Discover
ListMapSpecials Board Dish GemsChicago's BestEvents
Read
The ScoopGuides FindsStoriesPodcasts
By Day
MondayTuesday WednesdayThursday FridaySaturday Sunday
By Deal Type
Happy HourBrunch Full Directory
Neighborhoods
Wicker ParkRiver North Logan SquareLincoln Park All Areas
Account
My ProfileBusiness Dashboard My AccountSponsor Your Business

Sign In

Sign in to upvote deals and save your favorite spots.

or
or use your phone

View Full Business Page →
Home / Businesses / Al's #1 Italian Beef

Al's #1 Italian Beef

Iconic/NotableUniversity Village · Italian Beef Community-sourced, unverified
📍 1079 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607

Al's #1 Italian Beef traces back to Anthony Ferrari peddling seasoned beef around Little Italy starting in 1917; Al Ferreri and his sister and brother-in-law opened a proper stand nearby in 1938, before urban renewal pushed it to its current Taylor Street spot in the early 1960s. Al's nephews carried the business forward, and it earned the "#1" in its name from a 1980 Chicago Magazine title.

Tourist Friendly
Dish Gem$$
Italian beef, straightforward and done right — the name of the place is basically the whole review.
📈 Scores in the top 100% of Dish Gems on ChicagoSpecials.com

This Taylor Street location is the original -- every other Al's Beef around the city and suburbs is a franchise built off this one. It's cash only, with free limited parking right by the building, and the setup is more to-go counter than sit-down restaurant, though dogs are welcome and it's fine for kids.

Nearly 700 Yelp reviews and 745 Facebook reviews (88% recommend) back up the reputation, with the usual split of praise for the beef against some grumbling about service and price.

📸 See more of Al's #1 Italian Beef

Specials at Al's #1 Italian Beef

(2)

Al's #1 Italian Beef

Iconic/Notable
The Original Gravy-Dipped Beef
University VillageCommunity

Al's #1 Italian Beef

Iconic/Notable
The Italian Beef
University VillageCommunity

Hours

Mon-Fri9AM-11PM
Sat 10AM-11PM
Sun Closed
📅 Reservations not available 🥡 Takeout unconfirmed 📞 (312) 226-4017

Amenities & accessibility

🚶Walk-in only
🥡Takeout available
❔Wheelchair access: unverified
🐕Dog-friendly
🙂Kid-friendly
🅿️Free limited parking on-site

Location

🧭 Apple Maps 📍 Google Maps

Photos

No photos yet — be the first to add one.

Have a photo from a recent visit? — customers and business owners both welcome.

Similar spots nearby

Jim's Original

Iconic/Notable
24/7 Maxwell Street Polish
University VillageCommunity
Directions

Know about a deal here that's not listed? Add it below — we'll verify and publish it.

to suggest a special.

Think Al's #1 Italian Beef deserves Iconic/Notable or Super Gem status? Tell us why.

to nominate a gem.

Keep exploring

Nearby
Full Directory
Explore
Happy Hour
Own or manage Al's #1 Italian Beef? Claim this listing to verify your hours and add real photos.

Know a Chicago gem we're missing?

Tell us about a can't-miss special, a hidden spot, or a dish worth the drive — a father and son read every nomination.

Nominate a Gem →

See a deal here we're missing?

Menu prices change, happy hours shift — if something's out of date, tell us in 30 seconds. We verify and publish it.

Add a Special ↓
An editorial collage of Chicago foods from The Bear: Italian beef, deep dish, a hot dog, and a growling purple bear
📰 The Scoop

The Bear Ate Chicago

Every restaurant, dive, diner, bakery, and beef stand that made its way onto the show — plus an interactive map of every stop.

Read the Story →
Chicago's Best — ranked pizza, burgers, BBQ, and more
🏆 Chicago's Best

Pizza, Burgers, BBQ & More — Ranked

The Chicago Specials Score: member votes plus our own editorial judgment, updated as new spots earn their place.

See the Rankings →
Chicago Events — festivals, parades, concerts and more, curated month by month
📅 Events

Festivals, Parades & Concerts — All Year Long

Every real, verified Chicago event worth planning around — browse month by month, from this weekend to next summer.

See What's On →