So that ruined the experience. Staff was nice but im disappointed.

Been going to Al’s for about 55 years now. Grandpa would take me to Taylor st. Always been my favorite but lately seems like the sandwich is smaller and way less beef than in the past. Went to Tinley location. Sandwich used to fill me up but last 3 times I was still hungry. Sandwich is still delicious and was hot and juicy. Great service too

Went here because Mr.Beef was closed and I was inspired by the show The Bear while I was in town. Chose this place based on reviews and was very pleasantly surprised! It was DELICIOUS. My first Chicago beef and certainly won't be my last. It was so very flavorful, I got the sweet n hot with gravy on the side. Eat fast or it will fall apart, but it's so tasty you won't mind picking it up with your fingers! One star deducted because some employees had an attitude.

I have always loved a good sammie & Al's Beef does not disappoint! I love my business trips & figuring out the local joints is a Fav! I'll be eating here again later this week, simple walk up counter service in a clean, modern building, simple & delicious! I had the big beef with hot giardiniera & requested "crispy fries" - I'm a happy man .

While the flavor of the beef is not exactly my favorite, compared to french dip, I can't deny the meat quality, fresh bread and thin slicing make this a special style of sandwich, so I appreciate what it is. The standouts were actually the rich and flavorful tamales with chili and the amazing fresh-cut fries drenched with their cheese sauce. So good!! Service was fast and friendly. The place was clean and well-maintained. Great experience!!

I tried I wanted to like it but the Italian beef us just not as good as others in Joliet. I think it was the giardiniera it was so disappointing The staff was excellent and super friendly, the parking can be tight since it does share parking with several other businesses. The inside was spacious very clean, and well decorated. This is why I am goving a 2 vs 1 was the service, speed, and inside. But the sandwich and the bowl is a hard pass.

Food is good...service is okay...Al's is just getting too expensive. It would get more stars if not for the price. There's no benefit for getting a meal so just get a small drink and keep refilling.

Hard to beat!! However I tested this place over and over, no tip/- no beef!!! You tip for ordering and picking up at counter-- youre beef will be loaded- no tip-- little baby beef - way it goes these days

The food was presented great I think they needed to put some seasoning on the meat while cooking it. That would take it to the next level. Everything was made fresh

Always a wonderful Italian beef sandwich. Great gravy makes this a winner. Do the hunch and sink your teeth in deliciousness. Don't forget to get a hotdog on the side. It comes with real French fries and they are super good.

Frankly, the food hit. Fries are top tier, best fries I have had in IL. Chicago dog smacked. And the beef and gravy are so comforting in this cold weather. Taste like hugs and kisses. I thoroughly enjoyed the food and next time would try the "wet" as I feel like I didn't get to enjoy the bread too much. The real seller is the beef.

Totally satisfied. I had the Italian beef and Dave had the beef and sausage combo. Both so good we forgot to take pictures. Excellent service, courteous, friendly staff. Great atmosphere in the dining room. 100% recommend (and we'll be back!)

I went to this Al's beef hoping for the same tasty burger like the one on wells street in Chicago. Instead, I got a fake piece of meat that felt I was eating rubber. They don't charbroil the burgers here. They use a burger king device which is a8 machine like cooker that the burger is sent through. Very disappointed. The customer service was not so friendly. How dare you ask a question. But my question is "where's the beef" when it comes to the hamburger. If you want a hamburger from here, go to burger king across the street instead.

Best Italian sausage sandwich. But I wish they would bring back the junior size beef sandwich. Consistently good fries and you don't have to get American cheese on your burger. They also have mozzarella and provolone on beautiful brioche buns.

