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Al & Joe's Deli
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 6 am - 10 pm
Sun 7 am - 4 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for Al & Joe's Deli
Review Highlights
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"Best Italian subs I have ever had." In 4 reviews -
"Highly recommended = the Hot Corned Beef sandwich." In 1 review -
"...had low expectations for this pre made item, but was not..." In 3 reviews
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29 reviews in English
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Review from Chris B.
Melrose Park, IL
3/20/2012
This is the best local deli in the area. Great bread, great meats. Their American subs are the best around. Goes best with a cold ginger ale.
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Review from Jean K.
2/20/2012
Always been a huge fan of little hole in the wall joints. Some of the best food you'll find around and friendly more personal service.
Not a huge sandwich/sub fan (that's my hubby's forte! and after the reviews here, he's been dying to check them out! ). I would rather try a entree, and figured on maybe trying out their special - Monday night, steak w/swiss and mushrooms on garlic bread. After walking in and smelling the fresh bread..my nose had already talked me into trying one of their subs! Was glad I listened! Yum!
Got the special for our son, two Italian subs, an order of huge fat olives and 3 of their homemade cookies - to go.
Wasn't disappointed in the sub...was pretty tasty, especially after spending a few seconds in the microwave! Their special however, was KILLER!! Would make the trip back just for that! Their olives were fresh and the cookies - addictive!! Delicious! ~ This little hole in the wall didn't disappoint! -
Review from Derek G.
Chicago, IL
3/14/2012
Al & Joe's is an old school deli. If you are looking for processed assembly line subs, you may want to visit Subway. By the way, their new falafel sub is excellent if you do go the corporate route. Located next to the expressway, Al & Joe's features a wide array of salads, subs, and pizzas. While its not very fancy, it is very tasty.
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Review from Dominic M.
Austin, TX
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Out of towner, yelped my crappy hotel area for food, and I saw this, done. Made a quick walk underneath the highway, and found what appeared to a convenience store.
Gazed at the menu, saw soppressata [sub], and my search was over. Maybe gained some credibility with the gentleman who was making my sandwich (maybe owner) by telling him my Italian great-grandpa used to make his own soppressata. As he was making the sub, wandered and found a cooler full of antipastos and salads. I selected the caprese.
The food:
Soppressata sub: the amazing meat, tomatoe, lettuce, provolone, and a homemade oil/vinegar sauce on a white roll. Amazing, the oily sauce was great as well
Caprese: honestly had low expectations for this pre made item, but was not let down, mozzarella balls, fresh red onion, fresh basil, fresh tomato chunks, and bonus surprise at the bottom, chunks of garlic, again with an oil/vinegar sauce
Overall, this place is simple, local, fresh, uses great ingredients, has a friendly staff. I can't wait to return.
Disclaimer: I may be biased as I could survive on a daily ration of bread, ______ Italian cheese, _______ Italian red wine, and _________ Italian salami, and be intensely happy. -
Review from Erik H.
3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great sandwiches here - the Italian is unparalleled and the corned beef is always piled way too high with meat. They also offer a ridiculous variety of sides and desserts, from chips and the stuff you'd find in any convenience store to various potato salads, cheesecake and Italian style cookies. Nice people too.
Also I like how they were voted best subs "by their customers." You know, as opposed to being voted this by the people who've never been there. I am one of the customers that would cast this vote though, as after the Franklin Street Deli closed these guys took over as the best subs in the area.Listed in: Franklin Park | IL, Cold Sandwiches
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Review from Phil N.
Naperville, IL
2/9/2011
It's hard to find for non-locals. It's at the very west end of Addison, located under the Mannheim bridge, which is just north of Belmont, just south of Irving Park..
Best Italian subs I have ever had. I've been eating them for over 20 years. The only time I wasn't impressed is when I went at like 8pm and the bread was no longer fresh. The best times to go are obviously lunchtime or earlier because that's when the bread is freshest.
