Al's Beef/Nancy's Pizza - Park Ridge

I have not had the pleasure of tasting Al's Beef, so when I saw they were building one in my area I was pleased. Tried to go by there during the week at lunch, absolutely packed. I thought Sunday would be less crowded, especially at lunchtime and it was. I ordered a Big Al's Beef sandwich with provolone and an order of cheddar fries. I took it to go and headed home to share with my daughter. We were disappointed. The beef was not flavorful, rather bland really. I grew up on Max's beef which I found much better than this. BUT - is it only because I am visiting Al's on Higgins and not Al's on Taylor? Did enjoy the fries though.

Nancy's Pizza/Al's Beef
1036 W Higgins
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-825-2345

dianewhoeats wrote: BUT - is it only because I am visiting Al's on Higgins and not Al's on Taylor? Did enjoy the fries though.

Nancy's Pizza/Al's Beef
1036 W Higgins
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-825-2345

The general consensus is that the franchised Al's are hit or miss, almost always miss. Head to Taylor St. or head to Johnny's on North in Elmwood Park.

-ed

I think I'd be especially suspicious of the combination of Nancy's Pizza and Al's Beef in the same structure... it sounds like a way to make a Chicago Tourist Trap. Now, as for why such a trap would be needed in Park Ridge, I can't answer. Except to think about my suburban neighbors who are afraid to go into the city.

But it's true that other suburban "Al's" haven't lived up to city standards, either. One of the previous occupants of the space on Arlington Heights Road now occupied (hopefully forever!) by Johnnie's was some kind of Al's, whose claims of relationship to Al's on Taylor and Number-1-ness were never justified by the rather average taste of the beefs.

So it goes. You've gotta try 'em to find out. Thanks, dianewhoeats, for testing this one.

Yea, they're building one of those combo Al's/Nancy's around me on River Rd. between Irving and Belmont. I'm willing to give them one shot after they finally open, but I don't have much hope really. The good news is, it's not really that much closer to me than Johnnie's. The bad news of course is that between parking and standing in line Johnnie's is a royal PITA.