Looked forward to coming home. Italian beef was on the list to get, a little disappointed. Ordered an I italuan beef and maxwell street polish. Beef didn't have it. Was not the taste I remember and maxwell street polishwas to well done almost could say burnt.

check and recheck, then check your carry out order. I just left, ordered two beef, one hot peppers, one sweet and hot, along with one order of fries. They called my number and handed me the bag, it felt a little light as I was walking out so I checked...one beef and one fry. went back in. They said "oh sorry, I only charged you for one". Ok...mistakes happen, I told them my order again, they charged me for another sandwich, took the bag back behind the counter and said it would be up shortly. A few minutes later they said "here you go, sorry about that" I took the bag and left. Drove home...opened the bag...there's one beef and one fry. WTF! so I found out they screwed up my order the first time, went back, they CHARGED ME FOR ANOTHER SANDWICH AND NEVER GAVE IT TO ME. I am so angry with them right now. Complete incompetence and disregard for their customers...not to mention ripping me off. I'm done here, plenty of other beef stands around. Do not go here

Friday 9:03. Open until 9:30 - door says 9:30. Online 9:30. Staff inside. We walk up and they hold a hand up and lock the door. Unreal. Smile and turn their backs.

We stop every time we're in the Chicago area! We'll drive an hour out of our way to eat Al's Beef

There's Al's then there's nun they better then the rest which makes them the best nothing less

I've always loved Al's beef, I've only eaten the beef, and sausage combo from there, I've always found them to be better than Buona beef, and Portillo's. Their fries are awesome!!

This is the best beef in Chicagoland - closest thing you will get to beefs an Italian grandmother's Sunday dinner ... and anyone that compares this to French dip should be banned from Chicagoland :)

Something, different but really enjoyed the mess. All the way from Florida and I enjoyed it next time may go with it not being wet just to keep my clothes clean.

A taste of Chicago!!! Always a must have when I come home. Best Italian beef sandwich with tender beef perfectly cooked and with peppers. Aww so so good. Quick service and great price. Can't wait to come back

I love Al's. Best beef out but of course Taylor street is my favorite but You guys rock as well.

Al's is the best beef in Chicagoland. Buona is also good, but a tad spicy for my taste. Portillo's has gone downhill since they were sold to a large corp. I have always had wonderful service at Al's on 183rd and Harlem. I have never been there when not greeted with a welcoming smile. I get my beef dry with the au jus on the side, so it's always exactly how I want it.

Ordered a Big Beef sandwich today and was expecting a bigger than the regular beef sandwich. Bad assumption on my part. I didn't know if it was a bigger sandwich with more bread or just extra meat. This sandwich didn't look any bigger than a standard beef, in fact the bread seemed like the same size and it less meat than a regular beef. The first bite was almost all bread... Very disappointing.

I love Al's beef more then any other place,but the sandwiches got smaller, other then that it's all good

Ok I love Al's fries. I have a personal hotdog philosophy which dictates I have a hotdog on all American summer holiday weekends-Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, (and anytime I go to a baseball park)-you get it. I do love Al's-the fries remind me of my days at DePaul when I lived on Demon Dogs-they too had the same fries and they were outstanding. What I don't love is the wait time. Even if there is no one in the place and you order a hotdog, you will wait. It boggles my mind.

I have to say I must give them 5 stars. I am now hooked on their beef and oh my the fresh cut fries and perfect. Thank you for being open on the inside to dine in. I only patronize businesses that are open on the inside. Beats Buona beef by far. Eating there weekly now and sad to say 3 times this week. I have never done that with any place before. Thank you for just putting out great beef and fries!

It had been a while since I last visited so passing by one day I decided to stop in. This place really took a turn for the worse. In addition to the rising prices; the cleanliness and upkeep were terrible. The dispenser buttons on the soda fountain (picture uploaded) had layers of dirt which must have built up for months sans regular cleaning. The only "clean" spots where-where people would normally push to fill their drink. It was sickening to think about touching the machine to fill my drink. In addition, there must be at least 1/4" of dust all over everything not in arms reach. Door closers, lights, decorations, etc. all were coated in dust. The counter along the window also had a section that said "do not use" where the wall was cracked and the counter was falling off. To top it all off, during the normal lunch rush, it took about 15 minutes to get our sandwiches. Furthermore, people in the food prep area could be seen without hair nets or gloves. This is not what I expect from Al's Beef - especially for the "premium" price and I won't be returning to this location.

