Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Travel Advisory Got No Beef with Al's Chicago Beef
Posted by Nicki Wood on Wed, May 6, 2009 at 1:12 PM
For maximum dining enjoyment on a quick trip to Chicago, my husband consulted the chowhound(dot)com boards for a geographically ideal spot to pick up something authentically Chicagoan for the taxi ride back to the airport. All indications pointed to Al's Italian Beef. It seems that Italian beef, sliced thin, served on a sturdy roll, with sweet and/or hot peppers, optional provolone and gravy for immersing, is as storied a comestible for Chicagoans as, say, hot chicken might be in Nashville. In 2008, Esquire magazine declared the sandwich one of America's 10 best sandwiches.
While Mr. Husband was still on the plane, I did a little more research and rediscovered the great Cecil Adams of the Straight Dope, holding forth on Chicago beef earlier this year, writing a typically exhaustive 1,400-word article on the past, present, and future of Italian beef in answer to a reader question.
Fully informed about the history, deliciosity and fame of this sandwich, I could hardly wait for Mr. Husband's report. The instant the Nissan's engine shut off I ran outside to get the news.
Me, in pajamas: *breathless* "How was the sandwich?"
Him: "Huh? Oh. I got a polish sausage."
Seems the beef plus gravy was just too demanding an ordeal for in-taxi dining. Chicagoans, what did he miss in not ordering the beef sandwich?
Comments (7)
Showing 1-7 of 7
what did he miss? heartburn...
...based on my experience. And that's after watching food shows, reading zillions of accounts and arguments and recommendations, and with an alimentary canal capable of extra hot Prince's chicken on multiple days in succession. AND a tremendous love for anything beef and 'gravy' related, esp when the so-called gravy is more akin to au jus as it is in this case. and still, what did I get from it?
heartburn.
Maybe it's me. I've had the same experience with the beloved philly cheesesteak.
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I'm not from Chi Town but I've eaten at Al's #1 Beef several times.Hubby could have gotten the sandwich "dry" without the "gravy" (more like a beef broth).
Let me tell you---your hubby missed a heck of a sandwich.Their fries are good too.As a bonus across the street at the Al's located near the University of Chicago is an Italian ice stand which also rocks.
Don't get me started on Chicago deep dish pizza....forget the pizza chains.There are several mom and pops in Chicago that get it done right.
Maybe next time....
Chicago style Italian beef: Either you understand, or you don't.
Chicago Style Italian Beef, on Nolensville (next to Aquatic Critter), serves up an authentic Chicago beef sandwich. If you don't get the giardiniera with it, you're doing it wrong. They get their stuff shipped in from Chicago via SWA, including the rolls.
Also, Hot Diggity Dog has a good Italian beef sandwich.
ChiTown Dog (Clarksville--Riverside Dr) and Taste of Chicago (Gallatin Rd--exit 3 I think off of VVB (Main St)toward Gallatin)both serve a pretty good Italian beef sandwich also.
None of them can compete with Al's #1 Beef in ChiTown.
I second the recommendation for Chicago Style Beef on Nolensville Rd--yum! My neighbor from Chicago gives it her wholehearted approval.
