Al's Drive In

Place was alrightlooking found it online since I had an operation at Loyola medical center and read about it thought it really was gonna be that good ✅ hot dog was mediocre and overdressed with relish, honestly one of the worst burgers I’ve had McDonald’s probably better or Burger King and that’s heinous shit but American there was an absolute 👎 like gene and Jude is a hot dog place and Vienna certified for a reason this dog didn’t even snap. Still have yet to try the Chinese expect the crab Rangoon were very mid and bland and I’ll leave that for a part two review but definitely not worth American fast food not good at all plus overcharged for some reason if it was me that would’ve picked it up I would gave the run down. Not good American don’t go here for it!!!!!! Didn’t let me put a second review but onto the Chinese food the rice is actually so mediocre this isn’t funny any the broccoli/beef beef/rice both just mush do not go to this place at all save it for a corner Chinese place. Panda is even better!!

We have driven past this place many times. Al's Drive-in American and Chinese is such so random pairing. "Come as you are or eat in your car" is a strange slogan. This place did not disappoint; hot dogs, hamburgers, fried catfish on the American side. Fried rice and stir fry on the Chinese side. I found the fried catfish excellent. It has a cornmeal breading, and it was tender. The hot dog was boiled and has a natural casing. The stir fry was sauce was tasty but was a bit on the runny side. I would frequent this place if I lived near by. The only dinning choices are the picnic benches or the fore mentioned eating in your car.

Got here to grab a bite so it's a cash-only joint but they have an ATM on location that charges $3 to get some bread. I went with an Italian Beef w/ nacho cheese, dipped w/ hot peppers. Two chicken egg rolls and small beef fried rice. Started with egg rolls they were cool 7.2 decent flavor but just okay. Next, the beef fried rice again was alright tbh not great but mid not sure they using a wok back there cuz some was a little off with the rice 7.3. The star of the show was the Italian Beef which is a certified banger 🔥🔥🔥🔥 9.7. It was a juicy mess and loved it... the beef with nacho cheese plus peppers was delicious. Wish they put a little more beef on the sandwich but minus that it was on point. Overall the spot is an 8.5, I'll only come back for the Italian Beef and can get better Chinese food elsewhere in the city.

I knew it would be good when I saw people waiting in line. I got the Italian beef (dipped) and spicy beef fried rice (xtra meat). They really packed my box, there’s so much food! The fried rice tastes like home, easily in my top favorites. Food is bursting with flavor, and for Asians making American food… They nailed it. *don’t be discouraged of the line, it wasn’t a terrible wait at all. Was recommended to call ahead next time by another customer.

I grew up in this area and ate here all the time after school. So happy to eat here every time I’m in town visiting. The pizza puff and fries with mild sauce is always my go to!

Hot dogs here are 👌🏽 delicious, true Chicago style with all the fixings, no ketchup. The cheese sticks?? supreme, only came in an order of 5 but those five were worth it. Fries were decent, not outstanding but a good small side with a bit of crisp. Super cheap food for the quality, would DEFINITELY come again to try the rest of the food here.

Als Drive is amazing. I appreciate the staffs and managers kindness to me even though I have autism and their food is amazing and really good. Owner Art is very nice. The restaurant is in good condition. Amazing Chinese food and American food. Never seen American food combined with Chinese food. Must come back. 10/10.

Got sick both times I ate here. First time was fried rice → sick for 2 weeks. Gave it another chance with my kids (burger, sausage, fries, fried rice) → we’ve all been sick for over a week. Customers were already complaining when I walked in. Service is eh, food quality is worse. Eat here at your own risk.

I never would have set foot in the joint if it hadn't been for a homeless bum I was giving a ride to and of course he was hungry and of course he was dead broke and of course I'm taking his recommendation of Al's seriously. Remember the old McDonald's? You ordered standing before a window. No inside dining. No drive through. That's Al's only not as modern as McD was 50 years ago. Basically two menus. You gots your hot dogs and hamburgers on one side and your Chinese on the other. My associate ordered a double cheese and fries that I assume met the needs of his palate. He doesn't talk much when he straps on the feed bag. I had double cheeseburger, egg roll, beef chop suey with rice. The bill was epically small, the quantity substantial and quality? I too ended up very quiet when I strapped my feed bag on. You come to Al's to eat. You want fine dining? Get your never worked a hard day in your life posterior back Wrigleyville. Make sure to bring cash. Bring your appetite. Optional: Bring your conceal carry permit and compact 9mm of choice. Just a little hyperbole but I think bring'em if you got'em is good advice. Al's is on my keeper list. I like places that are a little divey. Maybe even a bit seedy. Al's is like a box of vintage Cracker Jack. You got to get inside to get your prize. No, that's not the essence. I'll try again. "Al's! Come for the food, leave for the ambiance. "

Great food. Great service. Great ambiance. Truly a neighborhood classic. Simple but great menu.

There was a hair in my food and a bite out of it wtf and there was also a pubic hair but Ngl my hotdog tasted good

There's no doubt that their food is delicious. I love that place. From everything from tacos to their shrimp fried rice spring rolls. I love it all and the people there are so nice.

