- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Al's South Street Cafe
Category: Restaurants Sandwiches Sandwiches [Edit]
179 Essex St(between Atlantic Ave & Harrison Ave)
Boston, MA 02111
Neighborhoods: Waterfront, Leather District, South Boston
(617) 330-1002
- Nearest Transit:
-
Essex St @ Atlantic Ave (SL4)
Lincoln St @ Beach St (500, 501, 504, 505, 553, 554, 555, 556, 558)
Essex St @ Kingston St (11, 7)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
89 reviews for Al's South Street Cafe
Review Highlights
-
"Definitely the greatest chicken salad in the country." In 27 reviews -
"i prefer the hot subs, the bread is crunchy." In 9 reviews -
"My go to is the steak and cheese and it is amazing." In 6 reviews
Loading...
89 reviews in English
-
Review from Abbie M.
Boston, MA
12/30/2011
HUGE sandwich for $6. Super fresh ingredients and a really tasty bread :) Get the South Street special and make your day!
Addition 1/30/12 - Tried a hot teriyaki chicken sub - flavour was SO good!!! Needed a little more sauce though, I'll ask for extra next time :) -
Review from Matthew M.
Boston, MA
4/20/2012
I'm confused as to how to review Al's, as I've loved their sandwiches for a long time. We used to go weekly for a HUGE sandwich, stuffed with fresh ingredients. However, the last 2-3 times I've gone, the sandwiches have been MUCH smaller, missing ingredients and just a huge disappointment.
I'm not sure if it's a policy change, my bad luck or a new cook, but I just want the my glorious old sandwiches back! -
Review from Miguel R.
Boston, MA
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place has the benefit that it's right across the street from where I work, which is always a deciding factor when the weather is being a diva.
There's never a place to sit and always droves of business people standing awkwardly in any available square foot of space waiting for their hot sandwiches. This is NOT the place to go when you're avoiding someone.
I've partaken of both their hot and cold subs and have yet to find a staple sandwich I can really say I start craving around 10AM in anticipation for lunch; whether their offerings are a deal is immaterial when I can't find something I want to eat in the first place.
Most people I work with swear by this place, and it's a solid choice, but with so many options in and around the Financial District, I rarely find myself here when the weather permits. -
Review from Tom G.
Brighton, MA
2/20/2012
You can get a huge sandwich on decent, crusty bread with average ingredients here on the cheap. It's fast and a bit chaotic but, really, what else is there immediately in the area for a fast lunch? Susan's? Gross.
The lunch special (small sub, drink, chips) is the best deal in the area for lunch if you can't make it over to Chinatown. -
Review from Adam A.
Boston, MA
5/10/2012
One of the best values for $6 you can find anywhere in Boston. Everything is made to order and the food is always decent-good. Service is also superb and the place can move through a line like a hot knife through butter.
-
Review from Steve P.
Boston, MA
5/13/2012
Amazing sandwiches, the fresh baked bread really makes it, but all ingredients are so quality. plus its a great deal. By the way, if you sign up at http://thelevelup.com and use promo code 125686, you get $2 off here plus a free $5 off at any restaurant on thelevelup.
-
Review from Wendy L.
Boston, MA
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is fast, cheap and fresh. It's hard to find affordable options around the financial district that is decent and Al's South Street Cafe definitely makes the cut.
For hot subs I like their Meatball Sub and for cold subs I like the South Street Cafe Special. Their bread is super soft too, perhaps they bake it fresh or just go through so many subs everyday that it stays fresh.
It's a little overwhelming if it's your first time there because the hot subs line is sort of hidden on the left and the cold subs line is always longer. However, they are super efficient so you can usually get your order taken, food picked up and out the door in 5-7 minutes.
I wouldn't really recommend eating there because it's always packed and have crowds of people standing around waiting for their food. However, during the summer time they have nice outdoor seating. Try this place if you want a fresh delicious sub thats cheap! -
Review from Cam S.
