Oh how I miss my Italian Beefs. We were searching for a Portillo's when the stupid GPS directed us to a field where there was no restaurant. We promised our hosts that we would bring beefs for lunch so we did a search that led us to Al's. Now our experience is a bit different since we ordered a kind of "party" package to go. You get everything separate - the beef, the gravy, their home made hot giardiniera and then the french bread. We also got fries even though we had misgivings about what they would taste hours later. We got a munchie for the road, as we were starving and didn't know when we would get to our beefs. It was just a cheeseburger but man was it good. I was only going to take a bite, but ended up wrestling for the last crumbs. Anyway, we didn't get to eat for awhile, but our hosts were well versed on how to heat up the beef. They even used a pizza stone in the oven to heat up the fries. The end result was complete and total satisfaction. The fries tasted like they just came out of the basket, the meat was tender, the gravy was spiced just right, and the bread was the perfect vehicle to soak up the juices without falling apart. When I get back to the Windy City, Al's will be on my must do list.
(4)
Jessica P.
Italian beef has traditionally been an iffy food for me. I've had good and bad, but usually it's just "meh;" which is the experience I had with Al's. Not bad, but not exactly good. If you get the Italian beef, I highly suggest getting peppers and cheese for moisture and flavor that would otherwise be lacking. The fries are phenomenal! Freshly cut on site, they are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are already seasoned so you don't need ketchup unless that's just how you roll. The place is really clean, including the bathrooms. The dining room was really warm when we were in and it got progressively hotter towards the kitchen. It wasn't like a warm, "we're just cooking" kind of hot; it was more like fiery damnation hot. I legitimately felt bad for the kitchen staff! Will probably stop in again, but I think I'll go for a dog and fries next time.
(3)
Jamie D.
Let me preface this by saying that Fontanini Italian Beef is the basis (besides mom's Italian beef) from which I judge all equals. Portillo's is like fine dining compared to Al's. Well, when you take away one of the lines in the equal sign, you get a minus. Minus is how I rate this place. The staff, while I know they need jobs too, were all 16-18 olds who were talking very inappropriately and flirting when I walked in. The enthusiasm level was around my sole (that is referring to my shoe on the floor...low..low..low). The sandwich wasn't good. The flavor was strange. I can't quite describe it. The grease that soaked into the bun was funky. There was no au jus and they forgot the cheese on the sandwich. I guess when you walk into a place at lunch and no one is in there, which should be taken as a clue. Sorry....just not up to the standards of a Fontanini Italian Beef or mom's (love you mom)!
(1)
Nancy H.
This will be the last time I eat Al's Beef. Definitely noticeable they have cut back on portions. Hot dog was the size of a pencil and mostly bun. Hamburger was thin layer of meat once again mostly bun. The only thing that saves this place- the best fries. Other than that no reason to go there. Please instead of cutting down on size raise the prices. I would rather pay more than leave feeling like I just wasted my money on a bad meal. This place gets one star for the fries.
(1)
Rob J.
Not worth $9.07 for a Big Al. Much better Beef joints to go to. You are better off going to Rubinos and getting a huge as well as tasty beef sandwich for half the price. It's right down the street. The beef is good but not for the portion size and price. Tony's off 70 th and Pulaski and Johnnies in Elmwood Park are hands down the best places for Italian Beefs.
(2)
Noell C.
Maybe it's because I am not a Chicago native but I don't get the Italian beef thing. Wasn't sure what to get so I opted for the combo. First of all the beef lacks flavor. Very bland and no seasoning at all. Italian sausage was pretty good but nothing you can't get from your own local grocery chain. Would not go back.
(2)
Stephen H.
Hand cut fries always just out of the basket. My favorite Italian Beef and I have been to Mr. Beef and Johnnies Beef which has a great charbroiled Italian sausage cooked over charcoal with sweet peppers and many other good Italian beef places. I ask them to dip it and sometimes drown it in their incredible gravy and have eaten many of their Italian Beefs over the years. Al's is definitely on the expensive side.
(5)
La La R.
Just ate from there.It was pretty good. The cheese fries were pretty tasty. The burger was pretty cool and I'm assuming the Italian beef was good because my hubby ate it all lol They are on the little expensive side but they are know for their Italian beefs but others foods here are just as yummy. So try them
(4)
Robert B.
Dirty 12.56 for a lunch. Embarrassed, disquieting, disguiting, place. Needs to be inspected. If they clean the back as bad as the front, I think I will be sick before I get home.
(1)
Chris B.
First off I'm not from Chicago. I saw a restaurant similar to this on the food network. I thought I'd give a chance. I ordered the Italian beef dip in the juice and the polish dog Chicago style. I don't understand the allure of the beef. It was kind of sweet and it was my first time eating on purpose the soggy bread. Not a fan of that. The dog was really good. It had a pickle, some kind of pepper, tomato, onions, and mustard. I'd come back for this. I'll let the Chicago peps keep their soggy beef thing.
(3)
Mark K.
Not bad. Had a junior beef dipped. Was pretty tastey. Love the fries. Nice and cool inside on a hot day. Cold beer as well. I used to go quite a bit to the Roosevelt and Taylor location back when I was in school. It didn't disappoint.
(3)
John K.
I got an email from Al saying that Friday May 1st he would be giving out high fives at this location. I took the day off from work and opened a new credit card so I can drop bones on this g. He wasn't there, in fact no one named Al was there, mostly Mo no Currly and a few Larrys were there. Food is small, doesn't come with any sides, and is waaaaaaay too pricey. No high fives were given and no returns will be given ether. Soft TP in the mens room.
(2)
Dawn P.
Delicious Beef Sandwiches!! You just can't go wrong when eating there. This is one franchise that keeps the food the same as the original.
(5)
Carrie C.
The best Italian beef- and the Chicago dog ain't bad either. The food came out fast and portions were great for the price. Nice beefy flavor complemented by garlicky jus.
(5)
Patrick B.
Italian Beef - reason #1 to be in Chicagoland . Loving the hot pepper mix! Quick, reasonable in price and delicious
(4)
Joe A.
Here's my interaction with a girl who looked like she was mixed (Hispanic/white) with dark hair. "Sir what can I get for you" oooops? Forget about hello? I then tell her I want a tamale boat with a small drink. "A full tamale boat?" (Standoffish tone) ummm if it's one tamale it's not a boat... Read your own menu. "What size drink?" Ummm I told you. Get out of your no problem, no worries, "it's whatever" mentality and listen to people you're too cool to say hi to. As she hands me the receipt the good bye was a nice "here you are". Then the guy who calls out my order watches me walk four feet with it and says "sir" in a commanding tone to hand me a fork. I'll give you people free training. "Order 72. Here sir, here's a fork (AS you're handing them the tray) you have a nice one. All at a place where it's $4.15 for the same dog portillos sells for 2.95
(1)
Marilynn P.
Rudest customer service I've ever experienced. Plus they didn't have chipotle fries- but someone told me that might only be available at the downtown location. Regardless, not coming back here even if you paid me.
(1)
Kevin M.
I passed through the area and stopped by Al's Beef in Tinley Park for a taste of my favorite Chicago sandwich: Italian beef and sausage combo. The sandwich in the store was pretty good, but definitely not the best in the Chicago metro area. But here's my beef, so to speak. The sandwich was good enough that I ordered another to go. I warmed it up the next morning. On my 8-inch roll was plenty of beef but only a ONE-INCH piece of Italian sausage. They char-grill the sausages and obviously must have run out, except for that little piece. Since it was to-go, I guess it was screw the customer time.
(2)
Eating M.
