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Al's Beef
Categories: Restaurants Sandwiches Restaurants Fast Food Sandwiches, Fast Food [Edit]
7132 183rd StTinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 444-2333
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
13 reviews for Al's Beef
13 reviews in English
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Review from Liz R.
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
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! -
Review from Jamie D.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Let me preface this by saying that Fontanini Italian Beef is the basis (besides mom's Italian beef) from which I judge all equals. Portillo's is like fine dining compared to Al's. Well, when you take away one of the lines in the equal sign, you get a minus. Minus is how I rate this place.
The staff, while I know they need jobs too, were all 16-18 olds who were talking very inappropriately and flirting when I walked in. The enthusiasm level was around my sole (that is referring to my shoe on the floor...low..low..low).
The sandwich wasn't good. The flavor was strange. I can't quite describe it. The grease that soaked into the bun was funky. There was no au jus and they forgot the cheese on the sandwich.
I guess when you walk into a place at lunch and no one is in there, which should be taken as a clue. Sorry....just not up to the standards of a Fontanini Italian Beef or mom's (love you mom)! -
Review from E. A.
Tinley Park, IL
4/19/2012
A bit pricey in my opinion but the food is always hot and the fries are great. I know thy're a beef place but I just consider the beef OK. Nothing to write home about. The hot dogs are good though. If they came down on their prices a bit they would earn another star or two.
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Review from Farwah R.
Chicago, IL
4/18/2012
Some of the best food i've ever had. Seems like everything i've tried hits the spots. Beef sandwiches, tamale, burger all is excellent. The staffer had a scowly face at this location, and i had to wait a while but its all good. You can use grubhub to order too.
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Review from Regina S.
3/31/2011
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. -
Review from Jessica P.
Saint Louis, MO
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. -
Review from Greg S.
Spring Hill, TN
10/14/2011
Showed up just before closing & tried a dog and shaved beef.sandwich (Lil Al IIRC) Both were good, service was quick. Will certainly return
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Review from Justin S.
Chicago, IL
9/10/2011
Food is pretty good, but prices are outrageous. I felt like i was downtown Chicago with the prices I paid for a small beef sandwich and fries for being in the burbs
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Review from Jacob K.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 9/11/2009
Even though this place is out of the way for me I am always sure to stop in whenever I am in the area.
Ever since I have had their fries they taste horrible anywhere else. I spoke with the owner who told me they are hand cut fresh daily and they use a very high grade of beef for their sandwiches. The cheese sauce for the fries is awesome too... I usually ask for it on the side. Their beef sandwiches are great and you have the option of having tomato sauce, gardinara or cheese on it. I liked it with just cheese and dry as the beef tastes great.
The only problem is I need to wait until I am back in the area to get my beef sandwich and fries fix. Aurgh.... I am already craving it again.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/13/2008 First to Review
The best Italian beef place ever. For some reason the food here is much better than the other… Read more »
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Review from Stephanie G.
Hammond, IN
8/27/2009
I went there a few weeks ago and was really disappointed. The beef sandwich was really dry to me! And for that price I expected it to be a lot better. Also, we went on a Sunday evening and asked the girl at the counter what time they were open til and she said "I believe 7:30?!?". I'm sorry but if you work at a place you should know what time you're open til and not question the time.
Only positives about this place is that it is clean and the fries were hot. -
Review from Doris M.
Walled Lake, MI
11/8/2010
My first Italian beef sandwich experience so I have nothing to compare to. It was ok. The Ceasar salad was good. Friendly staff & quick service.
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Review from D M.
Schaumburg, IL
4/28/2009
Well, i've eaten here a lot of the years. This place is decent. The beef, which is obviously their big seller, is good. I wouldn't say it's the best in the area, but it's good. Their fries are excellent. And their hot dogs are good. But, aside from that, I don't care for much here. I used to like the hamburgers a lot, but they seem to have changed vendors and the burgers just don't taste very good anymore. The chicken on the chicken sandwiches is also below par for me.
If you're in the area and don't want to go a little further down the street for a beef sandwich, then go here. But, aside from that, I can't recommend this place. I usually feel like I did not get my money's worth when i'm done here. -
Review from John P.
Orange, CA
7/2/2011
Just ate an Italian beef with spicy peppers. Beef was juicy and tasty. For fast food it's a little on the pricy side ($8.50 for a combo) but it really isn't fast food.
