Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (love2bake)

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:28:05 GMT

Ha!!! Four months later they've FINALLY gotten all of their permits! What an ordeal.

They're now hiring new staff and will begin training shortly. They still don't have an opening date yet, but when they do, I'll also post a meet and greet and see who wants to try this place. I know I do.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (love2bake)

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 22:44:03 GMT

Latest news is that their build-out is 96% complete, and they've done well on hiring employees.
As I get updates I'll keep you posted!

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (Bonk)

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:26:16 GMT

Whoa? I just looked at their locations and saw there's one in Scottsdale. That's awesome!

I guess I know the first place I'm eating at next time I head to Phoenix.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (1bbqboy)

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:11:28 GMT

SD's about 500 miles away from SJ.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (bigd)

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:08:12 GMT

Al's doesn't have a consistent record handling their franchisees. Hopefully, the SD location will get it right. I assume SD has been chosen because there have always been a fair amount of Chicago transplants. I wish they would open a location in jersey or NYC.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (Wintahaba)

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 06:48:33 GMT

In the Naperville area it was always Portillo's vs Buona Beef. My wife's workplace preferred Buona....I liked them both, but we usually went to the Fox River mall area Portillo's. Never had a bad beef, loved the hot giardinara, and my wife and daughter loved the chocolate cake.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (ann peeples)

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:20:26 GMT

Perhaps.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (Jim2903)

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:36:07 GMT

ann peeples

Oh, I agree, Jim. Portillos giardiniera is top notch. My opinion is their was beef rubbery. Perhaps a location situation? Possibly the beef was kept too long?( In my neck of the woods, food should only be kept for 20 minutes to insure freshness). Perhaps their take out is different than what is served in the restaurant? Bob picked up meat, au jus( weak at best) and giardiniera. Very disappointing.

Very strange -- I've been eating at Portillo's for years and have never had rubbery beef. Can't recall ever having a bad meal there -- though I usually only ever order hot dogs or beef (and an occasional combo). Perhaps you waited too long before eating your take-out ... ?

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (ann peeples)

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:51:00 GMT

Oh, I agree, Jim. Portillos giardiniera is top notch. My opinion is their was beef rubbery. Perhaps a location situation? Possibly the beef was kept too long?( In my neck of the woods, food should only be kept for 20 minutes to insure freshness). Perhaps their take out is different than what is served in the restaurant? Bob picked up meat, au jus( weak at best) and giardiniera. Very disappointing.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (Jim2903)

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:27:38 GMT

Gotta line up with the Portillo's fans on this one. Al's beef is good, but I don't like their hot giardiniera. There's no hot peppers in it -- it's just a bunch of celery with some crushed red.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (love2bake)

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:00:57 GMT

No comments on Johnnie's? I went to the one in Elmwood Park this past Spring and loved it. (Had it dipped with sweet peppers.)

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (ann peeples)

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:55:35 GMT

I guess I kind of mis stated - compared to Al's and Mr. Beef, I find Portillo's average at best. Bob ad I were disappointed the last couple of times. And yes, Bob, I too had the Italian beef sandwich at Dr.Dawg, and was very pleased.Will definately be returning there.....

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (FoodLover2012)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:12:54 GMT

i almost forgot... The als cheese fries.... omg

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (FoodLover2012)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:11:20 GMT

Vienna beef is the company that will be handling the hot dogs, italian sausage, etc. Seen a reply about the same question on their sj fb page.

But i lived in Chicago for 15 years and moved to sj in 99. and to this day still havent had the chicago authenticity and the love they put into there food. i passed by the plant center and looked inside. they are almost ready!!!!

San Jose is ready for some chocago love... Italian beef , dipped, sweet pepers and gairdineir on the side!!!

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (carolina bob)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:23:19 GMT

Can't agree with you about Portillo's, Ann. Their Italian beef is one of my favorites, topped only by Al's and Mr. Beef. Surprisingly, there's some really great beefs to be found outside of the Chicago area; remember how pleased I was with my combo at Dr. Dawg's in Milwaukee? And I've found a place just south of downtown Indianapolis, called South of Chicago, that does Italian beef so good it'll put a great big grin on the face of a hungry Chicagoan.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (ann peeples)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:05:51 GMT

I find Portillo's the worst of all. Just my opinion!

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (MetroplexJim)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:33:19 GMT

This "Italian Beef Chicago-thing": I've seen it featured by Richman, Fieri, "Food Wars", and even Bourdain; my mouth waters each time. I'm sure it will be coming to the Metroplex soon. Everything else does!

Economically speaking, the Republic of Texas is sitting in the "cat bird's seat".

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (kland01s)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:04:33 GMT

ann peeples

Al's is good, Mar. Hope you like it. Beats Portillo's by a mile.

Them's fighting words, Ann! I started going to Portillo's original location when a Villa Park cop friend directed me there in 1970. Dick Portillo ran the place. I have since tried just about every beef joint around Chicago, including Al's and I'd take Portillo's any day yet. Lucky for me I have one a mile away! Curious though, Portillo's is pretty consistent around Chicago but I wonder how they do outside of their local distribution center.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (ann peeples)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:54:29 GMT

If you want to try their guardiniera, get it on the side.I always ask for extra au jus, as well.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (mar52)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:42:57 GMT

A mile is worth a try. Thanks!

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (ann peeples)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:30:24 GMT

Al's is good, Mar. Hope you like it. Beats Portillo's by a mile.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (love2bake)

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:41:55 GMT

Haha--looking at Al's Web page, it should probably be #15 or something, since they have so many in Illinois already. They're also building one in Las Vegas. (Sigh...everybody is...)

Good question about the hot dog--won't they just bring in the ones they use now? They can ship frozen or overnight. That's the only way they can replicate the Chicago experience. Ditto the buns.

sizz--maybe we should do a meet up with RF people in our area!

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (sizz)

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:10:38 GMT

who will make the hot-dog that will be served in the new San Jose restaurant? ....anyone know?

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (mar52)

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:02:02 GMT

Great, now I have to put Al's on my list.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (Louis)

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:15:14 GMT

If it is as good as the outlet on Taylor Street in Chicago, then it is the food that dreams are made of. I don't think I've ever had a meal that topped it yet--and that was about four years ago.

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (kaszeta)

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:45:20 GMT

Wouldn't that be Al's #2 Italian Beef? ;)

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (sizz)

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 01:13:54 GMT

holy smoke............. that's only 5 min. from my home. My cardiologist is not going to like this....... but I will

Re:Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (mar52)

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 22:06:58 GMT

I hope it's good and everything you want.

I finally had Portillo's Italian Beef the day after Thanksgiving and it just didn't do it for me.

Either did my daily Prilosec.

Al's #1 Italian Beef coming to San Jose, CA (love2bake)

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:58:27 GMT

This is pretty exciting! I didn't realize Al's was franchising, but it looks like they're on an expansion drive. When they open, I probably will be expanding, too.

https://www.facebook.com/...JoseCA/255641201153103