.Been eating here for 5+ years and they never dissapoint. The best tasting and least fatty beef sandwich I've ever had. Always great customer service.
(5)
ray c.
Boy of looks can kill the cashier at the Tinley ALs beef was horrible. Not one smile. Clearly did not want to be there. Horrible service. Friday aug 8th 356pm She saw the long line and rolled her eyes. You need a more friendly cashier. Wint come back just for that reason. Food good though
(2)
Norma S.
I love Tinley's Al's Italian beef....but I don't eat their Italian beef. I eat their burgers. Their fresh cut fries are the best. The staff accommodates my request for no salt on them without a problem. The burger is basic. Nice char-grilled taste. I get with grilled onions, so the burger is juicy. Love the fact I can get free refills on soda. But then I moved closer to Al's/ Nancy's Oak Lawns location. Went to their location but was disappointed with the food, just not as good. So when I want a good burger FAST with some great fries I travel back to the Tinley Park location. Don't know what they do different ,it's just better.
(4)
Liz R.
Rather than deciding between the Little Al (their 4" Italian Beef sandwich), dipped with hot peppers, and the Chicago Polish (a perfectly blackened 1/3rd lb Polish sausage topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomatoes slices, a pickle spear and sport peppers), I decided I deserved both (heck, I'm not from the area... not to mention I'd just finished working out). The Italian Beef was lean, juicy (the fact that the sandwich was dripping with au jus probably helped), and spicy hot. I demolished it first. Then, the sausage... damn, that was amazing. Huge (huge!), and unbelievably amazing. I forgot I'd even eaten the beef. Pricey (almost $12 for the small sandwich, sausage and a soda), but I will return for another sausage!
(4)
Josiah G.
I was brought here by a local for a place to grab a quick bite. I'm glad we did, because it was pretty good. Being very hungry, as usual, I ordered the Al's Beef, the buffalo bleu fries and even a tamale. The sandwich was as good as any other respectable beef sandwich in Chicago, and with the choices of different peppers and cheeses, it is definitely something I would want to order again soon. The fries are hand cut and were delicious with buffalo and blue cheese sauce. The tamale was just ok, but the chili on top was excellent and would make anything taste good. The prices are reasonable and we were in and out in 20 minutes, so definitely a great place for a quick stop for lunch.
(4)
Jack J.
The beef is pricey. Must be for all the grease they add to the au jus.
(2)
Jenn W.
So tonight my husband and I were discussing whether we've ever had Al's before (I say we have, the husband says we haven't) and we decided to end the debate definitively - by picking up some Al's for dinner. I had a regular Al with giardiniera and provolone and my husband had the sausage/beef combo. We also picked up some regular fries and some loaded fries. My beef sandwich was juicy and good, but it was hard to pick up the taste of the beef under the giardiniera. My husband says the combo was good, but not his favorite in the area. The fries were excellent, although I prefer the plain fries to the loaded. I'm sure we'll go back as Al's is right down the street from us and those fries might prove too hard to resist.
(3)
Megan S.
Awesome food, awful customer service !! Always a girl with major attitude taking orders and they literally just throw the food at you, they must all be miserable
(2)
Doris M.
My first Italian beef sandwich experience so I have nothing to compare to. It was ok. The Ceasar salad was good. Friendly staff & quick service.
(3)
John P.
Just ate an Italian beef with spicy peppers. Beef was juicy and tasty. For fast food it's a little on the pricy side ($8.50 for a combo) but it really isn't fast food.
(4)
D M.
Well, i've eaten here a lot of the years. This place is decent. The beef, which is obviously their big seller, is good. I wouldn't say it's the best in the area, but it's good. Their fries are excellent. And their hot dogs are good. But, aside from that, I don't care for much here. I used to like the hamburgers a lot, but they seem to have changed vendors and the burgers just don't taste very good anymore. The chicken on the chicken sandwiches is also below par for me. If you're in the area and don't want to go a little further down the street for a beef sandwich, then go here. But, aside from that, I can't recommend this place. I usually feel like I did not get my money's worth when i'm done here.
(2)
Steve D.
That was one satisfying Al's beef sandwich. There are about 8 toppings you can choose from and I suggest getting everything. 6" beef sandwich was light on the beef but the extra $$ toppings made up for this. Arrived about 5 minutes before closing and already the staff was placing all the seats on the tables. Could it hurt to wait until after all the customers leave so they can enjoy their meals without watching all the commotion?
(3)
Rick B.
Al's in Tinley is a franchise of the original down on Taylor Street in Chicago (see mine on Al's No 1 Italian Beef). Because Al's is franchised, service can be spotty at the various locations ... but the Tinley Park spot was very nice. While the hot dogs and sausage and hamburgers are all nice - it is Al's Italian Beef, not Al's hot dogs. Go for the beef. You can get a Little Al (4"), or a regular (6"), or a Big Al (8") ... all very nice. The beef is mildly seasoned, so for those that want a bit more pizzazz you add sweet or hot peppers to spice it up. I get it dipped which makes it especially moist. The fries are a must do - freshly-cut with the peel left on and double-fried.
A bit pricey in my opinion but the food is always hot and the fries are great. I know thy're a beef place but I just consider the beef OK. Nothing to write home about. The hot dogs are good though. If they came down on their prices a bit they would earn another star or two.
(3)
Greg D.
I made the mistake by going back. This place has gone down hill even more. We used to go here all the time when they first opened and all was good. Now-not so much. The young kids taking the order act like they dont care. The food is greasy and not good. The beef has a funk to it I cant describe. The last time we were there it was dinnertime and the place was empty. That should have told us something. We will not be going back.
(1)
Mike K.
About a year ago I had a thin crust sausage pizza here and was pleasantly surprised.....of course the italian beef is good but it is getting very pricey. This is in a strip mall so you could zip right past it.
(3)
Frank G.
By far the best tasting beef in Chicago. I know Mr. Beef and Al's are rivals for the "best beef in Chicago", but my hands down favorite is Al's. There something about their ausjus that Mr. Beef doesn't come close to. We usually stop here when we are heading out of town on the expressway.
(4)
Greg S.
Showed up just before closing & tried a dog and shaved beef.sandwich (Lil Al IIRC) Both were good, service was quick. Will certainly return
(4)
Jacob K.
Even though this place is out of the way for me I am always sure to stop in whenever I am in the area. Ever since I have had their fries they taste horrible anywhere else. I spoke with the owner who told me they are hand cut fresh daily and they use a very high grade of beef for their sandwiches. The cheese sauce for the fries is awesome too... I usually ask for it on the side. Their beef sandwiches are great and you have the option of having tomato sauce, gardinara or cheese on it. I liked it with just cheese and dry as the beef tastes great. The only problem is I need to wait until I am back in the area to get my beef sandwich and fries fix. Aurgh.... I am already craving it again.
(5)
Stephanie G.
I went there a few weeks ago and was really disappointed. The beef sandwich was really dry to me! And for that price I expected it to be a lot better. Also, we went on a Sunday evening and asked the girl at the counter what time they were open til and she said "I believe 7:30?!?". I'm sorry but if you work at a place you should know what time you're open til and not question the time. Only positives about this place is that it is clean and the fries were hot.
(2)
Chris B.
First off I'm not from Chicago. I saw a restaurant similar to this on the food network. I thought I'd give a chance. I ordered the Italian beef dip in the juice and the polish dog Chicago style. I don't understand the allure of the beef. It was kind of sweet and it was my first time eating on purpose the soggy bread. Not a fan of that. The dog was really good. It had a pickle, some kind of pepper, tomato, onions, and mustard. I'd come back for this. I'll let the Chicago peps keep their soggy beef thing.