A neighborhood classic. This used to be fav spot to eat at after school. I still go here when I'm in the bed visiting my granny.

Nice place, small restaurant owned by a Chinese family, best food that you can find on Madison St and First Ave

Several of us from the office ordered from Al's Drive In. The fries were dry and if you aren't ordering a hot dog or polish your fries are extra. I asked for no cheese on my fish sandwich and they still put cheese on it. Not good.

Just went today. Had not been there in about five years. Ahhhh the memorieS from high school. I got many detentions from sneaking over fur ring the schOOl day for a polish with fries and mild sauce. Sitting in cclass and watching food lesving that place was torture. Not much has chAnged. It's a greasy joubt, nothing fancy, it's not healthy. At. All. But it sho' is good. I had the friED rIce tonighT. Spicy, well seasoned. No complaints Prices are still reasonable. Don't go in expectIng some high end fare. Just order, cash only, and get out of there.

This is one of very rare good Chinese food place. If you are indian looking for indo american, just ask for spicy version of your Chinese dish here and the taste will remind you of street Chinese food of New Delhi!

Are you kidding me??? This place is disgusting. Dirty, I'm competent people. I walked in, hotter than blazes in there. I stood there for 15 minutes with no one even saying hello. One other person in there. There was a huge fan roaring in the front that some dude would walk up to raise his shirt and stand there. Meanwhile a woman who worked behind the counter turned her back to us and did a booty dance. Then the unprofessional Asian woman asked my order. Never gave me a total and walked away. The two other employees prepared the food answering their cell phones and touching people's food with out washing their hands not using gloves. Texting and touching food at the same time. 5 minutes after that, I left. Just ghetto and gross. I couldn't believe it!

Hamburgers are my favorite food. And Al's Drive In makes the best hamburger in the world, IMHO. I usually order a double ham with mustard only, but the Al's Burger is pretty good too. What makes Al's great is the marinade they soak the burger in before dropping it on the grill. The marinade imparts a tart flavor to the burger that makes you want to savor every bite. Also, the steamed bun keeps the burger nice and juicy. The French fries at very good as well, thin, salted just right. And one of the few places you can get an RC can pop with your meal. One of these days, I will order something else -- one of their Asian dishes or fish tacos or a beef or a hot dog or Polish. They all sound good but I LOVE the hamburger so much I cannot ever compel myself to order something else. The service is always good -- prompt and always very courteous. The wait is about the same whether you are the only person there or if it's crowded with a line practically to the door at lunch time. Be sure to say hi to Cedric. I have been coming here -- Come as You Are or Eat in Your Car -- since 1982. If the family ever sells the place, I will buy it. It's that good.

Color me super surprised. I've been driving past here for years and never was sure what type of place it is since they serve all sorts of different things. Went into today - cheeseburger with everything, fries, coke (they have cans of coke or Pepsi fountain). The burger was so awesome. I know I'll be back soon - I love burgers. The frys were a little plain but still good. For the heck of it ordered spicy chicken fried rice - that was amazing! Check this place out - they also make tacos and people rave about them so I'll try those next.

This place has been around forever and they are still good. I usually get the combination fried rice and sometimes a cheeseburger. Serves it's purpose when I want a quick, tasty bite to eat. Keep in mind, it is cash only.

I think if you grew up/live in Maywood it's just no way possible to not have tried Al's out. It's right across the street from Proviso East about 80 yards from the side door where most sneak out to get lunch lol. I use to come here a lot around my teenage days. Pizza Puff and fries or Polish and Fries are the only two things I get from here but I know a lot of people get the fried rice with hamburger. (yeah my thoughts exactly lol) Al's caught fire around 2014 and have slightly changed the look on the inside. (all the specials are no longer on the wall, but 95% their customers have been coming here for years so they know what to order This isn't a typical thing but on my last stop here chick kept trying to sell me cologne/perfume. despite saying no over and over Good for anyone that lives or use to live in Maywood or a 0.5 mile radius of Maywood.

My dad grew up in maywood and went to proviso east across the street so this was a childhood favorite for him. As an adult he takes my mom and I here when in town and looking for a quick bite to eat. I always get hot dogs and a bag of fries with the sauce on them. Delicious every time!

I stopped in here for a quick bite and got the Double Cheeseburger. It was excellent and very well cooked and tasted fantastic. The prices are also reasonable!

A timeless eatery, for the past 30yrs. From when Donnie Boyce was a part of the Three Amigos to coach Donnie being the head basketball coach of the Pirates. We have served parents, grand parents great grand parents and cousins. No matter how far you move away, you always come back to visit family and good Old Al's Drive In of Maywood. If you want to know what I'm talking about, ask anyone from Maywood, or better yet stop by and don't forget the mild sauce!!!

Delicious tacos and super tacos, polishes, hotdogs and burgers. I love their mild sauce as well. Their fried rice is also very good

Tasty food! It's rare you find chinese rice with great flavor and yet finally tried Als!

