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Mr A's Italian Beef
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:30 am - 9 pm
Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Jay M. said: "Way better crust than Roseattis.. Pizza was delivered hot and on time, new favorite pizza in Cary.. Fresh ingredients.. Good cheese.." read more »
17 reviews for Mr A's Italian Beef
17 reviews in English
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Review from Jason G.
Crystal Lake, IL
2/6/2011
I really really like Mr A's Italian Beef.
I'm a huge fan of Italian Beef & have tried them from all different beef houses around Chicago & theirs definitely ranks up there with the best.
Homemade beef and incredible giardiniera, that is also made in house.
The decor of the place is definitely stuck in the 70's, but I don't ask for much from a good beef joint. For me, Its hard to get away from Portillo's with all their options, but I am very happy I did.
I have only been a few times, but will definitely be going again soon
Cash only! -
Review from Mark S.
Elk Grove Village, IL
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
The beef had great flavor. I think the beef used was not of great quality though. If I remember right it seemed a little fatty and looked a little weird. Don't ask me to describe weird. I also think the bun was stale, but it was hard to tell because I think they tried covering it up by making the beef very juicy, which it was, which I did not order that way. Usually when a beef is juicy and the bun is fresh the bun will just fall apart. In this case the bun was like a sponge and it's not because it was very thick or any other reason you might have. I have never had a beef as juicy as this one even if I ordered a juicy beef. I did not request the beef be made in a certain way (i.e. juicy, dry, dipped). Beef stands do not naturally make a beef as juicy as can be unless requested by the customer, which makes me think they were covering up a stale bun. Something was off and I'm pretty sure it was a stale bun.
If this place had fresh buns and used higher quality beef it would make my list of top 5 beef sandwiches, which is very hard to do.
My Top 5 Italian Beef Sandwiches:
1. Mr. Beef & Pizza (Harlem and Irving)
2. Mr. Beef (Orleans Street in downtown Chicago, not related to Mr. Beef & Pizza from my knowledge.)
3. Johnnie's (Elmwood park, Arlington Heights)
4. Portillo's (Great flavor, but I don't like the aftertaste, something about it, has slowly been making it's way down my list)
5. Al's Beef (It keeps growing on me every time I have it. I did not like it the first time because it was different.)
Consolation Prizes: These places all have above average beef sandwiches in my mind. I will list as many as I can remember. Duke's Beef, Coach's Corner, Bub's Subs, Chickie's, Joe Boston's, Frannie's, Pop's Italian Beef and Sausage, Tony's Deli, Nana's, Nottoli's, Tommy's, Buona, Capt'n Nemo's, Joseph's Elegante, Augustino's, Rammy's, Teddy Fabs, Gina's, Mr. A's.
There are definitely places I have missed and places I have not been to yet. My list always changes, depending on if these places and my taste buds are having good days or bad days.
I know a couple of my reviews are lengthy, but sometimes I can't stop once I get going. I am going to start including my top 5 list above in every beef stand review I write. -
Review from Franklin D.
Arlington Heights, IL
9/8/2011
It's cheap, and pretty fast, I'll say that for it. Got 4 cheeseburgers, 4 drinks, and waaaay too many fries for just under $20. That's the whole point of this place I think.
Probably the same menu, furniture, and decorations as they've had in there for 20 years ;) -
Review from Matt N.
McHenry, IL
8/26/2011
Obviously the favorite spot for a beef in the area is Portillo's, but the other night I was feeling like a beef but I wanted to try another place. Cruising down RT. 14 I found this little spot.
I went with the Italian Beef, added Mozz cheese, hot and sweet peppers, with fries and drink.
Very reasonably priced and the sandwich was fantastic. I may have to have a few more to put it in the conversation with Portillo's, but if they consistently make them this good I'm not going to have a choice.
I agree with earlier reviews that the fries are decent and not great. But let's get real, you're coming here for the Beef, not the fries! -
Review from Dale Z.
Algonquin, IL
6/27/2010
After driving by this place for 5 years.. we gave it a shot.
The fries... terrible.
The hot dog... not bad.. but no where close to the best.
The beef.. ( or in my case the combo )... nothing short of great. This tastes like homemade beef. .. the best beef around.. hands down. Well done, Mr. A. Bravo. -
Review from Jeremy S.