(3)
Noell C.
Maybe it's because I am not a Chicago native but I don't get the Italian beef thing. Wasn't sure what to get so I opted for the combo. First of all the beef lacks flavor. Very bland and no seasoning at all. Italian sausage was pretty good but nothing you can't get from your own local grocery chain. Would not go back.
(2)
Mark K.
Not bad. Had a junior beef dipped. Was pretty tastey. Love the fries. Nice and cool inside on a hot day. Cold beer as well. I used to go quite a bit to the Roosevelt and Taylor location back when I was in school. It didn't disappoint.
(3)
John K.
I got an email from Al saying that Friday May 1st he would be giving out high fives at this location. I took the day off from work and opened a new credit card so I can drop bones on this g. He wasn't there, in fact no one named Al was there, mostly Mo no Currly and a few Larrys were there. Food is small, doesn't come with any sides, and is waaaaaaay too pricey. No high fives were given and no returns will be given ether. Soft TP in the mens room.
(2)
Dawn P.
Delicious Beef Sandwiches!! You just can't go wrong when eating there. This is one franchise that keeps the food the same as the original.
(5)
Stephen H.
Hand cut fries always just out of the basket. My favorite Italian Beef and I have been to Mr. Beef and Johnnies Beef which has a great charbroiled Italian sausage cooked over charcoal with sweet peppers and many other good Italian beef places. I ask them to dip it and sometimes drown it in their incredible gravy and have eaten many of their Italian Beefs over the years. Al's is definitely on the expensive side.
(5)
La La R.
Just ate from there.It was pretty good. The cheese fries were pretty tasty. The burger was pretty cool and I'm assuming the Italian beef was good because my hubby ate it all lol They are on the little expensive side but they are know for their Italian beefs but others foods here are just as yummy. So try them
(4)
Robert B.
Dirty 12.56 for a lunch. Embarrassed, disquieting, disguiting, place. Needs to be inspected. If they clean the back as bad as the front, I think I will be sick before I get home.
(1)
Rob J.
Not worth $9.07 for a Big Al. Much better Beef joints to go to. You are better off going to Rubinos and getting a huge as well as tasty beef sandwich for half the price. It's right down the street. The beef is good but not for the portion size and price. Tony's off 70 th and Pulaski and Johnnies in Elmwood Park are hands down the best places for Italian Beefs.
(2)
Carrie C.
The best Italian beef- and the Chicago dog ain't bad either. The food came out fast and portions were great for the price. Nice beefy flavor complemented by garlicky jus.
(5)
Patrick B.
Italian Beef - reason #1 to be in Chicagoland . Loving the hot pepper mix! Quick, reasonable in price and delicious
(4)
Joe A.
Here's my interaction with a girl who looked like she was mixed (Hispanic/white) with dark hair. "Sir what can I get for you" oooops? Forget about hello? I then tell her I want a tamale boat with a small drink. "A full tamale boat?" (Standoffish tone) ummm if it's one tamale it's not a boat... Read your own menu. "What size drink?" Ummm I told you. Get out of your no problem, no worries, "it's whatever" mentality and listen to people you're too cool to say hi to. As she hands me the receipt the good bye was a nice "here you are". Then the guy who calls out my order watches me walk four feet with it and says "sir" in a commanding tone to hand me a fork. I'll give you people free training. "Order 72. Here sir, here's a fork (AS you're handing them the tray) you have a nice one. All at a place where it's $4.15 for the same dog portillos sells for 2.95
(1)
Marilynn P.
Rudest customer service I've ever experienced. Plus they didn't have chipotle fries- but someone told me that might only be available at the downtown location. Regardless, not coming back here even if you paid me.
(1)
Kevin M.
I passed through the area and stopped by Al's Beef in Tinley Park for a taste of my favorite Chicago sandwich: Italian beef and sausage combo. The sandwich in the store was pretty good, but definitely not the best in the Chicago metro area. But here's my beef, so to speak. The sandwich was good enough that I ordered another to go. I warmed it up the next morning. On my 8-inch roll was plenty of beef but only a ONE-INCH piece of Italian sausage. They char-grill the sausages and obviously must have run out, except for that little piece. Since it was to-go, I guess it was screw the customer time.
(2)
Eating M.
.Been eating here for 5+ years and they never dissapoint. The best tasting and least fatty beef sandwich I've ever had. Always great customer service.
(5)
ray c.
Boy of looks can kill the cashier at the Tinley ALs beef was horrible. Not one smile. Clearly did not want to be there. Horrible service. Friday aug 8th 356pm She saw the long line and rolled her eyes. You need a more friendly cashier. Wint come back just for that reason. Food good though
(2)
Steve D.
That was one satisfying Al's beef sandwich. There are about 8 toppings you can choose from and I suggest getting everything. 6" beef sandwich was light on the beef but the extra $$ toppings made up for this. Arrived about 5 minutes before closing and already the staff was placing all the seats on the tables. Could it hurt to wait until after all the customers leave so they can enjoy their meals without watching all the commotion?
(3)
Norma S.
I love Tinley's Al's Italian beef....but I don't eat their Italian beef. I eat their burgers. Their fresh cut fries are the best. The staff accommodates my request for no salt on them without a problem. The burger is basic. Nice char-grilled taste. I get with grilled onions, so the burger is juicy. Love the fact I can get free refills on soda. But then I moved closer to Al's/ Nancy's Oak Lawns location. Went to their location but was disappointed with the food, just not as good. So when I want a good burger FAST with some great fries I travel back to the Tinley Park location. Don't know what they do different ,it's just better.
(4)
Liz R.
Rather than deciding between the Little Al (their 4" Italian Beef sandwich), dipped with hot peppers, and the Chicago Polish (a perfectly blackened 1/3rd lb Polish sausage topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomatoes slices, a pickle spear and sport peppers), I decided I deserved both (heck, I'm not from the area... not to mention I'd just finished working out). The Italian Beef was lean, juicy (the fact that the sandwich was dripping with au jus probably helped), and spicy hot. I demolished it first. Then, the sausage... damn, that was amazing. Huge (huge!), and unbelievably amazing. I forgot I'd even eaten the beef. Pricey (almost $12 for the small sandwich, sausage and a soda), but I will return for another sausage!
(4)
Josiah G.
I was brought here by a local for a place to grab a quick bite. I'm glad we did, because it was pretty good. Being very hungry, as usual, I ordered the Al's Beef, the buffalo bleu fries and even a tamale. The sandwich was as good as any other respectable beef sandwich in Chicago, and with the choices of different peppers and cheeses, it is definitely something I would want to order again soon. The fries are hand cut and were delicious with buffalo and blue cheese sauce. The tamale was just ok, but the chili on top was excellent and would make anything taste good. The prices are reasonable and we were in and out in 20 minutes, so definitely a great place for a quick stop for lunch.
(4)
Jack J.
The beef is pricey. Must be for all the grease they add to the au jus.
(2)
Jenn W.
So tonight my husband and I were discussing whether we've ever had Al's before (I say we have, the husband says we haven't) and we decided to end the debate definitively - by picking up some Al's for dinner. I had a regular Al with giardiniera and provolone and my husband had the sausage/beef combo. We also picked up some regular fries and some loaded fries. My beef sandwich was juicy and good, but it was hard to pick up the taste of the beef under the giardiniera. My husband says the combo was good, but not his favorite in the area. The fries were excellent, although I prefer the plain fries to the loaded. I'm sure we'll go back as Al's is right down the street from us and those fries might prove too hard to resist.
(3)
Megan S.