Midtown East, Manhattan, NY
3/30/2012
Great food, love the chicken salad sandwich.
-
Review from Ed M.
9/30/2011
Just as tasty as the original on State Street and closer to work for me. Fast service, cheap lunch, nice staff. Roast beef (their way) is a regular for me, but I have never had something I didn't like from them.
I love this place. -
Review from Terri S.
Webster, MA
11/1/2011
There's only a couple sandwiches that I get when I come here and while I am a big fan of a hearty meal for under $6 I beg to ask why their small sandwiches are so damn big! I never eat the whole thing and end up wasting half of it every time I order there.
I'm also a little perplexed how I can walk into a sandwich shop and ask for a BLT to find out they don't do BLT's. No idea why, they've got everything but the bacon right on the line already!
I still pop in for a sandwich (their meatball sub is quite good) since it's so close to work but I would never go out of my way to get a sandwich from Al's. -
Review from Tyler B.
ALLSTON, MA
2/24/2012
Best bag lunch deal in the area. The large subs could feed a family of four.
-
Review from Michele G.
Boston, MA
6/24/2011
I got a "small" sub that was actually a foot-long, I think! Don't know if that was a mistake or the norm, but it was enormous. All for the low, low price of $6. For $1.50 more, you get chips and a soda. Score! I got the State Street Cafe Chicken Sandwich, which was loaded with chicken, mushrooms, and tomatoes. I would have loved to have had a side of marina sauce with it though.
There's another Al's on State Street, but the menu works for them both. I picked up a catering menu for the office, just in case.
I was in and out with my hot sub within 5 minutes. Amazing. -
Review from Bex M.
Boston, MA
9/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Now this is fast food. In and out faster than I could check in on my phone.
It's a grab and go kind of place with very a couple of against the wall barstool seating and some outdoor seating but I wouldn't stay there too long because now you smell like Al.
I go here when I need something quick and am too lazy to venture far.
The quality is okay, but you're paying $6 for a small footlong sub, speed and convenience. It used to be cheaper with chips and a drink! They've steadily raised prices! (Yes, I'm so observant.)
I used to not like the semi hard subroll but it's grown on me, crunchy on the outside, slightly chewy and kinda soft on the inside.
Salt must be on sale because my meatball sub was a little salty. -
Review from Abhirup D.
Boston, MA
10/3/2011
Affordable. Savory. Convenient. These are the things that come to my mind when I think about Al's. Their $6 subs are great for the quantity. Service is really quick, and it's great when you just want to grab something and get back to work.
One of my to-go lunch hot spots, and my personal favorites include the Chicken Pesto (the homemade pesto is heaven) and BBQ Chicken.
Also if you are order # 69 they would ring a bell, say "OPA" and then hand over your food FYI. -
Review from Michael S.
North Easton, MA
10/4/2011
Very hard to knock Al's South Street Cafe. The service was fast and efficient. I had the Chicken salad with provalone and pickles. It was good...very flavorful. Fresh sandwhich bread makes it even better. In the past, I have had their steak bombs, italians and tuna subs, and all have been very good.
The price is relatively inexpensive. The bag lunch (small sub, soda, chip) is $7.50, is my recommendation. The large sub...well that can feed a small family!
One of my only knocks is that they don't have pastromi. Actually with pastromi being about 75 grams of fat per sandwhich...I am glad they don't. -
Review from Juan K.
Boston, MA
8/16/2011
Great sandwich shop. Expect lunch hour rush because the food is great. Lines move fast and the serving staff is awesome. They cheer when people hit special #'s like 69. Haha.
Their Chicken Salad, South Street Special, & Steak Bellino are my favorites. Note that the prices are different than what some of the sites say. Small sandwiches cost $6 & large sandwiches are $8.
One of my favorite lunch stops in Boston. -
Review from Ryan C.
