Al's #1 Italian Beef traces its history to 1938, when it introduced Chicago's Italian beef sandwich. The River North spot is one of several Al's locations around the city and suburbs, alongside Avondale, Wrigleyville, Little Italy, and Tinley Park.
The format is straightforward: thin-sliced roast beef, cooked from scratch on-site, piled onto Italian bread, ordered dipped or dry with sweet or hot peppers.
Regulars describe it as a local gem, with praise for the food, service, and atmosphere, though the experience can vary depending on which location you walk into.
The format is straightforward: thin-sliced roast beef, cooked from scratch on-site, piled onto Italian bread, ordered dipped or dry with sweet or hot peppers.
Regulars describe it as a local gem, with praise for the food, service, and atmosphere, though the experience can vary depending on which location you walk into.