Awesome food, awful customer service !! Always a girl with major attitude taking orders and they literally just throw the food at you, they must all be miserable
(2)
Rick B.
Al's in Tinley is a franchise of the original down on Taylor Street in Chicago (see mine on Al's No 1 Italian Beef). Because Al's is franchised, service can be spotty at the various locations ... but the Tinley Park spot was very nice. While the hot dogs and sausage and hamburgers are all nice - it is Al's Italian Beef, not Al's hot dogs. Go for the beef. You can get a Little Al (4"), or a regular (6"), or a Big Al (8") ... all very nice. The beef is mildly seasoned, so for those that want a bit more pizzazz you add sweet or hot peppers to spice it up. I get it dipped which makes it especially moist. The fries are a must do - freshly-cut with the peel left on and double-fried.
Oh how I miss my Italian Beefs. We were searching for a Portillo's when the stupid GPS directed us to a field where there was no restaurant. We promised our hosts that we would bring beefs for lunch so we did a search that led us to Al's. Now our experience is a bit different since we ordered a kind of "party" package to go. You get everything separate - the beef, the gravy, their home made hot giardiniera and then the french bread. We also got fries even though we had misgivings about what they would taste hours later. We got a munchie for the road, as we were starving and didn't know when we would get to our beefs. It was just a cheeseburger but man was it good. I was only going to take a bite, but ended up wrestling for the last crumbs. Anyway, we didn't get to eat for awhile, but our hosts were well versed on how to heat up the beef. They even used a pizza stone in the oven to heat up the fries. The end result was complete and total satisfaction. The fries tasted like they just came out of the basket, the meat was tender, the gravy was spiced just right, and the bread was the perfect vehicle to soak up the juices without falling apart. When I get back to the Windy City, Al's will be on my must do list.
(4)
Jessica P.
Italian beef has traditionally been an iffy food for me. I've had good and bad, but usually it's just "meh;" which is the experience I had with Al's. Not bad, but not exactly good. If you get the Italian beef, I highly suggest getting peppers and cheese for moisture and flavor that would otherwise be lacking. The fries are phenomenal! Freshly cut on site, they are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are already seasoned so you don't need ketchup unless that's just how you roll. The place is really clean, including the bathrooms. The dining room was really warm when we were in and it got progressively hotter towards the kitchen. It wasn't like a warm, "we're just cooking" kind of hot; it was more like fiery damnation hot. I legitimately felt bad for the kitchen staff! Will probably stop in again, but I think I'll go for a dog and fries next time.
(3)
Jamie D.
Let me preface this by saying that Fontanini Italian Beef is the basis (besides mom's Italian beef) from which I judge all equals. Portillo's is like fine dining compared to Al's. Well, when you take away one of the lines in the equal sign, you get a minus. Minus is how I rate this place. The staff, while I know they need jobs too, were all 16-18 olds who were talking very inappropriately and flirting when I walked in. The enthusiasm level was around my sole (that is referring to my shoe on the floor...low..low..low). The sandwich wasn't good. The flavor was strange. I can't quite describe it. The grease that soaked into the bun was funky. There was no au jus and they forgot the cheese on the sandwich. I guess when you walk into a place at lunch and no one is in there, which should be taken as a clue. Sorry....just not up to the standards of a Fontanini Italian Beef or mom's (love you mom)!
(1)
Nancy H.
This will be the last time I eat Al's Beef. Definitely noticeable they have cut back on portions. Hot dog was the size of a pencil and mostly bun. Hamburger was thin layer of meat once again mostly bun. The only thing that saves this place- the best fries. Other than that no reason to go there. Please instead of cutting down on size raise the prices. I would rather pay more than leave feeling like I just wasted my money on a bad meal. This place gets one star for the fries.
(1)
Mike K.
About a year ago I had a thin crust sausage pizza here and was pleasantly surprised.....of course the italian beef is good but it is getting very pricey. This is in a strip mall so you could zip right past it.
(3)
Eric A.
A bit pricey in my opinion but the food is always hot and the fries are great. I know thy're a beef place but I just consider the beef OK. Nothing to write home about. The hot dogs are good though. If they came down on their prices a bit they would earn another star or two.
(3)
Greg D.
I made the mistake by going back. This place has gone down hill even more. We used to go here all the time when they first opened and all was good. Now-not so much. The young kids taking the order act like they dont care. The food is greasy and not good. The beef has a funk to it I cant describe. The last time we were there it was dinnertime and the place was empty. That should have told us something. We will not be going back.
(1)
Frank G.
By far the best tasting beef in Chicago. I know Mr. Beef and Al's are rivals for the "best beef in Chicago", but my hands down favorite is Al's. There something about their ausjus that Mr. Beef doesn't come close to. We usually stop here when we are heading out of town on the expressway.
(4)
Greg S.
Showed up just before closing & tried a dog and shaved beef.sandwich (Lil Al IIRC) Both were good, service was quick. Will certainly return
(4)
Jacob K.
Even though this place is out of the way for me I am always sure to stop in whenever I am in the area. Ever since I have had their fries they taste horrible anywhere else. I spoke with the owner who told me they are hand cut fresh daily and they use a very high grade of beef for their sandwiches. The cheese sauce for the fries is awesome too... I usually ask for it on the side. Their beef sandwiches are great and you have the option of having tomato sauce, gardinara or cheese on it. I liked it with just cheese and dry as the beef tastes great. The only problem is I need to wait until I am back in the area to get my beef sandwich and fries fix. Aurgh.... I am already craving it again.
(5)
Stephanie G.
I went there a few weeks ago and was really disappointed. The beef sandwich was really dry to me! And for that price I expected it to be a lot better. Also, we went on a Sunday evening and asked the girl at the counter what time they were open til and she said "I believe 7:30?!?". I'm sorry but if you work at a place you should know what time you're open til and not question the time. Only positives about this place is that it is clean and the fries were hot.
(2)
Doris M.
My first Italian beef sandwich experience so I have nothing to compare to. It was ok. The Ceasar salad was good. Friendly staff & quick service.
(3)
John P.
Just ate an Italian beef with spicy peppers. Beef was juicy and tasty. For fast food it's a little on the pricy side ($8.50 for a combo) but it really isn't fast food.
(4)
D M.
Well, i've eaten here a lot of the years. This place is decent. The beef, which is obviously their big seller, is good. I wouldn't say it's the best in the area, but it's good. Their fries are excellent. And their hot dogs are good. But, aside from that, I don't care for much here. I used to like the hamburgers a lot, but they seem to have changed vendors and the burgers just don't taste very good anymore. The chicken on the chicken sandwiches is also below par for me. If you're in the area and don't want to go a little further down the street for a beef sandwich, then go here. But, aside from that, I can't recommend this place. I usually feel like I did not get my money's worth when i'm done here.
(2)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :7132 W. 183rd Street
Tinley Park, IL, 60477
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : No Caters : Yes
Regina S.
Oh how I miss my Italian Beefs. We were searching for a Portillo's when the stupid GPS directed us to a field where there was no restaurant. We promised our hosts that we would bring beefs for lunch so we did a search that led us to Al's. Now our experience is a bit different since we ordered a kind of "party" package to go. You get everything separate - the beef, the gravy, their home made hot giardiniera and then the french bread. We also got fries even though we had misgivings about what they would taste hours later. We got a munchie for the road, as we were starving and didn't know when we would get to our beefs. It was just a cheeseburger but man was it good. I was only going to take a bite, but ended up wrestling for the last crumbs. Anyway, we didn't get to eat for awhile, but our hosts were well versed on how to heat up the beef. They even used a pizza stone in the oven to heat up the fries. The end result was complete and total satisfaction. The fries tasted like they just came out of the basket, the meat was tender, the gravy was spiced just right, and the bread was the perfect vehicle to soak up the juices without falling apart. When I get back to the Windy City, Al's will be on my must do list.
