Chicago Italian Beef | Al’s Beef Ordering Guide

Al’s Beef is widely recognized as #1 for Chicago Italian Beef — and with roots tracing back to 1938, there’s a good reason why! I’ve been eating here repeatedly during my trip to Chicago, and the key is — you have to order it right. Their beef is sliced incredibly thin — not thick and chewy, but tender enough to practically melt in your mouth, with a rich, authentic beef flavor. The meat is soaked in savory beef broth, and the bread absorbs the juices without getting soggy. Every bite is a perfect combo of meat, broth, and bread goodness. 📝 Ordering Guide 👇 1️⃣ Choose Your Size Regular Beef: Perfect for first-timers, great meat-to-bread ratio Big / Jumbo Beef: Larger portion, ideal for sharing Diet Beef: Just the meat, no bread (not recommended — you’re missing half the soul of the sandwich! 😅) 2️⃣ Choose Your Wetness This is what defines an Italian Beef! Dry: Minimal juice, drier bread ➜ Not recommended — doesn’t do the beef justice Wet (Regular): Beef comes with broth, bread absorbs some juice ➜ The safest and most delicious choice 👍 Dipped: The whole sandwich is dipped in broth ➜ The ultimate juicy, intense version — eat immediately (some may find it salty) 👉 Strongly recommend: Wet or Dipped. Skip Dry. 3️⃣ Choose Your Toppings Sweet Peppers: Fresh, sweet, and juicy — balances the richness Hot Giardiniera: Spicy, tangy, oily — very Chicago-style 🌶️ Cheese can also be added 🥪 Italian Beef Sandwich (Wet / Dipped) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The beef is sliced beautifully thin, with a clean, savory flavor. Even after soaking in broth, it stays perfectly tender and not greasy. With each bite, the juice soaks through the bread and drips down your fingers — but you won’t want to stop. Sweet peppers version: Refreshing and satisfying Hot giardiniera version: Spicy, tangy, and addictive 🍟 French Fries ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The fries are solid too — best eaten hot, and they pair perfectly with the savory beef. 📍 Al’s Beef Multiple locations in Chicago — check their website for the nearest one! ✅ Pro tip: Grab extra napkins — it’s about to get messy (in the best way)! #ChicagoFood #ItalianBeef #AlsBeef #ChicagoEats #FoodGuide #ComfortFood #MustTryChicago 🥪💦🔥