This place blew my mind I got a regular dipped hot and sweet Italian beef sandwich it was amazing! It was messy and dripping all over and I loved it! I got extra juice on the side to dip the gravy has the best flavor ever I will definitely be back

Horrible service. Staff is very rude. One of the guys preparing my food wouldn't even give me my cup. There's also no sanitizer for patrons. Disgusting. Tables are all dirty as well.

I know it's been a long time debate but it's Al's beef for the win for me. I have enjoyed my food every visit and in my opinion tops Portillo's with their Italian beef. The beef is moist, and seasoned perfectly. The homemade peppers are a welcomed bonus. What makes me continue to go back even more than the food is the superb customer service at this location.

Super disappointed. I live in Oaklawn so we had to decide whether to drive downtown or save 15-20 mins by going to Tinley. I should have stuck to my instincts and gone to Taylor or Ontario. While service was quick, they didn't put much effort in making my actual order. I didn't check the food before I left and I kind of regret that now. I usually like to trust it and just gtfo of there. I ordered a beef, dipped. It was on the receipt so didn't think there would be any issue. As soon as I opened the beef, internally I started sobbing, uncontrollably. I threw myself to the ground kicking and screaming (not really) because I seen a whiteness in my bread. It was dry. Not dipped, which is a deal breaker for me and ruined my meal. + French fries were abnormally soggy with grease. Absolutely no salt. It was as if they didn't shake them out enough (which makes sense as to why there was no salt) I knew the ride home would sog the fries but this was more than that. I was able to salvage them. Patted them down with paper towels and toasted them in the oven a bit to get my crunch back. Too much work and emotional distress for the price I paid to have them make it. My side of cheese was good. My Coke was good. Anyway, it's safe to say this location needs improvement. Long story short: ALWAYS DIP THE BEEF, GUYS! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHAKE AND SALT YOUR FRIES!!

Generally good food, liked the beef sandwich Except I was disappointed with the hot peppers I was expecting traditional hot peppers but got something that was not red sauce and not the hot peppers I expected, the fries was ok but not as good as they could have been. Good but not outstanding

Despite what the sign says, this is DEFINITELY not "Chicago's #1 Italian Beef." I thought it was kinda gross and at $13 for fries, beef and a drink, totally not worth it. Much prefer the spicing of Portillo's beef, and they aren't even the best. Best thing about Al's was the fresh cut fries, but still no reason to come here.

Even though the price for food is a bit outrageous I definitely enjoyed my visit here. I came here with a couple of my coworkers on our break. Sarah took our order and was a fantastic host and especially informing me about specials since I've never been here. The food here was fantastic and delicious. The restaurant was clean as well. Definitely very modern looking. Will visit again.

It was our first time here. We ordered the Italian beef and it was absolutely disgusting. It had tasted like it was left out overnight and reheated the next day. I know it wasn't fresh because it was ready within seconds after ordering. How would something fresh be ready that quick? Also very poor customer service. She had a nasty attitude because my husband had an accent and she basically didn't want to deal with him. The place is horrible in everything. Expensive food for nothing and the worst customer service ever. DO NOT GO THERE!!!

Rather than deciding between the Little Al (their 4" Italian Beef sandwich), dipped with hot peppers, and the Chicago Polish (a perfectly blackened 1/3rd lb Polish sausage topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomatoes slices, a pickle spear and sport peppers), I decided I deserved both (heck, I'm not from the area... not to mention I'd just finished working out). The Italian Beef was lean, juicy (the fact that the sandwich was dripping with au jus probably helped), and spicy hot. I demolished it first. Then, the sausage... damn, that was amazing. Huge (huge!), and unbelievably amazing. I forgot I'd even eaten the beef. Pricey (almost $12 for the small sandwich, sausage and a soda), but I will return for another sausage!