Brockton, MA
3/23/2012
I go here for lunch frequently. For $7.50 you get a "small" sub which is actually quite large and a small bag of Utz chip and a bottled drink. I think it's $6 if you forgo the chips and drink. Compared to say, Quizno's it's only about 60% of the price and it tastes much better. I love a good steak and cheese sub and it is hard to find one this good. Plus they are fast. Even when the line is out the door, you should have your sub in 10 to 15 minutes. I usually see more people in line for the cold subs (they have 2 lines, one for hot subs and one for cold) and I have never tried the cold subs but people tell me they are delicious as well. This is about as good a value as your ever going to get in Boston. The only negative is that space is very limited, so you just go outside and find a place to sit down and enjoy.
-
Review from thanh a.
Boston, MA
7/25/2011
Great place.
I had this random craving for an Italian sub and I have no idea why. Looked up the interwebs for a good italian sub in boston and most reviews brought me to Al's.
I asked for a large italian sub with everything. The older gentleman that took my payment was really nice. He gave me a discount because it was my first time and we had a nice little conversation.
The sub was great, however, next time I would ask for a little bit less dressing or vinegar on it. -
Review from Bonita Y.
Cambridge, MA
2/18/2011
I got the special that had chicken pesto and asked for it to be a salad rather than rice pilaf.
OMG, there was so much pesto and the chicken was pretty tender. I brought it back to work and one of the managers was eyeing my salad (of course, I was kind enough to let her try some.) -
Review from Nathan K.
Palo Alto, CA
1/23/2011
This is the best place to get an awesome deal on a sandwich. You can buy a 20" sub for under $10, that there is enough to last for two meals. And they pack the sandwich with all the necessary condiments and don't skimp on the meat either. Subway does not even compare to the quality nor the quantity of the sandwich. I will say that Sam La Grassa's makes a more flavorful sandwich, but this place has it beat on value.
I find the steak options better than the chicken ones, but this is more of a personal preference. This is my go-to place for a fantastic sandwich. -
Review from Eric F.
Updated - 9/27/2010 1 photo
Having tried even more of the selection and delving into the hot sub menu, I can safely say that Al's is the best sandwich shop in downtown Boston at an absolute steal of a price given the quality. I used to just default to Ray's for the convenience of it being right next to campus, but Al's will from now on be my go-to sandwich provider.
P.S. - I just had the Chicken Pesto today and it was fantastic!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/12/2010
Awesome sandwich shop that deserves the many high ratings it has! I've been here a number of times… Read more »
-
-
Review from Boris R.
Somerville, MA
9/23/2010
Where to begin?
First, the good: it's definitely close to where I work. Having a sub shop right around the corner is certainly convenient. Thanks Al's.
Now, the not so good:
Let's start with my first experience. I had the chicken parm sub. I got in line, paid with a card and got my sandwich made quickly. Like everything else in the store, it was priced reasonably at $6.55. Totally understandable: it's hard to put a variable price on dogshit.
Because that's how my experience went from there. From the shit-eating grin I got from the guy making the sandwich, to the snicker I heard when he called my number, #69. HAHA FUNNY! Except I don't care about the vague sexual references that make your day go by a little differently. Sort of like you don't make bad sandwiches for a living. You're lucky you live in Massachusetts, and not Arizona, where I'd have already asked you for your immigration papers.
Whatever. Live and let live, right?
So I get back to the office and I take out the sub. Ignoring the fact that the entire thing has soaked through the wrapping, I plop it down on our conference table and prepare to eat. Except I can't get past the first bite. Why? Because it tastes like Al himself went outside, broke a chickens neck, tossed it into a toaster, pissed on a piece of bread and put it all together into one mega shit-sandwich.
Anyway, the only reason I wrote this review was to get through to my co-workers, who blindingly buy your sandwiches every other day just because they can't walk one more block to McDonalds for higher quality meat. I'm writing this review for all of you business-"men" who go into Al's every time the clock hits 1pm.
I'm writing this so that the next time you think you want to go to Al's, you think... "do I really?" -
Review from Ben R.
