Al's #1 Italian Beef

"For his fifth local restaurant review, posted Sunday, July 28, Lee shakes things up with a head-to-head battle between famous Chicago-area chain Portillo’s and Al’s Beef, a legendary spot since 1938 with branches all over the city. Both are hailed for their Italian beef sandwiches, which inspired the meaty exercise. Next, Lee navigates to Al’s Beef and spends $13.13 on a hot, dipped Italian beef sandwich, again with cheese sauce. In the end, there’s no contest and Al’s Beef emerges victorious with an 8.5 out of 10. “In my opinion, the meat is way better, the bread is way better, the [jus] that it’s dipped in is better, the peppers are spicier and have more flavor.”" - Naomi Waxman

"Legend has it that Al’s invented the Italian beef in 1938, and while that legend might have been started by Al’s, we don't care. This perfect specimen has fluffy bread fortified with beef cooked using a secret recipe—one that’s probably hidden in a tungsten safe, surrounded by a moat of bright orange gravy brimming with fat. Don’t bother with the other locations, just go to the original spot in Little Italy. That’s where they marinate and roast all the beef, and we believe in getting our Al’s straight from the source." - veda kilaru

"Like politics, Malort, and choosing which Lollapalooza headliner to see, Italian beef allegiances can easily ruin friendships. We’re here to fuel the debate—the Al’s in University Village makes the best in the city. The fluffy bread perfectly soaks up everything—the meat juices from the tender slices of beef marinated with a decades-old secret spice recipe and their robust jus. Make sure to order some of that liquid gold on the side for mandatory dunking." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor

"Al's Beef has been a Chicago legend since 1938, and though it has branches of varying quality all over the city, the Taylor Street location is the original and always reliable and consistent (unlike most other locations, they still make the beef on-premises). Order a beef dipped with hot peppers, and then assume the proper eating stance — hunched over — so you don’t drip gravy all over yourself." - Samantha Nelson

"The purported origins of the Italian beef sandwich can be traced back to this Taylor Street stand in Little Italy. That’s where Al Ferrari and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli Sr., set up shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would become one of the city's iconic foods. Today, the original location is still in business and the beef remains unchanged — marinated in secret spices and dipped in gravy. So stop in, assume the proper upright eating stance, and savor a bit of Chicago history. Online ordering is available here." - Eater Staff, Ashok Selvam