Fantastic place to get food! I have only been here once but the eccentric man who handles the orders is delightful! The food is delicious as well, we ordered the spicy beef fried rice and it was possibly the best I've ever had at a fantastic price. Costumer service is great and it is a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Loved it.

I am a "West Side Transplant "....grew up in Hyde Park....but when it comes to THE BEST SPICY CHINESE FRIED RICE, THIS SIDE OF MADISON, AL'S IS IT!!! I tried the rice last week, and am so glad that I did. the rice was cooked to order and perfection! pleasingly, there's enough meat which we all know, you can be shorted on. the ingredients were fresh, which is important to me!!! my only request is that Al's create a size larger for family orders....

OK, first I will say the area sucks... If this place was located anywhere else, it would be a smash hit. You see I grew up in Maywood so I know what the area used to be like 30 years ago. The food (especially cheeseburgers) is one of the best! Reminds me of in and out burger to some degree. The French fry's are really good! I would advise go during the day time as most of the bad element will be still sleeping or watching TV. Most of the people in this area are nice, its just the few idiots like always. Having said that, I have never had any problems.

You like cheeseburgers and fried rice? You'll like Al's. It's not a good neighborhood, but there's only a walk up window to order and take your food to go so no need to stick around. (Yeah, their motto is "Come as you are and eat in your car", but I'd recommend going home.) Cash only. Their cheeseburgers are delicious. They use that neon green sauce like The Wiener Circle. It can't be an organic substance but it sure is yummy. Add to that a side of fried rice. Wow. I think they put pieces of burger in the rice, it's like no other, but good. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're watching your sodium intake, but if you can take a little grease and salt then this will be right up your alley.

So I decided to go because they have good reviews I order a chicken fried rice and shrimp fried rice for me and my daughter it wasn't good at all taste like it's missing something even my daughter didn't like it and her favorite food is shrimp fried rice I feel like I wasted my money but hey we live and we learn

It saddens me to have to leave this review because I've been going to Al's for as long as I can remember, my parents even used to go to Al's when they were young as it is across from the High School. I have always loved this place until today.. I went to order food for my son, upon leaving I noticed they messed the order up.. Ok, fine, I went back inside to get my order corrected, while standing there the lady rudely said "what do you want now?" I then stated you messed up my order again. She started yelling and carrying on about something in her native language which was totally uncalled for.. I don't understand how these business think it's ok to blatantly disrespect their patrons. I also wish I could say that the disrespect wasn't race related but unfortunately it was. I will not be going here again, neither will my family or anyone else that I know..

Even though I'm not a nurse (yet) I still get to partake in the wonderful nurses week. This year the doctors bought all of us lunch from Al's. I had never been to or heard of Al's before but I like pizza and I like it even better when it's free. They delivered our food and even though they forgot our drinks they didn't give us a hard time about about coming back and bringing them to us. Food was great. I LOVED the fry bread! It was like a funnel cake but better!

IDK what's up with these raving reviews...I thought the food here was awful. Hot dog was very basic mustard, relish, onion and pickle. No hot peppers or tomato or celery salt. Had a single burger, I hate McDonald's, and this was worse than those. Had the beef fried rice based on reviews and was totally unimpressed. No fresh cut fries here either. Place didn't look very clean either. Sorry, I really don't get what all the hype is about.

I tried the beef fried rice, cheeseburger and fries. They were all amazing. The staff was friendly as heck. Cash only. I will definitely be going back!

Love the chicken fried rice and the cheeseburgers have the special sauce like hamburger heaven. It's a green mayo combo with something.

I like this place. The guy behind the counter....is insanely funny...and entertaining as well. He is not "Al" ....I havent figured out who that is yet but he is always there in some sort of manic state! Everyone there is very nice and the food is cheap! Some of my favorites are the supertaco, the crab rangoon and the eggrolls...what a combo but it works! Sometimes you enter the place to order your food and sometimes you walk up to the window...I havent figured out a rhyme or reason to this yet...maybe the time of day. You must take it to go or eat in your car...no sit down here...

Grew up in Maywood and Als has been my spot for years! Food is amazing and so is the customer service. If you are a patron of Als you should know Chuck! He is super sweet and funny! Love this place!

What a great local hot dog restaurant that has been in business for over 65 years. The food is great for the price. They use Vienna for their polishes and hot dogs. Their cheeseburgers are great because of their freshness and the Al's sauce that they use. The french fries are the best I have ever tasted, cooked to total perfection. The only negative is that there really is not a place to eat inside. Other than that, if your in the burbs this is place to eat!

I started going to Proviso East High School in 1978 Al's is directly across the street from there & I have been eating there since 1979 I still eat there to this day & I have eaten virtually everything on their menu. I love their special sauce that they put on their burgers. I have never eaten anything from there that I didn't enjoy. Probably the best fast food joint in Maywood. Very highly recommended. You can't go.wrong with Al's

I worked a block away for the last 6 years and was always scared of a fast food restaurant that serves .Chinese food and American food lo. But I just ordered for the first time a pizza puff and cheese fries. And I only paid 4.25. So price is great and food was good. A lot better than I thought it would be. I give it 3 stars.