East Watertown, MA
9/27/2010
I go to Al's South Street for 2 reasons: The seafood salad and the bread. I realize that seafood salad isn't the greatest, most foodie concoction, but this seafood salad is phenomenal. The perfect combination of seasoning, whatever the white stuff is (mayo?), and "sea legs" that fake fish stuff. It's a force to be reckoned with. Then they scoop it onto the fantastic, perfect, insanely good bread. The bread has a very slight sweetness to it, and is chewy, without being rubbery, and crusty without destroying the roof of your mouth. Top it off with paper thin sliced red onion, and shredded romaine lettuce and a dash of pepper. I just ate one and I want to go back. I've had the Italian & the tuna salad, which are both good. Their hot subs can be iffy, but I will testify for the cold subs any day.
You can only get the seafood salad sub at the South Street location. -
Review from Ambrose C.
Boston, MA
11/6/2010 1 photo
One of the nearest places to where I worked, this place has the exact same menu as Al's State Street Cafe, but changed the name to Al's South Street Cafe. At $5.50, you can get a tasty and filling sandwich that is about 32 cm in length. For an additional $1.25, you can get a bag of chips and a bottled beverage.
One amazing thing that this place has done is that they are pretty consistent with the baguettes, and they taste almost exactly the same as the State Street location. The baguettes are nice and crispy on the outside, and so soft and chewy on the inside, which is almost exactly what I am looking for in a great baguette.
I ordered a Steak Bellino, and it tasted almost exactly the same as the version in the State Street location. Although the beef almost tasted like ground beef, I liked the stickiness of the cheese and the tastiness of the warm peppers that went along with this hot sandwich.
I recently ordered a cold sandwich from this place. I got the South Street Cafe special, which consists of prosciutto, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Great sandwich, liked the fresh mozzarella cheese and the tasty prosciutto. The balsamic vinegar made it better, making it one of the tastiest cold sandwiches I have eaten so far.
Just like the State Street location, service is extremely effective. I got my sandwich in less than 8 minutes. Overall, I thought I had some of the best sandwiches in Boston, and it is one of my recommendations for a tasty hot sandwich in the area. -
Review from meghan c.
Arlington, MA
7/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meatball sub and Italian italian were amazing :-) and the wait was practically non existent
-
Review from Michael R.
Boston, MA
1/27/2012
Another great sub from the best lunch spot in town!
-
Review from Amanda L.
Brighton, MA
9/18/2008 4 Check-ins Here
::Hallelujah Chorus Plays::
::Happy dance commences::
Oh.Fucking.Hell.Yes (I had to add the fucking because I am just THAT excited)
Do you love Al's State Street Cafe?
Do you love Al's State Street Cafe but hate wasting your entire lunch break trying to get to Al's?
Well, darling, you can actually WALK back to the office instead of sprinting back now, because Al's has opened a SECOND location on the corner of Essex and South Street.
Same great menu, same chaotic lines.
My Trifeca of places for me to get breakfast and lunch is complete (Cafe Le Anna's, Susan's Deli, and Al's South St Cafe).
The actual place is bigger than it's State St counterpart, although, it will probably look the same once it is filled with people! Just around the corner from my office, I can actually waste my lunch hour doing something else instead of running back to my office. (Ok, really I could care less about getting back on time, but there may be some people who do care)
That Chicken Sandwich is calling my name!!!
::Hallelujah Chorus ends::Listed in: Lunch Hour - South Station…
-
Review from Deb K.
Boston, MA
12/2/2008
Ok, so I ordered a large chicken and eggplant parmesan sandwich because I wanted half for dinner tonight. The thing is so freaking huge I had to coddle it like a baby and hold its head up on the walk back to my desk. Seriously, how many inches is that thing? (That's what she said!)
The bread was crusty on the top and squishy in the middle. The chicken was all white meat, tender and juicy. And the eggplant parm was delicate enough that I could have cut it with the side of my fork. Can't wait to try another sub next time! -
Review from EricaLynn J.
