Al's Drive In

Got here to grab a bite so it's a cash-only joint but they have an ATM on location that charges $3 to get some bread. I went with an Italian Beef w/ nacho cheese, dipped w/ hot peppers. Two chicken egg rolls and small beef fried rice. Started with egg rolls they were cool 7.2 decent flavor but just okay. Next, the beef fried rice again was alright tbh not great but mid not sure they using a wok back there cuz some was a little off with the rice 7.3. The star of the show was the Italian Beef which is a certified banger 🔥🔥🔥🔥 9.7. It was a juicy mess and loved it... the beef with nacho cheese plus peppers was delicious. Wish they put a little more beef on the sandwich but minus that it was on point. Overall the spot is an 8.5, I'll only come back for the Italian Beef and can get better Chinese food elsewhere in the city.

If you read any of the reviews for Al's Drive In online, people have a ton of nostalgia for this place. I find nostalgia for a restaurant can play a negative role for those who don't have the association, but that wasn't the case for me who only ate here for the first time today. The Chicago dog and super taco were solid but the combination fried rice was the hero for me. Never thought l'd find this kind of wok hei flavor from a Chicago Red Hots institution in Maywood, IL that would remind me so much of the fried rice I grew up with at my Chinese immigrant family's restaurant in Arizona. Honestly just throw in some bean sprouts and you'd have a 1:1 copy. I may not have the same nostalgia that a lot of the usuals have with Al's, but that familiar taste of home is so present in every bite of this fried rice. I'm immediately transported to teenage me devouring a large combination fried rice at my own family's restaurant after working a full day's 12hr shift in the summer and immediately passing out in my bed when I got home. I wish I had started coming here sooner.

We have driven past this place many times. Al's Drive-in American and Chinese is such so random pairing. "Come as you are or eat in your car" is a strange slogan. This place did not disappoint; hot dogs, hamburgers, fried catfish on the American side. Fried rice and stir fry on the Chinese side. I found the fried catfish excellent. It has a cornmeal breading, and it was tender. The hot dog was boiled and has a natural casing. The stir fry was sauce was tasty but was a bit on the runny side. I would frequent this place if I lived near by. The only dinning choices are the picnic benches or the fore mentioned eating in your car.

Use to love coming here for the rice unfortunately will not be returning because this is the 2nd time I have found egg shells in my rice I tried picking them out but as I continue to eat the rice was still crunchy

The atmosphere doesn't matter because the food is delicious! First time here