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- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
17 reviews for Al's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Free Wi-Fi at a wedding? Yeah! I bow my head in prayer so I can check my yelp compliments and wondering when I can sip my Cosmo.
Everyone at work's been raving about Al's food. It's great they say, been eating it since high school, blah-blah-blah. Well, last night, my friend got married there. It was a last minute thing. They hardly had time to plan it and yet this joint pulled it off. It was so nice. Covered chairs, pretty flower pieces on each table. Nice little dance floor and full service bar. They have a cute little hall (about 60 people) and Al's really made it look wonderful! I loved it. I believe there's a larger hall there too. My one coworker said her sisters have their events there all the time (Christenings, showers, etc.)
The food was great. The vegetarian eggplant Parmesan was so cheesy and um good. The soup, salad and rolls, pasta, chicken, the sundaes, were all really good. They also make their own salad dressings. How cool is that? Very!
The service was so cheery and nice. From what I hear, the price is really good too. I think this is a really great deal for someone on a tight budget and wants to have a party, whether it be a wedding, shower or birthday bash.
I would totally go back for dinner. Parking is a little weird if you're heading eastbound as it was from Melrose Park, but if I were heading west as I normally would from the Northside, there would be prime parking right in front. There's also a 2 hr lot in with lots of parking spots in the back.
I don't really know what to say. I don't usually eat pizza, but everytime I've had it, it has tasted better than Al's. Husband loves pizza and he agreed on the 2 star rating.
We ordered delivery and had it 40 minutes later. I also ordered a large house salad that was a big disappointment. I asked for green peppers and got pepperoncini instead. I asked for cucumber and got exactly one slice. The onion was overwhelming and the tomatoes were tasteless.
Back to the pizza. It was greasy and had a weird taste to it. Like one of the ingridients had freezer burn. I liked that it wasn't totally covered in sauce and the thin crust was crunchy. That's about it.
The medium pizza is kind of small and comes with a hefty price tag.
Been ordering from Al's for about 8 years and have been very satisfied. I've only ordered their thin crust pizza so I can't comment on their other offerings.
Pizza is always hot and the price is reasonable and always have coupons for $3-$4 dollars off your order in the local circulars or online. They use to include a couple of pops with your order. But because of "high gas prices", they stopped doing that.
We went here for a friend's birthday and I loved it!
I like the casual and cozy atmosphere and the people working there were very friendly.
We ordered a platter of appetizers which was HUGE- our group of 6 was not able to finish it. Oh but you better believe we wolfed down the friend calamari! There was not even a tiny piece of a tentacle left when we were done- I definitely recommend it to any calamari lovers out there.
I had the Chicken Pompeii - it comes with two stuffed chicken breast and Vesuvio style potatoes. It was perfection.
My husband had the Filet Mignon with baked potato- he gave it a 3 out of 4, he asked for medium rare, but the outside was a bit burned.
The only thing I didn't like about this restaurant is their bread. The bread they bring out in a basket is cold, hard and seems a bit stale. I'm giving them a 4 out 5 stars just because of this, any excellent Italian restaurant should have delicious and warm bread.
p.s. after reading other people's reviews- we will be back to try the pizza!
The pizza IS good, but so are many other menu items!
Believe it or not, my favorite thing to order from Al's is the broiled halibut steak. It is prepared perfectly, because with such a quality piece of fish, simplicity is key- just a touch of white wine and butter. The chicken tettrazinni is also delicious, but so heavy and heart attack-inducing.
The menu prices have been fluctuating. The salad bar used to be included in the price of the entrees, but now the salad bar costs extra, except that the price of entrees are cheaper...so if you order an entree and the salad bar, it ends being about the same price as before? Confusing.
Their Easter/Mother's Day buffet is out of this world. Everything you could ever want. Huge carving tables of meat, make-you-own omelet station, and my favorite, the make-your-own pasta station. I always ask for pesto with a touch of alfredo sauce.
My family regularly ordered pizza and ribs from here beginning in the late 70's. We lived only 6 blocks directly south. I have to say, I'm super disappointed by the quality of the food. It's crap now. Smaller portions, lackluster taste. It just doesn't cut it anymore.
The last few times, I really gave them the benefit of the doubt...3 times! I ordered 2 rib dinners twice and each time, the bread was dry, the ribs didn't fall off of the bone like they used to. The french fries were just not good and the portions were smaller.
The last time I ordered from there, I ordered a pizza and it didn't take very long, the average 40 minutes. It was soggy and it just didn't have that taste it used to have. It used to be where you saved 20 menus and receive a free pizza.... GONE. I'm very disappointed overall.