Oaklyn, NJ
2/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
Al's! You make me so happy. You really do. You already know that your chicken salad sandwich is crazy good. You already know that your reasonable prices make it fun again to go out to eat for lunch during work. You already know that your entire menu has basically no flaws to it, that everything is made fresh and fabulous, and that you are a diamond in the rough.
So what impressed me, since all the impressive stuff was a given? The way people recognized me the second time I came in. The way I felt like I was part of the family immediately. The way I didn't get a weird look or comment when I ordered something with no condiments.
I really adore you, Al's. Thank you for being humble despite your well-deserved accolades. Most places would let it go to their heads. You just embrace it and put the love back in the food. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. -
Review from Julie R.
1/9/2009
South Street Special! Oh how I love this sandwich! Al's is hands down the best priced sandwich shop in the Leather district. Everything is always fresh, the portions are huge and for the price you can eat lunch out without dropping $10. A small sub is a foot long and only $5 including tax! Or you can get the meal deal with chips and a drink for $6.50.
I usually stick to the south street special since its my fave. The chicken salad is also very good. The bread is thin french bread. Crispy but soft in the middle. There is a huge following there now, expect to wait in a long lunch line. I would give another star if they had tables to eat in. There is a bar that wraps around the windows but its impossible to eat in around lunch time due to the insane crowds and people making their way in and out through all the hoopla.Listed in: Leather District Lunch
-
Review from Mary B.
10/15/2009
I would be a bit nervous if a guy named Al was serving up sushi, or cupcakes, but for sandwiches, Al's your man.
It's a popular lunch destination but you're usually in and out in about 5-7 minutes. (That's what she said.) The setup is so that there are 2 separate lines, one for hot subs and one for cold. Get in the line of your choosing, order up, and keep your ears open for your number to be called. No space cadets allowed. The counter staff always greets me with a smile, which is appreciated in this town.
The food... it's good. It's not something I'd want to eat every day, or even every week since I seem to get a touch of the eggplant parm coma post-nosh. Unless you have just hiked Mt. Everest, ran a marathon, and then fought a bear, order a small. It's got the "bang for your buck" factor going on, it's not inventive or gourmet, but it's reliable and you don't have to drop a tenner on lunch, even with a drink and some chips. Recessiontastic!Listed in: Leatha! Leatha! Leatha!
-
Review from Fred W.
Jamaica Plain, MA
8/6/2010
This place is only open for lunch on weekdays and they serve about 1000 people in a couple of hours. So everything is super fresh. The subs are fantastic on fresh baked bread which you can smell as soon as you enter the mobbed interior with the counter guys yelling "Next Next!" Fortunately the service is so lightning fast you'll be through in a couple of minutes even if the line is out the door.
I usually get the S. Street special-- prosciutto, tomato, cheese, basic, balsamic and EVOO. Could eat that every day for the next 20 years. Most customers are office workers who take their lunch out. There is some bar seating inside and tables outside for a nice day.
Tip: This place moves very fast. My head was spinning the first time I went in and I accidentally ordered three sandwiches by the time I was done. There are two lines and two registers. If you want hot sandwiches get in the line to the left and cold sandwiches the line to the right. For hot sandwiches, you order, pay, and they give you a ticket; then you wait for your number. For cold sandwiches, just go up and order, watch your sandwich get made, then take it and pay Al! -
Review from Alex M.
Brighton, MA
9/10/2009
Real glad to see another Al's pop-up near my new job. As I said on the my State Street review:
- Cold subs are waaay better than the hot ones
- Chicken salad is amazing
Only gripe is that last week they raised their prices $.50. Before, I'd just hand over $5 and walk out.... I really hate carrying change so now they are going to have to deal with my using a debit card. Whatever. -
Review from Narin N.
Boston, MA
10/20/2010
Before you read anything else, Go to Al Capones subs in DTX instead!