I get the Italian sub, but I sub ham for mortadella and brick for provolone. Ham has more flavor and provolone tastes like nutty sawdust imo. So I do tailor it but its the same price, tastes better, and is made fresh.
Funyons and a Pepsi are a must as an encountrement, if you will.
Don't miss this spot! If I have a few extra bucks, I grab some supprasotta and prosciutto and throw some on the sandwich.
I wish we had an Al & Joe's in Naperville, it's one of the only things I miss from living in that boring-ass town. -
Review from S T.
Kenosha, WI
6/11/2011
This is the best Italian sub period. Yes it's in the shadow of the bridge and hard to get to if you are new to the area. It's at the end of a neighborhood and the start of a huge rail road yard. The out side looks like a house on the coroner that's a connivence store and I drove past this gem about ten times before I stopped. Wow what I missed. Don't let the looks fool you because this is the real deal. It's a shame that this is a 60s joint that you just can't find any more. Chain subs can't even compare to this fantastic place. It's a must stop if you are any where close.
Went to rail dayz on 6/12 which is .5 miles from a&j @ 8.30 am and I had a breakfast Italian sub. This place rocks on a Sunday in the am. It was early but while I was there I had to have the sub. If I'm any where in the area at any time when there open it's a must. Still an awesome sandwich at any time of the day. I can't wait for another reason to be in Franklin park again. I must try some of something different on the menu for a review but it's hard when they do something so good. For all I know the rest of the menu might be just ok. I heard the pizza is pretty good from a regular but I can't comment. I will update this review as I visit in the future. -
Review from Rob W.
2/19/2011
You sorta need to know where to look for this place - if your on the Mannheim bridge in FP and you blink, you'll miss it.
Great sub sandwiches and pretty cheap too. I just don't get to this place often enough! -
Review from Guiseppe D.
Schiller Park, IL
3/1/2011 1 photo
A difficult location for people who are unfamiliar with the area, but should they be informed accurately, this is a great find!
The American subs are solid, but it's all about the Italian subs here! Best Italian sub, that's made on a consistent basis, that I've known around the Chicagoland suburbs. And for a reasonable price (though the price has increased, and some may be known to complain of the cost).
Also, surprisingly, their cannoli has been pretty good in my experience.
There are a few outdoor tables you can eat at which is nice in the summer.
Lastly, there's always been solid service there. Friendly for the most part, quick to help you with your order. -
Review from Billy B.
Chicago, IL
3/8/2010
At the end of the day Al and Joe's makes a damn good sub. I go with the Italian, not the American. Those are your two major options.
Let's talk decor for a moment: Well, there is none. The tiles are coming off the floor, the place has no "ambiance," and I am also fairly sure something shady goes on there. But guess what? None of that matters because the Italian sub is so freaking good. For real...
Also, if you do choose to dine in there is a life size cardboard cut out of The Most Interesting Man In The World. That has to be worth something. If you want a beer make sure to order at the cash register and then they will run next door to get it for you (has to do with the liquor license).
Check it out. -
Review from Angela P.
Schiller Park, IL
4/11/2009
Great subs. One of my fave places to grab a sandwich. Better than subway IMO. they have many different sandwich meats available for your own special order or you can grab a premade sub sandwich (american or italian) from the counter. I don't like mayo or tomato on mine so i have to have mine made for me.
I love the bread they use it's fabulous.
Their sandwich sauce is awesome. I've bought other brands after we ran out of theirs and it didn't compare.
I have not tried their pizza or pastas as of yet but i have heard good things. -
Review from Michael B.
Mount Prospect, IL
6/8/2006
Another childhood memory place. Al and Joe's has been around forever. Right off Manheim. Sub sandwich experts will dig this joint. Old Mom and Pop store. Straight out of the 70's. They sell more handmade homemade subs here than all of Subway combined. 12 inch Italian is 6 bucks. Bread is always fresh. Lunchmeat is delicious. Lettuce crisp.
I am not a sub expert but this place is pretty darn good! -
Review from Call me B.