(4)Jessica P.
Italian beef has traditionally been an iffy food for me. I've had good and bad, but usually it's just "meh;" which is the experience I had with Al's. Not bad, but not exactly good. If you get the Italian beef, I highly suggest getting peppers and cheese for moisture and flavor that would otherwise be lacking. The fries are phenomenal! Freshly cut on site, they are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are already seasoned so you don't need ketchup unless that's just how you roll. The place is really clean, including the bathrooms. The dining room was really warm when we were in and it got progressively hotter towards the kitchen. It wasn't like a warm, "we're just cooking" kind of hot; it was more like fiery damnation hot. I legitimately felt bad for the kitchen staff! Will probably stop in again, but I think I'll go for a dog and fries next time.
(3)Jamie D.
Let me preface this by saying that Fontanini Italian Beef is the basis (besides mom's Italian beef) from which I judge all equals. Portillo's is like fine dining compared to Al's. Well, when you take away one of the lines in the equal sign, you get a minus. Minus is how I rate this place. The staff, while I know they need jobs too, were all 16-18 olds who were talking very inappropriately and flirting when I walked in. The enthusiasm level was around my sole (that is referring to my shoe on the floor...low..low..low). The sandwich wasn't good. The flavor was strange. I can't quite describe it. The grease that soaked into the bun was funky. There was no au jus and they forgot the cheese on the sandwich. I guess when you walk into a place at lunch and no one is in there, which should be taken as a clue. Sorry....just not up to the standards of a Fontanini Italian Beef or mom's (love you mom)!
(1)Nancy H.
This will be the last time I eat Al's Beef. Definitely noticeable they have cut back on portions. Hot dog was the size of a pencil and mostly bun. Hamburger was thin layer of meat once again mostly bun. The only thing that saves this place- the best fries. Other than that no reason to go there. Please instead of cutting down on size raise the prices. I would rather pay more than leave feeling like I just wasted my money on a bad meal. This place gets one star for the fries.
(1)Rob J.
Not worth $9.07 for a Big Al. Much better Beef joints to go to. You are better off going to Rubinos and getting a huge as well as tasty beef sandwich for half the price. It's right down the street. The beef is good but not for the portion size and price. Tony's off 70 th and Pulaski and Johnnies in Elmwood Park are hands down the best places for Italian Beefs.
(2)Noell C.
Maybe it's because I am not a Chicago native but I don't get the Italian beef thing. Wasn't sure what to get so I opted for the combo. First of all the beef lacks flavor. Very bland and no seasoning at all. Italian sausage was pretty good but nothing you can't get from your own local grocery chain. Would not go back.
(2)Stephen H.
Hand cut fries always just out of the basket. My favorite Italian Beef and I have been to Mr. Beef and Johnnies Beef which has a great charbroiled Italian sausage cooked over charcoal with sweet peppers and many other good Italian beef places. I ask them to dip it and sometimes drown it in their incredible gravy and have eaten many of their Italian Beefs over the years. Al's is definitely on the expensive side.
(5)La La R.
Just ate from there.It was pretty good. The cheese fries were pretty tasty. The burger was pretty cool and I'm assuming the Italian beef was good because my hubby ate it all lol They are on the little expensive side but they are know for their Italian beefs but others foods here are just as yummy. So try them
(4)Robert B.
Dirty 12.56 for a lunch. Embarrassed, disquieting, disguiting, place. Needs to be inspected. If they clean the back as bad as the front, I think I will be sick before I get home.
(1)Chris B.
First off I'm not from Chicago. I saw a restaurant similar to this on the food network. I thought I'd give a chance. I ordered the Italian beef dip in the juice and the polish dog Chicago style. I don't understand the allure of the beef. It was kind of sweet and it was my first time eating on purpose the soggy bread. Not a fan of that. The dog was really good. It had a pickle, some kind of pepper, tomato, onions, and mustard. I'd come back for this. I'll let the Chicago peps keep their soggy beef thing.
(3)Mark K.
Not bad. Had a junior beef dipped. Was pretty tastey. Love the fries. Nice and cool inside on a hot day. Cold beer as well. I used to go quite a bit to the Roosevelt and Taylor location back when I was in school. It didn't disappoint.
(3)John K.
I got an email from Al saying that Friday May 1st he would be giving out high fives at this location. I took the day off from work and opened a new credit card so I can drop bones on this g. He wasn't there, in fact no one named Al was there, mostly Mo no Currly and a few Larrys were there. Food is small, doesn't come with any sides, and is waaaaaaay too pricey. No high fives were given and no returns will be given ether. Soft TP in the mens room.
(2)Dawn P.
Delicious Beef Sandwiches!! You just can't go wrong when eating there. This is one franchise that keeps the food the same as the original.
(5)Carrie C.
The best Italian beef- and the Chicago dog ain't bad either. The food came out fast and portions were great for the price. Nice beefy flavor complemented by garlicky jus.
(5)Patrick B.
Italian Beef - reason #1 to be in Chicagoland . Loving the hot pepper mix! Quick, reasonable in price and delicious
(4)Joe A.
Here's my interaction with a girl who looked like she was mixed (Hispanic/white) with dark hair. "Sir what can I get for you" oooops? Forget about hello? I then tell her I want a tamale boat with a small drink. "A full tamale boat?" (Standoffish tone) ummm if it's one tamale it's not a boat... Read your own menu. "What size drink?" Ummm I told you. Get out of your no problem, no worries, "it's whatever" mentality and listen to people you're too cool to say hi to. As she hands me the receipt the good bye was a nice "here you are". Then the guy who calls out my order watches me walk four feet with it and says "sir" in a commanding tone to hand me a fork. I'll give you people free training. "Order 72. Here sir, here's a fork (AS you're handing them the tray) you have a nice one. All at a place where it's $4.15 for the same dog portillos sells for 2.95
(1)Marilynn P.
Rudest customer service I've ever experienced. Plus they didn't have chipotle fries- but someone told me that might only be available at the downtown location. Regardless, not coming back here even if you paid me.
(1)Kevin M.
I passed through the area and stopped by Al's Beef in Tinley Park for a taste of my favorite Chicago sandwich: Italian beef and sausage combo. The sandwich in the store was pretty good, but definitely not the best in the Chicago metro area. But here's my beef, so to speak. The sandwich was good enough that I ordered another to go. I warmed it up the next morning. On my 8-inch roll was plenty of beef but only a ONE-INCH piece of Italian sausage. They char-grill the sausages and obviously must have run out, except for that little piece. Since it was to-go, I guess it was screw the customer time.
(2)Eating M.
.Been eating here for 5+ years and they never dissapoint. The best tasting and least fatty beef sandwich I've ever had. Always great customer service.
(5)ray c.
Boy of looks can kill the cashier at the Tinley ALs beef was horrible. Not one smile. Clearly did not want to be there. Horrible service. Friday aug 8th 356pm She saw the long line and rolled her eyes. You need a more friendly cashier. Wint come back just for that reason. Food good though
(2)Norma S.
I love Tinley's Al's Italian beef....but I don't eat their Italian beef. I eat their burgers. Their fresh cut fries are the best. The staff accommodates my request for no salt on them without a problem. The burger is basic. Nice char-grilled taste. I get with grilled onions, so the burger is juicy. Love the fact I can get free refills on soda. But then I moved closer to Al's/ Nancy's Oak Lawns location. Went to their location but was disappointed with the food, just not as good. So when I want a good burger FAST with some great fries I travel back to the Tinley Park location. Don't know what they do different ,it's just better.