OK, so while I'm on the pizza streak, here's another CONSISTENT pizzeria to order from. Al's Pizza is the Hub's fav. I like it too because the crust is the perfect thin crust, and they always brown it just right.
Oh, another BIG reason we order from Al's...their fried calamari!! It's really to die for. Sometimes, it's a little greasy and sometimes, because it's delivered, the steam tends to make it a little mushy, it's still delish enough to mention it. If you ever get to their restaurant and order it as an app, you'll understand why I'm so 'gaga' over the calamari. It's like muscle calamari, the rings AND tentacles are so huge!!
And, you have many ingredient options to choose from. My Hub would probably recommend the beef and gardiniere half and half my cheese, sausage and mushroom. Really a nice combo!!
Once again, price is comparable. Delivery is a little timely but they are REALLY busy. Always ask them how long before you order. If they have a function AND it's busy night AND the restaurant is packed, you might be sitting a bit longer than normal, normal averaging 45 min. give or take a minute or two.
But on the consistency thing...right on!! Oh, and they're open pretty late at night too!! That's also a good thing!!
the boyfriend asked if we could give thumbs down for this place.... no such luck.
we went here a while back, NEVER AGAIN!
we tried asking the "oh-so-helpful" waitress what was good...
according to her EVERYTHING we asked about was good.... (that doesn't help!)
we ended up getting burgers. they were generic expensive burgers. i can do better w.homemade burgers.
the waitress was also kind enough to tip herself $6 w/my boyfriends card w.out our knowledge! what the hell!
dont go there!!!
Although I have yet to try the pizza, I have been going to Al's for at least 10 years. I love the old-style feel of this place - it's like something you would expect the mob to frequent.
The salad bar is fantastic in that, "made by mom" kind of way. I think their minestrone soup is also excellent. I usually end up choosing a pasta dish or veal selection and have never been disappointed.
They are also part of the Entertainment Book resturants, so if you get one of these every year, you can get a BOGO on your visit. Service is always friendly and fast - although getting the check sometimes takes a while.
Nearby Berwyn police are often seen eating here - another good sign that the food is good!
*sigh*
One of the places that I wish was just a little bit closer to the West Coast is Al's Italian Restaurant. They have the best pizza, (in my opinion,) perfect crust, sauce, cheese and overall taste. Great fresh or cold, yes cold, this pizza is one of the places I go to when ever i visit Chicago. It's located in Cicero, on Cermak Rd, near Austin Blvd. They have other locations but this place has great atmosphere. Now if only they could branch out to Portland, Or.....
This place is a little funky decorwise...think 1970s. However, their food, both pizza & entres are quite good. The Chicken Pompeii is very flavorful, with 2 generous sized chicken breasts, and roasted potatoes.
Pass on the salad bar as it isn't that good, not horrible either.
If you like Calamari order some but be sure to bring some friends because the portion size on the appetizers is generous.
Much better than the Olive Garden without the wait.
My mother and I came here tonight since we haven't came in like 8years. We walk in the door the hostess was great very friendly. The server was so so not very experienced. The salad bar was not fresh. The dressings were hot. The pasta salads were hot and had crust on them with jello mixed into it as if it was sitting from lunch. That turned me off quick. The table bread also wasn't fresh. I ordered the fettucine alfredo that was delicious and made up for the salad bar. Just the service was bad we had to call him while he was talking about a show with another table. Also kept mumbling things under his breath. Its like wow not so friendly its not like we kept bothering him for things. I highly reccomend not getting the salad bar it is not fresh. Unless you like jello in your pasta salad. Eat the pastas their delicious!
Absolutely the best pan pizza! we've been ordering from Al's for years.
Occasionally we'll go for pasta there, but mostly we order pizza delivered.
Perfect sauce and cheese combo .Delivered quickly and hot.
We love sausage or spinach and ricotta.
Can't beat prices and freshness.
Their pizza is great! The sauce isn't too sweet and the cheese is just right. If you're having a lot of people over, they have something called a "Football Pizza" which is 18" x 36". It's supposed to feed 8 people, but it seems to feed about 6 of my family and friends. Their delivery is also pretty fast. My bar tends to order from them a lot (either for the patrons or for us) and they are usually there within 30 minutes or so -- and that's on a Friday night.
I like there cheap football pizza.
My family has been ordering from Al's for as long as I can remember. Honestly I'm not as big a fan as my mom or brother are, at least anymore, but I prefer their non-pizza offerings. They can last you for at least 2 meals if , but they are over $9 before tax and delivery. Thankfully Al's throws in some bread and cheese.
definitely, the best pizza i've ever tried.