Chicago, IL
5/3/2008
Good subs but the freshness of the products is hit or miss. When it comes to a good sub, fresh bread matters A LOT.
Also, I've always felt like something illegal is going on behind closed doors. Sounds crazy but pay a little more attention next time you're in there. -
Review from Kyle C.
Bensenville, IL
8/17/2010
If you want a real submarine sandwich, come here. I'm not about to complain about the flooring or disrespect the owners because they're of Italian American heritage. Nothing quite compares to an Al & Joe's sub and I'm proud to say I know exactly how much a small American sub & a bag of Doritos cost here.
If I had one day left on earth and I could go anywhere on earth for lunch, I'm going to Al & Joe's for one last sub. :) -
Review from Jayd M.
Cedar Park, TX
5/18/2011 3 photos
Highly recommended = the Hot Corned Beef sandwich. I'm not even a fan of rye bread, yellow mustard, or horseradish and yet I loved this sandwich. The meat was amazing. This is a great little Italian deli if you are trying to burn some time before submitting to O'Hare...
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Review from Bar C.
Saint Charles, IL
12/4/2011
This place has the best subs, PERIOD! They serve them fast and fresh. I always get the Italian sub. They cut the meat to order, which is rare to find. Great flavor, fresh, I just wish that they were closer to my house. I can only visit when I'm in the area, usually to pick someone up at O'Hare. It's worth the drive.
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Review from Patty V.
10/27/2006
Great Pepper and Egg Sammies on Fridays!! The best I've had in the area.Nothing fancy here,but still make my tummy happy and that's all that matters to me!Out of the way,but worth the trip.
Listed in: Moo and oink!, My Neighborhood, Pepper and Eggs for…
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Review from Harley B.
Naperville, IL
11/8/2009 2 Check-ins Here
I grew up eating Italian subs Al & Joe's, whether it was my father stopping for them on his way home from work when I was a little kid, or an out-of-the-way-but-necessary stop made on impulse. Italian subs, marinated artichoke hearts, and olive salad... just mentioning them has a Pavlovian effect on me.
There's a steady stream of people going in and coming out of Al & Joe's seemingly at all hours of operation. Mornings are frenetic and the top of the deli case is covered by pyramid structures of pre-made American and Italian subs. If they weren't lines would be out the door...and if they were, I suspect people would wait. After the morning rush, sandwiches are made as they're ordered. I've never found the staff to be unfriendly, but some are a bit brusque at times. Still, my fondest memories of Al & Joe's are the times I was there with my father while Al & Joe were the proprietors. They were gregarious men, to put it mildly, and always remembered my dad. I suppose it could be said that childhood experiences explain my affinity for this place, but even though a new generation has taken the helm and made additions and changes in the process, the subs they make today are the same as the subs I had when I was a kid.
Subway, Jimmy John's, Quiznos and the others can bake all the bread they want, but nothing beats Al & Joe's subs prepared on the spot using fresh Gonella bread, meats and cheeses sliced as needed, fresh tomatoes, just enough lettuce to give the sub some crunch, and oil that somehow mixes perfectly with everything else. Yes, an Al & Joe's sub is pricier than what the chains offer, but it's worth it. And it won't take more than a bite or two before you understand the difference between Al & Joe's and all others.
Every time I hear someone tell me about the "amazing" sub they had at Subway (ha!) or Quiznos (ha!) or Jimmy John's (ha!) I am compelled to tell them about Al & Joe's and how their sandwiches render all else inferior. And every once in a while when someone doesn't believe me I take a little trip to Franklin Park, pick up a few Italian subs and later watch the naysayers pledge allegiance to Al & Joe's. -
Review from David M.
Melrose Park, IL
2/8/2011
Seriously...the best Italian sub I've ever had...the bread is delicious, the olive oil they use is very good quality...and the cheese...that just makes it. When I get a craving for an Italian sub...I head over to Al & Joe's...and I just noticed that they opened the year I was born...coincidence? I don't think so...lol.
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Review from Mark G.