(4)Liz R.
Rather than deciding between the Little Al (their 4" Italian Beef sandwich), dipped with hot peppers, and the Chicago Polish (a perfectly blackened 1/3rd lb Polish sausage topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomatoes slices, a pickle spear and sport peppers), I decided I deserved both (heck, I'm not from the area... not to mention I'd just finished working out). The Italian Beef was lean, juicy (the fact that the sandwich was dripping with au jus probably helped), and spicy hot. I demolished it first. Then, the sausage... damn, that was amazing. Huge (huge!), and unbelievably amazing. I forgot I'd even eaten the beef. Pricey (almost $12 for the small sandwich, sausage and a soda), but I will return for another sausage!
(4)Josiah G.
I was brought here by a local for a place to grab a quick bite. I'm glad we did, because it was pretty good. Being very hungry, as usual, I ordered the Al's Beef, the buffalo bleu fries and even a tamale. The sandwich was as good as any other respectable beef sandwich in Chicago, and with the choices of different peppers and cheeses, it is definitely something I would want to order again soon. The fries are hand cut and were delicious with buffalo and blue cheese sauce. The tamale was just ok, but the chili on top was excellent and would make anything taste good. The prices are reasonable and we were in and out in 20 minutes, so definitely a great place for a quick stop for lunch.
(4)Jack J.
The beef is pricey. Must be for all the grease they add to the au jus.
(2)Jenn W.
So tonight my husband and I were discussing whether we've ever had Al's before (I say we have, the husband says we haven't) and we decided to end the debate definitively - by picking up some Al's for dinner. I had a regular Al with giardiniera and provolone and my husband had the sausage/beef combo. We also picked up some regular fries and some loaded fries. My beef sandwich was juicy and good, but it was hard to pick up the taste of the beef under the giardiniera. My husband says the combo was good, but not his favorite in the area. The fries were excellent, although I prefer the plain fries to the loaded. I'm sure we'll go back as Al's is right down the street from us and those fries might prove too hard to resist.
(3)Megan S.
Awesome food, awful customer service !! Always a girl with major attitude taking orders and they literally just throw the food at you, they must all be miserable
(2)Doris M.
My first Italian beef sandwich experience so I have nothing to compare to. It was ok. The Ceasar salad was good. Friendly staff & quick service.
(3)John P.
Just ate an Italian beef with spicy peppers. Beef was juicy and tasty. For fast food it's a little on the pricy side ($8.50 for a combo) but it really isn't fast food.
(4)D M.
Well, i've eaten here a lot of the years. This place is decent. The beef, which is obviously their big seller, is good. I wouldn't say it's the best in the area, but it's good. Their fries are excellent. And their hot dogs are good. But, aside from that, I don't care for much here. I used to like the hamburgers a lot, but they seem to have changed vendors and the burgers just don't taste very good anymore. The chicken on the chicken sandwiches is also below par for me. If you're in the area and don't want to go a little further down the street for a beef sandwich, then go here. But, aside from that, I can't recommend this place. I usually feel like I did not get my money's worth when i'm done here.
(2)Steve D.
That was one satisfying Al's beef sandwich. There are about 8 toppings you can choose from and I suggest getting everything. 6" beef sandwich was light on the beef but the extra $$ toppings made up for this. Arrived about 5 minutes before closing and already the staff was placing all the seats on the tables. Could it hurt to wait until after all the customers leave so they can enjoy their meals without watching all the commotion?
(3)Rick B.
Al's in Tinley is a franchise of the original down on Taylor Street in Chicago (see mine on Al's No 1 Italian Beef). Because Al's is franchised, service can be spotty at the various locations ... but the Tinley Park spot was very nice. While the hot dogs and sausage and hamburgers are all nice - it is Al's Italian Beef, not Al's hot dogs. Go for the beef. You can get a Little Al (4"), or a regular (6"), or a Big Al (8") ... all very nice. The beef is mildly seasoned, so for those that want a bit more pizzazz you add sweet or hot peppers to spice it up. I get it dipped which makes it especially moist. The fries are a must do - freshly-cut with the peel left on and double-fried.
(4)D H.
I went in after work to get a quick dog and fries. There was nothing quick about it. It started with ordering--there were 3-4 teenagers at the register with 1 working. I give her my order and she keeps repeating it back to me wrong. Four times of correcting her later, I go to wait for my order. Now let's think about this. It's a hot dog and fries, neither of which should require anything more than minimal time--this is hardly a soufflé needing tending. By my math, they likely have vats of hotdogs sitting there in water, with one person needing to pluck a lone dog out of the vat, put it on a bun add my mustard, wrap it up and call it a day. Not to be. No less than ten minutes later, they call out my number--again many teenagers standing around, likely one working-and I just knew the order was going to be wrong. Down to the blood in my veins and the hair on my head, I knew it was going to be wrong. It was. I tell the guy "Four times I gave her my order. FOUR times. My concern is that these are the same people who are practicing irresponsible birth control.........
(2)Eric A.
A bit pricey in my opinion but the food is always hot and the fries are great. I know thy're a beef place but I just consider the beef OK. Nothing to write home about. The hot dogs are good though. If they came down on their prices a bit they would earn another star or two.
(3)Greg D.
I made the mistake by going back. This place has gone down hill even more. We used to go here all the time when they first opened and all was good. Now-not so much. The young kids taking the order act like they dont care. The food is greasy and not good. The beef has a funk to it I cant describe. The last time we were there it was dinnertime and the place was empty. That should have told us something. We will not be going back.
(1)Mike K.
About a year ago I had a thin crust sausage pizza here and was pleasantly surprised.....of course the italian beef is good but it is getting very pricey. This is in a strip mall so you could zip right past it.
(3)Frank G.
By far the best tasting beef in Chicago. I know Mr. Beef and Al's are rivals for the "best beef in Chicago", but my hands down favorite is Al's. There something about their ausjus that Mr. Beef doesn't come close to. We usually stop here when we are heading out of town on the expressway.
(4)Greg S.
Showed up just before closing & tried a dog and shaved beef.sandwich (Lil Al IIRC) Both were good, service was quick. Will certainly return
(4)Jacob K.
Even though this place is out of the way for me I am always sure to stop in whenever I am in the area. Ever since I have had their fries they taste horrible anywhere else. I spoke with the owner who told me they are hand cut fresh daily and they use a very high grade of beef for their sandwiches. The cheese sauce for the fries is awesome too... I usually ask for it on the side. Their beef sandwiches are great and you have the option of having tomato sauce, gardinara or cheese on it. I liked it with just cheese and dry as the beef tastes great. The only problem is I need to wait until I am back in the area to get my beef sandwich and fries fix. Aurgh.... I am already craving it again.
(5)Stephanie G.
I went there a few weeks ago and was really disappointed. The beef sandwich was really dry to me! And for that price I expected it to be a lot better. Also, we went on a Sunday evening and asked the girl at the counter what time they were open til and she said "I believe 7:30?!?". I'm sorry but if you work at a place you should know what time you're open til and not question the time. Only positives about this place is that it is clean and the fries were hot.
(2)Chris B.
First off I'm not from Chicago. I saw a restaurant similar to this on the food network. I thought I'd give a chance. I ordered the Italian beef dip in the juice and the polish dog Chicago style. I don't understand the allure of the beef. It was kind of sweet and it was my first time eating on purpose the soggy bread. Not a fan of that. The dog was really good. It had a pickle, some kind of pepper, tomato, onions, and mustard. I'd come back for this. I'll let the Chicago peps keep their soggy beef thing.