This place might have gotten props from phantom gourmet but the phantom must have been recovering from a hangover or something when he ate there!
1st their "self roasted turkey" was roasted alright, in the Oscar Meyer factory! dude its just deli slices! WTF!!!! liars.
2nd the honey mustard looked radioactive WTF!!!!!!
3rd who the F cubes pickles to put in a sandwich, you slice them mother F'ers.
anyways the sandwich was barely edible, and like I said if you want a decent sub, go to capones.
4SHOOOO!!!!! -
Review from Nicky N.
Boston, MA
5/23/2009
This review is for the chicken salad sub. $5 for a sub that is delicious and much more generous than any subway footlong. Also you can get toppings (tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles, hot peppers, etc) to your heart's desire. I haven't liked anything else that I tried here (the south st or state st special, meatball, etc), so why not stick to something that you know will be fab?
They also take credit at both locations, which is unexpected for a place like Al's. The South St is much, much less hectic than the State St, but I love both. I get called "hon" a minimum of 5 times during each visit, which is an instant midday pick-me-up. -
Review from Joe B.
Holden, MA
6/21/2011
Al's eggplant parmesan sub is wonderful. I'm a big meat eater and this sub satisfies all my needs. Their small sub is the size of a large sub elsewhere. I'm very happy with the prices.
I also had a small meatball sub which was good, but not great. I was hoping for more.
I only wish they were wheelchair accessible, but, their friendly staff always answer my call and quickly bring my sub down the stairs. -
Review from Mark M.
Boston, MA
6/1/2010
Num Num Num.....
The Chicken Salad is my go to. I absolutely love this place and tend to eat here at least twice a week. You will want to order a 'small' bag lunch. If the lines are too long just walk up to the Hot Aisle and get a very solid meatball. They are prepped for the rush and you can be in and out in 30 seconds when everyone else is herding around like cattle. -
Review from Angelina C.
San Francisco, CA
7/16/2010
So I came by just after closing and the manager was kind enough to let me in. He asked my order and I left within minutes with the Chicken Salad Sandwich that Ate New York.
(Not the small size that I'd requested, but who cares?)
I pranced happily back to work with a yard-stick's worth of sandwich and, luckily, was able to pawn the rest of it off to a colleague's kid.
--
State Street or South Street, Al's rules. -
Review from Mollie W.
Somerville, MA
1/2/2010
Al's is the mecca of all that is chicken salad, it was my first try here, so I can't mention anything else, but I probably would order the same thing when I return again for some sandwich-y goodness.
Side Note : I DON'T care for chicken salad, I never make it and rarely eat it. I never order it. It is only eaten by me if a) Someone else makes it and I feel bad pestering them for something else b) I'm starving or c) Special circumstances, for example chicken salad that can give you mind reading abilities, or allow you to shoot flames out of your eyes
This was a special circumstance... maybe not as 'special' as those stated above but...
On the T ride to Al's I curiously typed it into Yelp and behold, their splendor is because they're known for... Chicken Salad. Hmm, well given that none of the other items were given nearly as solid or whole hearted reviews, and also at the urging of my friend Dave I decide to give it a try.
Boy was I happy with that decision. Delicious, warm, chewy french bread, perfectly destructed (yes destructed) chicken with just the right amount of mayo, and your choice of toppings. I got the vibe that less is more and more is frowned upon so I opted for lettuce and pickles on mine.
P.s a very nice, but semi-crazy woman works here, she nicely chases people away that attempt to avert her trash barrel blockade that has been placed to let them know sub time is over. So.. note to self, come early, and for the love of god DO NOT ... DO NOT get a large. Unless you're a glutton, feeding a pack of hungry children or eating it for a week out of your office fridge. -
Review from Kelly F.
Tampa, FL
7/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place for a good cheap sanwhich while you wait to leave south station. F the food court! Corn beef swiss and spicy was Nom tastic.