Italian beef has traditionally been an iffy food for me. I've had good and bad, but usually it's just "meh;" which is the experience I had with Al's. Not bad, but not exactly good. If you get the Italian beef, I highly suggest getting peppers and cheese for moisture and flavor that would otherwise be lacking. The fries are phenomenal! Freshly cut on site, they are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are already seasoned so you don't need ketchup unless that's just how you roll. The place is really clean, including the bathrooms. The dining room was really warm when we were in and it got progressively hotter towards the kitchen. It wasn't like a warm, "we're just cooking" kind of hot; it was more like fiery damnation hot. I legitimately felt bad for the kitchen staff! Will probably stop in again, but I think I'll go for a dog and fries next time.

Lunch there for year's. Recent change in bread for beef/sausage is a winner. All around they are in the A Team picture. Best fry's if eaten while hot. Still quite good but starting to get pricey. Usually on the warm side inside.

The beef at Al's has never been one of my favorites for more personal reasons, it just isn't how I like my beef. The beef at Al's is shredded much smaller than a typical place's beef. An interesting touch is the seasoning they put in it. I had a beef and fries here. Just remember if you are reading this review, the reason I chose not to rate it high is because of how I like my beef cut. Your preferences maybe completely different. Food I had here: Italian beef no peppers, with mozzarella, dipped. Fries. Food 2/5 Environment 3/5 Service 3/5

Oh how I miss my Italian Beefs. We were searching for a Portillo's when the stupid GPS directed us to a field where there was no restaurant. We promised our hosts that we would bring beefs for lunch so we did a search that led us to Al's. Now our experience is a bit different since we ordered a kind of "party" package to go. You get everything separate - the beef, the gravy, their home made hot giardiniera and then the french bread. We also got fries even though we had misgivings about what they would taste hours later. We got a munchie for the road, as we were starving and didn't know when we would get to our beefs. It was just a cheeseburger but man was it good. I was only going to take a bite, but ended up wrestling for the last crumbs. Anyway, we didn't get to eat for awhile, but our hosts were well versed on how to heat up the beef. They even used a pizza stone in the oven to heat up the fries. The end result was complete and total satisfaction. The fries tasted like they just came out of the basket, the meat was tender, the gravy was spiced just right, and the bread was the perfect vehicle to soak up the juices without falling apart. When I get back to the Windy City, Al's will be on my must do list.

That was one satisfying Al's beef sandwich. There are about 8 toppings you can choose from and I suggest getting everything. 6" beef sandwich was light on the beef but the extra $$ toppings made up for this. Arrived about 5 minutes before closing and already the staff was placing all the seats on the tables. Could it hurt to wait until after all the customers leave so they can enjoy their meals without watching all the commotion?

Delicious Italian beef with fries and cheese sauce. The prices aren't too bad, and the service was good. Not a bad place for an excellent bite to eat.

Great place for Italian beef, fast service and good prices. Good location next to convention center where we were attending a seminar.

YUM! I was so happy to run into Al's Beef, still as delicious as ever, with the fresh cut yummy fries! The only thing I hated was it was very warm inside. I would still return based on the food quality.

Italian Beef - reason #1 to be in Chicagoland . Loving the hot pepper mix! Quick, reasonable in price and delicious

Best Italian Beef ANYWHERE!!! Don't waste your time looking for a better Italian Beef near Chicago. Al's does it quick but old school style! I dream about the flavor, seriously it's that good!

Screwed up my order twice over charge me twice and played stupid the whole time. I would NOT go there ever again! I would give the place stars if the app would let!

Haven't been here in a while because live in New Lenox but family had a taste for it. It did not disappoint, beef was great, sausage great, burgers as well. And of course those hand cut fries are the best.