(3)Noell C.
Maybe it's because I am not a Chicago native but I don't get the Italian beef thing. Wasn't sure what to get so I opted for the combo. First of all the beef lacks flavor. Very bland and no seasoning at all. Italian sausage was pretty good but nothing you can't get from your own local grocery chain. Would not go back.
(2)Mark K.
Not bad. Had a junior beef dipped. Was pretty tastey. Love the fries. Nice and cool inside on a hot day. Cold beer as well. I used to go quite a bit to the Roosevelt and Taylor location back when I was in school. It didn't disappoint.
(3)John K.
I got an email from Al saying that Friday May 1st he would be giving out high fives at this location. I took the day off from work and opened a new credit card so I can drop bones on this g. He wasn't there, in fact no one named Al was there, mostly Mo no Currly and a few Larrys were there. Food is small, doesn't come with any sides, and is waaaaaaay too pricey. No high fives were given and no returns will be given ether. Soft TP in the mens room.
(2)Dawn P.
Delicious Beef Sandwiches!! You just can't go wrong when eating there. This is one franchise that keeps the food the same as the original.
(5)Stephen H.
Hand cut fries always just out of the basket. My favorite Italian Beef and I have been to Mr. Beef and Johnnies Beef which has a great charbroiled Italian sausage cooked over charcoal with sweet peppers and many other good Italian beef places. I ask them to dip it and sometimes drown it in their incredible gravy and have eaten many of their Italian Beefs over the years. Al's is definitely on the expensive side.
(5)La La R.
Just ate from there.It was pretty good. The cheese fries were pretty tasty. The burger was pretty cool and I'm assuming the Italian beef was good because my hubby ate it all lol They are on the little expensive side but they are know for their Italian beefs but others foods here are just as yummy. So try them
(4)Robert B.
Dirty 12.56 for a lunch. Embarrassed, disquieting, disguiting, place. Needs to be inspected. If they clean the back as bad as the front, I think I will be sick before I get home.
(1)Rob J.
Not worth $9.07 for a Big Al. Much better Beef joints to go to. You are better off going to Rubinos and getting a huge as well as tasty beef sandwich for half the price. It's right down the street. The beef is good but not for the portion size and price. Tony's off 70 th and Pulaski and Johnnies in Elmwood Park are hands down the best places for Italian Beefs.
(2)Carrie C.
The best Italian beef- and the Chicago dog ain't bad either. The food came out fast and portions were great for the price. Nice beefy flavor complemented by garlicky jus.
(5)Patrick B.
Italian Beef - reason #1 to be in Chicagoland . Loving the hot pepper mix! Quick, reasonable in price and delicious
(4)Joe A.
Here's my interaction with a girl who looked like she was mixed (Hispanic/white) with dark hair. "Sir what can I get for you" oooops? Forget about hello? I then tell her I want a tamale boat with a small drink. "A full tamale boat?" (Standoffish tone) ummm if it's one tamale it's not a boat... Read your own menu. "What size drink?" Ummm I told you. Get out of your no problem, no worries, "it's whatever" mentality and listen to people you're too cool to say hi to. As she hands me the receipt the good bye was a nice "here you are". Then the guy who calls out my order watches me walk four feet with it and says "sir" in a commanding tone to hand me a fork. I'll give you people free training. "Order 72. Here sir, here's a fork (AS you're handing them the tray) you have a nice one. All at a place where it's $4.15 for the same dog portillos sells for 2.95
(1)Marilynn P.
Rudest customer service I've ever experienced. Plus they didn't have chipotle fries- but someone told me that might only be available at the downtown location. Regardless, not coming back here even if you paid me.
(1)Kevin M.
I passed through the area and stopped by Al's Beef in Tinley Park for a taste of my favorite Chicago sandwich: Italian beef and sausage combo. The sandwich in the store was pretty good, but definitely not the best in the Chicago metro area. But here's my beef, so to speak. The sandwich was good enough that I ordered another to go. I warmed it up the next morning. On my 8-inch roll was plenty of beef but only a ONE-INCH piece of Italian sausage. They char-grill the sausages and obviously must have run out, except for that little piece. Since it was to-go, I guess it was screw the customer time.
(2)Eating M.
.Been eating here for 5+ years and they never dissapoint. The best tasting and least fatty beef sandwich I've ever had. Always great customer service.
(5)ray c.
Boy of looks can kill the cashier at the Tinley ALs beef was horrible. Not one smile. Clearly did not want to be there. Horrible service. Friday aug 8th 356pm She saw the long line and rolled her eyes. You need a more friendly cashier. Wint come back just for that reason. Food good though
(2)Steve D.
That was one satisfying Al's beef sandwich. There are about 8 toppings you can choose from and I suggest getting everything. 6" beef sandwich was light on the beef but the extra $$ toppings made up for this. Arrived about 5 minutes before closing and already the staff was placing all the seats on the tables. Could it hurt to wait until after all the customers leave so they can enjoy their meals without watching all the commotion?
(3)Norma S.
I love Tinley's Al's Italian beef....but I don't eat their Italian beef. I eat their burgers. Their fresh cut fries are the best. The staff accommodates my request for no salt on them without a problem. The burger is basic. Nice char-grilled taste. I get with grilled onions, so the burger is juicy. Love the fact I can get free refills on soda. But then I moved closer to Al's/ Nancy's Oak Lawns location. Went to their location but was disappointed with the food, just not as good. So when I want a good burger FAST with some great fries I travel back to the Tinley Park location. Don't know what they do different ,it's just better.
(4)Liz R.
Rather than deciding between the Little Al (their 4" Italian Beef sandwich), dipped with hot peppers, and the Chicago Polish (a perfectly blackened 1/3rd lb Polish sausage topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomatoes slices, a pickle spear and sport peppers), I decided I deserved both (heck, I'm not from the area... not to mention I'd just finished working out). The Italian Beef was lean, juicy (the fact that the sandwich was dripping with au jus probably helped), and spicy hot. I demolished it first. Then, the sausage... damn, that was amazing. Huge (huge!), and unbelievably amazing. I forgot I'd even eaten the beef. Pricey (almost $12 for the small sandwich, sausage and a soda), but I will return for another sausage!
(4)Josiah G.
I was brought here by a local for a place to grab a quick bite. I'm glad we did, because it was pretty good. Being very hungry, as usual, I ordered the Al's Beef, the buffalo bleu fries and even a tamale. The sandwich was as good as any other respectable beef sandwich in Chicago, and with the choices of different peppers and cheeses, it is definitely something I would want to order again soon. The fries are hand cut and were delicious with buffalo and blue cheese sauce. The tamale was just ok, but the chili on top was excellent and would make anything taste good. The prices are reasonable and we were in and out in 20 minutes, so definitely a great place for a quick stop for lunch.
(4)Jack J.
The beef is pricey. Must be for all the grease they add to the au jus.
(2)Jenn W.
So tonight my husband and I were discussing whether we've ever had Al's before (I say we have, the husband says we haven't) and we decided to end the debate definitively - by picking up some Al's for dinner. I had a regular Al with giardiniera and provolone and my husband had the sausage/beef combo. We also picked up some regular fries and some loaded fries. My beef sandwich was juicy and good, but it was hard to pick up the taste of the beef under the giardiniera. My husband says the combo was good, but not his favorite in the area. The fries were excellent, although I prefer the plain fries to the loaded. I'm sure we'll go back as Al's is right down the street from us and those fries might prove too hard to resist.
(3)Megan S.
