top of page

IN THE NEWS

THRILLIST: HOW THE ITALIAN BEEF CAME TO BE

“When tracing the history of the Italian beef, all roads lead through Al’s #1 Italian Beef on Taylor St.”

bon-appetit

BON APPETIT: THE 8 BEST ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES IN CHICAGO

“What sets Al’s apart is an 85-year-old sandwich recipe and a beef-cooking technique that takes nearly 30 hours.”

eater.png

EATER: WHERE TO CHOMP ON ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES IN CHICAGO

“the Italian beef sandwich can be traced back to this Taylor Street stand in Little Italy. That’s where Al Ferrari set up shop in 1938 and started popularizing what would become one of the city's iconic foods.”

image (3).jpg

TIME OUT: TIME OUT SAYS

“this location of Al’s is the oldest (having opened in 1938) and the only direct descendant of the original (a wooden stand at Laflin and Harrison). These days, you’ll find Italian beefs all over town, but there’s something about eating one at this surviving piece of Little Italy.”

infatuation.png

THE INFATUATION CHICAGO: THE BEST ITALIAN BEEFS IN CHICAGO

“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.”

WGNTV.png

WGN-TV: ITALIAN BEEF POLL: AL'S "TASTES LIKE HEAVEN"

“Yes, this family lays claim to the very inception of one of Chicago’s most iconic food items. Originally called Al’s Bar-B-Q, (Al’s Beef) stood at Harrison and Laflin from 1938 until the early 1960s.”

tastingtable.png

TASTING TABLE

“The story of Al's is the story of Italian beef, and it takes us back to the end of World War I when founder Anthony Ferreri drove around Chicago selling homemade sandwiches and bread.”

image (3).jpg

TIME OUT: THE 15 MOST ICONIC RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO

“The history of the humble Italian beef sandwich is murky but its popularity can be traced back to Al’s on Taylor Street. Though there are outposts all around Chicagoland, the original location—opened in 1938—remains a must-visit” 

EATER-2.png

EATER: THE ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH AT AL'S IN CHICAGO

“While the origins of the sandwich are a matter of debate, the Italian Beef sandwich at Al's is certainly one of the city's most iconic dishes.”

WGN-2.png

WGN RADIO

“You can celebrate National Italian Beef Day with free beefs from the first family of the sandwich. Al’s Beef, operated by the grandson of the man who invented the Italian Beef Sandwich in 1917, will be handing out free beefs”

Awards

al's tv show appearances

BIG BAD BBQ BRAWL
Food Network's Shannon Ambrosio

BIZARRE FOODS
Andrew Zimmern "Delicious Destinations Chicago" Show

CHEAP EATS
Cooking Channel's Ali Khan visits Chicago

CHICAGO'S BEST
WGN "Best Chicago Originals: 250th Episode"

FOOD FEUDS
Food Network's Michael Symon "Feuds on a Roll" Episode

FOOD NATION
Food Network's Bobby Flay Chicago Episode

FOOD PARADISE
Travel Channel's "Italian Eats Episode"

FOOD PORN
FYI Network's Michael Chernow

FOOD WARS
Travel Channel's Camille Ford

HAIRY BIKERS: ROUTE 66
BBC's Mini-Series

HISTORY OF FOOD IN AMERICA
Documentary on Food on the History Channel

MAN'S GREATEST FOODS
Cooking Channel's Country's Top 15 Sandwiches

MAN VS. FOOD
Travel Channel's Adam Richmond "The Italian Stance" Episode

MAN VS. FOOD
Travel Channel's Adam Richmond "Best Sandwich in America" Episode

RACHEL RAY SHOW
Buddy Valastro Visit's Al's 

SNL
Bill Swerski's Superfans Skit with Chris Farley

SOMEBODY FEED PHIL
Netflix's Phil Rosenthal Chicago Episode

TASTE OF AMERICA
Travel Channel's Mark DeCarlo

THE HOME SHOW
ABC's Live Morning Show "World's Greatest Beef Sandwich"

THE TODAY SHOW
NBC's Live Morning TV Show

TOP 5 RESTAURANTS
Food Network "Best Sandwiches in America Episode"

TOUR OF CHICAGO
PBS Geoffrey Baer's "The Food of Chicago: A Delicious History"

awards #blessedbeef

Buzzfeed
"14 Chicago Foods That Are Worth Traveling For"

Cheapism
"50 Best Sandwiches in America"

Chicago's Best
"Best Restaurant Character - Chris Pacelli"

Chicago Magazine
"The Best Italian Beef Sandwich"

Chicago Sun-Times
"The Prime Italian Beef Stand in Chicago"

Chicago Tribune
"The Best Italian Beef Sandwich"

CNN Travel
"Al's is the Best of Chicago"

Eater Chicago
"20 Most Iconic Dishes at Restaurants in Chicago"

Esquire Magazine
"One of the Best Sandwiches in America"

Food Industry News
"Silver Platter Award"

Good Morning America
"Chicago's Best Italian Beef Sandwich"

Men's Journal
"50 Best Sandwiches in America"

Man Vs.Food
"Best Sandwich in America"

MSN
"Best Sandwich Shop in Every State"

NBC Chicago
"Golden Local Award: Best Italian Beef"

Playboy Magazine
"Top 10 Best Sandwich in America"

Rachel Ray Magazine
"25 of America's Favorite Sandwiches"

Serious EATS
"It's A Perfect Food Stand"

Spoon University
"Top 35 Sandwiches You Need to Try Across US"

Smarter Travel
"10 Best Cheap Eats in Chicago"

The Daily Meal
"15 Best Sandwiches in America"
"35 Best Sandwich Shops in America"
"101 Most Iconic Dishes in America"

Thrillist
"Top 50 Things to Eat in Chicago Before You Die"

TODAY Show
"Chicago's Best Italian Beef Sandwich"

Travel and Leisure
"America's Top 10 Sandwiches"

USA Today
"The Best Unique Restaurant in Chicago"

Yahoo
"25 Best Sandwiches in America"

Zagat
50 States, 50 Sandwiches "Top Sandwich in State of IL"

bottom of page