Al's Beef

Address: 169 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654. 312.943.3222.

Review: So, as anyone (if there is anyone) who peruses this blog knows, I'm a sucker for (1) anything Italian, and (2) big meat sandwiches. Thus, when I caught a flight for Chicago to attend a buddy's wedding, I knew a dipped Italian beef sandwich would soon take up residence in my tummy. After some restaurant research, Al's Beef was chosen.

So, an Italian beef sandwich consists of Italian beef (i.e., roast beef roasted with vegetables until it becomes tender as can be), a Italian bakery roll, and roasted bell peppers. I got mine with some hot peppers and celery for good measure.

The meat was tender, salty, tasty, but on its own, it's just okay. What adds tons of flavor and really makes the sandwich is the jus. In fact, the jus is the first thing that hits you upon your initial bite. It's mix of meatiness, veggieness, and saltiness is just plain money. That it saturates the bread and makes it fall apart in short order would normally bother me, but such was not the case here. I simply couldn't get enough of the wonderful, juicy mess.

I seem to remember Al's Beef serves food in addition to the Italian beef sandwich. Honestly though, who cares? Go for the money-maker. You will not regret it.

Rating: 8/10 for the Italian beef sandwich alone (5/10 is average).