Awesome food, awful customer service !! Always a girl with major attitude taking orders and they literally just throw the food at you, they must all be miserable
(2)Rick B.
Al's in Tinley is a franchise of the original down on Taylor Street in Chicago (see mine on Al's No 1 Italian Beef). Because Al's is franchised, service can be spotty at the various locations ... but the Tinley Park spot was very nice. While the hot dogs and sausage and hamburgers are all nice - it is Al's Italian Beef, not Al's hot dogs. Go for the beef. You can get a Little Al (4"), or a regular (6"), or a Big Al (8") ... all very nice. The beef is mildly seasoned, so for those that want a bit more pizzazz you add sweet or hot peppers to spice it up. I get it dipped which makes it especially moist. The fries are a must do - freshly-cut with the peel left on and double-fried.
(4)D H.
I went in after work to get a quick dog and fries. There was nothing quick about it. It started with ordering--there were 3-4 teenagers at the register with 1 working. I give her my order and she keeps repeating it back to me wrong. Four times of correcting her later, I go to wait for my order. Now let's think about this. It's a hot dog and fries, neither of which should require anything more than minimal time--this is hardly a soufflé needing tending. By my math, they likely have vats of hotdogs sitting there in water, with one person needing to pluck a lone dog out of the vat, put it on a bun add my mustard, wrap it up and call it a day. Not to be. No less than ten minutes later, they call out my number--again many teenagers standing around, likely one working-and I just knew the order was going to be wrong. Down to the blood in my veins and the hair on my head, I knew it was going to be wrong. It was. I tell the guy "Four times I gave her my order. FOUR times. My concern is that these are the same people who are practicing irresponsible birth control.........
(2)Regina S.
Oh how I miss my Italian Beefs. We were searching for a Portillo's when the stupid GPS directed us to a field where there was no restaurant. We promised our hosts that we would bring beefs for lunch so we did a search that led us to Al's. Now our experience is a bit different since we ordered a kind of "party" package to go. You get everything separate - the beef, the gravy, their home made hot giardiniera and then the french bread. We also got fries even though we had misgivings about what they would taste hours later. We got a munchie for the road, as we were starving and didn't know when we would get to our beefs. It was just a cheeseburger but man was it good. I was only going to take a bite, but ended up wrestling for the last crumbs. Anyway, we didn't get to eat for awhile, but our hosts were well versed on how to heat up the beef. They even used a pizza stone in the oven to heat up the fries. The end result was complete and total satisfaction. The fries tasted like they just came out of the basket, the meat was tender, the gravy was spiced just right, and the bread was the perfect vehicle to soak up the juices without falling apart. When I get back to the Windy City, Al's will be on my must do list.
(4)Jessica P.
Italian beef has traditionally been an iffy food for me. I've had good and bad, but usually it's just "meh;" which is the experience I had with Al's. Not bad, but not exactly good. If you get the Italian beef, I highly suggest getting peppers and cheese for moisture and flavor that would otherwise be lacking. The fries are phenomenal! Freshly cut on site, they are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are already seasoned so you don't need ketchup unless that's just how you roll. The place is really clean, including the bathrooms. The dining room was really warm when we were in and it got progressively hotter towards the kitchen. It wasn't like a warm, "we're just cooking" kind of hot; it was more like fiery damnation hot. I legitimately felt bad for the kitchen staff! Will probably stop in again, but I think I'll go for a dog and fries next time.
(3)Jamie D.
Let me preface this by saying that Fontanini Italian Beef is the basis (besides mom's Italian beef) from which I judge all equals. Portillo's is like fine dining compared to Al's. Well, when you take away one of the lines in the equal sign, you get a minus. Minus is how I rate this place. The staff, while I know they need jobs too, were all 16-18 olds who were talking very inappropriately and flirting when I walked in. The enthusiasm level was around my sole (that is referring to my shoe on the floor...low..low..low). The sandwich wasn't good. The flavor was strange. I can't quite describe it. The grease that soaked into the bun was funky. There was no au jus and they forgot the cheese on the sandwich. I guess when you walk into a place at lunch and no one is in there, which should be taken as a clue. Sorry....just not up to the standards of a Fontanini Italian Beef or mom's (love you mom)!
(1)Nancy H.
This will be the last time I eat Al's Beef. Definitely noticeable they have cut back on portions. Hot dog was the size of a pencil and mostly bun. Hamburger was thin layer of meat once again mostly bun. The only thing that saves this place- the best fries. Other than that no reason to go there. Please instead of cutting down on size raise the prices. I would rather pay more than leave feeling like I just wasted my money on a bad meal. This place gets one star for the fries.
(1)Mike K.
About a year ago I had a thin crust sausage pizza here and was pleasantly surprised.....of course the italian beef is good but it is getting very pricey. This is in a strip mall so you could zip right past it.
(3)Eric A.
A bit pricey in my opinion but the food is always hot and the fries are great. I know thy're a beef place but I just consider the beef OK. Nothing to write home about. The hot dogs are good though. If they came down on their prices a bit they would earn another star or two.
(3)Greg D.
I made the mistake by going back. This place has gone down hill even more. We used to go here all the time when they first opened and all was good. Now-not so much. The young kids taking the order act like they dont care. The food is greasy and not good. The beef has a funk to it I cant describe. The last time we were there it was dinnertime and the place was empty. That should have told us something. We will not be going back.
(1)Frank G.
By far the best tasting beef in Chicago. I know Mr. Beef and Al's are rivals for the "best beef in Chicago", but my hands down favorite is Al's. There something about their ausjus that Mr. Beef doesn't come close to. We usually stop here when we are heading out of town on the expressway.
(4)Greg S.
Showed up just before closing & tried a dog and shaved beef.sandwich (Lil Al IIRC) Both were good, service was quick. Will certainly return
(4)Jacob K.
Even though this place is out of the way for me I am always sure to stop in whenever I am in the area. Ever since I have had their fries they taste horrible anywhere else. I spoke with the owner who told me they are hand cut fresh daily and they use a very high grade of beef for their sandwiches. The cheese sauce for the fries is awesome too... I usually ask for it on the side. Their beef sandwiches are great and you have the option of having tomato sauce, gardinara or cheese on it. I liked it with just cheese and dry as the beef tastes great. The only problem is I need to wait until I am back in the area to get my beef sandwich and fries fix. Aurgh.... I am already craving it again.
(5)Stephanie G.
I went there a few weeks ago and was really disappointed. The beef sandwich was really dry to me! And for that price I expected it to be a lot better. Also, we went on a Sunday evening and asked the girl at the counter what time they were open til and she said "I believe 7:30?!?". I'm sorry but if you work at a place you should know what time you're open til and not question the time. Only positives about this place is that it is clean and the fries were hot.
(2)Doris M.
My first Italian beef sandwich experience so I have nothing to compare to. It was ok. The Ceasar salad was good. Friendly staff & quick service.
(3)John P.
Just ate an Italian beef with spicy peppers. Beef was juicy and tasty. For fast food it's a little on the pricy side ($8.50 for a combo) but it really isn't fast food.
(4)D M.
Well, i've eaten here a lot of the years. This place is decent. The beef, which is obviously their big seller, is good. I wouldn't say it's the best in the area, but it's good. Their fries are excellent. And their hot dogs are good. But, aside from that, I don't care for much here. I used to like the hamburgers a lot, but they seem to have changed vendors and the burgers just don't taste very good anymore. The chicken on the chicken sandwiches is also below par for me. If you're in the area and don't want to go a little further down the street for a beef sandwich, then go here. But, aside from that, I can't recommend this place. I usually feel like I did not get my money's worth when i'm done here.
(2)