Awards

Throughout Al's legendary existence, we've been visited by a host of local and national dignitaries, world renowned food critics, chefs, writers, politicians and entertainers. But with that said, we'll never forget and we'll always respect the fact that it's been our loyal guests and fans, over these many years, that have allowed us the privilege to serve America.

These are but a few of the awards and accolades that have been bestowed upon us. This is the reason we take what we do so seriously and why we are so passionately committed to preserving our honored heritage.


"America's Top Ten Sandwiches"
Travel and Leisure Magazine
Zagat Rated
Restaurant Guide

“Al’s Italian Beef Sandwich is a Twentieth Century Fast Food Passion with an Old World Pedigree”
Gourmet Magazine

"Al does it right."
Food Nation, Bobby Flay
"The Best Italian Beef Sandwich "
Chicago Magazine
Silver Platter Award
Food Industry News (voted by chefs and restaurant owners in Chicago and suburbs)
"The World's Greatest Beef Sandwich"
The Home Show

“Where to eat fabulously in Chicago”
Featured in Travel & Leisure Magazine

"The Premier Italian Beef Stand in Chicago and definitely world-class food."
Chicago Sun-Times
"Al's #1 Italian Beef can't be topped"
Jill Rhode - Chicago Magazine
"The First place to go for Chicago's street foods."
Chicago Tribune
"Chicago's Best Italian Beef Sandwich"
ABC-Good Morning America

"Chicago's Best Italian Beef Sandwich"
CBS-Channel 2

"Chicago's Best Italian Beef Sandwich"
The Today Show
"Chicago's Best Italian Beef Sandwich"
Saturday Night Live
Silver Platter Award
Food Industry News (voted by chefs and restaurant owners in Chicago and suburbs)
“One of 1001 Things to Eat Before you Die”
Ian Jackman - EAT THIS!
Featured in Relishing the Midwest-A Special Issue
Sky Magazine-Delta Airlines
“One of the Great Eats from All 50 States”
Becky Mercuri - American Sandwich
“A Chicago Must!!!”
Steve Chiappetti – Chef’s Night Out
"Many aficionados rate the sandwich at Al's #1 Italian Beef as the best in town"
Anne Spiselman - Chicago Magazine
The only Chicago food featured in the 2-hour documentary History of Food in America
Cable TV - History Channel
"A Taylor Street Legend coming to a neighborhood near you"
Southtown Economist
Featured in "Guidelines for Gluttons"
Visited by world-renowned New York Food writer, Calvin Tillin. Chicago Sun-Times
"French Fry Companion" Book - "Top 10 French Fries in the County"
Lebhar-Friedman Books
In Fine Dining - "The North side has LeFrancais, the South Side has Al's #1 Italian Beef"
Chicago Sun-Times
Quest for the Best Award for the "Best Italian Beef Sandwich"
Featured in US News and World Report
LTH Forum
The Chicago Based Culinary Chat site
"One of the most pure [representations of] Chicago."
Chicago Restaurant Book, Jill & Ron Rhode


© 2008 Chicago Beef, Inc. All rights reserved.