Al's beef/Nancy's pizza on River Road

Driving home from airport last week, sleeping baby in back seat, craving beef I decided against my gut instinct to try Al's beef on the way home to the OP since it had a drive thru. Having a drive thru is not a good reason to not to to the usual Johnnies... I have seen my share of mystery meat, having spent time in soviet-era eastern europe, but this Al's sandwich was something awful. The meat was a pale gray color and stringy. I took one bite and it tasted awful, like what I imagine a hunk of the worst cut of meat sitting out in the sun would taste like. My stomach started hurting. So off to Johnnies, threw away the Al's sandwich in the garbage, woke up Baby O (she will understand in a few years) and had an excellent beef, fries and italian ice.
LO

I haven't been to that particular Al's in a few months . However, my 10 or so experiences there (I work nearby) have been average to above average. I'm in the minority in that I like the cinnamony broth that Al's simmers its beef in.

I was always concerned because another Al's Franchise had opened very nearby on Higgins Road. I'm not sure the neighborhhod can support two of these places so close together. The freshness problem you experienced sounds like it's related to the restaurant holding the beef too long.

I'm still crossing my fingers that the Culvers scheduled to open in Franklin Park will do so soon.

It's a pitty that places like Al's sell their name like this and don't bother to police the quality. I've tried the River Rd. spot twice now and I just can't imagine that I'll be back. I'd much rather stand in line at Johnnie's or even drive to Taylor St.