Al's #1 Roast Beef in Little Italy

Al's #1 Italian Beef is a Chicago tradition.

If community lore is true, Al’s #1 Roast Beef, located on Taylor Street in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood invented the Italian Beef sandwich.

The sandwich born of this beloved Chicago haunt, founded in 1938, has been named one of America’s 10 Best Sandwiches by Esquire and Traveler’s magazines and is included in the book “The History of Food in America.”

Chicagoans, however, have named it theirs.

An "Al’s," as it is known, is a mound of thinly sliced, seasoned beef cooked in its own juice, piled high on a long Italian roll, then dipped and topped with a choice of Chicago jardinière or sweet (green) peppers. If it doesn’t drip and if it isn’t hard to grip, then it is not authentic.

A 4-inch Little Al, costs $3.89. A regular 6-inch sandwich is  $4.89 and the big  big 8-inch version is $6.89.

Chicago has long been known as the birth place of the Italian beef sandwich. Al Ferreri is believed to have made the first sandwich out of necessity. Post-depression years meant frugality. Italian weddings meant bountiful food. So in order to stretch beef for family gatherings, Ferreri made what today is considered Italian beef

As his recipe became popular Ferreri opened a small stand in Little Italy where he added to his menu Italian sausage grilled over flaming charcoal. The rest is, well, history.  Today, several Al’s are located throughout the Chicago area and for those far afield who long for a taste of home, Al’s now ships.

 For an extra treat, order a bag of their award-winning French fries, $1.49 for a small and $1.99 for a large helping of these hand-cut beauties.

There’s no indoor seating at the original Taylor Street location, but in summer months outdoor tables are set up.

Don't forget etiquet. There’s a posted rule on how to eat an Al’s Italian beef sandwich, called the “Italian Stance: Elbows on the counter, feet exactly 2 ½ feet from counter, mouth open wide. Any other position may cause severe damage to your shoes.”