2/19/2009
The subs here are absolutely delicious. American or Italian? Either way, you can't go wrong. I love the fact they open early too, since I start work at 6:30am, I can stop in & grab a sub for lunch. They have plenty already made, or you can order them special & they'll make it for you. My only complaint: I'll just say that unfortunately these footlongs aren't $5.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Anna H.
Franklin Park, IL
1/21/2012
great food, cool location, nice folks, tues nite half off pizza too when u dine in this cute neighborhood place.
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Review from Derek M.
Franklin Park, IL
10/21/2009
Go here, get an Itialian sub and a dessert. That is all that needs to be said. The only problem is that the staff is not always the most friendly, the setup isn't a traditional walk in and order type of deal, it took me a few times to get comfortable of the proper way to order.
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Review from Matthew L.
Melrose Park, IL
12/21/2009
The Italian subs here are of epic proportions. They slice the meat right when you order; the freshness and quality of ingredients is superb. I agree with others that the set up of the shop isn't the greatest, but, I say it adds to its charm.
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Review from Micky M.
IL
1/11/2007
Seriously worth a little-out-of-the-way jaunt....although it is right off the expressway. For years it was all I would order for "special occasions" at work. I found out about all the goodies when I went to pick the food up once and then I made sure I was in charge. You can call ahead too, there is a line at times but they are quick and great with all little special requests. My mouth is watering now.
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Review from Jess W.
Elmwood Park, IL
6/21/2008
I worked near Al & Joe's for over a year and ate there at least once a week. They have good sandwiched and pizza, though some of the staff is a little grumpy sometimes. They have a ton of meat choices and cheeses, and you can buy them by the pound to take home.
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Review from Rachel C.
Lake Zurich, IL
6/23/2007
I don't know anyone from the area who doesn't love Al & Joe's Subs. They have the best around, hands down!
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Review from Jay K.
1/4/2010
Whenever I'm in the area I get a sub from this place whether I'm hungry or not. Great bread and meats. If you want a sub at 6am you can get one here.
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Review from Nick R.
Franklin Park, IL
6/10/2011
I like Al N Joes. They make good subs at a good price and have realyl tasty specials. On Wednesdays they have their hot corned beef brisket sandwich and it's fantastic...problem is, by 6:00PM, when i get back home from work, they are almost always out of it. But, when you can get that with mustard and horseradish, it's hard to beat.
They are also like a mini-mart and keep that portion of the shop in pretty terrible condition. Seriously guys, spend a weekend and do a little cosmetic work on your business...it's where you make your livelihood for Christ's sake!! That lack of attention makes me wonder sometimes about their possible lax attitude towards food storage, but I try not to think of it.
The staff here is also often on the "green" side. You sometimes get high-schoolers working their first job, who don't often possess the customer service skills you might get at a chain. But, that is also the trade-off for the very fair prices.
If you crave their "famous" Italian sandwich, stop by in the morning. Tehy open at 6AM(maybe even earlier) and have them pre-made, wrapped and ready to throw in a brown bag for your work lunch.
Overall, this is a good place that could be great with a determined owner.
I think they would do wonders if they took the time to drive to Alpine Food Shop in Elmwood Park to see how a real deli is run. -
Review from Ken M.
Chicago, IL
12/6/2010
Stopped in here for the first time a few weeks ago after driving by with another friend who made the comment, "You've never been there?" Having lived in Bensonhurst (Brooklyn) for quite a while, I consider myself to be a pretty decent judge of a good Italian sub sandwich, and I have to say, this place is like going right back to 18th Avenue in Brooklyn. Sandwiches were great, and strangely enough, I went with a co worker who had family that lived down the street from me in Brooklyn, and she had the exact same impression that it reminded her of Brooklyn too! The first couple of times I went there I had subs, but after the owner mentioned that they make most of their own pasta, I had to try the pasta. I had the cavatelli, which were quite good, but the friend I went with had the alfredo and he was actually raving about it. Went back and had it again the next day! So, go to Al & Joe's the first time for a sub, but next time try the pasta!