Crystal Lake, IL
6/29/2011 1 photo
Awesome food. The best Italian Beef this side of Chicago. No joke. However, the restaurant is filthy. They decorate the windows with paint and chip it away for changes in the posting and it looks like they have never cleaned the floor around where they chip away the paint. If you like good food, but can't stand to eat in filth, get your order to go. Personally, I think the food is so good, I will deal with the less than stellar attitude and dirty dining room to enjoy their Italian Beef.
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Review from Matthew W.
Aurora, IL
Updated - 12/9/2009
Had lunch here with my dad on a rainy Tuesday afternoon around noon....most tables were filled. This is a Crystal Lake institution, and I can remember having lunch here for at least 35 years....one of my parents favorite spots.
Dad and I ordered the traditional beef sandwich....and they are EXCELLENT. I love them. Tons of beef, enough juice so you don't need a drink and an excellent roll. Fries are a bit on the down side, but to sit here and enjoy a great lunch is awesome.
And the price is so cheap its a GREAT VALUE.
Beef 4.75
Reg fry 1.35
LG drink 1.40
Hot Dog with every 2.60
Reg/small drink 1.35
Total - $12.23Listed in: Best Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/28/2009
Love Mr. As........have been going here ever since my parents moved to Crystal Lake over 35 years… Read more »
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Review from Joe K.
Rockford, IL
2/11/2009
For the suburbs, they have one of the best beef's around - delicious.
But the service is pathetic, the employees have no charm and that affects the taste and price of the food. -
Review from laura a.
Woodstock, IL
8/28/2011
it was lunch time and i was headed to tommys, but due to the crazy construction on 14 i could only really get to mr. a's, so i went. i am not a beef eater so i got the chicken sandwich, not bad. the place is old. and above all else. it is greasy. the employees would apparently rather stand around and chit chat then pick up a bottle of Grease Lightening and clean the joint. my elbows literally stuck to the table top. really people.. seems like the place hasn't had a good cleaning since 1972. you may want to shut down for a few days and just CLEAN! i am sure your patrons would approve.
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Review from Jesus H.
Chicago, IL
5/19/2010
They have basically the same hot dog special as Tommy's, but with one difference. If you don't want the fries, you have to pay an extra 2 dollars. Seriously. They would rather you just get the fries, pull them out of the bag and throw them away right there.
When I asked why I had to pay extra to not have fries, the lady got pretty bitchy and said I couldn't make substitutions to the special. There were people waiting, so rather than explain to the idiot that substitution involves replacing one item for another, not simply omitting one item for nothing, I just left.
The hot dogs were meh anyway. -
Review from Heidi F.
Crystal Lake, IL
6/28/2009
This place is good if you are "recovering" from a long night. The food isn't great, but I do like anyplace that will smother food in cheese sauce. The hot dogs (even with everything on them) are missing that bite that good dogs have.
I don't think I have ever seen any of the employees smile. -
Review from DON R.
Trout Valley, IL
12/31/2009
I have been eating beef sandwiches at this place since the late 70's. I would have to say that as a well travelled Chicagoian, I have tried most of the famous beef places in the city and suburbs. Mr. A's is by far the best italian beef I have ever had.
I have never had anything else here. I have heard from family members the hot dogs are okay, but not outstanding. The service is a bit gruff, but anyone who has ventured to places like the original Billy Goat will tell you that you can't eat service.
Go for the beef and enjoy. -
Review from Ben D.
Algonquin, IL
7/10/2011
Went here today for lunch, and had the beef. It is indeed a very good beef. The fries are just ok, but the price seemed a little high for the size of the sandwich
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Review from Paul C.
6/25/2008
The best Italian beef in America.
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Review from Chuck A.
Crystal Lake, IL
2/21/2011
it is a small family owned place. the food doesn't taste bad, but one has to wonder about the cleanliness of the place. Good for large cheap shakes.
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Review from brian b.
Chicago, IL
9/7/2008
I am suprised the place has stayed open for all these years. Hardly ever a crowd there. There are far better places in town to get dogs or a beef than here. The beefs there are lousy in my opinion. So are the fries and even the hot dogs are missing something. I avoid this place.
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Review from Gery B.
IL
3/5/2009
I have been going to Mr. A's for over 20 years the Italian beef is the best around. I also think their Chile is fantasic and the hot dogs are great. I am not sure what Joe K was talking about, the help is mostly teenage kids that are usually pleasant. Maybe he was having a bad day, but he really lost me when he said it affects the price and taste of the food??? Did they leave a bad taste in your mouth? Or is your taste up your posterior? Now as for Brian b I avoid any place he goes, even his favorite place Chucky Cheese!
