Italian Beef Sandwich Review
This is a first-hand review of Al's famous Italian Beef sandwich ordered wet with both sweet and hot peppers, directly compared to Portillo's. While the meat and au jus offer distinct flavor, the peppers disappoint with minimal taste.
Mixed
Al's Italian Beef
What the creator ordered
- Italian beef sandwich with sweet and hot peppers, served wet
Standout moments
- +The meat and au jus have a very distinct flavor.
What to know
- −The peppers had no flavor.
- −Prefers the sandwich from Portillo's.
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Tips & Notes
Pro tips
- When ordering wet, expect the bread to absorb au jus — it's intentional and affects the eating experience
- Compare sandwiches from different shops side-by-side to identify flavor differences in meat quality, seasoning, and broth
- Taste peppers separately; flavorless peppers are common and noticeably diminish an otherwise good sandwich
- Note the ratio of meat to bread and au jus consistency when evaluating authenticity and quality
Common Questions
What does 'wet' mean on an Italian beef sandwich?
'Wet' means the sandwich is dipped or soaked in the meat's au jus gravy, making it juicy and flavorful.
How do Al's and Portillo's Italian beef sandwiches differ?
According to this review, Al's offers distinct meat and au jus flavor but underwhelming peppers, while Portillo's delivers a more complete overall experience.
What are the pepper options for an Italian beef sandwich?
Traditional options include sweet peppers, hot peppers, or both mixed together as shown in this order.
Is this review based on video content?
Yes, this review includes video footage of the tasting and comparison between the two sandwich shops.
